header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 1
1887 - Town of Saugus founded; Castaic train station (passenger shelter) opens [story]
Saugus


| Friday, Sep 7, 2018
Tesla Model S electric car (left) and Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid at the parking spots reserved for green cars by Virgin Airlines at San Francisco International Airport. | Photo: Steve Jurvetson/WMC 2.0
Tesla Model S electric car (left) and Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid at the parking spots reserved for green cars by Virgin Airlines at San Francisco International Airport. | Photo: Steve Jurvetson/WMC 2.0.

 

OAKLAND — The California Air Resources Board announced a new statewide grant and loan program on Friday to help lower-income consumers across California get into the cleanest new and used cars on the market.

The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program, run by the Oakland-based nonprofit Beneficial State Foundation, was launched with a $5 million CARB grant.

The funding is from California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities.

The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.

“This program makes the cleanest cars more affordable for families and individuals with limited means and helps fulfill the promise that all Californians will benefit from the state’s efforts to fight climate change,” CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said.

The program has been up and running since June. At a press event this morning in Oakland, key partners, including CARB Board Member John Balmes, M.D., Beneficial State Bank and Foundation Co-Founders Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer, Senator Kevin de León of Los Angeles, and Assemblymember Rob Bonta of Alameda, celebrated the program’s early success.

To date, Beneficial State Foundation has already received more than 900 applications and awarded 24 grants for cars ranging from a 2018 Nissan Leaf to a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid.

The statewide Clean Vehicle Assistance Program provides personal grants of up to $5,000, and financial education services, to help lower-income Californians purchase a used or new conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery-electric car.

Qualified applicants also can receive low-interest-rate loans (at an interest rate of 8 percent or less) through the program’s preferred lending partner, Beneficial State Bank.

Designed for California’s low-income and disadvantaged communities, the program is open to all California residents who meet the income eligibility requirements.

“Low-income people of color are hit hardest by poverty and pollution. Efforts like the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program ensure our neediest communities won’t be left behind in the EV revolution and can have cleaner, healthier air,” said Orson Aguilar, president of the Greenlining Institute.

This innovative pilot project complements other California Climate Investment-funded low-carbon transportation projects, including programs that help Californians scrap their older, more polluting vehicle and replace it with a clean-technology car.

As a nonprofit dedicated to supporting economic and community development in low-income communities, Beneficial State Foundation has a decade of experience innovating within the financial industry to promote fair and transparent banking services to low-income and historically underserved individuals and communities.

“Everyone needs access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation. We are investing in people and clean air by helping all Californians access reliable and clean transportation today,” says Kat Taylor, CEO and founder of Beneficial State Bank and Foundation.

