Stove_CPA_Innovation_Grant_Submission_10-8-25_(1).pdf

ENERGIZED COMMUNITIES INNOVATION FUND

ROUND 2 APPLICATION

CPA invites our partner communities, agencies who have voted to be a CPA member, to submit their best decarbonization project plans that promote energy equity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help reach climate goals. The Innovation Fund is a competitive funding opportunity to advance CPA’s Board-approved program pillars of: resilience and grid management, building or transportation electrification, and local clean energy procurement efforts in communities served by CPA.

CPA’s partner communities may submit one project that covers one or multiple program pillars or program areas of focus. Only one project per member agency, with an award amount of up to $250,000 (funding may not exceed project cost), may be submitted and awarded during this funding cycle. Member agencies that were selected in the first funding cycle are eligible to apply for another project if their initial project budget did not exceed $250,000, for an amount totaling no more than $250,000 combined.

The Round 2 application period opens on August 25, 2025 and closes on October 8, 2025. All CPA’s partner communities may apply. This will be a competitive selection process based on the responses to the questions in the Innovation Fund Application. CPA anticipates selecting four (4) projects per funding cycle.

CPA reserves the right to select additional projects or fewer projects depending on availability of funds.

See details at cleanpoweralliance.org/energized-communities.

Completed applications are due on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Send questions and applications to EnergizedCommunities@cleanpoweralliance.org.

Project Categories

Refer to category descriptions below and sample projects on our website.

(Member agencies may submit an application that falls within one or multiple program areas. Projects may not overlap with the scope of CPA’s Pathways to Electrification programs.)

Resilience and Grid Management

Resilience projects leverage clean energy systems and technologies to provide back-up power during outages or grid emergencies.

Grid management projects would reduce or shift energy use from periods of peak demand or high costs.

Electrification Projects that promote, enable, or provide electrification of buildings or transportation in CPA communities.

Local Clean Energy Procurement

Projects that support community and customer adoption and installation of clean energy.

Recipient Requirements - Innovation Fund award recipients will:

mailto:EnergizedCommunities@cleanpoweralliance.org https://cleanpoweralliance.org/energized-communities/ https://cleanpoweralliance.org/energized-communities/ https://cleanpoweralliance.org/pathways-to-electrification/

1. Enter into a participation agreement with CPA that details the project scope, budget, and expected milestones

2. Submit invoices and/or other documentation to show expenditure of funds on approved activities

3. Attend check-ins every other month with CPA staff and participate in a one-year post award interview

4. Provide status reports every six months and a project completion summary subject to CPA’s review What should my agency keep in mind when applying?

• Projects may not overlap with the scope of the Pathways to Electrification building, fleet, and community EV charging projects.

• Applications should focus on project implementation and demonstrate a reasonable ability to complete the proposed project within two years of the project being selected for the Innovation Fund.

• Applicants must consider and disclose any requirements to inform or receive approval from City Councils or governing boards prior to submitting project applications.

• Projects must be implemented in one of CPA’s partner communities, and project sites must be located in CPA’s service area and receive electric service from CPA.

Tell us about your project:

Member Agency Name: City of Thousand Oaks Applicant’s Name and Title: Spencer Silverstein, Assistant Analyst Applicant’s Email: ssilverstein@toaks.gov Project Title: Residential Induction Stove Rebate Program Funding Amount Requested: $250,000

Respond to each section below; combined responses should not exceed five pages.

1. Project Summary: Summarize the proposed project and how it will address a decarbonization challenge in your community.

• What is the challenge and how will this project address it?

• Who are the key stakeholders or partners to implement this project?

• Describe how this aligns with your agency’s goals and strategies.

• Note: Project sites must receive CPA service to be eligible, and recipients of direct incentives must be CPA customers. If a specific site or customer segment (e.g. renters, property owners, businesses) is known, please provide those details.

Decarbonizing existing homes remains one of the hardest transitions to implement. The City of Thousand Oaks proposes to launch a Residential Induction Stove Rebate Program to accelerate community-wide building decarbonization by replacing gas stoves with clean, high-performance, all-electric induction units in single-family and other owner-occupied homes. This project directly addresses one of our community’s most persistent decarbonization challenges: the high upfront cost of electric appliances, and the electrical panel upgrades required to support them. These expenses—often $5,000 to $6,000 for panel replacements alone, plus $500-$1,000 for a 240-volt outlet and the cost of the stove—put electrification out of reach for many households, particularly income-qualified residents.

