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Community Power proposes $2.8 million grant program to steer community benefits toward local clean-energy projects
Summary
Staff recommended using roughly $2,800,000 in negotiated community benefit funds through 2028 for a competitive grant program prioritizing distributed energy resources, workforce development and resilience in communities of concern; staff emphasized the funds arrive over time and are limited, so the approach favors grants over permanent programs.
Zia Malis-Grasfeld, senior community engagement manager, briefed the committee on a proposed framework for allocating community benefits funds that Community Power expects to receive under negotiated power purchase agreements. Malis-Grasfeld said the agency anticipates approximately "$2,800,000 through 2028" from negotiated agreements and recommended prioritizing grant-making that supports distributed energy resources (DER), community-serving facilities, small businesses and workforce development in communities of concern.
Staff framed the funds as limited, one-time resources tied to specific projects and stressed the need to avoid creating permanent financial commitments. Malis-Grasfeld said allowable uses typically include housing, education, workforce development, environmental stewardship and resilience, but cautioned that some agreements require developer review of proposed uses and that general counsel will advise on contract-specific limits.
Members questioned geographic targeting and eligible recipients. One committee member argued the funds should primarily benefit residents and businesses within San Diego County; another urged flexibility to award funds where projects are sited when projects outside the county produce local impacts. Staff said the contracts vary by project and that while there is discretion to use funds to benefit Community Power customers, some agreements could restrict uses. The proposed grant program would accept applications from tax-exempt nonprofits and (in staff’s description) could include government agencies and community-serving partners, evaluated against alignment with priorities, feasibility and measurable outcomes.
Staff proposed running a competitive solicitation to select a program administrator and leveraging lessons from Community Power’s existing Community Clean Energy Grants program rather than building a new program from scratch. Malis-Grasfeld said staff will return to the board with a proposed framework and timeline later in the year after incorporating CAC feedback. The CAC received the item for feedback; no vote was required.
