Clean Power Alliance’s (CPA) Energized Communities program is a strategic initiative supporting Southern California’s transition to a clean, resilient energy future. The program helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen local climate preparedness.
CPA’s partner communities receive funding and technical assistance with sustainability and decarbonization planning and project implementation support at no cost, backed by a $10 million funding allocation to be distributed over three years.
The program has two components:
Pathways to Electrification provides up to $250,000 per project in one of three defined pathways that support electrification: (1) building electrification, (2) fleet electrification and (3) community EV charging.
Innovation Fund provides up to $250,000 for funding for creative decarbonization projects in local communities.
Electrification helps lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by shifting fossil fuel-based vehicles, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, oil furnaces, and more to renewable energy-powered electricity options.
Since its launch in 2024, Energized Communities has grown to encompass 20 projects across CPA’s service territory in both program areas. CPA is providing funding and assistance to 16 partner communities – governmental agencies that are members of CPA – designing and implementing a range of electrification projects, including the installation of public EV charging, the purchase of municipal electric fleet vehicles and the installation of electric heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
In Hermosa Beach, Pathways to Electrification funding was utilized to support the full electrification of the historic Clark Building, including installation of an electric stove and heat pump HVAC system. Constructed in 1936, the Clark Building serves as a community center and functions as a multi-purpose civic facility, housing a ballroom, storage rooms, restrooms, a small stage, and a commercial kitchen for local events.
“Clean Power Alliance’s Building Electrification program made a vital contribution to our Clark Building renovation project,” said Douglass Krauss, the City of Hermosa Beach’s Environmental Programs Manager. “It helped us implement important environmental goals and mitigate the inevitable cost increases that agencies are experiencing on such projects. CPA staff was knowledgeable and accommodating in the process, showing they truly want their member agencies to succeed and further the energy efficiency goals that drive CPA’s mission.”
The Innovation Fund is a competitive grant designed to advance local initiatives that drive bold and forward-thinking solutions. It supports a wide range of creative projects that are visioned by the communities themselves—including enhancements to grid reliability, transportation and building electrification, and installation of locally generated clean energy. Selected projects are eligible to receive up to $250,000 in funding for implementation and support services.
Round one of the Innovation Fund is supporting four communities:
- Culver City will accelerate the replacement of fossil-fuel generators with battery generators to reduce emissions.
- Santa Monica will provide electric alternatives for heating, cooling and battery storage to income-qualified renters.
- West Hollywood will support the electrification of rent-stabilized and affordable housing buildings.
- Carson will promote the use of the community’s extensive public EV charging network, including offering rebates to program participants with a focus on residents who have limited access to EV charging.
“The City of Carson is excited to offer the EV Charging Wallet Pilot Program to our residents and encourage use of the extensive EV charging network in the community,” said Carson Mayor Pro Tempore Cedric Hicks. “CPA’s funding is instrumental for Carson to develop and implement this program that accelerates the transition to electric vehicles and reduces costs for our residents.”
The application for round two of the Innovation Fund closes on October 8, 2025.
Beyond Energized Communities, CPA is investing in many other programs that make Southern California more resilient including the Power Ready program – designed for partner communities – which installs clean energy backup power systems to keep critical community facilities powered during outages, the Sun Storage Rebate program which offers residential customers rebates to install solar batteries on their homes, and the Solar and Battery Access program which brings solar power in reach to income-eligible homeowners by providing home solar systems with no out-of-pocket expenses for equipment and installation.
CPA previously provided funding to expand community EV charging infrastructure including $533,000 in funding towards Level 2 charging infrastructure in Ventura County and $1 million in Los Angeles County.
Together, these efforts advance regional clean energy goals, protect vulnerable populations, and build a more resilient future for Southern California.
To learn more about Energized Communities, visit cleanpoweralliance.org/energized-communities/.
