The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) is an innovative pilot program being offered by Southern California Edison (SCE) that is designed to encourage inclusion of sustainable and energy efficient features in new construction and major renovation projects.

The SCP expands the traditional focus of utilities from building shell, HVAC, and lighting and controls, to sustainable development, addressing design and construction practices that affect occupant health and environmental well-being as well as energy use, and address non-traditional sources of energy savings, such as from water efficiency.

The SCP targets a wide array of public sector and privately funded building project types that have not been addressed in past programs, especially mixed-use or multi-building projects, and projects seeking to integrate sustainable design practices.

The program seeks involvement in the early design phases in order to affect greater energy savings and integration of sustainable design principles.

The SCP provides financial incentives and customized technical assistance for projects that commit to energy efficiency goals significantly more stringent than 2005 Title 24 Energy Standards. Certification to a recognized green building rating system is strongly encouraged, and certification fees from approved rating systems are partially reimbursed.

This program is funded for the 2006-08 program term by California ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). SCE has hired KEMA Services, Inc. to serve as the implementation contractor.