Energy Commission’s Proposition 39 (K-12) Program Sends Millions to Schools for Energy Efficiency

Proposition 39 (The CA Clean Energy Jobs Act), a voter approved 2012 initiative, closed a tax loophole that had rewarded businesses for moving jobs out of state. Now those tax dollars are being invested in our children, our schools and our environment.

The Energy Commission's Proposition 39 kindergarten through 12th (K-12) grade program approves grant funding for energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects. As of September 13, 2015, $534 million has been allocated for planning and projects. Of this, 557 energy expenditure plans have been approved by the Energy Commission totaling $380 million dollars for projects at 1,875 school sites. The remaining $154 million has been requested by school districts for energy planning activities.

Of the approved 6,928 individual energy measures, about 60 percent are lighting and lighting controls and 30 percent are heating ventilation and air conditioning measures. Although school districts will not begin reporting project status until late 2015, the Energy Commission already knows of 43 completed Energy Expenditure Plan projects representing 91 school sites.

Visit the Energy Commission’s website for an updated snapshot of the K-12 program.