2017

Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Project Delivers Cleaner Air in San Joaquin Valley

Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Project Delivers Cleaner Air in San Joaquin Valley

The San Joaquin Valley Transit Electrification Project has deployed 15 zero-emission battery electric transit buses, and 15 charging stations, in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

Restoring Wetlands in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta

Restoring Wetlands in the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta

The San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta is the cradle which nurtures the drinking water supply of more than 23 million Californians and much of the state’s farm land. But measurements show land on Sherman Island has sunk as much as 28 feet below sea level as the State’s population and demand for water have grown. That’s why California Climate Investments is providing more than $10 million to improve the situation.

Madera County Connects Residents with Water Efficiency Devices

Madera County Connects Residents with Water Efficiency Devices

“For the community; by the community” is the motto of the South-East Madera County United (SEMCU), a non-profit mutual benefit organization in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. In May 2015, with a $218,594 grant from the DWR, members set out to provide water efficiency devices for approximately 75 percent of homes and businesses within SEMCU’s boundary, an area encompassing five disadvantaged community census tracts.

Visalia-Fresno Shuttle Serves Students, Travelers, and Residents

Visalia-Fresno Shuttle Serves Students, Travelers, and Residents

Deep in California’s Central Valley, the small City of Visalia took a big step when it started its Visalia-Fresno Shuttle Project in November 2015. The five-stop “V-line,” part of the Visalia Transit system, has a stop for everyone – students headed to Fresno State University, travelers bound for Fresno Yosemite International Airport, even visitors off to see Fresno’s leafy Courthouse Park.

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Student Lands Job on High-Speed Rail

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Student Lands Job on High-Speed Rail

Students continue to flock to classes and training that can lead to jobs on California’s High-Speed Rail project and other infrastructure projects. Two years ago, Yovani Moreno took Pre-Apprenticeship Training classes at the Construction and General Laborers’ Local 294 union hall in Fresno.

Demonstrating Zero-Emission Port Technologies in Long Beach

Demonstrating Zero-Emission Port Technologies in Long Beach

Thanks to a demonstration project testing advanced technologies, the Port of Los Angeles is serving as a proving ground to show how large industrial facilities can operate sustainably.
The Green Omni Terminal Demonstration Project is a full-scale demonstration of zero- and near-zero emission technologies at a working marine terminal. At full build-out, the 40-acre terminal will be the world’s first marine terminal to generate all of its energy needs from renewable sources.

Manure Management Project in Kings County Offsets Electricity Usage

Manure Management Project in Kings County Offsets Electricity Usage

Phil Verwey knows that happy cows produce better and more milk, and recent California Climate Investments in his dairy have made both Mr. Verwey—and his cows—very happy. Thanks to a $3 million grant from the CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program in 2015, along with $4 million in matching funds, the animal manure from his operation is now being turned into high quality bedding for his herd and electricity.

Rebates Expand Community Access to Clean Vehicles

Rebates Expand Community Access to Clean Vehicles

The State’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), which is now primarily supported by Cap-and-Trade dollars, promotes clean vehicle adoption by offering rebates of up to $7,000 for the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emission vehicles, including electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. Eligible California residents can follow a simple process to apply for a CVRP rebate after purchasing or leasing an eligible vehicle.

Growing Trees and Community Capacity in San Bernardino County

Growing Trees and Community Capacity in San Bernardino County

Spreading the green has a whole new meaning in part of Southern California. That’s because the Incredible Edible Community Garden (IECG) and CAL FIRE are using a $615,000 grant to plant shade trees throughout communities in south San Bernardino County.

Enhanced Irrigation Tools and Solar PV System Bring Efficiency to Fresno Farm

Enhanced Irrigation Tools and Solar PV System Bring Efficiency to Fresno Farm

The investment of $150,000 in Cap-and-Trade proceeds into climate-smart technology on Navdip Badhesha’s 40-acres of grapes made a big difference in water use and carbon emissions for this farmer – and for California.

Advanced Composting Facility Diverts Organic Waste in Kerman

Advanced Composting Facility Diverts Organic Waste in Kerman

One of the most advanced composting operations in California is scaling up its operations in Fresno County. Early in 2017, Mid Valley Disposal is opening its new 10-acre, 68,000 square foot composting facility in Kerman, California. In addition to creating 47 new jobs in California’s agricultural heartland, the project serves as a model of sustainability in California’s innovative fight against climate change.

Weatherization & Solar PV Project Benefits Low-Income Sacramento Residents

Weatherization & Solar PV Project Benefits Low-Income Sacramento Residents

After facing increasingly unaffordable energy bills year-after-year, Milton, a Sacramento County resident, learned about the State’s low-income solar program offered through the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). He became interested in the program and was one of many residents that benefited from this assistance

Incentives Help Replace Old, Polluting Vehicles with Clean Cars

Incentives Help Replace Old, Polluting Vehicles with Clean Cars

Jerome Mayfield had an old pickup truck that failed smog, but thanks to a scrap-and-replace pilot program in the San Joaquin Valley he’s now the proud owner of a zero-emission 2013 Nissan Leaf.

Financing Pilot Program Opens Doors to Clean Car Ownership

Financing Pilot Program Opens Doors to Clean Car Ownership

Marie Deer, an Oakland resident, went from not having a car to acquiring a pre-owned 2015 Honda Insight, a hybrid vehicle that she was able to afford through a financing assistance program available to low income Bay Area residents who live in disadvantaged communities most impacted by air pollution.

Energy Efficiency Measures Bring Savings and Comfort to Orange County Residents

Energy Efficiency Measures Bring Savings and Comfort to Orange County Residents

Jose, a senior citizen whose home is located in Southern California, was having difficulties paying his electricity bill. The final straw came one day in April 2016 when he received a notice from Anaheim Public Utilities stating that his electricity service would be disconnected if he did not pay his overdue balance of $292.57 by close of business—a situation that led him to seek assistance.

Restoring Watersheds Damaged by the King Fire

Restoring Watersheds Damaged by the King Fire

Replanting and restoration are underway a few thousand acres at a time, and the California Climate Investment program is helping bring the King Fire area back to life. $1.9 million from the State’s Cap-and-Trade auctions is being put to work on CAL FIRE’s King Fire Rehabilitation and Reforestation Project.