Center For Sustainable Energy

Programs: Clean transportation: in order to make clean vehicles more accessible to a greater number of california drivers, especially in communities that are highly impacted by air pollution, the clean vehicle rebate project implemented increased incentive levels for low- and moderate-income consumers. Through the california air resources boards public fleet pilot project, cse awarded over $2. 8 million for more than 350 electric vehicles at 60 public agencies in the states most pollution-burdened communities. Cse entered its second year administering massachusetts more-ev program, which is responsible for helping the state achieve greenhouse gas reductions through incentivizing drivers to go electric.

energy efficiency and resource conservation: cses clean energy financing advisory council kicked off a two-year tour of california to increase awareness of financing programs and options that support home and commercial energy improvements. Cse also launched the energy upgrade california home energy improvement potential map, a free online resource that gives contractors and local governments a tool to identify california communities where residents are most likely to engage in energy improvements. Cse also merged with the san diego-based nonprofit equinox center to create the equinox project that will enhance and expand the projects work, which focuses on regional environmental, economic and civic affairs.

renewable and distributed energies: throughout 2016, cses policy team led the california benchmarking collaborative, a group of local governments, affordable housing advocates, national organizations and industry groups, in creating the nations first statewide multifamily and commercial building benchmarking program. Cse helped shape the discussion around reform of californias self-generation incentive program, which ultimately led to a doubling of funding to nearly $567 million through 2019 and an increased focus on advanced energy storage. Cse advised on new state energy efficiency business plans through the california energy efficiency coordinating committee, provided technical support on more than 20 state bills and eight local government policies and produced over 40 regulatory filings on energy and transportation. Research awards: the california energy commission awarded a five-year, $5 million grant to fund the san diego regional energy innovation cluster, a nine-member partnership among regional business organizations and academic institutions that includes cse. The doe sunshot initiative awarded cse $1. 2 million to analyze how solar permitting and related local ordinances and practices can be streamlined to effectively combat barriers that slow the deployment of rooftop solar installations.