California Energy Commission’s ‘Energy Upgrade California’ Needs to Proceed as Planned

Contacts:
Derek Walker, (916) 492.7169 (o), (410) 980.0939 (m), dbwalker@edf.org
Lori Sinsley, (415) 293.6097 (o), (415) 901.8111 (m), lsinsley@edf.org
Jessica Lass, (310) 468.2300 (o), 202.468.6718 (m), jlass@nrdc.org

(Sacramento–October 14, 2010) California could soon lose out on $33 million in federal stimulus money that was awarded to improve energy efficiency and support in-state jobs if a court decision made today is allowed to remain in place.

“The CEC worked hard to design a program that would create jobs in California and protect the environment while meeting tight federal deadlines. ‘Energy Upgrade California’ is exactly the type of program we need to deliver these benefits and was the only and best option that the CEC had given the circumstances. If California loses the money, we all lose out,” said Derek Walker, California Climate Initiative director at Environmental Defense Fund.

The program was initiated by the California Energy Commission so that it could keep $33 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for energy efficiency upgrades, energy reduction measures and related job creation.

The money was initially to be used for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy systems for property owners. Many of these were halted due to Federal Housing Finance Agency decisions, and are still awaiting federal action. Energy Upgrade California is designed to meet the goals of the original plan without wading through the uncertainty surrounding PACE financing.

“Today’s decision jeopardizes $33 million in funding to support an innovative statewide water and energy efficiency program that will benefit all Californians,” said Lara Ettenson, director of NRDC’s California Energy Efficiency Policy. “California leads the nation in energy efficiency and we must protect programs that will reinvigorate our state’s economy by developing clean energy jobs and reducing pollution, while putting money in the hands of consumers through lower energy bills.”

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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. For more information, visit www.edf.org/california. Follow us on Twitter at EDF_CA and read our blog at http://blogs.edf.org/californiadream/.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.