California Climate Investments December 2024 Newsletter
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A group of people seated around a wooden table, collaborating on a project. The table is filled with laptops, tablets, smartphones, notebooks, and cups of coffee. The screens on the devices display slides with titles such as "Discussion Outline." Papers with handwritten notes and a small potted plant are also on the table.

Updates to the Funding Guidelines and Benefit Assessment Tools formerly named Benefit Criteria Tables

The 2024 Funding Guidelines for Agencies that Administer California Climate Investments is now available. The Funding Guidelines provide guidance to agencies that administer California Climate Investments programs on developing their own guidelines and solicitations. California Air Resources Board (CARB) initiated the 2024 update to incorporate the workforce standards required by Assembly Bill 680 for certain California Climate Investments programs and incorporate lessons learned from the 2018 Funding Guidelines.


The Funding Guidelines update has also prompted an update of the tools used to determine if a project funded by California Climate Investments provides a benefit to a priority population. The benefit assessment tools, formerly named the benefit criteria tables, will reflect the update to the disadvantaged community designation to include lands under the control of federally recognized Tribes, emphasize community engagement, connect to the newly launched California Climate Investments Resource Portal, and improve the user experience. The benefit assessment tools will be out for public comment next week. Visit our website then to learn how you can submit feedback about the tools.

Announcements and Updates

LA Metro's E Line (Expo Line) light rail train, painted in bright yellow and black, approaches a modern station platform in an urban area. The destination sign on the train reads "Santa Monica." The station features shaded waiting areas, seating, and glass-paneled structures. Tall buildings and palm trees are visible in the background.

Caltrans Low Carbon Transit Operations Award Announcement

Caltrans announced awards for 149 projects funded by the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) on October 8. The awarded projects, spanning all 12 Caltrans districts and totaling over $206 million, will expand bus and rail services, help transit agencies purchase zero-emission vehicles, fund zero-emission infrastructure projects and support free or reduced transit fare programs. Read the press release from Governor Newsom’s office to learn more.

A Boost for Transit: CalSTA Awards 27 Transformative Transit Projects with $1.3 Billion in Grants

California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced awards for 27 transit projects funded by the 2024 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) on October 24. These projects received grant funding that will support transformative transit projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand transit services, and enhance connectivity across California’s transportation networks. TIRCP funding drives innovation and helps build cleaner, more efficient, and equitable transportation systems for all Californians. Learn more about the funded projects.

A close-up of a person’s hand plugging a charging cable into a white electric vehicle at a charging port.

Driving Change: Clean Cars 4 All Celebrates 20,000 Completed Projects

CARB marked a significant milestone for Clean Cars 4 All, with 20,000 projects completed to help low-income Californians transition to low-emission and electric vehicle options, including e-bikes and public transit vouchers. The program provides financial assistance for replacing older vehicles and for home charger installation or prepaid charge cards when installation isn't possible. Since program recipient Mark Panes received assistance to purchase a Chevrolet Volt though Clean Cars 4 All, he’s reduced his gas bill by 75%, resulting in a more cost-effective commute. Learn more about the program and reach out to your local air district about eligibility information and available funding for Clean Cars 4 All.

California Climate Investments Connecting with Communities Statewide Across California

A collage of photos taken at events attended by the California Climate Investments team. The image in the top right features a gathering of people seated on white folding chairs outdoors, surrounded by trees and grass, listening to a speaker. The middle image features a poster titled "Generations for Change," featuring an illustration of diverse individuals holding signs and baskets of produce, with phrases like "Abundance" and "Vision: Centering youth voices to fight climate change." In the top right, a table display with California Climate Investments informational flyers and documents, set up outdoors under a tree, with a marketplace or fair visible in the background. In the bottom right, a display of traditional corn varieties and grains in bowls, with labeled signs, alongside dried corn stalks.

Our California Climate Investments team has been actively engaging with communities at key events across the state, building relationships, gathering insights, and sharing current funding opportunities to support sustainability. These events offered meaningful connections and highlighted the importance of community-centered collaboration in shaping impactful climate solutions. Some highlights from these recent events include:


At the Clean Mobility Conference in Los Angeles, we met with advocates and agencies to explore clean transit innovations and funding opportunities. We also shared insights from previously funded projects, emphasizing collaboration for future success. At the Tribal Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Conference, we introduced the The Funding Workbook for All California Tribes, which was enthusiastically received. We are looking forward to continuing our conversations and partnering with tribes to access funding.


On September 29th, we attended Cyclovia Vista, where families filled the car-free streets that the city closed in celebration of Clean Air Day. We connected with residents on local and state clean air initiatives and came away feeling inspired by the interest in funding for electric vehicles and bicycles.


At a community gathering hosted by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, we listened to members’ perspectives on how California Climate Investments programs could better serve their needs and gained deeper insight into community challenges. In our one-on-one conversations over a bowl of chili, composting emerged as a key interest, and attendees welcomed the Tribal Funding Workbook as a valuable resource.


