Contra Costa County won a $356,510 federal grant for two key clean energy initiatives that will improve home-based childcare facilities and building efficiencies, county officials announced Monday in a press release.
The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, will support two primary projects aligned with the county’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
A significant portion of the grant will be used to retrofit licensed, home-based childcare facilities in low income, unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. The upgrades aim to lower energy costs for facility operators while improving indoor air quality and comfort for children and educators.
The county will partner with CocoKids, a nonprofit focused on early childhood development, to identify eligible facilities and provide technical assistance with retrofits. The projects are expected to be completed within two years.
The remaining funds will support creating an inventory of buildings in the unincorporated areas to help officials develop the county’s first Clean Energy Roadmap and inform future policy and program development for transitioning to clean energy.
Data from the roadmap will help document building conditions and characteristics, according to the release.
“The County is committed to helping residents and businesses transition to sustainable energy sources,” said District 1 Supervisor John Gioia. “Our goal is to help licensed home-based childcare facilities benefit from this transition and to convert other existing buildings to clean energy.”
The projects are part of broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in existing buildings, according to county officials.
The county’s current Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which was adopted on Nov. 5, outlines the county’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability.
According to the county’s website, the CAAP focuses on multiple areas including energy efficiency, renewable energy development, reducing vehicle miles traveled, expanding green infrastructure and improving government operations.
