Draft Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
6:00 pm
In Person:
Board Room
Ava Community Energy
1999 Harrison St, Ste 2300
Oakland, CA 94612
Or from the following locations:
• Clipper Club – 5 Captain Dr. Emeryville, CA 94608
• 4917 Knowlson Terrace, Fremont, CA 94555
• City of Pleasanton – 200 Old Bernal, Pleasanton, CA 94566 • Stockton City Hall – 425 N El Dorado St., Stockton, CA 95202 • 1755 Harvest Landing Ln., Tracy, CA 95376
Via Zoom:
https://avaenergy-org.zoom.us/j/87023071843
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Webinar ID: 870 2307 1843
Meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who need special assistance or a disability-related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, or who have a disability and wish to request an alternative format for the meeting materials, should contact the Clerk of the Board at least 2 working days before the meeting at (510) 906- 0491 or [email protected].
If you have anything that you wish to be distributed to the Board of Directors, please email it to the clerk by 5:00 pm the day prior to the meeting.
1. (00:24) Welcome & Roll Call
Ava Community Energy
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Present: Members: Marquez (Alameda County), Lopez (Albany), Tregub (Berkeley), , Kaur (Emeryville), Keng (Fremont), Roche (Hayward), Barrientos (Livermore), Jorgens (Newark), Balch (Pleasanton), Fugazi (Stockton), Bedolla (Tracy), Sakakihara (Union City), CAC Chair Souza (Community Advisory Committee), Vice-Chair Gonzalez (San Leandro) and Chair Andersen (Piedmont)
Not Present: Members: Morada (Dublin), Diallo (Lathrop), Brown (Oakland) and Rickman (San Joaquin County)
Alternate Member Jorgens served as representative for the City of Newark (Del Catancio).
Alternate Member Bedolla served as the representative for the City of Tracy (Nygard).
Vice-Chair Gonzalez joined the meeting at 6:50pm.
2. (2:27) Pledge of Allegiance
3. (2:50) Public Comment
This item is reserved for persons wishing to address the Board on any Ava-related matters that are not otherwise on this meeting agenda. Public comments on matters listed on the agenda shall be heard at the time the matter is called. As with all public comment, members of the public who wish to address the Board are customarily limited to two minutes per speaker and must complete an electronic speaker slip. The Board Chair may increase or decrease the time allotted to each speaker. (3:11) Public Comment – Gerard Manning, speaking on behalf of his daughter Tara Manning, urged the board to support the Bay Area Air District’s proposed Clean Air Standards phasing out gas water heaters in favor of electric heat pumps. Mr. Manning encouraged Ava to develop an interest-free, on-bill financing program for heat pump water heaters, similar to other CCAs and municipal districts, ahead of the Air District’s October vote.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approval of Minutes from April 15, 2026
5. Contracts Entered Into (Informational Item)
During the meeting, corrected April 15, 2026 Board of Directors minutes were distributed to the Board to reflect revisions to Item 11 – Procurement Policy Update, including clarification that Member Tregub accepted two friendly amendments prior to consideration of the substitute motion, and a correction to include Member Marquez’s vote in the tally for Consent Item 6 – CAC appointments.
Ava Community Energy
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(6:37) Member Tregub motioned to approve the Consent Agenda including the corrected minutes. Member Roche seconded the motion, which was approved 13/0/0/0/5 (yes/no/abstain/recuse/not present):
Yes: Members: Marquez, Lopez, Tregub, Kaur, Keng, Roche, Barrientos, Jorgens, Balch, Fugazi, Bedolla, Sakakihara and Chair Andersen
No: none
Abstain: none
Recuse: none
Not Present: Members: Morada, Diallo, Brown, Rickman and Vice-Chair Gonzalez
REGULAR AGENDA
Pursuant to Board direction, any agenda item not started by 9:00 p.m. will be continued to a future meeting unless the Board, by majority vote, elects to hear the item that evening.
The Board may also determine an alternate disposition of the item at its discretion.
6. (9:59) CEO Report
Howard Chang, CEO, presented the CEO Report and answered questions from the Board. A written version of the report is available in the May 20, 2026 agenda packet. (19:04) Public Comment – Bradley Cleveland, an Oakland resident and consultant with IBEW Local 595, urged Ava Community Energy to apply the workforce and environmental justice selection criteria referenced in Ava’s recently adopted Procurement Policy— including local hire, targeted hire, and apprenticeship requirements—to all future Ava Charge DC fast charging projects currently planned or in development.
