Tri-County Regional Energy Network

What Tri-County Regional Energy Network does

Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) is a California Regional Energy Network founded in 2017 as a public-private partnership between the County of Ventura (administrative lead) and MIG (Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.), serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. It operates under authorization from the California Public Utilities Commission and is funded by ratepayer dollars, delivering free energy-efficiency services to residents, building professionals, farmers, businesses, educators, and jurisdiction staff across the three-county territory.

Its core offerings span eight program lines: Home Energy Savings, Commercial Energy Savings, Energy Code Connect, Building Performance Training, Energy Assurance Services, Agriculture Energy Solutions, DIY Home Energy Savings, and a Multifamily Program. Delivery is coordinated through Joint Cooperation Memorandums with PG&E, SCE, and SoCalGas, and through partnerships with community-based organizations such as People's Self Help Housing and the Association of Energy Affordability. The DIY toolkit is distributed via county libraries as an alternative engagement channel.

The business model is non-commercial in the conventional sense: 3C-REN does not sell to participants. Instead, it administers CPUC-authorized programs funded by ratepayer dollars, distributing incentives (over $3M in 2024) to homeowners and businesses that complete energy upgrades, while paying contractors, trainers, and program operators to deliver services. Revenue is therefore a function of CPUC cycle authorizations and IOU coordination rather than direct customer billing, with 2024 operational scale cited at 500+ homes served and 1,300+ dwelling units reached.

Name

Tri-County Regional Energy Network

Legal name

Tri-County Regional Energy Network

Website

https://3c-ren.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) is a CPUC-authorized Regional Energy Network, founded in 2017 as a public-private partnership between the County of Ventura and MIG, delivering free energy-efficiency programs and incentives to residents, businesses, farmers, contractors, and jurisdictions across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Efficiency Programs

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities (926130), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory (EUABAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance (EUAMANAF), Energy, Utilities & Natural Resources Regulators (BPAIAOAJ)

Keywords

• Energy efficiency programs
• Building performance training
• Energy code compliance
• Residential energy incentives
• Multifamily energy upgrades

Headquarters

HQ city

Ventura

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ratepayer Funded Programs: 3C-REN is funded by utility ratepayer funds through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). All 3C-REN services are provided at no charge to participants in the tri-county region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

3C-REN administers free, ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs across California's Central Coast (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties). Its core offerings include residential and multifamily home energy savings incentives, commercial energy savings incentives, agriculture energy solutions, Energy Code Connect training and Code Coach hotline support for Title 24 and CALGreen compliance, Building Performance Training with continuing education credits, and Energy Assurance resiliency audits for critical facilities. All services are provided at no cost to participants in the tri-county region.

