The Clean Energy Job Creation Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Except as provided in Section 26208, the sum of five hundred fifty million dollars ($550,000,000) shall be transferred from the General Fund to the Job Creation Fund in fiscal years 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18. Moneys in the fund shall be available for appropriation for the purpose of funding projects that create jobs in California improving energy efficiency and expanding clean energy generation, including all of the following:
(a) Schools and public facilities:
(1) Public schools: Energy efficiency retrofits and clean energy installations, along with related improvements and repairs that contribute to reduced operating costs and improved health and safety conditions, on public schools.
(2) Universities and colleges: Energy efficiency retrofits, clean energy installations, and other energy system improvements to reduce costs and achieve energy and environmental benefits.
(3) Other public buildings and facilities: Financial and technical assistance including revolving loan funds, reduced interest loans, or other financial assistance for cost-effective energy efficiency retrofits and clean energy installations on public facilities.
(b) Job training and workforce development: Funding to the California Conservation Corps, Certified Community Conservation Corps, YouthBuild, and other existing workforce development programs to train and employ disadvantaged youth, veterans, and others on energy efficiency and clean energy projects.
(c) Public-private partnerships: Assistance to local governments in establishing and implementing Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs or similar financial and technical assistance for cost-effective retrofits that include repayment requirements. Funding shall be prioritized to maximize job creation, energy savings, and geographical and economic equity. Where feasible, repayment revenues shall be used to create revolving loan funds or similar ongoing financial assistance programs to continue job creation benefits.
(Added November 6, 2012, by initiative Proposition 39, Sec. 2.)