Not Just Green: USC Credit Union Advocates for Clean Energy as Essential Infrastructure for Community Health

Los Angeles, CA – As energy costs rise and extreme heat intensifies across California, USC Credit Union is reaffirming its commitment to expanding clean energy access in low-income and disadvantaged communities across Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Through its clean energy lending programs and with support from a recent grant awarded by Inclusiv’s Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), USC Credit Union is advancing solutions that improve health, lower household costs, and strengthen community resilience.

Since launching its clean energy loan offerings in 2022, USC Credit Union has expanded access to financing for electric vehicles, home chargers, solar panels, battery storage, and energy-efficient home upgrades. These programs expand access to communities that have historically faced the greatest barriers to adopting clean energy.

“California’s goal of reaching 100% clean energy by 2045 depends on the widespread adoption of solar and other clean technologies,” said Valerie Ives, MBA, vice president of consumer lending at USC Credit Union. “These goals can’t be met if underserved communities are left behind. Expanding access to affordable clean energy is critical to achieving the state’s climate goals, and USC Credit Union is committed to supporting an equitable transition within our service areas, ensuring that all members can benefit from and participate in the clean energy future.”

USC Credit Union’s outreach includes partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to help close the clean energy access gap for low-income households, many of whom face structural barriers to participating in the energy transition. Renters often can’t make home upgrades like installing solar panels or heat pumps, while others lack the upfront capital or financing options to purchase cleaner, more efficient vehicles or energy-saving appliances.

One solution has been USC Credit Union’s participation in the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), in partnership with the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The program helps income-qualified residents access low-interest loans and substantial subsidies to purchase clean vehicles and install home chargers, making clean transportation more affordable and accessible for those who need it most.

“Our collaboration with the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) on the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) has demonstrated the power of coordinated efforts to expand access to affordable clean energy solutions,” said Jose Orozco Pelico, assistant vice president of Clean Energy Lending. “We’re excited to build on that proven model to bring similar opportunities to [low-income and disadvantaged communities] within our membership base.”

In early 2025, USC Credit Union was selected as part of the inaugural cohort of CCIA sub-awardees through Inclusiv, a national nonprofit and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) intermediary supporting mission-driven credit unions. The award recognizes USC Credit Union’s leadership in clean energy finance and will help scale its efforts to reach more households with affordable, community-rooted lending options. Currently, the funds remain blocked due to pending litigation against the EPA, but should they be released, the award will help scale the credit union’s efforts to reach more households.

USC Credit Union will continue to direct its clean energy lending toward families and small businesses in communities most vulnerable to climate and economic stress. From providing cooling solutions during heat waves to lowering transportation and energy bills, clean energy access is becoming a vital pillar of community health and financial resilience.

To learn more about USC Credit Union’s clean energy lending programs, including the Driving Clean Assistance Program, visit https://www.usccreditunion.org/clean-energy.