Emissions reduction incentives

The Community Emissions Reduction Plan, which was created by a committee made up of Shafter community members, city officials and business owners, has seen some implementation since it was approved late last year. In a move to lower emissions and reduce the community’s energy usage, the CERP includes a commitment from the San Joaquin Valley Air District of up to $1.5 million to incentivize the installation of residential solar and zero and near-zero emission appliances in Shafter, by committing a 10% match to state funding for residential solar and near-zero emission appliances in the community.

The total state and district funding under this proposal would be $15 million for residential solar and zero and near-zero emission appliances in Shafter.

Under the new CERP, the oversight for energy usage is still the job of the California Public Utilities Commission, the public utilities, cities, and counties, not the district. The legislation that made it necessary to create a new emissions reduction plan does not provide the district with new regulatory authority over energy programs.

However, the district will make available to the responsible agencies the following strategy, as suggested by the Committee for potential inclusion into the CERP, for input and response in the Shafter Community Emissions Reduction Program.

There are several state programs that can ultimately benefit the community, such as the DAC-Single Family Solar Homes Program. This program provides assistance in the form of up-front financial incentives for the installation of rooftop solar generating systems for income-qualified owners of single family homes in disadvantaged communities.

There is also a weatherization program that will assist homeowners in weatherizing their homes, including testing and repairing , or even replacing refrigerators, water heaters, heating and cooling systems and gas cooking appliances. It also assists with the insulation of walls, ceilings, floors, and attics. It can also cover weather-stripping, caulking all doors and windows, as well as carbon monoxide detectors, and also duct testing of heating and cooling systems.

This is the beginning of implementation of several plans and programs that were mentioned in the CERP approved by the District in December 2019.