Bright Futures Grants Awarded to Nonprofit Organizations to Educate Communities About the Benefits of Renewable Energy

IRVINE, Calif. (October 7, 2024) – The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) – a community energy provider – announced today five recipients of its Bright Futures Grant, which provides funding to local nonprofits, schools, and educators to support their renewable energy and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) educational efforts.

In total, $60,000 was awarded through the 2024 Bright Futures Grant Program. Recipient organizations are in OCPA member cities – Buena Park, Fullerton, and Irvine – and brought forward the most creative and innovative ideas on how to educate their communities about clean energy.

“Reinvesting revenue into our local communities is one of the unique and defining aspects of operating a not-for-profit community energy program,” said OCPA Board Chair Fred Jung. “Granting funds to local nonprofits to help them champion projects that advance sustainability and renewable energy education, while raising awareness about OCPA, is a win-win. These promising programs only further OCPA’s continued dedication to our communities.”

This year’s recipients are:

• Buena Park Middle School Future Farmers of America: This agriculture program dedicated to enhancing student health and well-being through sustainable agricultural practiceswillinstall solar-powered equipment for an irrigation system, an outlet panel for a shade structure, and an automated door for a chicken coop.

• Cool OC : This organization that empowers Orange County residents to cultivate planet-friendly, disaster-resilient, and vibrant communities l expand the Climate Leadership and Resilience program providing leadership and resilience training for sustainability champions.

• Girl Scouts of Orange County: This organization that builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a beter place will create a “Renewable-Energy-In-A-Box” program that will earn the Girl Scouts an OCPA branded badge. The group will create solar oven kits to teach Girl Scouts about solar energy and the benefits of using solar for cooking.

• OC Goes Solar: This organization that makes clean energy and technology accessible and affordable for all residents of Orange County will conduct grassroots outreach to low-income households and share relevant information on clean energy programs.

• The Dragon Kim Foundation: This organization that engages young leaders and empowers them to make a social impact will provide training to high school students through renewable energy-focused projects, and develop communications materials on renewable energy technologies and practices for underserved community members in English and Spanish.

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at competitive rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.