SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Meeting Date: June 22, 2026
Subject: PROVIDE FEEDBACK on measuring success for Bay Area Regional Energy Network equity and market support programs
Submitted For: SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Department: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Presenter: Demian Hardman-Saldana || Principal Planner - Commission Staff | DCD
Contact: Demian Hardman-Saldana | (925) 655-2816
Referral History:
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) funds energy efficiency programs to 13 Program Administrator’s (PAs) across the state, including PG&E, MCE, and the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). In 2025, the CPUC’s budget provided $986 million for this. Contra Costa County is a member of BayREN, which delivers programs that save energy, reduce costs, and improve health for residents, businesses, and local governments across the Bay Area.
Referral Update:
In 2025, BayREN upgraded 5,397 households, served 78 local governments, and helped businesses with upgrades that have $3,900 in expected savings.
In 2024, the CPUC began dividing programs into categories. Two of those categories are equity and market support. Equity programs focus on serving hard-to-reach customers, including low-income households and those in disadvantaged communities (DACs). The EASE Home program is one of the equity programs offered through BayREN, which covers up to 80% of upgrade costs for low- and moderate-income residents. Market support programs aim to strengthen the energy efficiency market. One example of this is through BayREN’s Green Labeling program which provides training for real estate agents to help them communicate the benefits of energy-efficient homes to clients.
The CPUC has requested that BayREN and others gather feedback on measuring the success for these programs. BayREN is collecting input to support this effort. The County of Contra Costa has an opportunity to participate in order to influence energy efficiency funding in California and help ensure the County’s priorities are reflected in future program goals across the Bay Area and California.
The Commission will be asked to provide feedback on BayREN’s equity and market support programs using a specific criterion developed to satisfy the request of the CPUC. The Commission’s input will be included in BayREN’s report to the CPUC.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
PROVIDE FEEDBACK on measuring success for Bay Area Regional Energy Network equity and market support programs.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.