Agenda & Notes: July 23, 2024 Outreach & Education Workgroup Meeting

Agenda

  • Introductions 
  • Background 
  • Summary of May 30, 2024 ZEV Equity Task Force Meeting 
  • Overview of Electrify America Cycle 4 Investment Request for Proposal process and timeline, Brenna Corrigan, Electrify America 
  • Group discussion about potential projects and partnerships   
  • Next Steps 

Workgroup Project Ideas

  1. Expand ride and drives in more areas. 
  2. Create consistent resources and training for incentive program administrators. 
  3. Consolidate consumer websites.  
  4. Scale effective outreach strategies tailored to specific communities. 
  5. Educate used car dealers. 

Attendees

Amanda Mattes, CalEPA; Andrew Hoeksema, Ecology Action; Anna Wong, California Air Resources Board (CARB); Banpreet Bhambra, CARB; Brenna Corrigan, Electrify America; Charlie Gracia, San Leandro 2050; Elisia Hoffman, Electrify America; Elizabeth Perez, GC Green; Gennet Paauwe, CARB; Gia Vacin, GO-Biz; LaDonna Williams & Tanesha, All Positives Possible; Larry Rillera, CARB; Lauri Walker, Center for Sustainable Energy; Linda White, BMW; Lisa Chiladakis, CARB; Lonnie Mason, First Generation Environmental Health & Economic Development; Marissa Williams, California Energy Commission (CEC); Michael Litwin, CARB; Nidia Erceg, GO-Biz; Patricia Carlos, CEC; Patty Breslin, San Leandro 2050; Rhia Davis, Electrify America; Sarah Lim, CEC; Tom Knox, Valley CAN; Tracy Ruiz, GRID Alternatives

Meeting Notes

Electrify America (EA) provided an overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and timeline for their Cycle 4 Investments.  Following the presentation, EA staff left the meeting to allow the workgroup members to discuss potential partnerships.  Here are some notes from the EA presentation:

  • Cycle 4 Investments focus on Infrastructure, Education & Awareness and Access.
  • ZEV Equitable Access Program (ZEAP) in Cycle 4 plan.
  • ZEAP goals: provide direct support to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) driving education and awareness of Zero Emission Vehicles within California's low income and disadvantaged communities.
  • Of the overall $3M for the ZEAP RFP, up to $500k available to support initiatives proposed by Outreach & Education Workgroup.
  • Please send an email to zevequity@arb.ca.gov if you would like more information about this presentation.

Open Discussion

CARB staff opened the meeting to address questions about the EA RFP and to talk about potential partnership opportunities for creating a proposal.  Below are some of the questions and concerns heard from the workgroup members.

  • There is a concern that CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) are not sufficiently aware of CARB's funding programs and other opportunities, with many only learning about it through chance encounters or word of mouth. There is a need to identify and reach out to more CBOs to ensure broader participation.  
  • There is a lack of information about how to CBO’s can participate in CARB’s funding programs.
  • Questions were asked about how CBOs would be informed about these opportunities and whether the funding is multi-year.  CARB staff will collect information about additional CBO's the group thinks would be interested in the EA RFP. 
  • Meeting participants that received Electrify America Cycle 2 and 3 funding stated that it was originally presented as 18 months of funding that was later extended to 24 months.
  • CARB grantees develop spaces where they invite CBOs and CARB to come together.  
  • There was a willingness to share information and resources to support smaller CBOs, particularly those that may benefit from partnership opportunities.
  • There were concerns about the varying capacities of CBOs to apply for funding and participate in the program.
  • There were concerns raised about the reliability and trustworthiness of certain NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).
  • There was a discussion about the role of external agencies and the need for communities to have control over their own representation and liaison activities.
  • Questions were raised about having the next ZEV Equity Task Force meeting in person with a specific request for virtual participation options to accommodate smaller CBOs.
  • The group mentioned that the tour in Imperial Valley should include El Centro since that area is often overlooked.

CARB Next Steps

  • The next meeting of the full ZEV Equity Task Force will likely be in the Fall 2024.  CARB is exploring the idea of having the meeting in-person but is open to feedback on this.
  • CARB staff will collect contact information for CBO’s that may want to be receive the RFP.

Workgroup Next Steps

  • Electrify America sent slides and the mutual non-disclosure agreement to the Workgroup. If you were not able to participate in the meeting but are interested in this information, please reach out to us at zevequity@arb.ca.gov. 
  • Please reach out to us at zevequity@arb.ca.gov if you have a topic or discussion item you’d like the group to address. The workgroup can meet in August if the workgroup members think it will be useful.

Return to Outreach & Education Workgroup page.

Return to ZEV Equity Task Force page.