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Menlo Park council gives staff flexibility to spend $4.5 million electrification grant, debates Belle Haven priority
Summary
Staff said the city must spend the first half of a $4.5 million California Energy Commission grant by March 2026; councilors broadly supported options to expand eligibility and offer rebates while split over referral fees and ebike incentives, and directed staff to prioritize Belhaven residents where possible but to keep flexibility to avoid leaving funds unspent.
City staff told the council Menlo Park has $4.5 million from the California Energy Commission to accelerate home electrification and must spend the first half of the funds by March 2026 to invoice for the second tranche.
"Through the California Energy Commission, the state appropriated $4,500,000 to the city with the first half of those grant funds needing to be spent by March 2026," sustainability manager Rachel Wander said. She said staff has scheduled 86 home assessments (58 completed), 38 signed participation agreements, and 17 completed upgrades; at the current pace an estimated $680,000 of the first half would remain unspent by March.
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