The City of Santa Clarita is gearing up to launch its new Green Energy Incentive Program, which offers grants to local businesses of all sizes that undertake projects designed to achieve eligible “green” objectives. The incentive program was created as part of the City’s 21-Point Business Plan for Progress and will hit the streets on Thursday, March 18 with a series of informational workshops provided to local businesses interested in applying for funding.
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to local businesses through the Green Energy Incentive Program for projects that achieve one or more of the following objectives: reduce total energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fossil fuel emissions, or improve energy efficiency.
“The City of Santa Clarita’s Green Energy Incentive Program provides a unique opportunity for local businesses to make significant impacts to their sustainability practices at a deeply reduced cost,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “In addition to helping protect the environment, businesses that take advantage of this program will see reductions in energy use costs for years to come, which is a huge benefit for all businesses, especially small businesses.”
Four workshops discussing program guidelines and application requirements will be hosted at Santa Clarita City Hall’s first floor Century Room from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, and Monday, April 26. These workshops will also provide valuable information on complimentary incentive programs offered by Southern California Edison and The Gas Company that can further improve the cost benefit of investing in energy efficiency. Business will also learn tools to track their energy consumption.
Seating for the informational workshops is limited, and interested businesses must RSVP to Christa Wasson, Project Technician for the City’s Economic Development Division, at 661-286-4065 or: cwasson@santa-clarita.com in order to reserve a spot.
The Green Energy Incentive Program is a cost-sharing incentive and qualifying businesses will be required to provide a portion of the total financial contribution to the project. Interested businesses must submit their application for funding by Friday, May 7 at 5 p.m.
The Green Energy Incentive Program is made possible through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 and the FUnited States Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which awarded the City of Santa Clarita $1.5 million in funding in December of 2009. In addition to creating the Green Energy Incentive Program, funding will also be used to help pay for energy efficient projects and enhancements citywide.
Santa Clarita City Hall is located at 23920 Valencia Boulevard. For more information on the City’s Green Energy Incentive Program, please contact Christa Wasson, or visit: www.greensantaclarita.com .