Financial Resources

Please see below for a list of financial resources organized by environmental topic area. This website will continually be updated with the latest financial resources available for local governments. Each resource includes a short summary explaining the amount available and applicable deadlines for submitting applications. If you are aware of a financial resource available for local governments that is not listed on this web page, please contact Dana Papke Waters at dpapke@arb.ca.gov.

Urban Greening

• Urban Greening Projects Grants Program

  The California Strategic Growth Council offered a total of $15 million to California cities and counties that are undertaking projects related to urban greening. The deadline to apply for 2010 Grants was April 30. To find out more information or to follow the results, visit the Urban Greening Grants website. Local government eligible projects included those that preserve, enhance, increase or establish community green areas such as urban forests, open spaces, wetlands and community spaces. Preference is given to urban, disadvantaged communities. For more information, contact the California Natural Resources Agency, Bonds and Grants Unit at (916) 653-2812 or UrbanGreening@resources.ca.gov.

Climate Action Planning

• Grants for Small Local Governments

  $30 million is available to smaller cities and counties through a competitive grant program offered by the California Energy Commission. CEC has developed the guidelines for this program with extensive stakeholder input. Visit the CEC website to learn more.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

• Design Assistance, Owner Incentives, and Design Team Incentives

  Savings by Design offers design assistance and incentives to encourage energy efficient design and construction. Local governments may qualify for up to $150,000 in owner incentives for energy efficiency in new city-owned buildings.

• Energy Efficiency Financing

  The California Energy Commission (CEC) offers up to $3 million per application in energy efficiency financing and low interest loans to cities and counties for installing energy-saving projects.

• Energy Partnership Program

  The CEC provides technical assistance services (up to $20,000 of consultant costs) to assist with conducting energy audits, review existing proposals and designs, and develop equipment performance specifications.

• Financing Authority for Resource Efficiency in California (FARECal)

  The California Municipal Utility Association offers flexible, joint/pooled financing for energy efficiency, water conservation and water reclamation projects to local governments with publicly owned utilities.

• Financing and Project Assistance for Energy Efficiency in Buildings

  The Local Government Commission provides a comprehensive listing of Federal and State funding opportunities.

• California Investor-Owned and Publicly-Owned Utility Rebate and Incentive Programs

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  • Southern California Edison
  • San Diego Gas and Electric Company
  • Southern California Gas Company
  • California Municipal Utility Association

Renewable Energy

• Go Solar California

  The California Solar Initiative provides information on rebates, tax credits, and incentives for solar energy systems in California. The CSI program provides additional assistance to local governments who cannot take advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC).

• Renewable Funding

  Renewable Funding develops and delivers innovative solutions for renewable energy and energy efficiency financing. Renewable Funding supports the administration and financing of the CityFIRST (Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology) Program at no cost to participating cities.

Water Efficiency, Conservation, Recycling and Reuse

• Smart Rebates Program to Save Water

  Smart Rebates is a statewide program administered by the California Urban Water Conservation Council that offers a list of water efficient appliance rebates that can be used by commercial building owners. As of March, 2009, the State of California put a suspension on funding water rebates. However, water rebates are still available to customers serviced by certain agencies. Please contact the Smart Rebates Program at 1-800-563-5874 (1-800-LO-FLUSH) to find out if you are eligible to receive funding.

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund

  The CWSRF Program provides financial assistance through various State and federal loan and grant programs to help local agencies meet the costs of water pollution control, development of locally available sustainable water supplies, and cleanup. Visit their website or call (916) 327-9987 for more information.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

• Reuse Assistance Program

  Up to $250,000 is available each year through a competitive grant process where local governments can receive up to $50,000 in matching funds for reuse of nonhazardous material(s) projects.

• Beverage Container Recycling Grants

  The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery administers funding programs to assist local governments with establishing convenient beverage container recycling and litter abatement projects, and to encourage market development and expansion activities for beverage container materials. Funds are available through several programs.

Green Building

• Federal Tax Incentives for Green Communities

  $800 million is available to assist State and local governments to reduce GHG emissions. Bonds can be used for reducing energy consumption in government buildings, implementing Green Communities programs, public education programs to promote energy efficiency, and demonstration projects of green building technologies.

• Utility Incentives for Energy Efficiency Measures in Green Buildings

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company
  • Southern California Edison
  • San Diego Gas and Electric Company
  • Southern California Gas Company
  • California Municipal Utility Association

Urban Forestry

• Green Trees for the Golden State

  Up to $1 million dollars is available annually to assist communities, non-profits and municipal governments to create and maintain urban forests. Contact one of the Urban Forestry Field Specialists to obtain more information on obtaining a grant for your local jurisdiction.

Land Use

• California Farmland Conservancy Program

  Cities and counties are eligible for grants to secure long-term stewardship of agricultural lands. The California Farmland Conservancy Program offers several grant categories related to conservation easements, temporary purchased, policy and planning projects, and restoration of land improvements. There are no minimum or maximum levels of funding for individual grants. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. Contact the California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection at (916) 324-0850 or cfcp@consrv.ca.gov for more information.

• Strategic Growth Council

  The Strategic Growth Council (SGC), through its Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives Program, is providing up to $60 million in grant funding to local governments and regional planning agencies for the planning and development of sustainable communities. Applications will be due August 31, 2010. For more information, please see the SGC Planning Grant website.