Beneficial State Foundation
Beneficial State Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 whose mission is to change the banking system for good. Beneficial State Foundation is also the majority owner of the economic interest of Beneficial State Bank, and this unique ownership model ensures that the bank has no shareholders seeking to maximize profit at the expense of communities and the planet. The foundation’s headquarters are located in Oakland with additional offices in Fresno and Portland.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Aug 30, 2024
Applications Open for Santa Clarita Planning Commission Position
The city of Santa Clarita encourages interested and qualified residents to apply for an unscheduled vacancy position on the Santa Clarita Planning Commission. The unexpired term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
Friday, Aug 30, 2024
Sept. 14: Santa Clarita Master Chorale Auditions
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, led by Artistic Director Allan Robert Petker, is holding auditions in advance of its upcoming 25th anniversary season.
Friday, Aug 30, 2024
LASD Asks Public’s Help in Locating Missing Canyon Country Man
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help locating an at-risk missing person last seen in Canyon Country.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1887 - Town of Saugus founded; Castaic train station (passenger shelter) opens [story]
Saugus
2001 - LASD Deputy Hagop "Jake" Kuredjian gunned down in Stevenson Ranch while backing up ATF [story]
Jake Kuredjian
College of the Canyons Women's Soccer won its second match in as many outings, this time posting a 4-1 road win at San Diego Mesa College.
COC’s Women’s Soccer Sweeps San Diego Road Trip
The city of Santa Clarita encourages interested and qualified residents to apply for an unscheduled vacancy position on the Santa Clarita Planning Commission. The unexpired term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
Applications Open for Santa Clarita Planning Commission Position
As August comes to a close and the school year starts for all student athletes in the Southern Section, I want to officially welcome everyone back as we begin the 2024-2025 school year. This school year will be significant for a variety of reasons
Mike West | A Message From the CIF-Southern Section Commissioner
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, led by Artistic Director Allan Robert Petker, is holding auditions in advance of its upcoming 25th anniversary season.
Sept. 14: Santa Clarita Master Chorale Auditions
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit is asking for the public’s help locating an at-risk missing person last seen in Canyon Country.
LASD Asks Public’s Help in Locating Missing Canyon Country Man
Metro has a plan to enhance safety and improve mobility in the SR-14 Antelope Valley Freeway corridor, which is a lifeline route in North Los Angeles County.
Meetings Scheduled for SR-14 Safety, Mobility Project
College of the Canyons cross country began its season in successful fashion, with the women's team taking first and then men's squad running third at the season opening San Diego Cross Country Kickoff.
COC Cross Country Teams See Success at Season Opener
Grant applications are now open for two of the three available arts nonprofit grants from the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
Applications for L.A. County Arts Grants is Now Open
California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) announced his bill to expand access to low and no-cost spay/neuter services has successfully passed both the Senate and Assembly and is now headed to the governor for approval.
Wilk Bill Relieving Overcrowded Animal Shelters Headed to Governor’s Desk
Residents of the city of Santa Clarita are asked to join the Santa Clarita Public Library's Food For Fines campaign this September.
This September Clear Your Fines at Santa Clarita Public Libraries
The Santa Clarita Artists Association will feature watercolor artist Ray Hunter at its monthly meeting, Monday, Sept. 16 at Barnes and Noble Booksellers
Sept. 16: Watercolor Artist Ray Hunter Showcased at SCAA Meeting
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Investment Policy Certification by the California Municipal Treasurers Association.
SCV Water Receives Investment Policy Certification from CMTA
The city of Santa Clarita's Central Bark dog park for large breeds will be closed Friday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 2 for renovation.
Central Bark for Large Breeds Closed Thru Labor Day
2009 - L.A. County Fire Capt. Ted Hall, 47, and Firefighter Specialist Arnie Quinones, 34, are killed in the line of duty on Day 4 of the Station Fire [story]
Hall-Quinones
Nancy Pollock Coulter, 80, the 2009 Santa Clarita Valley Woman of the Year, died Wednesday, Aug. 28, of a heart attack.
2009 Woman of the Year Nancy Pollock Coulter Dies at 80
The United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California has announced that law enforcement arrested six defendants on Wednesday, Aug. 28, that a federal grand jury charged in a 46-count indictment alleging a Canyon Country couple facilitated a crime tourism group, then laundered millions of dollars in illicit proceeds.
Canyon Country Couple Accused of Facilitating Crime Tourism Group
As fall is approaching, the city of Santa Clarita prepares for one of its popular annual events, the River Rally and Environmental Expo.
Jason Gibbs | Register Now for the 29th Annual River Rally
College of the Canyons opened the 2024 campaign by competing in the annual Chuck Melendez Invitational held at Olivas Links Golf Course on Monday, with COC freshman Sahya Kitabatake earning medalist honors with an even par round.
Women’s Golf Finishes Third, Kitabatake Earns Medalist Honors
Fostering Youth Independence students were well equipped to go back to school following the non-profit’s eighth annual Back to School Bash and Career Fair.
Fostering Youth Independence Back to School Bash, Career Fair
The Val Verde Historical Society will host Back to Val Verde for Val Verde’s 100! on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. This all day picnic and celebration will feature food, music, games and raffles.
Aug. 31: Back to Val Verde for Val Verde’s 100!
In recognition of his leadership and work on behalf of animal welfare, Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) was pleased to be the recipient of the California Veterinary Medical Association’s inaugural Legislator of the Year award.
Scott Wilk honored with CVMA’s first Legislator of the Year Award
ARTree Community Arts Center Santa Clarita, a local nonprofit is looking for sponsors for its All Ages Student Art Show at the SCAA Gallery, Nov. 9-10, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. with a reception on Nov. 8.
ARTree Looking for Sponsors for Student Art Show
SCVNews.com