Our government passed the $787 billion federal stimulus package to give a boost to a variety of clean energy sectors. But as many of you might have noticed, it can be darn confusing to figure out how and when the money will be distributed.

The California Energy Commission has created a Webpage that it hopes will make it easier for businesses and consumers to learn how they can benefit from the new spending plan. From the Webpage you can sign up for email alerts about programs and their funding. The commission also plans to hold a Webinar about economic recovery soon (date not set yet).

The commission said it expects to get about $295 million for energy efficient and renewable energy programs, including a block grant program to help cities and counties deploy projects to help reduce their residents’ energy use.

The stimulus package includes money for programs that are not under the commission’s jurisdiction, by the way. So check with other relevant state agencies or your own Congressional representatives to get more information.

Some provisions of the stimulus package require the U.S. Department of Energy and Treasury to figure out the rules for doling out the funding for various programs. That will take time. So you are not the only one who is wondering, at this point, how the government can help you out during this recession.