Product overview

Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) is a regional energy efficiency program administrator serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. The organization offers a portfolio of energy-saving programs that include Home Energy Savings (residential incentives for single-family and multifamily properties), Commercial Energy Savings, Energy Code Connect (technical training and Code Coach support), Building Performance Training, Energy Assurance Services, Agriculture Energy Solutions, and a DIY Home Energy Savings program offering free toolkits and induction cooktops through local libraries. All 3C-REN programs and services are provided at no charge to participants in the tri-county region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Energy Savings Program Incentives to lower the cost of residential energy improvements for healthier and more efficient homes. Covers single-family properties (1-4 units) and multifamily properties (5+ units), including heating, cooling, water heating, and building envelope upgrades. Available at no charge to participants in the tri-county region.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 500+ homes and 1,300+ dwelling units with $3M+ in incentives in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• County of VenturacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty of Ventura serves as the administrative lead and program implementer for 3C-REN. The County submits regulatory documents and applications to CPUC on behalf of the network.
• Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIG operates the 3C-REN website in partnership with County of Ventura. MIG is a consulting firm specializing in public engagement and program implementation.
• SoCalGasflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Cooperation Memorandum partner. Annual cooperation agreements for coordinating energy efficiency programs in the region.
• Southern California Edison (SCE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Cooperation Memorandum partner. Annual cooperation agreements for coordinating energy efficiency programs in the region.
• PG&EflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Cooperation Memorandum partner. Annual cooperation agreements for coordinating energy efficiency programs in the region.
• SoCalRENcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Cooperation Memorandum partner. Collaboration on regional energy efficiency initiatives across Southern California.
• I-REN (Integrated Energy Resource)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Cooperation Memorandum partner. Collaboration on integrated demand-side management programs.
• People's Self Help HousingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for comprehensive energy upgrades to farmworker housing complexes in Santa Barbara County, including installation of nearly 200 heat pump water heaters.
• Association for Energy Affordability (AEA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for multifamily energy programs and farmworker housing upgrades. AEA provides technical expertise for building performance improvements.
• Central Coast LibrariescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with libraries in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties for distributing Home Energy Savings DIY Toolkits and Induction Cooktop Kits to residents.
• Franklin EnergycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides instructors for 3C-REN training programs including Green Real Estate Marketing workshops. Franklin Energy delivers professional training services.
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)flagshipOthers3C-REN is funded by utility ratepayer funds through CPUC. All regulatory filings and program approvals go through CPUC proceedings.
• California Energy Commission (CEC)coreOthersOversees California Energy Code (Title 24) standards and HERS program. 3C-REN provides training and resources for CEC energy code compliance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• I-REN (Inland Regional Energy Network): Inland Empire Regional Energy Network, another CPUC-authorized REN focused on integrated demand-side management programs. Listed as a Joint Cooperation Memorandum partner with 3C-REN, sharing the same regulatory framework, funding mechanism, and program structure.
• SoCalREN: Southern California Regional Energy Network operating under the same CPUC framework as 3C-REN, serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties with ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs. Directly listed as a Joint Cooperation Memorandum partner with 3C-REN, making it a natural peer and collaborator.
• BayREN (Bay Area Regional Energy Network): Another California Regional Energy Network operating under CPUC authorization with the same ratepayer-funded energy efficiency program model. BayREN serves nine Bay Area counties and is the most structurally comparable peer to 3C-REN given the shared REN designation, Joint Cooperation Memorandums with PG&E, and parallel program portfolio (Home Energy Savings, Codes & Standards, Workforce Education & Training).

Emerging players

• Resource Innovations: Energy efficiency and demand-side management consulting and implementation firm that delivers CPUC-funded energy efficiency programs for IOUs, RENs, and CCAs. Comparable to 3C-REN's implementation scope and serves as both a potential partner and competitive implementation provider in the same regulatory market.
• Franklin Energy: National energy efficiency program implementation firm that delivers training and program administration services for utilities and RENs. Documented as 3C-REN's instructor provider for Green Real Estate Marketing workshops, Franklin Energy is both a partner and a competitor offering similar turnkey program implementation services.

Broad incumbents

• Southern California Edison (SCE): Major California IOU operating its own energy efficiency and electrification programs for residential and business customers across Southern California, including within 3C-REN's territory. SCE is also a Joint Cooperation Memorandum partner with 3C-REN, positioning it as both collaborator and competitor for ratepayer-funded programs.
• PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) Energy Efficiency Programs: California's largest investor-owned utility runs its own energy efficiency, demand response, and building electrification programs that compete for the same CPUC ratepayer funding pool. PG&E is also a Joint Cooperation Memorandum partner with 3C-REN, making it both a partner and a competitor for energy efficiency program dollars.
• SoCalGas: California natural gas IOU running energy efficiency programs (including rebates for appliances and building upgrades) that overlap with 3C-REN's residential and multifamily offerings. SoCalGas is a Joint Cooperation Memorandum partner with 3C-REN, sharing regulatory and funding coordination.

Others

• Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG): Public engagement and program implementation consulting firm that operates the 3C-REN website and serves as the program's implementer alongside County of Ventura. A core operational partner whose role mirrors that of program implementers at other RENs and IOU-administered programs.
• Association for Energy Affordability (AEA): Nonprofit energy services organization providing technical expertise and program implementation for multifamily and affordable housing energy upgrades, including the farmworker housing project partnership with 3C-REN. AEA is closely aligned with 3C-REN's multifamily and equity-focused program portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tricountyren
• Facebookfacebook.com/TriCountyRegionalEnergyNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tri-county-regional-energy-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/3c_ren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tri-County Regional Energy Network