Got questions about how to access the first year of climate bond funding? This resource and webinar can help

By Melissa Sparks-Kranz, legislative advocate (environmental quality)

In the final days of the legislative session, lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the first year of climate bond funding, totaling $3.3 billion. Various state agencies will administer this funding based on specific program requirements in the bond.

In addition to a guide outlining the overall funding chapters, Cal Cities has prepared a database tool to help cities more easily leverage available state funding. The database categorizes the funding by bond chapter, state agency, and program. It also provides a state agency website to help cities find program-specific details. The database is intended to help cities track the available funding and access critical dollars for climate resilience projects in the coming years.

Cal Cities will host a webinar on Oct. 28, from 2-3 p.m., that will walk through the first year of Proposition 4 funding, Cal Cities' database, and state agency resources. Registration is complimentary for Cal Cities members and partners and must be completed by Oct. 27. Nonmember cities and other government entities will be charged $150.

Passed by the voters in 2024 and supported by Cal Cities, Prop. 4 is a $10 billion bond that will help cities address the varied climate impacts and challenges facing California's current and future generations - including wildfires, floods, droughts, extreme heat, sea level rise, and other climate-related events.