Sustainability Resources
Contra Costa County residents and business owners can take advantage of local, state, and federal incentive programs that make sustainable choices more affordable.
Residential Incentives
Local, state, and federal incentive programs can help you save money while making your home and transportation more sustainable.
- Energy Efficiency and All-Electric Buildings
- Solar Panels and Battery Storage
- Water Efficiency
- Transportation
Improving the energy efficiency of your home and transitioning away from natural gas appliances can result in energy savings and improved indoor air quality. A number of these local, state, and federal programs can be layered to bring down the overall cost of home energy efficiency and all-electric upgrades.
The table below summarizes the available and anticipated incentives offered by specific programs for a given energy efficiency or all-electric home improvement project.
Local Programs
If you live in a single-family home:
The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) offers rebates for energy efficiency and all-electric measures ranging from attic and wall insulation to heat pump water heaters and induction cooktops. To qualify for BayREN rebates, you must work with a BayREN Participating Contractor. Wondering how to take advantage of what BayREN offers? Start here.
MCE, the community choice aggregator for Contra Costa County, runs the Home Energy Savings Program which offers a free home energy assessment and free home energy upgrades to eligible households. Check to see if your home is in MCE’s service territory and if you meet the household income requirements.
If you live in or own a multifamily building:
BayREN offers energy efficiency and all-electric rebates and no-cost technical assistance for multifamily buildings in the Bay Area. Rebates range from $500 to $5,000+ per unit! If you’re a multifamily property owner interested in cash back and free consultation for building upgrades in the Bay Area, fill out this interest form to get started.
MCE offers energy efficiency and all-electric rebates and no-cost technical assistance for multifamily buildings within MCE's service territory. Multifamily property owners and renters who meet specific income requirements can receive additional rebates for energy saving measures as part of MCE’s Low Income Families and Tenants Program.
The County's Weatherization Program offers free energy efficiency improvements to households that meet certain income guidelines. This program is available regardless of whether you own or rent or whether you live in a house, apartment, or mobile home.
State Programs
The Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) Program offers incentives for heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for single-family residences. In order to receive this incentive, qualifying heat pump HVAC systems must be installed by a contractor enrolled in the TECH Program. For more information on the application process and additional eligibility requirements, please visit the TECH Program page on The Switch is On website. Incentives for multifamily residences through the TECH Program are expected to be available in Summer 2023.
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides incentives for qualifying distributed energy systems including battery energy storage systems and heat pump water heaters. For more information on the specific incentive amounts available for each type of distributed energy system, visit the Self-Generation Incentive Program Metrics webpage. The SGIP program is anticipated to launch incentives for heat pump water heaters in Summer 2023.
Federal Programs
Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), incentives for home weatherization, energy efficiency, and all-electric improvements are available for residential buildings. Federal income tax credits will be available through 2032. Energy Star has a list of federal tax credits available to households for energy efficiency and all-electric home improvements.
Upfront discounts (rebates) on energy efficiency and all-electric improvements are anticipated to be available to Californians in 2024 through two programs: the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program (HEEHRA) and the Homeowner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Rebate Program. HEEHRA rebates and HOMES rebates cannot be combined for the same single upgrade, but the two programs can be stacked for different upgrades within the same project.
- HEEHRA offers point-of-sale rebates for the purchase and installation of qualified Energy Star appliances such as heat pumps and rebates for panel upgrades, wiring, and insulation. HEEHRA projects are listed in the table below under the "Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Rebates" column. The total rebate amount across all qualified projects is capped at $14,000 for each household. Eligible applicants include low- (below 80% of area median income) or moderate-income (between 80% and 150% of area median income) households; owners of eligible low- or moderate-income multifamily buildings; and government, commercial, or nonprofit entities carrying out a project for an eligible household or an owner of an eligible multifamily building.
- The HOMES Program offers performance-based rebates for whole-house energy efficiency upgrades for single-family homes and multifamily buildings. Up to $8,000 for single-family homes and up to $40,000 for multifamily buildings are available in rebates to homeowners or aggregators depending on energy savings and household income. Incentives for low-income households (below 80% of area median income) are doubled or cover up to 80% of project costs. The three incentive tiers are:
- Retrofits with modeled energy system savings of 35% or more receive the lesser of $4,000 or 50% of project costs.
- Retrofits with modeled energy system savings of 20-34% receive the lesser of $2,000 or 50% of project costs.
- Retrofits of measured energy savings of 15% or more receive the lesser of $100 per percent of energy saved or 50% of project cost. Note that the $100 per percent of energy saved ratio may be higher or lower for individual households depending on state implementation.
To calculate how much your household could receive in federal incentives, check out Rewiring America's IRA Calculator.
