Equity and Access Grant Program

Program Overview

The CPUC strives to include the needs and voices of underserved and underrepresented communities in its decision-making processes. In 2022, the California Legislature appropriated $30,000,000 in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB 179) for capacity grants to Tribes and community-based organizations (CBOs) for participation in CPUC decision-making processes and supporting activities. The Equity and Access (E&A) Grant Program was created to implement this legislation. 

It should be noted that on January 10, 2024, Governor Newsom presented the 2024-25 January Budget proposal, which revised the amount allocated to the E&A Grant Program from $30 million to $10 million. The proposed revised amounts for each E&A Grant Account, tribal and general fund allocation, and maximum grant account per applicant is available below.

The E&A Grant Program consists of three grant accounts:

Public Participation Grant Account

The Public Participation Grant Account is open and accepting applications from eligible participants in CPUC-organized events that took place after September 8, 2023. Only invited participants in CPUC activities, such as an Advisory Board member, Focus Group Participant, En Banc Speaker/Panelist, Panelist, Featured Speaker/Presenter, Working Group participant, or those otherwise invited to participate at a CPUC event by CPUC staff can receive funding through this grant account. 

The Public Participation (PP) Grant Account is intended to remove financial and capacity-based barriers to participation while creating a flexible and accessible process to apply for and receive compensation. Eligible organizations are compensated for their time up to a maximum of $15,000 for participating in day-to-day CPUC activities that drive and influence policy decisions. 

Equity, Engagement, and Education Grant Account

The Equity, Engagement, and Education (EEE) Grant Account Cycle 2 will be open from May 1 to June 30, 2024. Please refer to the EEE Grant Account Application Coversheet and Grant Guidelines, both located on the right sidebar under Applicant Resources.

The EEE Grant Account will award grants up to $200,000 for the purpose of building CBO, Tribal, and community capacity to understand and engage with CPUC decision-making processes.

The Commission signed Final Resolution M-4871 at the March 7, 2024 Commission meeting, approving EEE grants. The public can access the full text of the Resolution here.

Clean Energy Access Grant Account

The Clean Energy Access Grant Account Cycle 1 is open for applications until April 30, 2024. The Clean Energy Access (CEA) Grant Account will award grants up to $500,000 for work that will address access to or education about the CPUC Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP), Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating Initiative (TECH).

The Clean Energy Access Grant Account Application Webinar was held on February 7, 2024. Please see the recording (password: aEtJXFE3) and slides.

Amount Available for Grants

Amounts in black below align with the Governor's 2024-25 January Budget proposal. The original allocation is available in grey below for reference.

E&A Grant Program Funding Breakdown

Guidelines and Eligibility

Tribes and CBOs interested in applying should familiarize themselves with the E&A Grant Guidelines.
To apply for the CPUC’s E&A Grant Program, an entity must be one of the following types of applicants:  

• TYPE 1: California tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 
• TYPE 2: Federally or non-federally recognized California Native American Tribes, as defined in Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21073. PRC Section 21073 defines a California Native American Tribe as a Native American Tribe located in California that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for the purposes of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004.
• TYPE 3: Tribal entities, including organizations incorporated under Tribal law and wholly owned by the Tribe, Tribal Section 17 Corporations, and Tribal utilities and authorities operated under Tribal law.

Program Grant Cycles

Contact Us

For questions about the E&A Grant Program or for technical assistance, contact capacitygrants@cpuc.ca.gov.