1. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N This event will begin at 10 am Lorraine Gonzalez Energy Deployment & Market Facilitation Office Energy Research and Development Division Overview of EPIC and PIER Natural Gas Funding Programs February 26 th, 2016 1

2. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Overview of EPIC and PIER Natural Gas Funding Programs Lorraine Gonzalez Energy Deployment & Market Facilitation Office Energy Research & Development Division February 26, 2016

3. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N EPIC Benefits to IOU Ratepayers The Energy Commission's investment of EPIC funds will: –Maximize ratepayer benefits. –Advance clean energy technologies and approaches. –Overcome barriers to achieving the State's clean energy goals. The primary benefits of EPIC projects are to: –Promote greater reliability, affordability, and safety. 3

4. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Natural Gas Benefits to IOU Ratepayers This program is to benefit the ratepayers of the gas supplying IOUs. Funded projects must: –promote greater natural gas reliability, lower costs, reduced GHG emissions and increased safety. –lead to technological advancement and breakthroughs to overcome the barriers that prevent the achievement of the state’s statutory energy goals. 4

5. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N The Public Engagement Process Energy Commission staff will hold periodic meetings to: Seek and receive input on the implementation of investment plans. Identify synergies with other projects. Solicit end-user needs and paths to market opportunities. Share program results. 5

6. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N You can participate by: Attending and providing feedback at public workshops. Submitting written comments for consideration during the development stages of investment plans. Applying for EPIC or Natural Gas funding opportunities. Joining LinkedIn groups specific to solicitations. 6

7. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Participants can join the “California Energy Commission Networking Hub” by: Searching for the “California Energy Commission Networking Hub” group; or Entering this link into your browser:(bit.ly/CalEnergyNetwork) Once there, find various subgroups that relate to specific funding opportunities by checking the “About this group” section of the Networking Hub. Find Partners via LinkedIn 7 The Energy Commission has created a user-driven LinkedIn group page to help potential applicants connect, collaborate and partner on proposals for funding opportunities.

8. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Information about public workshops is available at: The Energy Commission's EPIC website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/research/epic/ The Energy Commission's PIER NG website at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/pier.html For additional information on how to participate, contact the Public Adviser at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/public_adviser/ 8

9. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N How do I find out about solicitations? Explore current EPIC solicitations at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/epic.html. Explore current Natural Gas solicitations at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/pier.html Subscribe to our List servers: –The EPIC List server: http:www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/epic.html#anticipated –The Opportunity List server: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts –The Natural Gas List server: http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/pier.html 9

10. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N WHAT IS THE GENERAL SOLICITATION PROCESS TIMELINE? 10

11. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N 11

12. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Solicitation Release ( Day 1 ) –Solicitation materials available on website; Email List servers are notified. Pre-Application Workshop ( 2 weeks after release ) –Chance to ask clarifying questions; Network with other interested applicants to form project teams. –Deadline to submit written questions. Post (Q&A) & Solicitation Addendum ( 1-2 weeks after Pre- Application Workshop ) Application Due Date ( 6-8 weeks after solicitation is released ) 12

13. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Screening & Scoring ( 2-4 months after the solicitation is released ) Applications are reviewed for administrative requirements by committee. Eligible applications are scored by committee. Clarification interviews are held if needed. Applications are ranked by score. Top ranking applications are recommended for funding. Notice of Proposed Award (NOPA) Posting Date ( 4 months after the solicitation is released ) 13

14. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Agreement Development & Review ( 3 months following the NOPA posting date ) Energy Commission staff prepare and finalize agreement documents Legal & Budget review Submit to the Recipient for review and signature Business Meeting Date (3 months after the NOPA is posted) Agreement Start Date (9-10 months after the release of the solicitation) 14

15. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N The timeline shown may change, depending on the number of applications received and other factors impacting the review and approval process. 15 Please Note:

16. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N SOLICITATION RELEASE 16

17. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N How is the solicitation information released? Solicitation materials are made available on the following program websites: –http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/epic.html –http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/pier.html An email is sent out to subscribers of the EPIC and Opportunity List servers, or the Natural Gas and Opportunity List servers. 17

18. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N All questions relating to a solicitation must be directed to the Energy Commission Agreement Officer identified in the solicitation materials. 18 Please Note:

19. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N What types of projects are eligible for funding? EPIC projects must fall within at least one of the following program areas identified by the CPUC: 19

20. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Applied Research & Development 20

21. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Technology Demonstration & Deployment 21

22. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Market Facilitation 22

23. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Project must also fall within one or more of the strategic objectives and funding initiatives identified in the Energy Commission's EPIC Investment Plan. http://www.energy.ca.gov/2014publications/ CEC-500- 2014-038/ 23

24. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE? 24

25. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N EPIC The CPUC approved a total program funding of $162 million per year. The Energy Commission will administer approximately $120 million per year for Fiscal Years 2015-17. The total amount of funding for awards will be specified in the individual solicitations. 25

26. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Natural Gas The Natural Gas (NG) Research Program is funded by a natural gas surcharge established by the CPUC in 2005. Annual program funds total $24 million approximately. The total amount of funding for awards will be specified in the individual solicitations. 26

27. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N What are match funds? Are they required? Match funds are funds other entities provide to share in the total cost of a specific project. Requirements for match funding vary with each specific project. 27

28. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N HOW DO I APPLY TO A SOLICITATION? 28

29. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Obtain the Solicitation Materials Find the solicitation information and application at http:www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/ Make sure you meet applicant and project eligibility requirements. Review any addenda to make sure you're up to date. Look over the EPIC grant terms and conditions. 29

30. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Complete & Submit the Application Be sure that the application: –requirements are met –is in the right format and order –responses are complete –is signed is submitted on time 30

31. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N What are the common application elements? Application Form Executive Summary Fact Sheet Project Narrative Scope of Work Schedule of Products and Due Dates Budget CEQA Compliance Form Reference and Work Product Form Contact List Commitment and Support Letters 31

32. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N How do I submit my application? Label “Grant Funding Opportunity GFO-XX-XXX” –Include the title of the application and the applicants name. Deliver complete application package to: –Energy Commission’s Contracts, Grants, and Loans Office. Avoid potential late delivery or loss of applications by submitting 1-2 days before the due date. 32

33. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N What would cause my application to be rejected? The APPLICANT: –is not in compliance with royalty provisions from previous Energy Commission awards. –has received unsatisfactory evaluations from the Energy Commission or another California state agency. –has not demonstrated financial capability to complete the project. The APPLICATION: –is intended to mislead the State in its evaluation, or contains false or misleading statements. –does not comply with the solicitation requirements. –contains confidential information. 33

34. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE EVALUATED? 34

35. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Stage One Screening Energy Commission staff screens applications per Stage One criteria in the solicitation manual. Criteria are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Applicants that do not pass all screening criteria will be disqualified. 35

36. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N The Scoring Stage Application Scoring Criteria –Technical Merit and Need –Technical Approach –Impacts and Benefits for California IOU Ratepayers –Team Qualifications, Capabilities, and Resources –Budget and Cost-Effectiveness –EPIC Funds Spent in California –Ratio of Direct Labor and Fringe Benefit Rates to Loaded Labor Rates –Match Funding (if applicable) 36

37. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Considerations Before Applying Are you an eligible applicant? Do any of your team members or subcontractors have potential conflicts of interest? Does your project address criteria in the solicitation? Can your project be completed by the agreement end date specified in the solicitation? Are funding levels appropriate for your project? Can you provide minimum match funding required? 37

38. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N Tips on Developing Your Application Read the solicitation materials and workshop Q&As thoroughly. Review the “Application Organization and Content” section and include all required information, forms, and attachments. Review the application format requirements. Review the screening criteria to ensure that all requirements specified in the solicitation materials have been met. Review the scoring criteria and address each with a complete response within the project narrative, unless otherwise indicated. Provide a reasonable budget that aligns with the project. Include all calculations, assumptions, and supporting documentation. Provide specific, concise, and complete responses. Do not submit confidential information in the application. 38

39. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK! 39

40. C A L I F O R N I A E N E R G Y C O M M I S S I O N This meeting has now concluded Please sign out and sign back into the Main Presentation using ID: 923 907 462 40