Through a tiered rebate structure, the program helps offset the costs of purchasing and installing induction stoves, with additional incentives for households that complete panel upgrades. Upgraded panels are sized to accommodate full household electrification and are solar- and EV-ready, ensuring long-term flexibility for residents. Rebates are issued only after verified installation, ensuring measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and accountability for all public funds invested.

The City will use community-based social marketing (CBSM) strategies to engage residents, identify real and perceived barriers, and design targeted outreach that emphasizes comfort, safety, and long-term cost savings. CBSM is based on behavioral science research demonstrating that behavior change is often most effectively achieved through initiatives delivered at the community level that focus on removing barriers to an activity while simultaneously enhancing the activity’s benefits. It brings together knowledge from the field of social marketing with a variety of behavior change “tools” drawn from social psychology, environmental psychology, and other behavioral sciences. CBSM uses a five-step process to foster behavior change. These five steps are: (1) selecting which behaviors to target; (2) identifying the barriers and benefits to the selected behavior(s); (3) developing strategies that reduce the barriers to the behavior(s) to be promoted, while simultaneously enhancing the benefits; (4) piloting the strategies; and

(5) broadly implementing and evaluating the most cost-effective strategies from the pilot tests.

By lowering both financial and behavioral barriers to adopting induction technology—one of the most visible and confidence-building electrification upgrades—the program offers residents an accessible, tangible entry point to whole-home decarbonization.

Beyond emissions reduction, the initiative delivers major health and safety benefits by eliminating indoor combustion pollutants and reducing burn and fire risks. Unlike gas stoves, induction units eliminate combustion-related indoor pollutants and virtually remove burn and fire risks—benefits especially important for children, seniors, and people with asthma or respiratory conditions. A 2024 Stanford and PSE Healthy Energy study estimated that NO₂ exposure from gas and propane stoves costs society over $1 billion annually in health impacts. Another 2023 study found that a single gas burner on high can raise indoor benzene to levels exceeding secondhand smoke, and that three-quarters of methane emissions occur when stoves are off. Gas stoves are linked to 12.7% of childhood asthma cases, and are the leading cause of missed school days, negatively affecting childhood education and growth. It also reduces school funding, which is based on attendance, and parents may need to take time off work, affecting the family finances.

Ultimately, the project aims not only to install eighty induction stoves but also to create a replicable, proven model for residential electrification. The resulting framework—combining financial incentives, https://www.psehealthyenergy.org/gas-stoves-and-indoor-air-pollution-explained/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-health-risks-of-gas-stoves-explained/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-health-risks-of-gas-stoves-explained/ https://aafa.org/asthma/living-with-asthma/asthma-in-children/ behavioral engagement, and verified outcomes—will allow other jurisdictions to expand participation among underserved residents and scale decarbonization across the CPA service area.

The City will lead engagement, rebate administration, and program management, while a CBSM consultant develops outreach materials and engagement tools. CPA will serve as funding partner and technical collaborator through its Energy Team, providing assistance with contractor selection, incentive coordination, and installation. Local partners will help emphasize safety and health benefits such as automatic shut-off, cooler surfaces, and pollutant-free kitchens.

This initiative directly supports the City of Thousand Oaks’ Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP), which identifies equitable building decarbonization as a top priority. The program advances CEAP objectives by reducing natural gas dependence, promoting electrification, and ensuring that low-and moderate-income residents share in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

2. Mission Alignment: Describe how the project is aligned with CPA's mission and at least one of the Board-approved program pillars of (1) resilience and grid management, (2) electrification, and/or

(3) local procurement.

The project also aligns with Clean Power Alliance’s (CPA) mission to foster a clean, reliable, and equitable energy future across its service area. It advances CPA’s Board-approved pillars of Electrification, Resilience, and Grid Management by reducing fossil fuel use, enabling grid-responsive technologies, and preparing households for renewable integration and demand-response participation.

