The Community Resilience Center funding is crucial for upgrading public buildings like libraries, schools, and community centers. These upgrades are essential in providing backup power, clean air, and cooling during climate emergencies, as stated by the BDC.

The senior policy and campaign manager for California at BDC, Stephanie Tsai, emphasized the urgent need for Community Resilience Centers in working-class communities of color. Tsai expressed concern about leaving these vulnerable communities behind by delaying the funding to a future bond that may not pass.

Despite the funding cut, the budget agreement does allocate $432 million for the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program in the state of California. This amount is less than what the state Senate initially proposed but more than what the governor or state Assembly wanted. The funding will be utilized for zero-emissions appliances such as heat pumps.

Jose Torres, the California director for the BDC, highlighted the urgent need for low-income and working-class Californians to have access to clean cooling and clean air. Torres believes that the allocated funding will help equip households with zero-emissions appliances, contributing to climate resilience, pollution reduction, and improved air quality.

Budget Highlights:

• $95 million for the TECH Clean California program to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps for space and water heating.
• $20 million for the California Air Resources Board to expedite the adoption of environment-friendly refrigerants, reducing ozone depletion and its impact on human health.
• $25 million for the state’s Low-Income Weatherization Program, aimed at upgrading multifamily housing.
• $10 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for the California Energy Commission’s new benchmarking program, which tracks energy use in large commercial and multifamily buildings.
• $10 million for the Energy Commission’s Technical Assistance for Federal tax credits program, assisting Californians in accessing incentives and tax credits granted by the federal Inflation Reduction Act.