Item 8
VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report – Item 8
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Rebecca Kuczynski, Chief Customer Officer
SUBJECT: Summary of VCE Grant Activity
DATE: December 11, 2025
This informational report summarizes VCE’s grant participation activities during 2025.
VCE Awarded Grants & External Funded Programs - In-Progress
1. Responsive, Easy Charging Products with Dynamic Signals (REDWDS) - California Energy Commission (CEC)
The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program grant provides up to $9 million in grant funds to accelerate the development and deployment of easy-to-use charging products which help customers manage electric vehicle (EV) charging and respond to dynamic grid signals. Up to $300 million in additional grant funds may be available in the future to complete a second phase of work for agreements initially awarded funding under this solicitation. VCE in partnership with Monarch Tractor and GridTractor has been provisionally approved for $337,500 to provide bidirectional electric tractors using dynamic rates similar to the the AgFIT program.
2. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) – Hourly Flex Pricing (AgFIT Expanded Pilots #1 and 2)
Pilot #1 is similar to the original AgFIT Pilot and is geared toward ag customers. It is administered by VCE in VCE territory. Pilot #2 has more eligible customer classes, including residential. It is administered by PG&E.
VCE Requested Grants & External Funded Programs – Applied/Pending
1. Microgrid Incentive Program
The MIP is the newest iteration of the rural Yolo County based microgrid program. It would ensure the successful implementation of environmental and climate justice projects through strong relationships and meaningful engagement with community leaders, residents, and project partners. VCE will work with collaborating entities and the broader community to ensure project activities are responsive to community needs, equitably distributed, and inclusive of all voices—especially those from farmworkers, low-income families, and tribal communities. VCE is working with Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Emeren on the proposal.
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Item 8
2 VCE Grants & External Funded Programs – Approved
1. Smart Home Energy and Load Flexibility (SHELF) Pilot The Smart Home RTP Testbed will target a subset of 25-50 homes to participate in order to achieve 400 kW of load-modifying flexibility during VCE’s annual peak hour(s). Project started as a CEC grant, was not funded, and now VCE is exploring how Panasonic can fund the project directly. Board approval was granted in November 2025. Program design depends on HFP pilot for dynamic rates.
VCE Grants & External Funded Programs – Unsuccessful Applications
1. EPA Grant: Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program.
The Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan ensures the successful implementation of environmental and climate justice projects through strong relationships and meaningful engagement with community leaders, residents, and project partners. The total grant application is $19M with $10M allocation for VCE. Yolo County, the Lead Applicant, will work with collaborating entities and the broader community to ensure project activities are responsive to community needs, equitably distributed, and inclusive of all voices— especially those from farmworkers, low-income families, and tribal communities. The EPA grant plan includes several projects, including two microgrids (one for VCE, one for Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation); an expansion of VCE/Yolo County's ERRO program, community outreach performed by De Colores and Cool Davis, rebates for electrification, and other associated projects. The grant application was not approved because the EPA funding unexpectedly became unavailable in early 2025.
2. California Air Resources Board - Electric Autonomous Tractor Swarms (EATS) Grant.
VCE has partnered with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) and Monarch Tractor to apply for a $5M statewide grant for the engagement of the agricultural sector to develop customer programs and initiatives that decarbonize, community resiliency and custom savings. The grant application was not approved.