The San Diego Food System Alliance’s Annual Gathering brought together community leaders in Escondido for a day of learning, art, and meaningful conversations about the local food system. One of the learning sessions our team joined explored intergenerational divides, and how young people and elders have so much to offer each other just by being there for one another. Attendees were eager to explore California Climate Investments funding opportunities in agriculture, waste diversion, and sustainable communities.


These events provided invaluable opportunities for meaningful dialogue, resource sharing, and relationship-building. As we continue to connect with communities, we remain committed to shaping California Climate Investments programs that align with local needs and advance California’s climate and sustainability goals through collaborative efforts.


If you would like to suggest an event for California Climate Investments to attend, please let us know! Your suggestions will help us prioritize our engagement with communities in the upcoming year. Reach out to: info@caclimateinvestments.ca.gov or call us at 1-800-757-2907.


Opportunities for Funding

Here are a few of our latest funding opportunities. Visit the
California Climate Investments program webpage for a complete list.

Collage of previous Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program awardees. The top left image features cattle in a field, the middle left features a wide shot of California farmland, the bottom left features a creek, and the top right features a group of people atop a small waterfall at a creek.
Refrigerated display case in a grocery store filled with various packaged foods.

F-Gas Reduction Incentive Program Now Accepting Applications

The Fluorinated Gases Emission Reduction Incentive Program is now accepting applications for funding to support the transition to low-global warming potential refrigerant technologies. The solicitation submission deadline is January 31, 2025. View the solicitation details and find additional information.

Collage of four electric vehicles at charging stations: a gray SUV, a white sedan, a gray hatchback, and a black pickup truck.

Driving Clean Assistance Program Now Open for in Select Counties for Low-Income Households

Low-income households in over 20 counties can access up to $12,000 in incentives toward purchasing or leasing a new or used clean vehicle when scrapping an older car, or up to $7,500 without scrapping through the new Driving Clean Assistance Program. The program also provides low-interest loans, mobility options like transit passes or e-bikes, and up to $2,000 to help offset charging costs. These incentives help low-income and disadvantaged communities access the benefits of clean air vehicles. Learn more and apply.

A teacher drives a Switch Lab electric vehicle assembled by students as part of a hands-on zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technology training program.

The California Energy Commission's Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Local (IDEAL) Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Workforce Pilot Project is collaborating with Fresno City College to offer career pathways to students at three local high schools. The project equips the school with the tools and training needed to introduce students to zero-emission vehicle technology. Funded by the California Energy Commission and California Climate Investments, this initiative provides curriculum, equipment, and dual-enrollment options that lead to a ZEV certification. By partnering with local businesses and municipalities, Fresno City College is preparing students for next-generation careers in new technology to support the San Joaquin Valley’s transition to cleaner, sustainable transportation.

Site operators at a Cycle 1 site stand near a recently completed pile of compost.

CalRecycle’s Community Composting for Green Spaces Grant Program supports composting initiatives at hundreds of sites across California, benefiting both urban and rural communities. Grant funding has helped create local composting hubs, plant trees, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program also fosters economic opportunities through part-time jobs, hands-on training, and the development of green spaces, all while improving access to composting and turning organic waste into valuable resources. The latest funding cycle focuses on Tribal communities, expanding composting programs to enhance climate resilience on Tribal lands.

Three people stand near a white electric vehicle with the trunk open during a Ride and Drive event hosted by Comite Civico del Valle in Brawley. Palm trees and other people near test cars are visible in the background.

Comite Civico del Valle hosted a free Ride and Drive event, giving residents the chance to test drive battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles in a welcoming and safe environment. Held at the Lions Recreation Center Gymnasium, the event was organized in partnership with the Community Housing Development Corporation and the Driving Clean Assistance Program. Supported by California Climate Investments, the event aimed to promote clean transportation options while advancing efforts to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community.

Aerial view of the Crestview Terrace Apartments sub-development within the Arrowhead Grove community in San Bernardino. The complex consists of multi-story residential buildings and is bordered by streets and a mix of commercial and residential areas.

National Community Renaissance, also known as National CORE, and the Housing Authority of San Bernardino County received $15.8 million from California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program for the fourth phase of the Arrowhead Grove affordable housing project. This funding, provided through California Climate Investments, includes $8.7 million for 92 new energy-efficient, affordable homes and $7.1 million for community enhancements such as improved sidewalks, expanded bus service, bike lanes, and urban greening initiatives. Learn more about the Arrowhead Grove project and its role in building a vibrant, sustainable future.

View of vineyard rows framed by tree branches at the Chacewater Wine Company in Penn Valley during the 2023 Nevada County Ag Tour.

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District and Nevada County secured a $500,000 grant from the California Strategic Growth Council’s Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program. This three-year grant will fund the creation of an Agricultural and Working Landscape Conservation Plan to protect local farmlands, enhance climate resilience, and support sustainable agricultural practices. Collaborative efforts with partners like Bear Yuba Land Trust and Sierra Harvest aim to ensure food security, sustainable land use, and protect Nevada County’s agricultural heritage. Read more on YubaNet’s website.

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