7. (23:01) CAC Report
CAC Chair Souza presented a spoken CAC Report and answered questions from the Board.
No public comment
8. (26:37) Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Process Overview (Informational Item) Review the compliance IRP process and timing of submission, and a preview of initial analysis
Marie Fontenot, Senior Vice President of Power Resources, presented the IRP Process Overview and answered questions from the Board.
No public comment.
9. (1:20:18) Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Draft Budget Review (Informational Item) Review the estimated draft budget for the next fiscal year Howard Chang, CEO, presented the FY 2026-2027 Draft Budget Review and answered questions from the Board.
Ava Community Energy
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Public Comment:
(2:18:09) Fangxue Zheng
(2:19:56) Jessica Tovar
(2:21:15) Bradley Cleveland
(2:23:20) Jed Holtzman
(2:25:25) Sam Fishman
(2:27:25) Colin Andrew Logan
(2:29:30) Margie Lewis
(2:31:34) Susan Silber
Multiple speakers expressed concern regarding the proposed no planned incremental contributions to Local Development Funding in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Draft Budget and encouraged Ava to continue funding community-based programs and initiatives.
Speakers referenced topics including electrification, resilience hubs, workforce development, local hiring, rebates, public health, community partnerships, and support for disadvantaged communities, and several speakers encouraged Ava to replenish the fund in future years if a surplus becomes available.
(2:33:57) Public Comment - Dohee Kim commented on public transparency regarding the update to Item 9. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Draft Budget Review presentation materials.
Dohee Kim also encouraged Ava to consider workforce development opportunities and potential revenue-generating strategies related to distributed energy resources and local economic development.
10.(2:40:01) City of San Leandro’s request for default service plan change (Informational Item)
Update the Board about the City of San Leandro’s request to change their default service plan to Bright Choice
Alex DiGiorgio, Senior Public Engagement Manager, presented the City of San Leandro’s request for default service plan change and answered questions from the Board.
No public comment.
11.(2:46:56) Board Member and Staff Announcements including requests to place items on future Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
• Vice-Chair Gonzalez encouraged Ava to explore future opportunities to align electrification programs with Bay Area Air District goals, particularly by supporting higher-impact electrification measures such as heat pump water heaters for low-income households.
Ava Community Energy
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• Member Tregub also expressed support for a future presentation regarding potential alignment between Ava programs and the Air District’s proposed building appliance electrification rules and related customer support efforts.
12.(2:49:04) Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:56pm.
The next Ava Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 6pm.
5/20/26 – Ava Board of Directors
AI Generated Courtesy Summary - not official minutes
This summary has not been reviewed for accuracy
1. Welcome & Roll Call
Chair Betsy Andersen called the Board of Directors meeting to order at 6:07 PM at Ava Community Energy headquarters, 1999 Harrison Street, Suite 2300, Oakland, California 94612, Altamonte Conference Room.
Present: Alameda County, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Joaquin County/Stockton, Tracy, Union City, San Leandro, Piedmont, Community Advisory Committee. A quorum was established.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Public Comment
One member of the public, Gerard Manning, speaking on behalf of his daughter Tara Manning (a Berkeley resident), urged the Board to explore on-bill financing programs for heat pump water heater electrification, noting that several other CCAs have implemented such programs and that the Bay Area Air District's pending clean air standards create urgency for action. CEO Howard Chang responded that staff is actively engaged with a broad working group of CCAs and the Air District, evaluating financing solutions, incentives, and contractor support programs for heat pump water heaters and HVAC transitions, though no specific program commitment was ready at that time.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Approval of Minutes from April 15, 2026
5. Contracts Entered Into (Informational Item)
The Clerk noted that the April 15, 2026 minutes had been corrected since posting to more fully describe the procurement policy motion, including the acceptance of two friendly amendments, and to correct a voting record error for one member on Item 6.
Motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 4 and 5 was made and seconded by Director Roche. The motion carried with all present members voting aye.
REGULAR AGENDA
6. CEO Report
CEO Howard Chang presented the quarterly CEO Report. Key highlights included:
The Executive Committee attempted a meeting on May 6 but lost quorum; an initial draft budget was reviewed on a purely informational basis. The next XCOM meeting is scheduled for June 3 at 3:00 PM.