Additional Resources
Several incentive search tools and guides summarize available incentives and provide guidance about which incentives can be layered:
- The Switch is On Initiative’s incentive search tool can help you find energy efficiency and all-electric incentives available in your zip code.
- California's ClimateAction.ca.gov website lists state and local programs available to Californians related to home energy programs.
- Rewiring America’s IRA Calculator estimates how much a household could save on energy efficiency and all-electric projects through the IRA tax credits and upfront discounts. Additionally, Rewiring America created a complementary guide walking through how you can save money on home energy efficiency and all-electric improvements using IRA incentives.
- The US Department of Energy Clean Energy Tax Credit webpage summarizes the residential energy efficiency and all-electric tax credits available to consumers.
- The US Department of Energy Savings Hub lists energy efficiency and all-electric incentives available and forthcoming for homeowners and renters through the Inflation Reduction Act.
- CleanEnergy.gov offers a user-friendly, introductory walk through the tax credits and rebates available to residents through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Local Programs
Bay Area SunShares offers group discounts for solar panels and/or battery storage. The SunShares program runs for a limited time in the fall of each year.
If you already have solar panels and a battery storage system at your home, MCE offers a Solar Storage Credit. Learn more about the eligibility requirements and sign up to save up to $20 per month on your electric bill.
State Programs
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offers rebates for installing energy storage technology in the home, including battery storage systems.
Federal Programs
Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), incentives for solar panels and battery storage technology are available to homeowners. Federal income tax credits will be available through 2032. ENERGY STAR has a list of federal tax credits available to homeowners.
The Department of Energy created a guide providing an overview of the federal solar energy tax credit available to residents.
Additional Resources
Several incentive search tools and guides summarize available incentives and provide guidance about which incentives can be layered:
- California's ClimateAction.ca.gov website lists state and local programs available to Californians related to home energy programs.
- Rewiring America's IRA Calculator estimates how much your household could receive in federal tax credits by installing solar panels and/or a battery storage system.
- CleanEnergy.gov offers a user-friendly, introductory walk through the tax credits and rebates available to residents through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Local Programs
The Contra Costa Water District offers car wash and mulch coupons, free water conservation devices, and rebates for residents in its service area. Rebates are available for the following activities:
- Purchasing a smart home water monitor,
- Replacing your lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping,
- Setting up a smart sprinkler system,
- Installing a Laundry-to-Landscape greywater system, or
- Using a pool cover.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District offers residential programs for its customers. They offer mulch and compost coupons and free water-saving devices. Rebates are available for the following activities:
- Replacing your lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping,
- Upgrading your irrigation system,
- Setting up a flowmeter to monitor water use, or
- Installing a Laundry-to-Landscape greywater system.
Additional Resources
- California's ClimateAction.ca.gov website lists state and local programs available to Californians related to water-saving programs.
Local Programs
511 Contra Costa offers incentives encouraging the use of transit or active transportation. Explore the full list of incentives.
MCE runs its MCEv Vehicle Rebate program and two complementary offerings: a residential electric vehicle (EV) electricity rate plan and MCE Sync, MCE’s EV smart charging app. For those not within MCE’s service territory, PG&E offers two EV rate plans for residential customers.
PG&E’s Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle Program offers up to $4,000 in rebates to PG&E customers who purchase or lease a pre-owned EV.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District offers its Clean Cars for All program to income-qualified residents that live in identified zip codes. The program provides grants for eligible residents to retire their older car in exchange for:
- A replacement hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery, or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, or
- A pre-paid card to use for public transit and/or to purchase an e-bike.
The Clean Cars for All program also offers eligible residents an EV charger rebate of up to $2,000 in additional funding for a level 2 home charger installation and up to $600 for a level 2 portable charger.
State Programs
The California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project offers rebates of up to $7,000 for the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emission vehicles.
The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program provides grants and affordable financing to help income-qualified Californians purchase or lease a new or used plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, or battery electric vehicle. Incentives received through this program cannot be stacked with the Clean Cars for All program offered through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The California Clean Fuel Reward Program offers up to $750 off the purchase or lease of an eligible new Battery Electric (BEV) or Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicle.
Federal Programs
Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), tax incentives are available for individuals who buy a qualified new or used plug-in electric vehicle or fuel cell electric vehicle. Tax credits are up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new EV, up to $4,000 for the purchase of a used EV, and up to $1,000 for an EV charger. Learn more about the qualification requirements and how to claim these tax credits on the Internal Revenue Service’s IRA webpage.
The US Department of Energy Savings Hub hosts an information page dedicated to the financial incentives available to drivers interested in purchasing new or used clean vehicles.
Additional Resources
Ride and Drive Clean offers guides and checklists offering insight into the benefits of EVs and how to find the right EV for your lifestyle.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District maintains its Grants and Rebates Page which shows which programs can be stacked with its Clean Cars for All program.
