By Jorge Casuso

December 8, 2025 -- Low-income Santa Monica renters can now apply to receive free heat pumps and other energy-efficient appliances as part of the City's electrification plan.

Launched last week, the new Renter’s Energy and Cooling/Heating (REACH) Program comes two months after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Local Electrification Planning Act into law as electricity rates surge statewide..

AB 39, sponsored by State Assembymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), who represents the Westside including Santa Monica, requires California cities with more than 75,000 residents to create and adopt electrification plans.

The plans -- like the one adopted by the Santa Monica City Council this summer -- must "expand access to clean energy solutions and ensure communities are prepared for the state's transition to zero-emission technologies."

Santa Monica's Building Performance Standards Policy requires existing large buildings citywide to meet clean energy reduction targets for energy use and/or greenhouse gas reductions every five years.

The policy will kick in for buildings larger than 50,000 square feet in 2031 and for buildings between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet, including multi-family buildings, in 2036.

The City's new REACH program targets older residential buildings that "were not built with sufficient insulation or HVAC systems to maintain comfortable indoor air temperatures during the hotter and longer heat waves that are becoming the norm each year," City officials said.

In addition to heat pumps, low-income renters can apply for free air purifiers and portable battery storage systems "to help improve indoor air quality and to provide temporary backup power in the event of an emergency."

According to Assemblymember Chavez Zbur's office "renters, multi-family households, and low-income communities face the steepest barriers to electrification.

"Without sufficient planning at the local level, many Californians will lack access to the electric vehicle chargers, infrastructure, and resources necessary to fully participate in the state's clean energy future."

But California's move to electrification could affect lower income residents the most, "since they are least able to manage the expense" as electricity costs soar, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

"Since 2015, the median monthly electricity bill for lower-income California renters has outpaced inflation by $14 -- almost as much as for middle-income ($17) and higher-income ($18) renters," the nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank said.

The rate increases "play a major role in lost (housing) affordability" for both homeowners and renters, "who are more likely to be lower income."

"As consumers confront higher prices for a wide range of essential goods, electricity has been a critical pain point -- and the fast pace of cost increases raises questions about when it might stop."

California's ambitious climate and clean energy goals include putting 8 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and electrifying appliances and equipment in homes and businesses, according to the Assemblymember's office.

"This law makes clear that renters, low-income families, and small businesses must be at the center of our state's clean energy future, not left on the sidelines," Chavez Zbur said in a statement when his bill was signed into law.

Applicants for free appliances under Santa Monica's REACH program must be renters as well as Clean Power Alliance (CPA) customers, "live in a building that is able to enroll in CPA service, or be able to confirm your landlord is enrolled with CPA," City officials said.

Applicants also must meet the income requirements for this program. To view more program details, including eligibility requirements, click here, and review the available appliances here.