Environmental Justice

The Madera Coalition, under Community Air Grant Cycle 4 (CAG4), is leading a project to support the development of Local Community Steering Committees (L-CSCs) in four newly targeted communities: Ripperdan/Eastin Arcola, Chowchilla, James Monroe, and Parksdale.

• The Madera Coalition, under Community Air Grant Cycle 4 (CAG4), is leading a project to support the development of Local Community Steering Committees (L-CSCs) in four newly targeted communities: Ripperdan/Eastin Arcola, Chowchilla, James Monroe, and Parksdale.
  
  The purpose of this project is to ensure that these local steering committees understand and engage with the various opportunities available through existing and proposed strategies to reduce air and toxic pollution emissions. This includes:
  
  Educating community members on the air quality issues impacting their health.
  

• Guiding them through the current Madera LCERP (Local Community Emissions Reduction Program) strategies.
  
  Exploring proven approaches from CARB-approved Community Emission Reduction Plans (CERPs) developed by the first four AB 617-selected communities in the San Joaquin Valley
  
  
  The project will also support the creation of working groups within each L-CSC to:
  
  

• Reviewing existing strategies
  

• Propose new, community-driven solutions to further reduce or mitigate emissions in their neighborhoods
  
  
  This initiative empowers community voices, ensures informed participation, and builds a strong foundation for long-term environmental justice efforts in Madera County.
  
  Cycle 5 is expected to begin later this year, continuing the momentum for cleaner, healthier communities.

CCAC and MCCJ Partner on CPUC Equity, Engagement, and Education Initiative
Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC) has been awarded a CPUC Equity, Engagement, and Education grant to support environmental justice and energy education efforts across the San Joaquin Valley. In partnership with the Madera Coalition for Community Justice (MCCJ), this initiative focuses on building local capacity and community engagement around California’s energy and climate policies, with a particular focus on Madera County.
Under this partnership, CCAC and MCCJ have entered into an agreement for MCCJ to provide key services from May 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, in support of the grant’s objectives.
Key goals of the initiative include:

Building staff and community capacity to understand and engage with the CPUC’s role in energy and climate decision-making, enabling informed community feedback on state programs such as electrification and distributed energy resources.

Supporting the implementation of local climate and energy strategies through consultation with Community Steering Committees (CSCs) and alignment with Community Emission Reduction Plans (CERPs).

Training staff through a 4-part Energy Leadership Train-the-Trainer series to provide informed input on key CPUC proceedings, including Phase 3 of the San Joaquin Valley Affordable Energy Options, distributed energy resources, building decarbonization, and transportation electrification.

Engaging the Madera County CSC in at least two meetings to build understanding of CPUC processes and help shape local climate resilience priorities.

Providing at least two public comments or presentations at CPUC venues such as public hearings, advisory groups, or working group meetings—delivered by MCCJ staff or trained community representatives.

This collaboration ensures that frontline communities in the San Joaquin Valley are meaningfully involved in shaping California’s energy future and advancing environmental justice.