The Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the final Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) for the 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program. The goal of the Water-Energy Grant Program is to fund residential, commercial, and institutional water efficiency programs or projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and also reduce water and energy use. The grant program is being managed as part of DWRs Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program.
Three workshops will be held to provide general assistance in preparing proposals, which are due by 5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2014. Details on the workshops can be accessed here. The PSP can be accessed here.
RCRC has submitted comments to DWR Director Mark Cowin on RCRC’s perspective on the use of CalEPA’s CalEnviroScreen for grant solicitations and awards. DWR is making $19 million of GHG Reduction Fund monies available, and the Guidelines and PSP states that it is DWR’s intent to award not less than 50 percent ($9.5 million) of the available funding to projects located in or outside of a CalEnviroScreen identified Disadvantaged Community (DAC) with a score of 81 percent or higher.
As a result of the criteria used to develop CalEnviroScreen, potential project grant applicants in 34 of California’s 58 counties do not quality to compete for the $9.5 million designated in the PSP for projects to benefit CalEnviroScreen identified DACs, and only six of RCRC’s member counties have census tracts in the top 20 percent. The use of CalEnviroScreen excludes many disadvantaged communities (as commonly defined) from competing for this funding.
RCRC’s letter to DWR Director Mark Cowin can be accessed here.