CalSHAPE Defended!
CalSHAPE Defended!
Save the CalSHAPE program - NO on AB 3121
The California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) program provides funding to upgrade HVAC systems in public schools across California. AB 3121 (Petrie-Norris) would have terminated this program and two others, and we succeeded in our lobbying efforts to kill this bill.
What happened?
The CalSHAPE program was meant to close its last round of applications on July 31st. Instead, on June 28th, the CEC abruptly announced that they would close the applications a month early, the very next business day, on July 1st. At that point, there was still $260 million left in the HVAC program and intended for schools. Eventually, the reasoning for the early program closure became clear when AB 3121 was introduced, which would have terminated the program and reverted the remaining funds to ratepayers in the form of a small, one-time rebate. Coalition advocates and a number of other organizations banded together to oppose the bill, ultimately succeeding. The California Energy Commission began processing grant agreements and NOPAs shortly thereafter, though applications for new projects are still not re-opened.
Photos of HVAC systems replaced in schools by the CalSHAPE program. Courtesy of Kellie Smith.
How would schools have been impacted?
Before AB 3121 was killed, CalSHAPE was effectively suspended – school districts who had already applied to the program but had not yet received their funding, and districts who had been told they would receive funding but had not yet actually received it, were not receiving funding and were unable to participate in the program. Over 90 LEAs representing hundreds of schools and thousands of students were affected.
Why do we think this happened?
AB 3121 (Petrie-Norris) put CalSHAPE on the chopping block, touting it as a ratepayer affordability solution which would have funded a one-time refund of about $23 to each residential ratepayer in California. This was a short-sighted decision that would not have meaningfully impacted affordability, while actively harming students and staff in vulnerable communities – this is something we cannot afford in a back-to-school season amidst extreme heat and wildfire across our state.
Advocacy with our partners
August 28th environmental coalition letter to the Governor, Senate Pro Tempore, and Assembly Speaker asking them to reject cuts to CalSHAPE, SGIP, and SOMAH
August 16th education and labor coalition letter to the Senate and Assembly Budget Chairs asking not to cut the CalSHAPE program in an upcoming affordability package
August 2nd coalition letter to the CEC docket asking to extend the round 5 application deadline back to July 31
Media coverage
August 30th article in the LA Times, Newsom energy plan sparks tug of war with lawmakers in final hours of legislative session
August 30th Op-Ed in the LA Times, California’s electric bills are a problem. But cutting school funds isn’t the solution
August 30th article in CalMatters, A stunt or first step? Inside California’s last-minute effort to cut electric bills and streamline clean energy
August 29th article in Canary Media, California electric bill relief plan would gut low-income energy programs
August 27th article in Politico Pro, Electric bill affordability talks are now focused on a $30 one-time credit
August 23rd article in The Sacramento Bee, After pushback, Gavin Newsom cuts much of his electric bill affordability plan. What’s next?
August 21st article in Politico, So where’s this affordability package?
August 5th article in The Sacramento Bee, Gavin Newsom has a plan to lower California electricity bills. Here’s what it would do.