H.R. 5019 and S.3177 The Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program is designed to provide rebates for home energy efficiency measures.  To date, the bill has passed the House of Representatives with a 246 - 161 vote, and moved to the Senate for their vote, which will likely be in July.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( ARRA) provides more than $351 million for California cities and counties to reduce fossil fuel emissions and energy use as well as to improve energy efficiency in all sectors. Applications for direct formula grants for large cities were due June 25, 2009. Small cities can apply for grants through the California Energy Commission ( CEC) until January 2010.

The ARRA will provide California cities and municipalities $226 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy SEP funds focus on municipal clean energy financing programs and energy efficiency programs for municipal, residential and commercial sectors.  Applications to the CEC are due by November 30, 2009 and funds will be awarded by September 2010.

ARRA authorizes local communities to use some or all of their QECB allotment for funding municipal solar and energy efficiency projects, including “green community programs” and energy improvements to publicly owned buildings.

These bonds can finance solar photovoltaic and water heating installations at rates lower than most tax-exempt municipal bonds. Local public agencies interested in CREBs are invited to an informational meeting on May 15, 2009.