As part of its mission to reduce California’s reliance on fossil fuels, Clean Power Alliance launched the Energized Communities program. This initiative supports partner communities in achieving key sustainability and decarbonization goals by offering financial and technical assistance focused on implementing electrification projects throughout CPA’s service area.
The program helps CPA communities lead the transition to a more sustainable future by providing practical pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen resiliency, enhance environmental health and create jobs in the growing green economy.
The City of Carson is now a participant in Energized Communities, with a focus on transitioning the city’s gas-powered fleet to electric vehicles (EVs). New EVs will be assigned to the department of Public Safety & Emergency Management and other internal departments.
Carson will receive up to $250,000 from CPA to purchase five EVs and offset the cost of electricity from charging the electric fleet. The $250,000 will help reduce the financial burden of transitioning to EVs, enabling Carson to make cost-effective investments in cleaner transportation. The city will also provide information on fleet composition and usage to CPA to determine fuel cost savings and emissions reductions from the transition to EVs.
“The City of Carson is pleased to partner with Clean Power Alliance to advance practical and forward-looking pathways to electrification that support a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for our community,” said Lula Davis-Holmes, mayor of the City of Carson. “By prioritizing the transition to electric vehicle fleets, the city is making strategic investments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve local air quality, and strengthen long-term energy resilience. These efforts play a critical role in achieving climate and decarbonization goals while enabling smarter, more efficient management of energy resources for the benefit of residents and businesses alike.”
Each EV will be assigned a dedicated Radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled fob for tracking and managing charging sessions, ensuring efficient usage and accurate cost allocation. This system helps streamline operations while promoting sustainability and reducing emissions.
The City of Carson was also selected to participate in both Round 1 and Round 2 of CPA’s Innovation Fund, a competitive funding opportunity offered through the Energized Communities program. The city’s Round 1 project, the EV Charging Wallet, underscores its strong commitment to electrifying transportation across the community, building on significant investments in EV charging technology and growing an extensive network of EV charging stations available for public use.
Through Round 1 of the Innovation Fund, the EV Charging Wallet pilot program provides over 300 Carson residents that lack easy access to EV charging at home with a rebate of up to $250 to charge their EVs at city-approved EV charging stations. The program makes EV charging more affordable and accessible to Carson residents, while promoting clean and sustainable transportation in Carson.
“I really appreciate the City of Carson and the Clean Power Alliance for making this opportunity available for me to easily charge my electric vehicle in Carson,” said Kaneca Pompey, a City of Carson resident. “The EV Charging Wallet is a great way to encourage EV charging and provides the extra financial support to accelerate the transition to EVs in my community. Enrollment was straight-forward, and I was able to receive my rebate after charging at the designated locations in the city. I am glad the city is participating in CPA’s Innovation Fund to offer this opportunity to Carson residents.”
For the upcoming Round 2 Innovation Fund project, the City of Carson is leading an effort to convert residential lawn and garden equipment to all-electric equipment by providing rebates and equipment at no cost to approximately 300 households.
To learn more about how CPA partners with local governments make communities cleaner, more energy efficient and more resilient, visit cleanpoweralliance.org/innovation-fund/.
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