Concurrent Education Sessions

Leveraging Grant Funding for EV School Bus Fleet Transition
A close look at Mt. Diablo USD’s successful EV school bus fleet transition, including aspects of charging infrastructure, battery microgrid, utility interconnection, charge and fleet management, and innovative demand response. How leveraging community support and multiple grant streams, in a phased approach, has resulted in a successful EV School Bus Fleet program. Mt. Diablo USD has assumed a leadership position in Contra Costa County by leveraging multiple grant streams over the course of five years, resulting in a successful transition to an EV School Bus fleet. So far, 24 EV school buses are operating on a daily basis, with another 17 planned by 2029. Growing a reliable charging infrastructure and maintenance program alongside the EV School Bus fleet growth, is key to a successful outcome. The Mt. Diablo Unified School District serves nearly 30,000 students at over 50 schools in the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, Bay Point, and parts of Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Lafayette. MDUSD is committed to ensuring high-quality education for all students and providing innovative programs that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.
Speakers:
James Richmond, President, First Note Finance inc / Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Grant Administrator
Cris Lepe, Director of Transportation, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Melanie Koslow, Executive Director, Maintenance, Operations and Facilities, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Andre Nel, Director of Sustainability, The KYA Group

How To Do Business with The State of California
This session covers a general overview of the various types of procurements managed by the California Department of General Services Procurement Division. We’ll talk about the different leveraged procurement agreements and how to find opportunities on Cal eProcure. We’ll then focus the discussion to talk more about statewide commodity contracts and one time purchase solicitations. Suppliers will see sustainability requirements in these procurements and we will talk about what to look out for and what not to do. State procurement is very rigid and is layered with lots of laws and regulations. Not many people out there know how purchasing works and may be reluctant to submit a bid but this session is for those who are interested a quick session to hear about the process we do at the Dept. of General Services. It’s going to be presented by members of the branch who responsible for writing the technical and sustainability requirements in DGS’s solicitations. This branch is also responsible for evaluating bids to determine compliance to technical requirements so it’s a good opportunity for them to teach to help suppliers understand and for audience members to learn.
Speakers:
Brenden Jiang, Engineering Branch Chief, California Department of General Services
Tony Wang, Senior Procurement Engineer, California Department of General Services

Vision For Our Water Future
California’s water system is under increasing strain from climate-driven extremes, aging infrastructure, and growing demand. The Association of California Water Agencies’ Vision for Our Water Future outlines a solutions-oriented framework to advance long-term water reliability and affordability. This session brings together leaders across the state to explore how California can better align policy, funding, and implementation to accelerate critical multi-benefit projects. Water underpins California’s core priorities—housing, the economy, environment, public health, and agriculture—yet it is often addressed in silos. This session connects the dots, equipping attendees with practical, cross-sector strategies to align policy and accelerate implementation of resilient, multi-benefit solutions.
Speakers:
Chelsea Haines, State Regulatory Director, Association of California Water Agencies
Grant Davis, General Manager, Sonoma County Water Agency
Dee Zinke, Assistant General Manager and Chief External Affairs Officer, Metropolitan Water District
Federico Barajas, General Manager, San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority

Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle-to-Building: How to Make Your Electrification Work for Your Organization
This session offers a practical introduction to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) technology through the real-world experiences of two California school districts that have successfully designed, installed, and benefited from these systems.
Fremont Unified and Pittsburg Unified School Districts are sustainability leaders in K-12 education, and both have implemented V2X projects with funding through the California Energy Commission (CEC). Attendees will hear directly from district representatives alongside technical and implementation partners about what it took to get these projects off the ground – from securing funding to system design to day-to-day operation. Panelists will include representatives from Pittsburg Unified School District, Fremont Unified School District, World Resources Institute, The Mobility House, and Polara Energy. Electric buses represent the future of student transportation and V2G and V2B technology unlock a powerful additional benefit beyond the bus itself. V2G enables
districts to feed excess electricity back to the grid during peak demand, brownouts, or natural disasters, turning their bus fleet into a community energy asset. V2B takes it a step further, allowing an electric bus to pull up to a school, plug in, and power the building, creating an emergency community hub when it’s needed most. This session gives attendees a firsthand look at what’s possible and a clear path to making it happen in their own district.
Speakers:
Matthew Belasco, Director, Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation, Pittsburg Unified School District
Alan Glass, Retired Energy Manager, now Sustainability Consultant, Pittsburg Unified School District
Ernest Epley, Director of Transportation, Fremont Unified School District
Jessica Wang, Manager, School District Technical Assistance, World Resources Institute, Inc.

