We didn't pick a theme this month. We didn't curate. We didn't overthink it. We just asked everyone who works on the Central California Rural Regional Energy Network to send us their favorite song. Their actual favorite. No instructions. No guardrails.
And this is what we got.
Read More2026 is shaping up to be one of California's most consequential years for energy efficiency regulation. This quarter saw all 13 EE portfolio administrators file their 2028–2031 Portfolio and Business Plans with the CPUC, launching an 18-month review process for a combined $5 billion budget, while SDG&E's bid to exit its regional EE programs advanced with a contested two-party settlement.
Read MoreTrust is the foundation of every successful energy program, and Local Government Partnerships help deliver it. Reaching communities with energy efficiency programs takes more than generous incentives. It takes credibility. By partnering with local governments already embedded in their communities, GK12 bridges the gap between programs and the people they serve, turning skepticism into participation, and transactions into lasting relationships. The result is a more equitable, cost-effective model that drives real outcomes for communities across California.
Read MoreSoCalREN Regional Partners like Gateway Cities COG, High Sierra Energy Foundation, and San Gabriel Valley COG don't just deliver programs, they translate statewide policy and funding into initiatives that feel relevant and credible to the communities they've spent years serving. Their deep local trust acts as a "co-sign" that turns good ideas into real participation and lasting impact.
Read MoreIn music, we call it the feature. And the best ones don’t just add a verse, they change what the song is capable of being. This month’s playlist is built on those moments. Songs where someone showed up on someone else’s track and made the whole thing bigger.
Read MoreRev. Frank Jackson, Jr., CEO of Village Solutions Foundation, has built his life's work around a truth that most programs overlook: trust takes time, and rushing it costs everything. Through his work connecting smaller faith communities to energy resources and funding, Frank takes the long road: educating pastors before reaching congregations, removing structural barriers, and building programs that are designed to last. His approach is a powerful reminder that real engagement isn't measured in meetings, but in the depth of the relationships behind them
Read MoreWhen programs miss the people they're meant to serve, the problem is rarely intent, it's design. Courtney Henderson, founder of Hawks Peak Strategies, makes the case for engagement that starts earlier, listens longer, and puts community voices at the center from day one.
Read MoreReal community engagement means showing up, side by side, to solve problems that matter. That's exactly what happened when SJVCEO and SoCalREN partnered with the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) to conduct an energy efficiency "treasure hunt" at their High Desert facility. Through hands-on, real-time collaboration between VVWRA staff and the SoCalREN team, 73 energy efficiency opportunities were uncovered, creating a roadmap to lower operational costs, reduce energy use, and reinvest savings back into the community's critical infrastructure.
Read MoreSouthern California Edison's Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) is a gold standard for meaningful utility–community engagement. Launched in 1998, the CAP brought together 14 volunteer representatives from across SCE's service area to advise directly on issues ranging from wildfire safety to clean energy policy. Though discontinued, its legacy lives on through structures like the Clean Energy Access Working Group (CEAWG), proving that authentic engagement isn't a one-time initiative — it's a long-term commitment to listening, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
Read MoreYou know what made a house party work? Word of mouth. Somebody told somebody who told somebody else, and by 10 pm the living room was packed with people who didn’t all know each other—but they knew someone who got them through the door. That’s how real community engagement works too. It’s not mass emails and flyers. It’s relationships. Trust networks
Read MoreCalifornia has long been a laboratory for energy efficiency, testing ideas, technologies, and strategies that ripple across the state and beyond. Among its more imaginative experiments is Innovative Design for Energy Efficiency Applications—aptly dubbed IDEEA 365—a program designed not just to save kilowatts, but to rethink how efficiency can be discovered, tested, and scaled in real-world conditions. Since 2013, IDEEA 365 has offered a year-round, competitive procurement pathway that allows California’s Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) to source novel, market-ready solutions from third-party providers. Unlike traditional program cycles bound by rigid timelines, IDEEA 365 was structured to be nimble—responsive to emerging technologies and evolving market needs.
Read MoreThat’s where the Brewery Energy Efficiency and Revitalization (BEER) Program comes in. Born from California’s Innovative Design for Energy Efficiency Applications (IDEEA 365) platform, BEER makes a compelling case for applying energy efficiency strategies on a craft-specific level. It’s not a generic rebate program with a beer label slapped on—it’s a targeted, thoughtfully engineered solution for a historically underserved market. And it’s delivering real results.
Read MoreCalifornia's energy efficiency landscape kicked off 2026 with major regulatory changes. The new California Energy Code mandates significant efficiency improvements for homes and commercial buildings—from heat pump requirements to smart thermostats—with an estimated $4.8 billion in energy savings over 30 years. Meanwhile, the CPUC is moving to phase out natural gas incentives for builders by 2027, accelerating the state's transition to electric alternatives. These shifts represent a pivotal moment for energy efficiency programs across California.
Read MoreThat's essentially what IDEEA 365 is for California's energy efficiency world. Run by the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), this year-round competitive solicitation is an open call for third-party implementers to pitch new, cost-effective energy efficiency programs. No waiting for a specific funding cycle. No narrow windows. Just: you've got an idea? Bring it.
Read MoreEnergy efficiency projects often stall due to budget constraints and stakeholder skepticism—not technology failures. Fresno transformed 76 sites into a coordinated EE program by aligning political priorities, using innovative financing, streamlining procurement, and leveraging data. The result? A system where approval became the easiest option
Read MoreAs part of a sustainability campaign launched by Mayor Jerry Dyer, the City of Fresno recently completed one of its most ambitious energy efficiency initiatives to date—touching parks, public safety facilities, water treatment plants, and everything in between. The mission was simple (and refreshingly practical): cut energy use, lower long-term costs, and reduce carbon emissions—without disrupting the services residents rely on every day.
Read MoreQuiet Storm was never about volume—it was about impact. The City of Fresno's sustainability team embodies this philosophy: heat pump installations, solar projects, millions in EE improvements—all delivered through strategic groundwork, not loud announcements.
Read MoreWelcome to EE Regulatory Roundup, your quarterly guide to navigating California's ever-evolving energy efficiency landscape. In each edition, we'll break down the essential regulatory updates, policy changes, and program developments that matter most to energy efficiency practitioners across the state. Consider this your trusted resource for staying informed, understanding what's changing, and knowing exactly what it means for your work in the field.
Read MoreOur December playlist is packed with holiday classics and festive favorites to keep your spirits bright as you reflect on the year's achievements and look ahead to all the possibilities 2026 will bring.
Read MoreAs more households consider their cooking fuel choices and the environmental impact of their kitchens, clean cooking has never been more relevant. Whether you're curious about making the switch to induction, exploring multi-functional appliances, or simply looking for budget-friendly ways to improve your kitchen's efficiency, this series has something for everyone.
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