In this episode of Fund-It Fast Chats, we break down the Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Energy Efficiency Program (KTEP) — a California Energy Commission loan program offering 0% interest loans to help public school districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and state special schools upgrade lighting, HVAC, water heating, insulation, solar, and EV charging infrastructure. 

What if the secret to stronger, more effective community programs isn’t more funding… but smarter funding? In this high‑energy Fast Chats episode, Rochelle Butler sits down with Tristan Siddharth Stamets of SEEL, LLC to break down the art (and grit) of funding braiding; the strategy that turns scattered dollars into real, on‑the‑ground impact.

In this special webisode of What’s That? Fast Chats, Rochelle Butler of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO) sits down with Linda Urata, a longtime community engagement leader whose work has helped shape electric vehicle awareness and adoption across the San Joaquin Valley.

This webisode is a powerful spotlight on Rising Sun, an organization creating green jobs and climate career pathways for underserved communities. Rochelle Butler of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is joined by Julia Hatton, President and CEO of Rising Sun for a deep dive into the intersection of workforce development and climate action.

Join host Rochelle Butler of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization as she sits down with the team from Okapi Architecture, one of the standout success stories of the IDEEA 365 innovation process. Their K‑12 Public Schools Program (K12PSP) not only made it through the competitive IDEEA 365 process — it brought a fresh, targeted solution to a sector that needs it most.

Instead of talking about what agencies could do, this year we’re focusing on what partners have already accomplished—and Fresno’s project is a standout example. Together, we explore how SPURR supported the City in bringing this massive effort across the finish line, what it means for ratepayers, and how public agencies can leverage similar tools to accelerate their own clean energy goals.

October isn’t just for pumpkins and costumes; it’s also Energy Awareness Month! Join Rochelle Butler from the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization as she breaks down what Energy Awareness Month is, why it matters, and how YOU can celebrate with smart savings, fun games, and practical tips.

You’ll learn what AB 802 is really about (hint: it’s not just about compliance, it’s about saving energy and money), who needs to report, and how the reporting process works. This webisode offers practical insights from years of helping public agencies navigate the requirements—like which buildings count as “reportable,” common pitfalls, and how to confirm that you’ve filed correctly.

In this episode, we break down the power of energy benchmarking. What is energy benchmarking? Think of it as a report card for your building’s energy use. In this webisode you will learn what benchmarking is and why it matters.

In this special wrap-up to our “Finance August” series, Rochelle breaks down the CEC’s Zero Interest Loan Program for Schools, also known as ECAA-Ed. This revolving loan fund offers up to $3–5 million for energy efficiency, renewable generation, and EV infrastructure projects across public school districts, charter schools, and more.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Amanda Homa of Parakeet Project Development for an update on new developments with the OBF program. Those new developments include an expansion of the OBF program to incorporate opportunities for stacking clean energy onto energy efficiency projects.

Are you a business owner who needs to make upgrades to your property or equipment but doesn’t know where to start? Are you afraid you may not be able to secure financing for any one of many reasons? Maybe those upgrades are not all tied to utility incentives. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this webisode of the Fund-it Fast Chats is for YOU!

Small businesses often start as passion projects. Someone finding a way to make money doing something they really love. Although people often pour everything they have into making those projects a reality, the truth is, there are many barriers to making a small business successful. One of the primary barriers is access to funding.

July is all about workforce at SJVCEO and this webisode is a powerful spotlight on Rising Sun, an organization creating green jobs and climate career pathways for underserved communities. Rochelle Butler of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is joined by Julia Hatton, President and CEO of Rising Sun for a deep dive into the intersection of workforce development and climate action.

During this webisode, we discuss program and energy efficiency measure savings opportunities throughout the state of California. Whether you are a customer of PG&E, Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, or a combination of two or more, chances are, we are talking about an opportunity that you can take advantage of. Additionally, we did not overlook statewide programs.

This webisode breaks down federal tax credits that are currently available for homeowners. I’ll give you a hint, they’re better than you think and not at all difficult to access. Depending on the type of project you are looking to complete on your home, there is a federal tax credit available for you. The main types of project categories are energy efficiency which offer credits for equipment and other items that will lower your overall energy usage and energy costs. The other type of credit is geared toward generation. If you are looking into solar, wind, or geothermal generation projects around your home, this may be a great tool for you.

In this webisode of the Fund-it Fast Chats, we sit down with a GoGreen Financing Marketing Specialist and get to the nitty gritty of what this program is about.

We discuss how this program differs from On-Bill Financing. We also talk about which projects make more sense for On-Bill Financing and which projects make more sense for GoGreen Financing. We touch on just how easy it is to participate and what the process looks like.

What opportunities are out there for our partners in the Ag sector? The answer: A LOT!

This webisode will take a high-level overview of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants.

This webisode of the Fund-it Fast Chats will summarize some of the most popular energy efficiency and clean energy funding and financing available right now. Don’t worry; there is rhyme to our reason. We begin with those that don’t have any out-of-pocket costs and work our way down the list from there.