PG&E’s Electric Vehicle Savings Calculator allows you to compare different EVs on the market and lists available incentives.
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program maintains a savings calculator which can help you determine what incentive programs you might be eligible for based on where you live, what type of vehicle you are leasing or purchasing, and your household income.
Find publicly accessible EV charging stations near you with PlugShare.
California's ClimateAction.ca.gov website lists state and local programs available to Californians related to zero emission vehicle programs.
Single-Family Residential Energy Efficiency and All-Electric Program Incentive Summary Table
Project | Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Single-Family Rebates | Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Federal Tax Credits | Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Rebates* | Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Incentives** | Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) Incentives |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Home Energy Audit | $200 | $150 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Heat Pump Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) | $1,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 | N/A | $1,000 |
Heat Pump Water Heater | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,750 | Incentive amount to be announced | N/A |
Electrical Panel | N/A | $600 | $4,000 | N/A | N/A |
Electric Wiring | N/A | N/A | $2,500 | N/A | N/A |
Attic & Wall Insulation | $2,000 | $1,200 | $1,600 | N/A | N/A |
Induction Cooktop | $750 | N/A | $840 | N/A | N/A |
Duct Sealing & Replacement | $1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Heat Pump Dryer | $300 | N/A | $840 | N/A | N/A |
Windows | N/A | $600 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Doors | N/A | $500 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Solar | N/A | 30% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Battery Storage | N/A | 30% | N/A | Small Residential Storage: $15/kWh Residential Storage Equity: $85/kWh Equity Resiliency: $1,000/kWh |
N/A |
Single-Family Residential Energy Efficiency and All-Electric Program Incentive Summary Table Notes:
* = Program incentives are not yet available. For low-income households (under 80% of area median income), HEEHRA IRA rebates are expected to cover 100% of the project cost up to the total rebate amount. For moderate-income households (between 80% and 150% of area median income), IRA rebates are expected to cover 50% of the project cost up to the total rebate amount. Total rebate discounts across all qualified projects are capped at $14,000.
** = For more information on specific incentive amounts, please visit the Self-Generation Incentive Program webpage.
N/A = Program does not offer incentives for specific project.
Table last updated May 24, 2023.
Commercial Incentives
Local, state, and federal incentive programs can help you save money while making your business more sustainable.
If you own a business in Contra Costa County that conserves energy and water, recycles and reduces waste, and doesn’t pollute, consider getting certified as a green business through the Green Business Program. This is a free, voluntary program and gives you credit for all the sustainable practices you’re already doing!
Local Programs
The Bay Area Regional Energy Program (BayREN) offers energy upgrades to small and medium businesses through BayREN Business FLEXmarket. Incentives are available for energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, LED lighting, water heating, envelope, and more!
MCE’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Program offers energy efficiency improvements to commercial properties in its service area. Eligible energy efficiency projects include LED lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, and controls. Complete the Program Interest Form to get started.
State Programs
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offers rebates to qualified businesses for installing energy storage technology including battery storage systems.
Federal Programs
There are two tax credits available for businesses and other entities that purchase solar energy systems: the investment tax credit and the production tax credit. To learn more about which tax credit could be right for your business, visit the Solar Energy Technologies Office’s Federal Solar Tax Credits for Businesses webpage.
Local Programs
The Contra Costa Water District offers rebates specifically for its commercial customers. Rebates are available for the following activities:
- Upgrading selected irrigation equipment,
- Replacing lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping,
- Purchasing or leasing qualified ENERGY STAR-certified commercial grade clothes washers, and
- Replacing toilets and urinals with high-efficiency models.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District offers programs specifically for its commercial customers. These programs are exclusively offered to its commercial, industrial, institutional, and large multifamily customers:
- On-Bill Financing for water-saving upgrades,
- High-efficiency clothes washer rebate, and
- High-efficiency pre-rinse spray nozzles.
Local Programs
MCE offers two commercial electric vehicle (EV) electricity rate plans:
- Business Low Use EV (BEV1) Rate: Best suited for smaller workplaces and multifamily properties and
- Business High Use EV (BEV2) Rate: Best suited for sites with EV fleets and fast-charging stations.
PG&E offers two commercial EV electricity rate plans:
- Business Low Use EV (BEV1) Rate: For EV charging installations up to and including 100 kilowatts. This rate plan is best suited for smaller workplaces and multifamily properties and
- Business High Use EV (BEV2) Rate: For EV charging installations of 100 kilowatts and above. This rate plan is best suited for sites with EV fleets and fast-charging stations.
Federal Programs
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers a clean vehicle tax credit of up to $40,000 for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that purchase a plug-in electric vehicle or fuel cell motor vehicle. Learn more about eligible vehicles and how to claim the credit at the Internal Revenue Service’s Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit webpage.
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Sustainability
Physical Address
30 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-655-2815