CA AB1953

Creates the Higher Education Energy Efficiency Fund in the State Treasury to provide no-interest or low-interest loans and loan loss reserves to University of California and California State University campuses for building retrofits that reduce energy demand.

Requires the Energy Commission to consult with the Public Utilities Commission, UC President, and CSU Chancellor to prioritize projects based on greenhouse gas reductions and ensure facilities not served by investor-owned utilities can receive funds.

Establishes a prioritization system for eligible institutions considering campus facility age, Cal Grant student enrollment, facility modernization status, demand reduction potential, and energy rating scores.

Requires recipient institutions to annually report to the Energy Commission the amount of energy saved and the cost of energy savings from funded projects.

Allows universities receiving assistance to maintain eligibility for other federal, state, local, and utility incentives while leveraging this financial assistance with those additional funding sources.