While the year is winding down, SoCalREN’s efforts only continue to ramp up. From launching an entirely new program for the Agriculture sector, to helping a school district cut its energy use by more than half, we continue advance energy efficiency in communities across Southern California. Read to learn about what we’ve been doing to help the regions, sectors, and causes important to you – and stay connected to the innovations shaping a greener future.

Thank you for being such a valued part of the SoCalREN network—we’re excited to keep the momentum going!

SoCalREN Commercial Sector



Community Connections Drive Early Success for SoCalREN Commercial Programs

Since the launch in late February, the SoCalREN Commercial Program has achieved remarkable momentum in bringing no-cost energy efficiency solutions to businesses across the region. Through the onboarding of local, in-community energy advisors, the program has conducted outreach in over 30 cities throughout SoCalREN territory in just a few months. These trusted advisors—who live and work in the communities they serve—connect with small businesses to share the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades, from lower energy bills to improved operations. This rapid deployment demonstrates SoCalREN's commitment to meeting businesses where they are.

The community-focused approach has been central to the program's early success. Energy advisors who live and work in these neighborhoods are building strong relationships with the small businesses that serve their communities. These trusted relationships are key, and because of that, installations are in full swing. As the program continues to expand, this foundation of trust and community knowledge creates lasting impact for businesses and the communities they serve.

Energy advisors like Eduardo Gonzalez exemplify this approach. As a resident of the Central Valley, Eduardo has been visiting businesses in his own backyard. Serving businesses across Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties, he connects with owners to share how SoCalREN can help their businesses while understanding what support they need most. His work demonstrates why this model is effective—bringing energy efficiency resources directly to businesses through trusted local voices who understand the challenges and opportunities facing small business owners in their communities.



If you are interested in learning more about the program, please visit www.socalren.org/commercial

The SoCalREN General Multifamily Program continues to support property owners and managers across California achieve meaningful energy savings and climate benefits through high-efficiency upgrades. As we approach the end of the year, we are continuing to remind participants that installations must be completed by December 31, 2025, making now the ideal time to act. 

Funding is currently available for two impactful upgrade opportunities that yield attractive incentives! 



• Central high-efficiency gas equipment upgrades 
• In-unit heat pump water heater installations 

These measures not only reduce energy consumption and utility costs but also improve resident comfort and contribute to California’s clean energy goals. With the deadline approaching, early engagement is key to ensuring your property can take full advantage of available incentives and complete installations on time.  

Additionally, we’re excited to introduce David Chanin from Future Fit, a new contractor in our network who is already making an impact by completing energy efficiency upgrades in disadvantaged communities. David is actively engaging properties in emerging technologies, including heat pump water heaters, and helping them take full advantage of available incentives. 

We’re also pleased to welcome two new Account Managers, Julia Goswick and Noah Paradise, to the SoCalREN Multifamily team. Julia and Noah bring fresh energy and expertise to the program and have already begun supporting key stakeholders in identifying and pursuing upgrade opportunities.

Whether you’re ready to start a project or simply exploring your options, our team is here to help. We’ll work with you to assess your property’s eligibility, guide you through the process, and help you reserve funds before they’re gone. 

Don’t wait—reach out today to your SoCalREN Account Manager to begin planning your upgrades. With the right support and timeline, completing installations by the 2025 deadline is absolutely achievable. 

Let’s work together to make your property more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and climate-resilient.

With the support of SoCalREN, Santa Barbara Unified School District (USD) completed LED lighting upgrades across multiple school campuses, saving over $1.17M in lifetime costs and cutting energy use by more than half. The District financed the project with a 0% interest loan from SoCalREN’s Revolving Savings Fund. This project is a standout example of the diverse funding and financing options available to public agencies participating in SoCalREN, helping make transformative energy efficiency projects a reality.



Read the case study here

Energy-efficient LED light fixtures installed in Dos Pueblos High School art classroom

ECA: Contractors Gear Up in Fall ECA Training



The E-Contractor Academy Training Program (ECA) kicked off its annual Fall E-Contractor Academy in collaboration with Metropolitan Water District (MWD). This year, ECA collaborated with not only MWD, but with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) and Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC), to provide contractors with the knowledge and resources necessary to take on public works projects. This year’s academy serves 25 diligent small contractors who have dedicated 4 weeks to take advantage of the information and resources provided to grow and diversify their business pathways. We thank everyone who joined us this year.

GPC: Cohort 7 Highlight



The GPC Program is proud to highlight Anthony Benitez from Cohort 7 for successfully completing his EPA course and earning his EPA Universal Certification. Anthony demonstrated strong dedication throughout his training, moving through the coursework efficiently and proactively seeking support whenever he had questions to ensure a full understanding of the material. Anthony is now enrolled in the HERS Rater course and is on track to complete it in the coming weeks. Upon completion, he will begin his job search as a certified HERS Rater, continuing to build on the strong foundation he established through the GPC Program.

ACES: Celebrating 10 Years of ACES!

We recently celebrated 10 incredible years of the ACES Pathway Program at our ACES Awards Ceremony on September 12th at The California Endowment. The evening honored our long-time partners and scholarship recipients while reflecting on a decade of growth and impact.