Building Excellence: The Financial & Human Case for High-Performance Schools
Every school that is designed is a long-term investment in human potential—and every missed opportunity to build high-performance carries costs for decades. This session calls education leaders, designers, and decision-makers to move beyond minimum standards and champion high-performance schools as a strategy for student success, staff well-being, and fiscal responsibility. Participants will explore how these environments improve academic outcomes, attendance, and teacher retention while creating healthier, safer spaces. High-performance schools also deliver measurable financial value—reducing operational costs, extending building life, and protecting districts from energy and climate volatility. Through real-world examples and data, this session demonstrates that high-performance is not a premium, but the most responsible investment communities can make. Attendees will gain practical tools, policy strategies, and advocacy approaches to turn vision into implementation. Insights from leaders at Los Angeles Unified School District and the Division of the State Architect ground the session in proven outcomes and scalable practices.
Speakers:
Mary Ruppenthal, Education Sector Leader, HED
Ida Clair, State Architect, Division of the State Architect, CA Department of General Services
Christos Chrysiliou, Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Unified School District
Representative from USGBC – Center for Green Schools

CALGreen Code Updates
CBSC and DSA will present information regarding non-residential CALGreen updates that became effective January 1, 2026, and current updates from the intervening code adoption cycle for supplements to the 2025 edition of Title 24 that will be published January 1, 2027, and become effective July 1, 2027. We’ll also share how restrictions placed on code development by Assembly Bill 130 have affected BSC and DSA. This session is appropriate for design professionals, facility managers, code officials and other CALGreen code users. The topics that will be covered in this code update session are; New regulations (BSC), EV Charging, Bicycle Parking, Embodied Carbon Reduction, Co-adopted new regulations by both BSC & DSA, Pre-rinse Spray Valves, Carbon Dioxide Monitoring in Classrooms, EV Charging, Embodied Carbon Reduction, Outdoor Water Use, Construction Waste Management, Current proposed regulations from both BSC & DSA, Embodied Carbon Reduction, Outdoor Water Use, 2027 Triennial Cycle Preparations, Pre-cycle meetings and possible CALGreen proposals. Submittals due early 2027.
Speakers:
Irina Brauzman, Supervising Architect, California Building Standards Commission
Alicia Chavez, Supervising Architect, Division of the State Architect

Energy Code – Nonresidential Significant Changes
This 1-hour presentation provides an overview of major changes to the 2025 Energy Code requirements for nonresidential buildings that went into effect on January 1, 2026. Topics discussed include changes to requirements for building envelope (insulation, roofing, fenestration), HVAC (controls, system type, ventilation, fans), water heating, lighting, covered processes, solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESSes), compliance software, and forms. Information is provided on the 2025 compliance manuals, forms, and compliance software, along with 2025 Energy Code resources. The 2025 California Energy Code forms part of the building standards laws of the State of California, and plays an integral part in the state’s national leadership in energy efficiency, and its greenhouse gas emissions reductions plans. Thus, it is critical that interested parties from enforcement agencies to contractors, designers, engineers, architects, and energy consultants keep up to date on the changes made in relation to the 2022 Energy Code.
Speakers:
Allen Wong, Energy Commission Specialist II, California Energy Commission