By supporting panel upgrades, the program lays the groundwork for future installations of solar, battery storage, and EV charging infrastructure—key components of a resilient, distributed energy system.

Through this pilot, the City aims not only to deliver immediate, verifiable GHG reductions but also to establish a replicable, scalable engagement model that generates a sustained pipeline of “warm leads” for CPA’s Energy Team. The resulting framework will serve as a model for other jurisdictions across Ventura County and the broader CPA service territory, extending the impact of this grant well beyond its initial funding cycle.

3. Feasibility:

• Provide a project timeline and include key milestones. All projects must be completed within two years of the execution of the participation agreement with CPA.

• List any known risks or dependencies that could impact project success.

• Briefly describe any member agency approval processes required to execute participation agreement and implement steps in the proposal.

The City is currently developing an RFP to select a CBSM Marketing consultant to advance City sustainability initiatives. This project will be listed as a contract contingency in the event the grant is funded, which will expedite program development and enable completion within the 24-month timeframe.

Phase 1: Participation Agreement and Project Setup (Months 1–3) Finalize participation agreement with CPA; receive City Council approval; CBSM consultant to conduct literature review of previously tested strategies and incentives.

Phase 2: Program Design and Baseline Research (Months 4–6) Research permit data on previous panel upgrades in owner-occupied homes, set eligibility criteria and processes, develop a survey instrument and methodology to explore barriers.

Phase 3: Focus Groups, Analysis, and Pilot Program Design (Months 7–9) Recruit participants for focus groups to test messaging and refine outreach based on resident attitudes, barriers, and incentives. Distribute test surveys; analyze results, develop test messages, and engagement tools and processes.

Phase 4: Pilot Program Deployment and Final Analysis (Months 10-12) Initiate wider test and refine as needed. Facilitate warm handoffs between City staff and CPA’s Energy Team for technical guidance and contractor support; track participation data, drop-off rates, and trends, analyze metrics, and identify opportunities for adjustments.

Phase 5: Implementation and Scaling (Months 13–21) Expand outreach citywide; adjust outreach and messaging based on pilot insights and participant data;

conduct ongoing reporting and program optimization.

Phase 6: Program Completion and Transition (Months 22–24) Complete installations for remaining households and analyze participation, cost, equity, and GHG outcomes; prepare final report, lessons learned, and replication toolkit for CPA and other jurisdictions;

submit final metrics, including installation counts, participation demographics, and total GHG reductions.

The known risk is that required utility or code compliance upgrades may increase homeowner costs, limiting participation. While the City does not currently operate a residential electrification rebate program, the Finance and City Attorney’s offices have reviewed the proposal and confirmed its feasibility. Upon award, the Sustainability Division will finalize program details, obtain Council approval to enter into the participation agreement with CPA, and process incoming funds accordingly.

4. Budget: Provide a quarterly budget and explain why the proposed budget is needed to implement this project. If any additional funding is needed, or expected to complete the project, please describe (if applicable).

The total project cost exceeds $300,000, comprising the $250,000 grant request from the Clean Power Alliance (CPA) and a $50,000 City contribution. Of this, $100,000 will fund consultant services for community-based social marketing, pilot design, and evaluation, while $200,000 is reserved for direct residential rebates. In addition, the City will cover the outreach and marketing costs recommended by the consultant (likely $15,000-$30,000).

Rebate tiers are structured as follows:

• $2,500 for standard homes (50 participants, $125,000)

• $1,500 for homes with upgraded 200-amp panels (20 participants, $30,000)

• $4,500 for income-qualified CARE/FERA households (10 participants, $45,000)

The consultant may recommend adjustments to these incentives based on market response, with CPA approval required before changes. This balanced budget prioritizes equity, measurable GHG reductions, and long-term scalability of electrification efforts.

