Innovation Fund

Investing in local communities is one way CPA strengthens regional resilience and advances access to clean energy for our customers. Through the Innovation Fund, we invite our partner communities, agencies who have voted to be a CPA member, to submit their best decarbonization project plans that promote energy equity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reach climate goals.

Innovation Fund Project Categories

We encourage projects that extend beyond the Pathways to Electrification building and fleet/EV charging initiatives and focus on one or more of CPA’s Board-approved program pillars. While we’ve listed sample projects for guidance, your submissions are not limited to these examples—innovative ideas that align with the project objectives are highly encouraged.

Leverage clean energy technologies to provide back-up power during grid emergencies, and/or reduce or shift energy use from periods of peak demand or high costs.

Sample projects include:

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) electric school bus fleet that charges batteries for facility or grid use
Rebates or incentive programs for energy management devices

Electrification of buildings or transportation in CPA communities

Sample projects include:

Incentives for heat pump water or space heating replacements for affordable multifamily buildings

Curbside/streetlight EV charging and/or electrified parking carousels for public EV charging

Projects that support community and customer adoption and installation of clean energy.

Sample projects include:

Mobile battery electric storage systems
Provide skills training to advance expertise needed in clean energy industry

How does the Innovation Fund work?

CPA is allocating $2 million over two funding cycles for decarbonization projects, with Partner Communities eligible to apply for up to $250,000 per cycle.

CPA’s Board of Directors will make the final selection of projects in early 2025.

Selected partner communities will approve a funding agreement with CPA, and participate in regular reporting on the status of the projects.

Decarbonization project successfully launched, bringing cleaner, greener energy to our CPA Partner Communities!

What should my agency keep in mind when applying?

Projects should focus on implementation and should be outside the scope of the Pathways to Electrification building and fleet/EV charging projects
Projects should focus on addressing decarbonization challenges in their community in one or more project categories consistent with the Board-approved program pillars:
- - Resilience & Grid Management
  - Electrification
  - Local Procurement
Applications should demonstrate a reasonable ability to complete the proposed project within two years
Applicants must consider any requirements to inform or receive approval from City Councils or Governing Boards prior to submitting project applications
Application responses should be streamlined and not exceed 5-pages in length
Project sites should be located in CPA’s service area

Recipient Requirements: What to Expect

Innovation Fund award recipients will:

1

Approve a funding agreement with CPA detailing the project scope, budget, and expected outcomes

2

Submit invoices and/or other documentation to show expenditure of funds on approved activities

3

Attend check-ins every other month and a one-year post-award interview

4

Provide status reports every six months and a project completion summary subject to CPA’s review

Want to learn more about a program? Ask our team for more details

Download

The Application.

Download

The Application.

More Programs

Power Ready

CPA’s power resiliency program provides participating cities and counties with a clean energy backup power system installation to support critical community or municipal functions during power outages.

Energized Communities

CPA assists partner communities in achieving sustainability goals through the program’s three Pathways to Electrification offerings and an Innovation Grant. Pathways offer financial and technological support for adopting electric technologies, while the Innovation Grant funds local customized sustainability projects.