Community projects demonstrate the power of local action to address climate change
Sunnyvale, CA — Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) will award grants to six local communities for projects and initiatives that support energy resilience, building and transportation electrification, and innovative community engagement for clean, electric solutions. The grants will fund $3M in capital improvement, or “demonstration projects,” and $400,000 in engagement programs. As funding is cut at a federal level these grants will help to continue the momentum to build a clean energy future, led by local action.
Demonstration funding will benefit the cities of Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale. The projects include a clean energy back up power system to increase resilience and bring down utility costs at a local fire station, public and fleet electric vehicle (EV) charging located at a public works facility, upgrading a historic site with modern all-electric heat pump appliances to reduce bills and demonstrate the feasibility of all-electric homes, and modernizing a local aquatics center to heat with pollution-free equipment. These projects will showcase the communal benefits and feasibility of upgrading buildings to cleaner, safer, electric technologies. True to their name, demonstration projects are designed for public use, enjoyment, and education.
“Using all-electric equipment in our public spaces allows communities to get familiar with electric technologies and the benefits they bring,” said George Tyson, SVCE Chair and Los Altos Hills Councilmember. “These grants will help us engage residents and bring them along this journey as our local municipalities transition to clean, safe, electric equipment.”
The engagement funding will allow the cities of Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and the County of Santa Clara to run initiatives that engage their residents on a variety of local climate action topics involving the benefits and feasibility of going electric at home, on the road, and in their community. Proposed initiatives include expanding library programs, supporting community events, partnerships with local organizations, and more.
This round of grant funding follows a successful 2022 cohort in which nine cities and a school district in Santa Clara County received $3.6M for local electric projects and resilient energy strategies.
Explore completed and ongoing community grant projects at https://svcleanenergy.org/community-resilience/.
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About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 280,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.
Media Contact
Michaela Pippin, Communications Manager | (408) 549-2690 |
Michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org