Quarterly Budget Breakdown:

Q1 (Phase 1): Participation Agreement and Project Setup – estimated cost $5,000 Q2 (Phase 2): Program Design and Baseline Research – estimated cost$10,000 Q3 (Phase 3): Focus Groups, Analysis, and Pilot Program Design – estimated cost $15,000 Q4 (Phase 4): Pilot Program Deployment and Final Analysis – estimated cost $30,000 Q5 – Q7 (Phases 5-7): Implementation and Scaling – estimated cost $162,500 Q8 (Phase 8): Program Completion and Transition – estimated cost $27,500

This budget enables the City to reduce cost barriers for induction adoption while conducting effective, equitable outreach and ensuring measurable, verified outcomes. Rebates are only issued upon verified installation to ensure accountability and real outcomes. The tiered rebate levels reflect cost differences and equity needs (standard, panel-upgrade, and income-qualified households). Consultant costs are front-loaded to identify real and perceived barriers and test mitigation strategies and messages. Staff time is provided in-kind by the City. Incentive payments ramp up starting in Q3, peak mid-program, and taper off as most installations are completed. Final project phases include evaluation, participant feedback, and creation of a toolkit for other jurisdictions. The budget is designed with flexibility to accommodate variable costs or participation levels, with any major adjustments subject to CPA approval.

5. Project Benefits: What are the benefits to the community, the partner community (member agency), and/or CPA if this project is selected?

• Indicate if the project will utilize income-qualified thresholds, or benefit customers enrolled in public assistance programs (e.g. customers enrolled in CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) or FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) programs).

• Will the project result in greenhouse gas emissions reductions through energy efficiency, electrification, production of clean energy, or another method?

• What is the scale of the project impacts, how many people will benefit from the project and to what extent?

• Are there anticipated operational cost savings associated with the project after completion?

The Residential Induction Stove Rebate Program delivers strong environmental, health, equity, and economic benefits for Thousand Oaks residents and regional partners, while creating a replicable model for Clean Power Alliance (CPA) communities.

Emissions and Climate Impact: The program cuts greenhouse gas emissions by replacing gas stoves with clean, all-electric induction units. Each installation supports readiness for future electrification— such as heat pumps and EV chargers—and enhances grid flexibility. Collectively, it advances the City’s Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) and CPA’s Electrification and Resilience goals.

Public Health and Indoor Air Quality: Induction cooking eliminates combustion-related pollutants like NO₂, CO, and PM₂.₅, improving indoor air quality and reducing asthma and respiratory risks. Gas stoves are linked to 12% of childhood asthma cases; replacing them with induction systems delivers immediate, visible health and safety gains for families, seniors, and vulnerable residents.

Community Equity: With enhanced rebates for income-qualified households meeting CARE/FERA thresholds, the program ensures equitable access to electrification. By reducing upfront costs and providing targeted outreach, it enables participation from low- and moderate-income and disadvantaged communities.

Regional Model for CPA: In partnership with CPA, the City will connect residents to the CPA Energy Team for contractor selection, incentive coordination, and installation support. The program’s CBSM-based outreach and verified results will create a scalable model for CPA jurisdictions seeking to expand household electrification.

Economic and Safety Benefits: Participants will benefit from a safer and healthier home as well as lower energy costs. The program also enhances household resilience by preparing homes for future clean energy technologies and battery backups.

Scale and Reach: The pilot targets 80 verified installations, creating immediate emissions and health benefits while establishing a lasting, transferable framework for regional decarbonization.

6. Metrics: How will you measure the success of this project? List any anticipated quantifiable achievements or results. Include metrics that illustrate the scale of the project and expected impacts of the work in your community.

This project will measure success using quantifiable metrics tied to installations, emissions reductions, equity, and outreach.

1. Electrification Metrics:

• 80 verified induction stove installations

• Number of verified panel upgrades and prewiring projects

2. Emissions Reductions:

• Typical gas stove emits ~50–60 kg CO₂e annually (~40 therms/year)

• 1 therm = 0.0053 MTCO₂e

• Optimal scenario: 80 homes × 40 therms × 0.0053 = 16.96 MTCO₂e avoided annually

• Over 15 years: ~254.4 MTCO₂e total avoided

3. Equity and Access:

• Percentage of income-qualified

• Percentage of high-tier rebates awarded

4. Community Engagement:

• Handoffs to CPA Energy Team

5. Reporting and Replicability:

• Final report to CPA with full metrics

• Development of toolkit for replication by other agencies

Submit any questions and completed applications to

EnergizedCommunities@cleanpoweralliance.org by Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

mailto:EnergizedCommunities@cleanpoweralliance.org