A funding surge is set to invigorate San Diego County's clean energy future. San Diego Community Power, the San Diego Foundation, and Calpine Energy Solutions collectively award over $1.2 million in grants to local organizations devoted to green workforce development and sustainable energy projects. The announcement, which took place at National City's soon-to-be solar-powered Olivewood Gardens, underscored an embracing of renewable energy resources and educational initiatives aimed at bolstering community resilience.
Olivewood Gardens' forthcoming solar array and battery storage system, championed by Hammond Climate Solutions, represents just one of the 16 beneficiary projects poised to lessen the region's dependence on traditional electricity sources. These efforts demonstrate a concerted push toward a more eco-conscious and robust community infrastructure. According to the San Diego Foundation, the Olivewood Gardens Clean Energy Resilience Project will supply clean, reliable power and inspire sustainable practices through educational workshops funded by the grant.
The Community Clean Energy Grants mark a more than threefold increase in reinvestment from the previous year, a testament to the community-focused ethos of San Diego Community Power, a not-for-profit public agency. "From energy education to electric vehicles to energy resiliency, we are helping build healthy and sustainable communities," San Diego City Council President Pro Tem and Community Power Board Chair Joe LaCava told the San Diego Foundation, highlighting the diverse array of initiatives supported by the grants, which aim to underpin sustainable development across the county.
A diverse constellation of nonprofits, including I Am Green Inc., San Diego 350, and La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, are also recipients of substantial sums to fuel projects ranging from clean energy education to weatherization efforts. These organizations will harness the sun's power and foster green literacy among the county's residents. In a partnership with Community Power, Mark Stuart, San Diego Foundation's president and CEO, said, "we’re able to have a greater influence on San Diego’s ability to survive and thrive through the challenges of future climate change."
The grant recipients were chosen following a comprehensive community needs assessment performed by Community Power. The assessment gathered input from over 3,400 individuals via workshops, listening sessions, and a broad survey. The assessment's results were critical in pinpointing the grant focus areas, ensuring the funds are directed to where they can have the most impactful and enduring benefits.
