Clean, Efficient Energy & Transportation
CEC’s annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival Green Car Show offers the public an opportunity to learn about and test drive electric vehicles, bikes, and alternative transportation options. Photo by Jhana Studio.
OUR VISION
By transitioning completely to renewables and electrifying our vehicles and buildings, we can leverage clean electricity to get fossil fuels out of our region for good, while developing innovative, equitable, and replicable programs. CEC is working to rapidly move the California Central Coast to use 100% of the electricity that powers our homes, businesses, and cars from efficient, clean, and renewable sources.
OUR WORK
CEC has helped nearly 3,000 individuals and businesses access incentives for renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions.
Our Impact
“Having CEC as a teammate through every step of the process helped make my dream of EV ownership a reality.”
- MarileeKrause,
Chevy Bolt Owner
Protecting Access to Clean Energy Technology
In order to ensure the United States does not digress by decades in climate protection, California must maintain its position as an electric vehicle (EV) leader. That’s why CEC is providing concierge services in Spanish and English that have already helped nearly 1,000 residents, businesses, and nonprofits navigate options, financial incentives, and resources to make EV ownership and charging accessible and affordable.
Marilee Krause is one of nearly 1,000 individuals CEC has helps access incentives for EVs and EV chargers. Photo by CEC.
Marilee Krause is a Santa Barbara-based artist who wanted to transition from her hybrid Prius to an all-electric vehicle, but thought she couldn’t afford to. Then a close friend reached out to see if she was interested in purchasing their 2017 Chevy Bolt. Marilee had heard about financial incentive programs for electric vehicles but wasn’t sure which she qualified for. At her friend’s suggestion, she reached out to the Community Environmental Council.
After reviewing her eligibility, our team determined that Marilee qualified for four incentives, totaling a potential $21,500 in savings. We guided her through the options and helped her apply for the incentives that best matched her situation, ultimately covering the cost of her new EV. “I was surprised and delighted that these types of incentives existed,” said Marilee. “Having CEC as a teammate through every step of the application process helped make my dream of EV ownership a reality.”
Now Marilee zips around town, driving on electricity. El Zoco, the affordable condominium community where she lives, has a public EV charging station, so she never worries about where she’ll recharge. And she is proud to be part of the transition toward a fossil-free future.
