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Building Stronger Communities Through Partnership: 3CREN and CAGBN

The California Green Business Network (CAGBN) is proud to recognize the Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3CREN) for supporting all Green Business Programs (GBPs) across its service area. This investment demonstrates a deep commitment to helping local businesses access energy efficiency and cost-saving opportunities, while showing how RENs can strengthen the economy, advance sustainability, and build community resilience.

Why This Partnership Works

By contributing funding to its GBPs, 3C-REN ensures that no community in its region is left behind. Thanks to this funding, each Green Business Program has the resources it needs to reach businesses directly, connect them with energy-saving opportunities, and strengthen their economic and environmental resilience.

This approach enables 3C-REN to connect with a comprehensive network of businesses that have already expressed interest in sustainability and energy efficiency. Because these businesses meet many 3C-REN program requirements—such as location, sector, size, or ownership status—the partnership creates a ready pipeline of businesses to participate in 3C-REN’s Commercial Energy Savings Program (CES).. It’s a win–win: 3C-REN and installers can focus on delivering programs and equipment upgrades, while GBPs ensure outreach reaches the right businesses.

A Shared Tool for Impact

At the center of this collaboration is the Green Business checklist, which comprises 15 core energy efficiency measures applicable to businesses across all sectors. These cover:

• Equipment efficiency upgrades
  
• Electrification opportunities
  
• Energy-efficient lighting
  
• HVAC maintenance and optimization
  
• Rebates and incentive resources
  

Certain industries also receive additional tailored measures to maximize their impact. Together, these steps not only reduce costs and emissions but also create direct opportunities for referrals into 3C-REN’s Commercial Energy Savings program where 3C-REN can help businesses check off these measures and achieve their goal of becoming Green Business certified.

Local Programs, Local Benefits

Because 3C-REN funds GBPs in its region, businesses receive consistent, trusted support from coordinators who know their communities best. This hands-on guidance helps businesses adopt sustainable practices while strengthening relationships and trust at the local level.

The result? Businesses save money, emissions are reduced, and the community becomes more resilient.

Leading By Example

3C-REN’s decision to fund all GBPs in its service area sets a strong precedent for other Regional Energy Networks across California. By funding Green Business program coordination & outreach, 3C-REN ensures that every jurisdiction has the staff and support needed to serve local businesses, while jurisdictions continue to cover their own member dues.

Other RENs are also stepping up. For example, SoCalREN is covering the membership dues for 17 Green Business Programs in their territory. BayREN was a sponsor of the 2025 CAGBN Annual Conference and collaborates closely with Green Business Programs in their area.

This type of investment by the RENs helps expand program reach, ensures consistent local engagement, and provides businesses with equitable access to sustainability resources. This model also allows RENs and installers to focus on what they do best—delivering programs and equipment upgrades—while GBPs help get the word out and provide the hands-on connections with the businesses they aim to serve.

Get Connected

We’re grateful to 3C-REN for its leadership and commitment to local businesses. Their investment demonstrates the power of partnerships in driving meaningful climate action and economic resilience. Like 3C-REN and SoCalREN, RENs across California are finding unique ways to strengthen their communities by supporting Green Business Programs.

Interested in learning how your REN can build a similar partnership?
Contact us at info@greenbusinessca.org  to connect with your local Green Business Program and explore ways to collaborate.