SoCalREN Quarterly Update
April 2022 | Q1
Welcome
SoCalREN administers a variety of programs and initiatives to help people and communities save energy, money, and become more sustainable. Each quarter, we put together an e-newsletter to keep you apprised of the latest sector updates, news, offerings, and information.

SoCalREN: New Programs Planned To Begin in 2024
On March 4, SoCalREN submitted a detailed Business Plan Application covering the REN’s outlook, vision, and intended energy efficiency offerings for the next California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) funding cycle, which begins in 2024 and goes through 2031. The Business Plan filed with the CPUC for approval includes expansions to current programs as well as new programs and sectors to help make energy efficiency more accessible to all communities throughout the region. Although complete CPUC review and approval is not expected until summer of 2023, SoCalREN expects to receive initial responses from stakeholders on its Business Plan submission in Q2 2022.  
ReEnergizing Communities Podcast: Community Partnerships and Energy Justice 
Hear from leaders across Southern California who are working to make a difference. Whether showing Property Managers and local governments better choices for energy use or highlighting opportunities for individuals in disadvantaged communities to pursue careers in energy and water efficiency, ReEnergizing Communities connects listeners to conversations that can help influence change at home, at work, and in the community.

Check out our latest guests that we have had the pleasure of interviewing during the first quarter.

Episode Seven: San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and their Partnership with SoCalREN
  • SGVCOG’s Executive Director, Marisa Creter SGVCOG discusses how they are leveraging local knowledge and strong relationships with SoCalREN’s various Programs, to bring energy efficiency offerings to San Gabriel Valley communities. 

Episode Eight: Utility Debt Relief and Energy Justice with Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE)
  • Gloria Medina and Peggy Scott from SCOPE give a detailed overview of the work SCOPE is doing to help bring debt relief and energy justice to the communities they serve. They also discuss the various programs offered, their goals for 2022, ways to get involved, and more.

We are always looking for future guests to join the podcast. If you would like to get involved or know of a good guest, please contact us at PR@socalren.org.
Kits for Kids Program Success
The SoCalREN Kits for Kids introduces third- and fourth-grade students from participating schools to energy efficiency. Students perform an interactive scavenger hunt and play games to learn how they, and their families, can save money and improve their comfort and safety at home. Each kit includes two LED bulbs, an efficient-flow showerhead, and two faucet aerators. If 65% of students install the energy-efficient items and provide proof of installation, enrolled classrooms are eligible to receive a $1,000 incentive.

In 2021, over 6,000 participating students in 23 school districts enrolled in the program. The kits were distributed to 66 schools in early 2022. Once verifications are complete, the program will process incentives to eligible classrooms. Learn more and enroll today at socalren.org/kitsforkids or email us. 
Public Agency Programs
Save More with SoCalREN Public Agency Programs Cash Incentives!
Enrolled SoCalREN public agencies can now unlock new energy efficiency project opportunities with SoCalREN’s cash incentives! Both SoCalREN’s Metered Savings and Streamlined Savings Pathway programs are now offering incentives based on how much greenhouse gas emissions are avoided by your energy efficiency project—the more you save, the more we give!

Underserved Agencies Receive up to Double the Incentives
Any enrolled SoCalREN public agency can apply, and incentives are offered for all qualifying projects, but facilities serving underserved communities will receive up to double the incentive. Visit the website to determine if your agency’s facility is considered underserved.

The public agency team recently hosted a webinar about the new incentives and the recording is available here. Talk to your SoCalREN Project Manager to start the incentive application process. Don’t have a SoCalREN Project Manager yet? No worries! Fill out our registration form to get started with SoCalREN. 
Residential Program
New Program Marketing Materials
We are so thankful to all of our contractors for their participation and hard work to create more energy-efficient communities across Southern California.

The Program team has updated specific Program documents for contractors to use for 2022. These updates reflect 2022 program updates, eligibility, and incentive information. The following resources have been updated:
  • Property Owner Agreement (POA)
  • Multifamily Whole Building flyer in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese
  • Multifamily Cobranded Whole Building flyer
  • Comprehensive Common Area flyer in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese
  • Multifamily Cobranded Comprehensive Common Area flyer
  • Multifamily Contractor Manual
  • Project Incentive Estimation Sales Tool v3

Program documents are available to contractors on the website under the Contractor Resources section. For more information on Multifamily Programs and resources, visit socalren.org/residential.
Workforce Education and Training Program
Green Path Careers (GPC) is a no-cost program designed to help youth ages 18 and up prepare for a career in the energy efficiency field. To date, there are more than 2.35 million Americans working in energy efficiency with even more jobs being added each year. Despite this growth, employers report difficulty in recruiting qualified workers, due to a lack of experience, training, or technical skills. Green Path Careers offers an industry-recognized curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities that can help young adults succeed in the faster-growing field of energy efficiency.

Recently, Daniel participated in the GPC Program. During his time in the Program, he received guidance and support, enrichment and technical training, and paid work experience. "It opened a different lane of opportunity for me, to gain experience not only with work but with life," Daniel said. For his paid work experience around energy efficiency, he was able to work with The Energy Coalition (TEC). During this experience, he believes TEC and the Program have prepared him for the real world, full-time employment, and provided him with the necessary tools.

For more information on the GPC Program visit socalren.org/gpc
News and Updates
Social Media

Welcome to the SoCalREN community! Connect with us on social media. Keep up with program updates, virtual events, and other news happening related to each program sector. Don’t forget to share and repost!

Facebook: Facebook fans, become a true follower and react to the latest updates.

Twitter: Join the conversation. Come chat with us on Twitter and stay informed.

LinkedIn: Stay connected and engage with us on LinkedIn!

Instagram: #YourSoCalREN, invite your friends to join our community for access to program updates, EE tips, and other news related to the program. 

TikTok: Join our community on TikTok and become part of the conversation.

#YourSoCalREN