State Commission approves Tri-County Regional Energy Network’s $155 million business plan

CENTRAL COAST COUNTIES, Calif. – The California Public Utilities Commission approved the Tri-County Regional Energy Network’s (3C-REN) eight-year, $155 million business plan to support local and state energy efficiency goals.

The business plan includes the continuation of four existing energy-saving programs and the launch of three new programs intended to fill the gaps in energy efficiency services for commercial and public sector buildings as well as the agriculture sector detail a press release of the approval.

“3C-REN’s vision is to build a resilient energy ecosystem that supports climate goals, and the approval of the business plan allows us to continue to do just that for the next eight years,” said Ventura County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt LaVere. “We are really excited about the opportunity to not only continue the successful home and workforce programs while expanding to offer integrated energy savings and decarbonization programs for commercial buildings.”

The four programs that will continue through the business plan are 3C-REN’s Energy Code Connect, Building Performance Training, Single Family Home Energy Savings, and Multi-Family Home Energy Savings programs.

These existing programs, and the recently approved ones in the wight-year business plan approved by the state, are guided by local and state energy efficiency goals including Santa Barbara County’s goal of a 50% reduction of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

“3C-REN is key to helping County residents take individual actions to help meet our Climate Action Plan goals,” said Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Chair Das Williams. “The expansion of energy efficiency and decarbonization programs this funding enables will support an even more sustainable economy.”

The three new programs include technical support for the agriculture sector, energy efficiency assistance for small and medium-sized businesses in leased or rented facilities, and help to identify energy savings and resilience opportunities for commercial and public facilities.

All three Central Coast counties have worked collaboratively to provide financing and outreach for energy efficiency improvements across each county, 25 incorporated cities, and 63 special districts since July of 2014.

In 2018, the California Public Utilities Commission approved 3C-REN to become a Regional Energy Network dedicated to serving customers across the tri-county region including hard-to-reach residents outside of those incorporated or special district communities.

“I’m proud to be part of this tri-county effort that benefits both our residents and the business community. 3C-REN has a lot going on now and a bright future ahead,” said Bruce Gibson, San Luis Obispo County District 2 Supervisor.