The CalCCA Annual Conference, held May 12–14 in Sacramento, marked CalCCA's tenth anniversary. Ten Ava board members attended. CalCCA now represents 25 CCAs serving over 15 million Californians and has signed over 21 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation statewide. Staff members CEO Howard Chang, Marie Fontenot, Dan Baratoldi, and Dominic Faria served as panelists.
The San Joaquin County Launch is proceeding smoothly. Customer enrollment began in May and, as of May 11, the participation rate stands at approximately 92 percent. Solar customer enrollment will begin in June to align with true-up cycles.
Ava in DC: Ava's policy team joined 22 participants representing 14 CCAs across California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Ohio for federal legislative engagement and education on the CCA model.
A quarterly local development program update was provided in table format, covering transportation electrification, building electrification, resilience programs, and community grants. Staff noted that seven NEM 2 critical municipal facilities projects are on track for completion. The Hayward Juneteenth event was noted to be held at Mount Eden High School, not Heritage Plaza as listed.
Director Marquez requested that future updates continue to highlight workforce development and apprenticeship opportunities, particularly given current economic pressures in the community.
Public comment was received from Bradley Cleveland, consultant with IBEW Local 595, requesting that Ava's procurement policy workforce standards—including local hire, targeted hire, and apprenticeship provisions—be applied to all future AVA Charge DCFC public charging station projects, including the four projects described as shovel-ready and eight in the pipeline.
7. CAC Report
CAC Chair Souza reported that the Community Advisory Committee held an orientation meeting on Monday covering Ava's structure, the difference between investor-owned utilities and CCAs, member roles, and procedural rules. Staff members Alex, JP, Adrian, Annie, and Kelly facilitated the session. Most attendees were newly appointed members. Chair Souza expressed enthusiasm for the new membership and encouraged each CAC member to develop a direct relationship with their corresponding board member to serve as a community conduit. The meeting recognized outgoing long-term CAC member Cynthia Landry with a gift of appreciation.
Chair Souza noted the session did not have time to review the budget or other program items.
8. Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) Process Overview
(Informational Item)
Director of Regulatory Affairs John Newton and Director Marie Fontenot presented an overview of Ava's Integrated Resource Planning compliance process. This was an informational item intended to familiarize the Board with the submission requirements and preliminary analysis ahead of a formal approval request at the July board meeting.
State law requires load-serving entities such as Ava to participate in the CPUC's IRP program. LSE plans must be submitted by August 10, 2026 and will inform the CPUC's Preferred System Plan and ultimately the CAISO's transmission planning process. The filing consists of three required documents: a Resource Data Template, a Clean System Power Calculator workbook, and a Narrative Template—all in CPUC-prescribed formats. Required inputs, including load forecasts and GHG benchmarks, are mandated by other state agencies including the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board.
The presentation noted that Ava has brought IRP modeling capabilities fully in-house. Preliminary model results were shown to illustrate how different model constraints—such as annual new build capacity limits—produce significantly different portfolio compositions. The model identified potential value in adding geothermal resources to Ava's portfolio, which staff indicated will inform an upcoming long-term resource RFO. CEO Chang emphasized that the IRP is primarily a compliance exercise, with highly prescribed assumptions, and that Ava's actual procurement decisions are guided by separate internal analysis.
Directors raised questions regarding data center demand incorporated in the CEC load forecast, the distinction between megawatt and megawatt-hour metrics, the planning reserve margin, and the treatment of in-state versus out-of-state wind. Staff confirmed that data center growth and electrification together account for significant projected demand increases—from approximately 9 terawatt-hours annually to approximately 19 terawatt-hours by 2045. Staff also noted a new Director of Strategic Load role has been created to develop relationships with planning departments and large load customers across Ava's territory.
The Vice Chair requested that, when the filing is brought for board approval in July, the presentation clearly frame what the CPUC requires and demonstrate that each requirement has been satisfied, to enable informed board approval.
9. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Draft Budget Review (Informational Item)
CEO Howard Chang, with support from finance staff, presented the draft Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget. This was an informational item; formal approval is scheduled for the June 17, 2026 board meeting following review at the Finance and Audit Subcommittee and XCOM.
