Energized Communities:
Innovation Fund Workshop
September 2025
Agenda
2 Energized Communities Overview
Innovation Fund Approach
Application, Timeline & Resources
Program Terms, Reporting & Reimbursement Process
Q&A
Additional Resources: CPA's Customer Programs
3 At CPA,
Change is
Electric
We believe in a
clean energy future
that is local, where
communities are
empowered, and
customers are
given a choice
about the source of
their energy.
4 Pathways to Electrification:
Streamlined funding & technical assistance to
implement electrification projects
Community EV Charging
Funding and technical assistance to support public
EV charging at City or County owned sites
Electric Fleet Transition
Funding, planning, and technical assistance to
install charging infrastructure for municipal fleets
Innovation Fund
Member Agencies apply for up to $250K to support
decarbonization projects in their communities
cleanpoweralliance.org/
energized-communities
Energized Communities
Program Objective:
Accelerate implementation of member
agencies’ sustainability and decarbonization
goals through financial support
and technical assistance
Building Electrification Assistance
Funding and/or technical assistance to install
electrification measures in municipal facilities
What is the Innovation Fund?
5 $2M in competitive funding for CPA's
member agencies to apply for up to
$250,000
Selected projects will address a
decarbonization challenge in the
community
Funding will support projects that
focus on resilience and grid
management, electrification, and local
clean energy procurement
Member agencies may submit
applications during each funding
cycle; maximum of one project per
agency may be selected each cycle,
up to $250K
Goal: To fund decarbonization projects that support local government efforts to address equity needs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve climate and energy goals.
Innovation Fund Project Categories
Resilience & Grid
Management Electrification Local Clean Energy
Procurement
6 Reduce energy use during periods of
peak demand and/or support clean
energy resiliency projects
Sample projects include:
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) electric
school bus fleet that charges
batteries for facility or grid use
Rebates or incentive programs for
energy management devices
Electrification of the building and
transportation sectors
Sample projects include:
Clean transportation options: EV
carshare, e-bike share with mobile
solar and/or electric charging hub
Electric equipment library for
community members to experience
appliances and devices
Support community and customer
adoption and installation of clean
energy systems
Sample projects include:
Mobile battery electric storage
systems
Provide career-track training to
build the skills necessary to
meet electric utility industry needs
Projects should focus on one or more categories in alignment with CPA’s Board-approved program pillars:
Application, Timeline &
Resources
What should my agency keep in mind
when applying?
8 Projects should be outside of the scope of the Pathways to Electrification building, fleet/EV, and community EV charging projects
Proposals should align with at least one of CPA's Board-approved program pillars and include key milestones and project benefits
Projects must be implemented in one of CPA’s partner communities, and project sites must be located in CPA’s service area and receive electric service from CPA
Applications should demonstrate a reasonable ability to complete the proposed project within two years Selected agencies will approve a participation agreement with CPA Consider any requirements to inform or receive approval from Council/Board for submissions Streamlined application, responses should not exceed 5-pages Innovation Fund Application Sections
9 Project Details Required Sections (Response should not exceed 5 pages) Project Summary Summarize the proposed project and how it will address a decarbonization challenge in your community.
Mission Alignment Describe how the proposal is aligned with CPA's mission and at least one of the Board- approved program pillars (resilience and grid management, electrification, and local procurement).
Feasibility Confirm ability to complete the project within two years, and include key milestones, budget resources, and partners that may support project completion.
Project Benefits What are the benefits to the community, the member agency, and/or CPA if this project is selected? Indicate if the project will utilize income-qualified thresholds, or benefit customers enrolled in public assistance programs.
Budget Provide a quarterly budget and explain why the proposed budget is needed to implement this project. If any additional funding is needed, or expected to complete project, please describe (if applicable).
Metrics How will you measure the success of this project? List any anticipated quantifiable achievements or results.
Innovation Fund: Scoring Criteria
10 Mission Alignment
How well does the project align
with CPA's decarbonization
goals and address at least one
of the Board-approved program
pillars of resilience and grid
management, electrification,
and local procurement?
Weighted scoring: 30%
Feasibility
Does the proposal present a
reasonable ability to complete
the project within two years,
with a sufficient budget and
other partners as needed?
Weighted scoring: 20%
Project Benefits
Does the project demonstrate a
reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions or other performance
measures that illustrate
sustainability improvements in
the community?
Weighted scoring: 50%
Project Benefit Considerations:
• Does the project utilize income-qualified thresholds, or benefit customers enrolled in public assistance programs? • Are there anticipated operational or other community cost savings associated with the project? Innovation Fund Timeline
11 August 2025
Monday, 8/25
Round 2 Opens
(6-week application period)
September 2025
Q&A webinars (9/3, 9/18)
Individual meetings with agency staff
October 2025
Wednesday, 10/8
Submit Round 2 Applications
Nov-December
11/20: ExCom Update
12/4: Board Approval of Round 2 projects
CPA support offered
during application
process
12 Website with application materials and
resources
1:1 sessions with applicants to provide
opportunity for Q&A and application
feedback
Two workshops to address Q&A
Online resources include:
o Application template and guidelines
o Sample project list
o Presentation materials
Program Terms, Reporting,
& Reimbursement Process
Program Terms: What to Expect
14 Member agencies will execute a participation agreement with CPA detailing the project scope, budget, and expected milestones
Project sites/program recipients must be enrolled in CPA service, and stay with CPA for the duration of the program to be eligible for program benefits Funding for projects that involve issuing rebates/incentives to participants can only be directed to CPA customers
Project should be completed within 2 years
Reporting & Reimbursement Process
15 Reporting:
Attend check-ins every other month and participate in a one-year post award interview
Provide status reports every six months and a project wrap-up summary after completion, subject to CPA's review
Reimbursement:
Verify approved activities and expected budget with CPA before work commences
Submit invoices and/or other documentation to show expenditure of funds, or work completed, on approved activities
More Questions?
Please reach out to:
Sona Coffee
(213) 361-6092
[email protected]