Newsletter  |  February In This Edition... ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES Fourth Investment Plan Finalized; Public Comment on Draft Heart and Lung Co-Benefit Open OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING AND RESOURCES HSP Incentives Project Applications; Upcoming Deadlines: TIRCP Project Applications; Forest Health Grant; Applications Now Available: FARMER; AMMP; DDRP; SGC TCC 4th Round Application; CAPP CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN ACTION Riverside County Approves Fire Fuel Break; UC Team Research Finds More Than 400 Hazardous Sites in California Face Flooding; Sustainable Farming Expert Weighs in on California’s Historic Investments in Agriculture; Progress Report on Transformative Climate Communities Program, Five Years In; CAL FIRE Awards CSU Monterey Bay $275,000 to Fund Fire Prevention; Mapping Annual Wildfire Probabilities Across the State of California PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry  In the hills of Southeast Los Angeles County, young adults with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach are working in innovative ways to protect the region from wildfire. With the help of an Urban and Community Forestry grant administered by CAL FIRE, the Corps has developed an urban wood recovery program, which targets the removal of dead or otherwise hazardous trees and diversion of woody biomass from landfills. In the program, Corps members learn how to reprocess removed wood into lumber and how to revegetate cleared areas to maintain ecological balance – skills that provide a foundation for jobs in urban forestry. Find additional inspiration for your next California Climate Investments project by visiting the project profiles webpage.   ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES Fourth Investment Plan Submitted to the Legislature  The Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds Fourth Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-23 through 2024-25 was submitted to the California Legislature in January. The California Air Resources Board’s Investment Plan is designed to guide the investment of cap-and-trade auction proceeds in a way that accelerates greenhouse gas emission reductions, supports a carbon-neutral future, and achieves the state’s interconnected climate, environmental, equity, public health, and economic goals.  The Investment Plan makes six recommendations for funding priorities:  Invest in key sectors that support GGRF statutory priorities and drive progress on state climate goals. Provide dedicated funding to advance equity, environmental justice, and community participation. Direct funding towards high-quality jobs and high road workforce development. Integrate nature-based solutions and zero-emission technologies into investment types across sectors. Support policy-relevant research and program evaluation tied to emissions reducing projects. Advance support for priority populations and other under-served communities. You can read the plan and watch recordings of public workshops by visiting the website of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Public Comment Period for Draft Heart and Lung Co-Benefit Assessment Methodology Now Open The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has published an update to its Draft Heart and Lung Co-Benefit Assessment Methodology.  Millions of Californians benefit from cleaner air as a result of California Climate Investments-funded projects. To better quantify the impact of these projects on heart and respiratory health, CARB has released an update to its methodology for Heart and Lung Health Co-benefits. CARB appreciates your input on the draft methodology, which quantifies California Climate Investments projects’ health benefits and economic benefits from avoided health incidents. The draft methodology is available for public comment now until 5 pm Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Public comments may be submitted by email to ggrfprogram@arb.ca.gov. OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING Healthy Soils Incentives Program Applications Due Feb 25  California farmers, there are still funds available for the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Healthy Soils Incentives Program (HSP). To date, over 600 Healthy Soils Program-funded projects have improved plant health and supported wildlife habitats while lowering greenhouse gases and sequestering soil carbon.  CDFA is accepting applications now through 5 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022 or until available funds are expended. The program provides financial assistance for on-farm soil management practices, such as: mulching;  compost application;   herbaceous and woody plantings; cover cropping; and  no or reduced tillage. Please note that only a portion of the current Healthy Soils Program funding cycle is supported by Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds.  For application assistance, refer to CDFA’s taped webinar with instructions on how to apply to HSP. Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Applications Due March 3  There is still time to submit applications for the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP)! The program funds transformative capital improvements that modernize California’s transportation systems, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve roadway congestion.  The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has awarded $5.8 billion cumulatively to 73 projects over the past four TIRCP funding cycles.  Applications for this program are is due March 3, 2022. Forest Health Program Applications Due March 4  The CAL FIRE Forest Health Program is now accepting grant applications for restoration and reforestation projects that produce more resilient, sustainable forests throughout California.  The Forest Health Program funds projects that safeguard the existence of forests in the future, alleviate climate change, foster fire resilient communities, strengthen rural economies, and improve California water and air. CAL FIRE seeks to increase fuels management, fire reintroduction, treatment of degraded areas, and conservation of forests. The Forest Health Program application is due by 3 p.m. on March 4, 2022. Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Applications Due March 21  CARB’s Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emissions Reductions (FARMER) Program provides grants to owners of agricultural facilities for the replacement of diesel-fueled agricultural equipment. New categories for funding include: zero-emission agricultural equipment, and used equipment for small producers. The deadline to apply for a FARMER grant is March 21, 2022. Please check with your Local Air District for more information and instructions on how to apply. Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) Application Opening Soon Projects funded by California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Alternative Manure Manager Program (AMMP) have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1 million metric tons since 2017. CDFA is finalizing its latest funding round and expects to open solicitation for AAMP grant applications in mid-February. Prospective applicants should refer to the CDFA Alternative Manure Management Program website for more information and updates. Please note the current application cycle is funded through the California General Fund instead of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.  Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) Application Opening Soon  The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is finalizing its funding guidelines and will soon be accepting applications for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP). To date, CDFA has awarded over $16.5 million to innovative dairy digester projects, lowering methane emissions by 12.8 million metric tons. Applications to the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program will soon become available. For additional information and announcements, visit the CDFA website or sign up for email notifications. Please note the current application cycle is funded through the California General Fund instead of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.  Want to learn more? In this video, Bar 20 Dairy, a Dairy Digester Research and Development Program grantee, shows how dairy digesters can capture methane from manure and transform it into renewable biogas fuel. Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Application Opening Soon  The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) invests in community-led transformative projects through its Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program. Later this month, the Strategic Growth Council will finalize its funding guidelines and begin accepting applications for the fourth funding round for Transformative Climate Communities. Final applications are due July 1, 2022. Transformative Climate Communities supports implementation projects in communities most affected by pollution and poverty. So far, the program has invested over $170 million to enable communities to collaboratively design and implement projects that provide environmental, health, and economic benefits. For more information about this program, visit the SGC website or sign up for email notifications.  Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) to Finalize Funding Local air districts continue to request ideas and proposals from stakeholders for Community Air Protection Program (CAPP) incentives while funding is being finalized. The Community Air Protection Program provides grants to community-based organizations to undertake projects to identify, evaluate, and ultimately reduce air pollution and exposure to harmful emissions in their communities.  On February 10, 2022, the CARB Board approved the draft 2021 Community Recommendations for the Community Air Protection Program. A list of recommended communities and details about the community selection process can be found on the CARB website. For additional information about CAPP and the community selection process, watch this recorded webinar.  CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN ACTION Image Credit: City of Lake Elsinore Riverside County Approves Fire Fuel Break Fuel breaks, a project type supported by the CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Grants Program, are strips of vegetation designed to slow the spread of wildfire. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has agreed to maintain a Fire Prevention Grants-supported fire fuel break above Lake Elsinore and Wildomar through March 15, 2022. The Elsinore Front Country Fuel Break Project, which covers roughly 1,100 acres, protects communities in the mountains west of Lake Elsinore, including, Wildomar, Horsethief Canyon, Temescal Valley, and Trilogy. Read Full Article Image Credit: @UCLA FSPH University of California Team Finds More Than 400 Hazardous Sites in California Face Flooding  New research from the University of California – Los Angeles suggests that impending sea level rise poses a flood risk to over 400 industrial facilities and contaminated sites in California, including power plants, refineries, and hazardous waste sites. Disadvantaged communities are five times more likely to live within 1 kilometer from these facilities. The UCLA team found that the counties most at-risk were Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Orange, and Los Angeles.  In January, the research team published an online mapping tool that shows the locations of at-risk sites and their community demographics across coastal California.  This project is supported by the Climate Change Research Program administered by California Strategic Growth Council with funds from California Climate Investments.  Read Full Article Image Credit: Becca Lucas/InsideClimateNews.org Sustainable Farming Expert Weighs in on California’s Historic Investments in Agriculture In an interview with Insight Climate News, Jeanne Merrill, a sustainable farming advocate and policy director for the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN), weighs in on how California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) programs have impacted farmers. Three programs mentioned, including the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), Healthy Soils Incentives Program (HSP), and Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) are supported by Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds through California Climate Investments. You can find Merrill’s reflections on these programs and read about future funding opportunities for farmers at this link.  Read Full Article Progress Report on Transformative Climate Communities Program, Five Years In  The Strategic Growth Council’s Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program is celebrating 5 years of lasting impact. Since 2016, the program has awarded an average grant size of $28 million to 18 community-led projects.  So far, TCC projects have reduced nearly 200,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions – the of equivalent removing nearly 43,000 cars from the road. Other anticipated benefits of these projects include almost 400 new affordable units, 20 miles of bike lanes, six new community parks, and nearly 7,000 Californians engaged through public outreach. The California Strategic Growth Council awards Transformative Climate Communities grants as part of California Climate Investments. Read Full Article CAL FIRE Awards CSU Monterey Bay $275,000 to Fund Fire Prevention California State University--Monterey Bay will use a CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Grant towards building 30 feet of defensible space — the buffer between a building and nearby wildland vegetation — for each residence in its East Campus housing community. CSU Monterey Bay will also establish 100 feet of defensible space around its residential area to help stall the spread of future fires. The project will create defensible space by cutting down tall grass, trimming tree branches, and removing dead and dry plants to reduce fuel for wildfires.  CAL FIRE administers Fire Prevention Grants which are supported by California Climate Investments funds.  Read Full Article Image Credit: John Newman, Source: Scitechdaily.com Mapping Annual Wildfire Probabilities Across California University of California – Santa Barbara researchers are developing tools to determine wildfire probabilities throughout California. The research team’s approach has so far shown to be better at predicting wildfire probabilities than established models. These new modeling measures are valuable for hazard-mapping implementation for future fire-resistant building codes. This project was supported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Fire and Resource Assessment Program (CAL FIRE – FRAP) and California Climate Investments. Read Full Article