CalSHAPE

calshape 2023

Recent CalSHAPE Upgrades

The Upgrade and Repair (U&R) Grant Program has begun accepting applications as of September 19, 2023, as part of Funding Round Five. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2024.
The CalSHAPE Ventilation and Plumbing Programs continues to accept applications for Funding Round Five. The application deadline for both programs is 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2024.
CalSHAPE Ventilation and Plumbing Program grantees may continue to submit Reconciliation documents.

SUCCESSFUL, HASSLE-FREE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

CalSHAPE grant applications are accepted by the California Energy Commission on a first-come, first-served basis.

Alco Building Solutions will perform all application submission services, including site audits, at no cost.

Most importantly, we will help your district secure maximum funding.

I reached out to Alco Building Solutions at the last minute to help me with the CalSHAPE grant. They have completely walked me through the application process. Without ABS our District would not be benefiting from these funding sources. I recommend any district with limited staff and funding contact ABS to implement necessary upgrades to aging facilities.

Linda Mayfield,
Director of MOTFW Mariposa County Unified School District

WHY ALCO BUILDING SOLUTIONS?

Alco is one of California’s most trusted energy service companies.

We are currently a full-service partner to 50+ school districts across the state, providing the turn-key—and stress-free—energy system upgrades schools require.

We have a 100% Success Rate securing CalSHAPE Grants for our school district customers.
We have helped secure more than $8 million in grants for our district partners.
Every district that applied with ABS was awarded their full grant request amount.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 841/ The California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency (CalSHAPE) Program on September 30, 2020. The bill provides the funds districts need to assess HVAC systems and replace inefficient water fixtures over the course of three years (2021-2026).

CalSHAPE gives priority to disadvantaged districts. As many studies have found, districts that serve lower-income communitiestend to have the poorest quality school facilities and the least funds available to improve conditions in their facilities.

Funding for the CalSHAPE Program comes from the energy effi ciency budgets of California’s large electric and gas investor-ownedutilities. The Program is administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC).

CalSHAPE includes two separate grant programs: Ventilation and Plumbing

DOES YOUR SCHOOL
QUALIFY

To qualify for CalSHAPE grants, your Local Education Agency (LEA) must be:

A school district as defined in Section 41302.5 of the Education Code which includes:
- County boards of education
- County superintendents of schools
- Direct elementary and secondary level instructional services provided by the state, including the Diagnostic Schools for Neurologically Handicapped Children as established under Article 1 (commencing with Section 59200) of Chapter 3 of Part 32 of the Education Code

LEARN MORE >

THE VENTILATION PROGRAM

In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by the EPA have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Exposure to air pollution is already a concern for children’s health, and a sizable "Link exists between academic achievement and air quality.”

The CalSHAPE Ventilation Program provides funding to local educational agencies for “the reasonable costs of HVAC assessment, general maintenance and adjustment, filter replacement, and carbon dioxide monitor installation including certain repairs, replacements, and other improvements to HVAC systems.”

CalSHAPE Ventilation prioritizes investments in facilities in underserved communities and those located near freeways or industrial facilities.

Terms:

An LEA may submit up to three applications for Ventilation Program funds in each funding round
Awards are limited to HVAC Assessment and Maintenance Grants
All project requirements must be completed, no funding is provided for partial projects
Grants will be the amount requested by LEA and verified with a contractor estimate
The contractor’s estimate must only be for reasonable costs of project requirements
Advance payment of 50% of the grant award

Young waiter washing plates while standing in cafe.jpg

THE PLUMBING PROGRAM

The Plumbing Program “provides grants to local educational agencies and state agencies to replace noncompliant plumbing fixtures and appliances that fail to meet water efficiency standards.” As with the Ventilation Program, the CalSHAPE Plumbing Program prioritizes schools in underserved communities.