San Diego Regional Energy Network staff briefed the Community Advisory Committee on Oct. 9 on plans to operate a ten‑program portfolio approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that includes workforce training, public‑sector support, residential and commercial efficiency programs.

Sheena Tran, SD REN’s associate director of programs, said the CPUC authorized $124 million for the portfolio through calendar year 2027 and that Community Power will serve as lead portfolio administrator. “Our goal is to have our first [advisory committee] meeting in Q1 2026,” Tran said, describing a phased contracting approach that began in late 2024 and continued through 2025.

Why it matters

SD REN aims to direct energy efficiency and workforce resources toward underserved communities across San Diego County. The portfolio is structured to include workforce development (adult training and K‑12 pathways), public‑sector programs (codes and standards support, incentives for public facilities, and a tribal engagement program), residential single‑family and multifamily programs, and commercial offerings (including an efficient refrigeration program and contractor market‑access incentives).

Portfolio timing and structure

Staff said RFPs were released in three phases in 2025 and that some contracts executed for early workforce and codes work are already ramping up. Remaining phase‑2 and phase‑3 contracts were in negotiation at the time of the meeting, with staff expecting most contracts executed by year‑end and program launches staggered across early to mid‑2026.

Program design highlights

- Workforce: Two workforce programs will run in tandem — an adult workforce training and capacity building program offering certifications and wrap‑around services, and an Energy Pathways program targeting high school students with curriculum, credits and paid internships.

- Public sector: A codes and standards program will provide technical assistance and “energy code coaches” to help jurisdictions with Title 24 compliance and reach codes; a Climate Resilience Leadership program will offer incentives and project management support for public agencies; a Tribal Engagement program will offer culturally appropriate technical assistance and potential direct funding for tribal proposals.

- Residential and commercial: SD REN will deliver single‑family and multifamily technical assistance and low‑ to no‑cost measures aimed at underserved households; commercial programs include the efficient refrigeration pilot scaled regionally, a small‑to‑medium business coaching program, and a market access program that pays contractors based on measured peak‑demand savings.

Governance and funding cycle

Tran said Community Power and the County of San Diego jointly lead SD REN; Community Power is the designated lead portfolio administrator for regulatory, fiscal and procurement responsibilities. The CPUC model funds RENs in rolling portfolio cycles; staff said they will submit a subsequent business plan application to request funding for the second four years of an eight‑year business cycle. SD REN staff also described an advisory committee, to be formalized by a charter and convened in early 2026, composed of local governments, community‑based organizations, nonprofits and other stakeholders.

Questions and next steps

Committee members asked about coordination with community colleges, whether SD REN would duplicate work done by ESCOs or local contractors, how the County participates (through the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice), and how program budgets will be adjusted in subsequent business plan cycles. Staff said they will conduct needs assessments and coordinate with existing workforce and ESCO efforts to avoid duplication. Staff also said the portfolio’s evaluation approach will mix metered performance (for select commercial projects) and deemed savings for many measures, per CPUC practice.

Ending

SD REN staff said they will return to the CAC with implementation updates as contracts are executed and programs near launch. The committee received the presentation; no formal action was required.