City's Climate Action Committee urges you to get electrification incentives while you still can
Many incentives for clean energy options are ending soon
By Kenna Lee and Lila Niestat
Sebastopol residents have long valued both environmental protection and community health. Greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels have caused changes to the climate that threaten our wellbeing and the health of our children. In the U.S., 42% of these harmful emissions come from our homes and vehicle use, making rapid electrification of homes and transportation essential to preventing the worst impacts of climate change. Our community has stepped up! The city of Sebastopol has greened our municipal electricity supply, supported green building, and committed to energy conservation. Local residents also show a high commitment to sustainability: Rooftop solar is visible on homes in every neighborhood, and EVs can be seen in every parking lot. According to CityClimateDashboard.org, 29 percent of residential electric accounts in the 95472 zip code already have solar.
But even in Sebastopol, our commitment to protecting future generations can waver when we see the price tags that come with electrifying our homes and vehicles. To help, climate-aware policymakers created multiple incentive programs to help people afford these essential changes—incentive programs, such as rebates, can bring the price of home improvements and electric vehicles down significantly, helping people save money while doing the right thing. These changes can have ongoing economic benefits for households: induction stoves and other electric appliances are up to five times more energy-efficient than their gas counterparts. And according to PG&E, installing an electric heat pump can save up to $78 a month. If you’re interested to learn how much you could save from electrification, try Rewiring America’s savings calculator.
The current federal administration is promoting the continued and expanded use of fossil fuels and has called for ending the incentives soon.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrades but haven’t yet taken action, now is the time. Many incentives have not yet disappeared! Here are ways you can use incentives before they expire.
Categories of incentives with important dates:
❖ September 30, 2025: Electric Vehicles
To qualify, you must buy or lease a qualifying new or used electric or plug-in vehicle by September 30, 2025.
Here is the list of models that qualify and the IRS rules for this program.
❖ December 31, 2025: Home energy tax credits
Energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation and heat pumps, and clean energy additions such as solar and battery storage can qualify.
Work does not have to be complete but must be underway by Dec 31, 2025.
❖ June 30, 2026: Home EV Chargers
Depending on your census tract (more likely if you are outside of Sebastopol city limits), you may qualify for an IRS tax credit of up to $1000 for installing a level 2 electric vehicle charger at your home.
PG&E has a rebate program for EV charger installation that does not have an anticipated end date.
❖ No end date:
Sonoma Clean Power has a rebate program for purchasing energy efficient appliances such as induction cooktops, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters.
HEERA home electrification and appliance rebates have closed for single family homes in California, but multifamily homes may still apply.
Home efficiency rebates (HOMES) are not yet available in California, although statewide programs are in the planning stages.
You can always check for incentives available in California through The Switch is On.
Article by Kenna Lee and Lila Niestat, on behalf of the Sebastopol Climate Action Committee.
Learn more about the City of Sebastopol’s Climate Action Committee here.