Over the past ten years, ACES has enrolled 1,900 students and facilitated 346 paid internships. Collectively, ACES students performed 10,282 hours of hands-on experience and earned $177,622.40 in internship wages!



We share these accomplishments with all our partners and extend our gratitude as we look forward to the next decade of impact together.

The SoCalREN Regional Workforce Alliance recently held its third-quarter meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Orange Coast College in Orange County. As a partnership launched in 2021, the Alliance brings together utilities, workforce boards, labor unions, and local governments to fulfill its mission of providing disadvantaged communities with equitable access to training and jobs in energy efficiency.

The event kicked off with a welcome from L.A. County’s Internal Services Department Director Minh Le, who shared insights on the future of energy in California and SoCalREN’s vital role in preparing a resilient, inclusive workforce to meet market changes.

Panel of Experts Delivers Optimism and Insights

The core of the meeting was an energetic and informative panel moderated by SoCalREN’s Tessa Charnofsky, featuring:

• Bob Keefe, Executive Director of E2 (a national nonpartisan group of business leaders and advocates for a green economy).
• Nataly Morales Sandoval, Energy Programs Analyst for the Orange Power Authority.
• Robyn Mancell, CEO of Green Energy Solutions Holdings.
• Jeremy Zeedyk, Special Projects Coordinator for the Western States Council of SMART.

Keefe acknowledged concerns over recent federal budget cuts to renewable energy projects, but stressed that the green economy continues to see strong growth. Citing E2 data, he noted that clean energy jobs grew more than three times faster than the rest of the U.S. economy in 2024, with Los Angeles County seeing four times the growth in clean energy jobs thus far in 2025.

The other panelists echoed this determined optimism. Morales Sandoval spoke about the Orange Power Authority’s robust efforts to involve community members in clean energy projects through education, a youth ambassador program, and internship opportunities. Mancell reinforced the importance of engaging the younger generation, suggesting the need to demystify green jobs through accessible technology and games. Zeedyk, a union leader, highlighted the essential role of unions in ensuring well-trained skilled workers, maintaining work standards through apprenticeship programs, and protecting wages and code compliance in renewable energy installations.

The meeting concluded with a presentation and tour showcasing FrameCAD—a cutting-edge, cold-form steel framing system that "prints out" exact components for construction. Orange Coast College is the first and only college in the nation to offer training in this technology, underscoring their commitment to preparing the next generation of building professionals.

Want to learn more about the Alliance's initiatives or future events? Let us know!

Kits For kids

Kits for Kids is gearing up for an exciting Fall implementation, with several updates designed to enhance the program’s reach and impact. Our 2025 goal is to bring energy efficiency education and resources to 565 classrooms. This past Spring, 179 classrooms participated—meaning 386 more will join us in the Fall.

The program’s lesson is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), offering 3rd and 4th grade students an engaging introduction to energy efficiency. This Fall, we’ve introduced climate resiliency as a new instructional topic. Both subjects are delivered through interactive PowerPoint slides and online games that students can enjoy both in school and at home.

To support this expanded curriculum, we’ve rolled out several new resources:

• A refreshed student activity sheet and updated lesson plan
• Verification Cards in four additional languages for families (Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese)
• Enhanced online games and developed a virtual goal tracker for teachers to motivate students
• A new informational flyer for teachers
• An updated family portal with expanded resources
• Outreach flyers to help spread the word

Feedback from district leaders and participating teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed excitement about the new resources available on the SoCalREN website. In one standout moment, a school requested an Account Manager to present the updated lesson in person. The Kits for Kids team delivered—and reported that students were highly engaged, actively participating, and eager to take home and install the energy-efficient devices in their kits. Many even expressed interest in accessing the game website from home.

These improvements wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration and support of our marketing team, ICF Next, web development, and many other people. As Kits for Kids continues to evolve, expect even more enhancements to our kits, games, and accessible learning tools.

Updated Family Portal, where informational resources are accessible for the adults of the students. This website can be accessed on a QR code in the distributed kits. 

Specter's Climate Resiliency game, where students can learn about six different ways communities build resiliency for weather-related word challenges

SoCalREN is hitting the airwaves and digital screens with new NPR ads highlighting how we’re bringing real value to local communities.

Tune in to our radio spots on KCRW 89.9 FM and catch digital ads on KCRW.com from Oct 7–Nov 12. You’ll also hear us across FM stations in Palm Springs, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and more, plus on streaming platforms and mobile apps. We’re excited to share how SoCalREN is making a difference in communities across Southern California.

Social Media

Welcome to the #SoCalREN community! Aside from our website, keep up with program updates, virtual events, and other program-related news happening across all sectors via social media.

Don’t forget to share, follow, and repost!

Instagram: #SoCalREN, invite your friends to join our community for access to program updates, EE tips, and other news related to the program, in bits and bytes.

Facebook: Facebook fans, become a true follower and react to the latest updates.



LinkedIn: Stay connected and engage with us on LinkedIn!

YouTube: Check us out on YouTube shorts, or browse our longer form videos to see what we've been up to.

Energy Efficiency for Everyone, #SoCalREN!