A significant development occurred on May 15, when PG&E filed an updated Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) filing that materially changed the budget figures. As a result, the budget packet was updated and reposted within 24 hours of the meeting.
Current Fiscal Year Context (FY 2025–26): Ava is projecting a net position of approximately $83 million for the current fiscal year, reflecting better-than-budgeted performance due primarily to softening energy market prices and mid-year adjustments to the value proposition, operating expenditures, and local development contributions.
FY 2026–27 Draft Budget Summary: The base case projects an approximately neutral net position. Revenues are projected at approximately $810 million, slightly lower than the current fiscal year despite load growth, primarily due to declining energy market prices and associated rate adjustments. Retail load is forecasted to grow from approximately 8.4 terawatt-hours to 9 terawatt-hours, reflecting the addition of unincorporated San Joaquin County. The cost of energy is projected at approximately $756 million—lower than the current year despite higher load, owing to softer commodity prices. Overhead operating expenditures reflect modest increases driven by changes in accounting treatment for credit facility fees, additional software and cybersecurity costs, and the conclusion of a sublease resulting in higher rent obligations.
Staffing is proposed to grow by five FTEs to a total of 108, in areas of contract management, finance, optimization engineering, and data analysis.
Local Development Fund: No incremental contribution to the Local Development Fund is proposed for FY 2026–27, given the approximately neutral budget position and the existing fund balance of nearly $84 million, of which approximately $29 million is committed to active or planned projects. CEO Chang stated the board should expect opportunities to revisit this at mid-year.
Scenario Analysis: Staff presented low and high scenarios reflecting energy price volatility. The low scenario— assuming a one-standard-deviation decline in brown power prices—produces a net loss of approximately $40 million. The high scenario—using elevated RPS and RA assumptions from PG&E's ERRA filing—produces a net gain of approximately $27 million.
Multiple members of the public urged the Board to restore funding to the Local Development Fund, citing the impact of the December 2025 mid-year reallocation, the need for building electrification programs, community resilience investments, and workforce development. Speakers included representatives from Local Clean Energy Alliance, IBEW Local 595, Rocky Mountain Institute, SPUR, Reclaim Our Power, and individual community members.
Director Roche noted that the $84 million fund balance reflects years of committed contributions and expressed confidence in returning to funding the Local Development Fund when a surplus is realized. Director Trager requested a sensitivity analysis showing the impact of a partial contribution (e.g., $5 million) and a multi-year spend-down projection for committed funds. CEO Chang acknowledged the importance of local development investment and indicated a mid-year review would provide an opportunity to revisit the contribution level.
Staff noted that future budget processes will likely avoid the early May XCOM review, given that the ERRA filing typically arrives in mid-May with material budget implications.
10. City of San Leandro's request for default service plan change (Informational Item)
Public Engagement Manager Alex DiGiorgio presented an informational update on the City of San Leandro's request to change its citywide default service option from Renewable 100 to Bright Choice. The San Leandro City Council passed a resolution making this request, consistent with Ava's default rate product change policy.
San Leandro has approximately 20,000 residential accounts and 3,500 nonresidential accounts, representing approximately 3 percent of Ava's total load. Municipal accounts are anticipated to remain on Renewable 100.
Customers wishing to remain on Renewable 100 would retain that option if the change is approved.
Staff is currently conducting financial impact analysis. Results and potential mitigation options will be presented to the Board at a future meeting for action. The policy's standard implementation timeline of board approval by May 31 for a March implementation has not been met; an adjusted timeline may be arranged between the CEO and the City of San Leandro per the terms of the policy.
Chair Andersen noted that as Bright Choice's renewable content increases toward the 2030 carbon-free goal, the distinction between the two products—and the financial impact of switching—will diminish over time.
11. Board Member and Staff Announcements including
requests to place items on future Board of Directors Meeting Agendas
The Vice Chair, who also serves on the Bay Area Air District Board, requested that staff consider, through a future process, how Ava might align its electrification spending with the Air District's goals of reducing indoor combustion pollution—particularly through high-impact items such as heat pump water heaters for lower-income households. Director Trager seconded this interest, requesting a future presentation on Ava's potential alignment with Air District Rule 9-4-9-6 and related clean air standards.
12. Adjourn
Chair Andersen announced that the next Ava Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM.