Regional Energy Program Could Bring $7 Million to Santa Barbara County

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved support for a regional energy efficiency program expected to bring about $7 million to the county through the Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C REN).

The funding will support the county’s participation in programs aimed at expanding energy efficiency efforts across the region.

The Tri-County Regional Energy Network is a partnership between Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.

The initiative allows local governments to design and operate energy efficiency programs aimed at supporting communities across the three counties.

Officials said the $7 million would be distributed over a four-year period from 2028 through 2031. The funding does not come from local taxes. Instead, it comes from statewide funding supported by mandatory surcharges on electric and natural gas bills paid by utility customers.

The funds are collected and overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission and then distributed to approved regional programs.

The main focus of the 3C REN initiative is expanding energy efficiency programs to residents who often have limited access to existing utility programs. These groups include seniors, low-income households, residents living in affordable housing, and people whose primary language is not English.

The network aims to help residents improve energy efficiency in their homes and reduce monthly utility costs. Officials said the efforts are intended to close gaps where traditional utility programs may not always reach vulnerable residents.

The initiative also creates opportunities for local contractors who perform energy-efficiency upgrades in homes and buildings.

Contractors participating in the program typically follow a performance-based payment model, receiving about half of their payment at the start of a project and the remainder after the projected energy savings are verified.

Officials said the system encourages measurable results while also supporting local businesses and workers involved in energy efficiency upgrades. The approach is expected to strengthen the regional workforce while expanding access to energy-saving improvements.

The plan outlines how the three counties intend to continue operating and expanding their programs while seeking continued funding from the state.

The program’s goal is to maintain existing initiatives while increasing the availability of incentives and services for residents and businesses seeking to improve energy efficiency.

The program is managed locally by Santa Barbara County’s Sustainability Division. Funding from the initiative currently supports approximately 3.5 staff positions responsible for administering the program and coordinating its activities within the county.

Supervisors noted that residents across the state already pay the utility surcharge that funds these programs. By participating in the Tri-County Regional Energy Network, the county helps ensure that a portion of those funds returns to the local community instead of being directed to projects elsewhere in California.