As the state advances towards a low-carbon economy, the CalAsian Chamber, along with our partners at the California African American and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, are working closely with Assemblymember (Asm.) Tim Grayson on landmark legislation that will ensure that the diverse small business community can fully participate in this pivotal transition throughout California.
Asm. Tim Grayson is authoring Assembly Bill (AB) 1198, also known as Equity in Energy, that will provide resources for small business owners to maximize this transition as an opportunity to scale and expand their operations. In the next coming months, Asm. Grayson, the Governor’s office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the CalAsian Chamber, and our partners, will work closely together to refine this bill in order to guarantee its effectiveness on behalf of the small business community.
The following news updates, programs and resources, and upcoming events are provided below to support the small business community throughout this important transition.
News
Related information and latest news regarding this initiative.
Continual Updates
HVIP FY22-23 Implementation Manual Now Available
- The Implementation Manual is an important resource for all HVIP participants. It helps clarify the voucher process and eligible technologies and provides answers to common administrative and policy questions. The Implementation Manual is published annually, and all updates are posted on the website. -
Programs
Cal Fleet Advisor
You don’t have to figure out transitioning to a zero-emission vehicle on your own! Cal Fleet Advisor guide fleets and owner-operators, no matter where you are in your transition process. This free assistance program helps owners and operators of medium and heavy-duty vehicles and fleets make the transition to zero-emissions. This program will prioritize smaller businesses and independent owner-operators, with a focus on disadvantaged communities that often have challenges accessing government assistance programs.
California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust
The Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Trust was established to fully mitigate the diesel NOx emissions caused by VW’s illegal actions. The mitigation plan for California includes a variety of grant categories available to replace diesel vehicles registered throughout the state of California.
Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project
The Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) is a multi-million incentive project intended to encourage California off-road equipment users to purchase or lease currently commercialized zero-emission off-road equipment. This streamlined voucher incentive project helps offset the higher cost of zero-emission technology with a point-of-sale discount. There is no scrappage requirement, and additional funding is available for charging and fueling infrastructure, equipment deployed in disadvantaged communities, and small businesses.
- - Take advantage of the remaining $1 million in voucher funds by purchasing zero-emissions landscaping equipment from a CORE-approved dealer.
- - Equipment eligibility applications are still being accepted. Interested manufacturers must submit a completed application as outlined in to to qualify
- - to see which equipment is right for you
EnergIIZE
EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles (Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles) is the nation’s first commercial vehicle fleet infrastructure incentive project. Funded by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program and implemented by CALSTART, EnergIIZE provides incentives for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure equipment for medium- and heavy-duty battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in California. The project provides a user-friendly and streamlined process for participation by breaking down infrastructure deployment barriers through targeted incentives and specialized assistance.
Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has developed the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program to help reduce emissions by providing resources such as: grants, rebates, and other financial incentives for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations.
GoGreen
GoGreen Business offers owners of small and medium businesses expert financing solutions to help save energy, decrease operating costs and increase the value of their property while reducing their carbon footprint. Both property owners and tenants can finance projects ranging from a single appliance to a whole building custom retrofit and can include other property improvements such as a remodel or landscaping. Business owners can choose from loans, leases, ongoing maintenance agreements, and energy service agreements that pay for themselves with guaranteed savings.
National Grants: NOW OPEN
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is authorized under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) to offer funding assistance to accelerate the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of the legacy diesel fleet. EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately $115 million under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): $58 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 funding and $57 million in FY 2023 funding, subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, and other considerations.
All application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through no later than Friday, December 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) to be considered for funding.
Events
Cal Fleet Advisor
You don’t have to figure out transitioning to a zero-emission vehicle on your own! Cal Fleet Advisor guide fleets and owner-operators, no matter where you are in your transition process. This free assistance program helps owners and operators of medium and heavy-duty vehicles and fleets make the transition to zero-emissions. View upcoming events below.
Public Meeting of the California Air Resources Board, the California Transportation Commission, and the California Department of Housing and Community Development
This joint public meeting is convened to coordinate the Board, Commission, and Department’s implementation of policies that jointly affect transportation, housing, air quality, and climate. The meeting will focus on aligning the agencies’ actions to deepen that work and better achieve the State’s climate, transportation, and housing goals.
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