Community Colleges Leading the Way in Sustainability and Resiliency
This session will highlight the innovative work being done at community college campuses across California in clean energy, climate and resiliency. We will explore how community colleges are prioritizing high performance buildings and clean energy infrastructure to address high energy costs, climate change, and community resilience. The focus will be on campuses as living laboratories that are guided by the statewide vision for sustainability, innovative design principles for facilities and operations, and opportunities for student and faculty engagement and community benefits. Community colleges offer a compelling value proposition for spurring innovation and place-based solutions that expand the workforce while meeting the needs of the communities they serve. Community colleges are a unique economic driver for California in meeting our climate goals and promoting a clean energy future. This session will will showcase the innovative work being done at community colleges in partnership with state government, industry, national laboratories, universities, and local communities. The best practices and practical approaches will allow participants to envision how they can tackle these issues in a way to promote sustainability and economic development across their campus in a way that connects students, faculty, and facility managers.
Speakers:
Marcos Rodriguez, Executive Director, Facilities and Operations, Bakersfield College
Ida Clair, State Architect, CA Department of General Services, Division of the State Architect
Eera Babtiwale, Special Projects Director, Sustainability, Mt. San Antonio College
Sara Sullivan, Program Director, California Renewable Energy Laboratory

A Case Study of Practical Resilient Measures
This session will share the story of a flexible community space designed in 2019 that has become both a resilience hub and a welcoming place for everyday gathering, all while meeting the Zero Energy requirements of the Living Building Challenge. The project rethinks what a civic space can be, showing how thoughtful, adaptable design can support daily use as well as critical needs during emergencies. It offers real world ideas for creating spaces that prioritize net positive performance and occupant well being. It anticipated key ideas now reflected in LEED v5 resilience credits by six years along with with all electric REACH codes three years before REACH codes. The session will explore strategies combining high performance systems, passive strategies, and community focused planning.
Speaker:
Hafsa Burt, Principal, hb+a Architects

Creating a More Resilient Community: Fire Prevention and Preparedness
As wildfires continue to reshape California’s landscapes and communities, resilience must extend beyond emergency response to include preparedness, recovery, adaptation, and long-term sustainability. This session will explore practical strategies for reducing wildfire risk while strengthening community capacity to withstand and recover from future disasters. Participants will examine how local governments, residents, businesses, fire agencies, insurers, and community organizations can work together to develop coordinated approaches to wildfire resilience. Topics will include community organization and collaboration, evacuation planning, Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), land-use and mitigation strategies, and the growing relationship between wildfire risk, the wildland-urban interface (WUI), and insurance availability. Through case studies and lessons learned from communities across California, attendees will gain actionable tools to support local planning efforts, improve public safety, and create more sustainable, resilient communities capable of adapting to an increasingly complex wildfire environment. Whether your community is preparing for its first major wildfire or working to recover from one, this session will provide a roadmap for building long-term resilience.
Speakers:
Matt Rahn, Director / Mayor Pro-Tem, The Wildfire Conservancy / City of Temecula
Kelcey Stricker, Health and Safety Director, The Wildfire Conservancy

Holistic Energy Transformation: An Efficiency First Strategy to Stretch Maintenance Dollars and Combat Climate Impacts
State agencies across California are reducing energy use, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing long standing deferred maintenance by leveraging the Department of General Services’ Energy Savings Program. Through performance contracting with pre qualified Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), agencies can identify, design, and implement energy efficient and electrification upgrades—such as lighting, HVAC, boilers, chillers, and building management systems—with funding strategies that stretch the maintenance budget and adapt buildings to climate change. These projects are funded through guaranteed utility savings, enabling agencies to modernize aging infrastructure while lowering operational expenses.
Given the constraints of maintenance budgets, agencies are also stretching these funds by prioritizing upgrades that enhance building resilience and adaptability to climate change impacts, ensuring long term sustainability and operational continuity. A recently implemented project featured as a case study, demonstrating real world results, lessons learned, and the value of performance contracting as a scalable pathway to sustainable facility transformation.
Speakers:
Vivek Mittal, Manager, Energy Efficiency Programs, California Department of General Services
Cortney Bonas, Project Director OS-ES, California Department of General Services

Leadership for Healthy Schools and Districts
What makes a school or district healthy? In this session, participants will learn how to use leadership strategies, curriculum and instruction, facilities, and culture and climate to improve student, staff, and community health. Participants will learn how to develop and implement healthy school district policies and practices, explore authentic learning practices that support student health physically, socially, and emotionally. Participants will understand the connections between facilities that support healthy practices and student learning and will see practical examples of how school districts have changed their culture to improve student, staff, and community health.
Speaker:
Timothy Baird, Board Member, Green Schools National Network

