City Council Agenda Report
February 3, 2026
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Alex Hamilton, Interim Director of Community Development Moises Mata, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR A BACKUP BATTERY INCENTIVE FOR NORWALK
RESIDENTS
Background:
Southern California Edison (SCE) currently administers a Building Electrification (BE) Pilot Program that provides no-cost, high-efficiency electric appliance upgrades to eligible income- qualified households. Through this program, qualifying residents may receive electrification improvements such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, heat pump water heaters, induction cooking appliances, electric dryers, and related electrical upgrades at no cost.
The BE Pilot Program is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by SCE through its contracted service providers. Program eligibility is determined by SCE and includes income qualifications, housing type requirements, and other criteria established by the program.
Southern California Edison currently administers the BE Pilot Program, which provides electrification upgrades to eligible households. The proposed collaboration formalizes a coordinated partnership between the City of Norwalk and Southern California Edison to expand upon the benefits of the BE Pilot Program for Norwalk residents. Through this partnership, the City would subsidize the installation of whole-home battery backup systems, with priority given to households enrolled in SCE’s Medical Baseline Program, California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs, to enhance household resilience during power outages and serving residents with the highest need for backup power.
This official collaboration will require ongoing coordination between City staff and SCE throughout program implementation, including eligibility outreach, scheduling, reporting, and resident communication. City staff and SCE will also work closely on joint marketing and
City Council February 3, 2026
Backup Battery Incentive Program Agreement Page No. 2
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outreach efforts to ensure eligible Norwalk residents are aware of the program and understand how to participate. Outreach activities may include co-branded messaging, social media campaigns, and engagement at City-sponsored events, with marketing execution led by SCE and supported by City participation where appropriate.
By integrating City-funded battery incentives into an established SCE-administered program, the City can leverage existing program infrastructure, contractor networks, and eligibility processes to deliver enhanced energy resilience benefits to Norwalk residents efficiently and cost- effectively, without the need to create a new standalone program.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the amount of $200,000 from the General Fund for the collaboration with Southern California Edison is included in the approved Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget.
Citizens Advised:
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Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended actions will further the City’s 2023 Strategic Plan by advancing Goal 2, Objective 3, to improve living conditions for residents in greatest need and Goal 4, to support sustainability and climate resilience throughout the community.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommend City Council approve a collaboration agreement between the City and Southern California Edison to subsidize backup battery installations for eligible Norwalk residents through Southern California Edison’s Building Electrification Pilot Program, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 per fiscal year, for an initial term ending June 30, 2026, with an option to extend the agreement for up to one additional year at the same annual not-to-exceed amount; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement provided there is funding in the budget and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
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