Introduction to the California Green Ribbon Schools Program: A Roadmap to Whole-School Sustainability
This session introduces participants to the California Green Ribbon Schools Award (CA‑GRS) and its role in advancing whole‑school sustainability across California. Designed for educators, administrators, and school leaders, the session highlights how the CA‑GRS framework can be used not only as an award application, but also as a practical self‑assessment tool and roadmap for strengthening sustainable practices at the school or district level. Participants will explore the purpose and structure of the award, including its three pillars: reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff, and providing high‑quality environmental and sustainability education. The session will feature interactive engagement to surface participant goals and questions, followed by a panel of past CA‑GRS award recipients who will share concrete strategies, success stories, and lessons learned. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and inspiration, whether they are beginning their sustainability journey or looking to deepen existing efforts. This session is important because it goes beyond the award recognition and shows how the California Green Ribbon Schools framework can be used as a practical planning and self‑assessment tool for schools and districts. Whether participants are just starting or looking to strengthen existing efforts, this session provides valuable insight, proven practices, and inspiration for creating healthier, more sustainable school communities.
Speaker:
George Garcia, Education Programs Consultant, California Department of Education
California Green Ribbon School Award Recipients (To be announced)

Beyond LEED Platinum: Sustainability Lessons from Award-Winning Buildings at SBCCD
San Bernardino Community College District is advancing campus sustainability through a practical mix of clean-energy planning, energy dashboards, and sustainable site strategies. This session uses San Bernardino Valley College to show how sustainability goals are being applied across multiple projects rather than one isolated building. Panelists will discuss the Technical Education Building, a LEED Platinum and Zero Net Energy facility supporting hands-on workforce training, along with Career Pathways 2 projects including the Health Science and Aeronautics buildings. The session will explore how high-performance design strategies, decarbonization planning, daylighting, solar integration, efficient building systems, and operational considerations are shaping the next generation of learning environments. The discussion will highlight Southern California Edison’s role as a utility partner supporting incentive opportunities, energy planning, and emerging technology evaluation. Attendees will hear what worked, what was challenging, and what the team would approach differently to make sustainable campus projects fundable, buildable, visible, and operable.
Speakers:
Farrah Farzaneh, Executive Director, Facilities Planning, Sustainability & Construction, San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD)
Keith Bacon, Vice President, Administrative Services, San Bernardino Valley College, SBCCD
Abel Favela, Associate Director, Bond Program Planning & Construction, SBCCD
Yash Patel, Associate Director of Facilities, Planning, Sustainability & Construction, SBCCD
Lisa Hannaman, Senior Advisor, Account Management, Southern California Edison

Decarbonization at Scale: Transforming Our Public Built Environment
The State of California developed a plan to decarbonize state operations of its 110 million square foot building portfolio by 2035 in compliance with new state law. Working with Glumac Engineers, small and large state building portfolios and their energy uses were analyzed and evaluated to develop a plan, strategies and investments needed to guide 35 state agencies toward zero emissions. These strategies and approaches can also be used by other building portfolio owners, from small campuses to large and diverse building portfolios. Learn about the development of a decarbonization roadmap for California’s extensive state portfolio, encompassing over 18,000 buildings and more than 110 million square feet. This session will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the key impacts, factors, and processes necessary to successfully develop a portfolio-scale decarbonization plan. We will share insights from this collaborative work, highlighting examples and lessons learned. These strategies and processes can help all building portfolio types better understand measures and strategies toward removing emissions from their building operations.
Speakers:
Dan Burgoyne, Sustainability Manager, California Department of General Services
Andrea Hildan, Energy Consultant, Glumac

Proposition 2 Energy Efficiency Grants
As part of Proposition 2 approved by California voters in November 2024, new grants for Energy Efficiency were made available. This workshop will describe how the grants work and how to obtain them for your TK-12 school construction project. Attendees will learn information about Proposition 2 Energy Efficiency Grants, how to access Proposition 2 Energy Efficiency Grants, how Energy Efficiency Grants are calculated and what Proposition 2 Energy Efficiency Grants can be used for. If you are planning TK-12 construction projects and are integrating energy features, you may be able to qualify for these grants to help supplement your construction budget.
Speakers:
Rebecca Kirk, Executive Director, Office of Public School Construction
Brian Lapask, Chief, Program Services, Office of Public School Construction