resources, and contract administration. IOUs are required to demonstrate compliance with CPUC decisions and the California Public Utilities Code. All CCAs participate jointly in these proceedings through CalCCA to ensure unbundled customers are treated equitably in IOU rate-setting decisions.
Status
PG&E:
The CPUC has proposed extending the statutory deadline for PG&E’s 2021 ERRA Compliance case from May 30 to October 15, 2025. Earlier this year, CalCCA and PG&E filed a stipulation supporting greater transparency around utility-owned generation (UOG) vintaging. In May, CalCCA submitted Opening Comments on the PG&E 2022 ERRA Compliance Proposed Decision (PD), supporting findings on excess RA market activities, but objecting to the PD’s conclusion that reviewing PG&E’s RA sales under its Bundled Procurement Plan (BPP) is out of scope. CalCCA also filed a protest against PG&E’s AL 7578-E, which proposes confidential changes to Appendix S of its BPP with potential $300M+ impacts on CCAs.
SCE:
CalCCA submitted a protest to SCE’s 2024 ERRA Compliance Application on May 12, 2025. Though CalCCA has not yet identified any significant issues in the Application, more time and discovery are needed to confirm whether SCE’s request to increase its 2024 revenue requirement by $3.9 million is reasonable.
Next Steps
CalCCA will continue to seek a revision to the 2022 PG&E ERRA Compliance PD to remove the language deeming RA sales as out of scope. Separately, CalCCA will monitor the outcome of PG&E’s AL 7578-E protest.
Energy Resources Recovery Account (ERRA) Forecast – A.25-05-011; A.25-05-008 Issue
ERRA forecast applications are filed annually by IOUs to look ahead at energy procurement-related revenue requirements, including the allocation of costs across Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) vintages. CCAs participate through CalCCA to ensure: (1) accuracy of forecast account balances, rates, and cost calculations; (2) proper attribution of PCIA vintage; (3) proposer attribution between bundled and unbundled customers; and (4) appropriateness of IOU proposals within the context of an ERRA forecast proceeding.
Status
PG&E:
PG&E filed its 2026 ERRA Forecast Application on May 15, 2025, forecasting a system average rate decrease of 6% in its generation rates and a 3.9% increase in its distribution rates. The application includes a proposal to apply pre-2019 banked renewable energy certificates (RECs) to the latest PCIA vintage (2026) and to assign them no value. CalCCA plans to challenge this valuation. PG&E also proposes changes to RA counting to align with Slice-of-Day (SOD) implementation. CalCCA will coordinate with 3CE and other CCAs ahead of submitting its protest filing on June 16, 2025.
SCE:
SCE also filed its 2026 ERRA Forecast Application on May 15, 2025, forecasting a 0.5% average bundled rate decrease for residential customers, which would lower monthly bills by roughly 87 cents. While SCE expects a $115M reduction in generation revenue requirements, it forecasts a $40M increase in distribution revenue requirements. CalCCA will file a protest by June 16, focusing on SCE’s SOD RA
counting approach and its valuation of pre-2019 banked RECs, which it proposes to use at $0 each.
CalCCA maintains they should be valued at the market price during the year in which they were used.
Next Steps
A Proposed Decision (PD) in the consolidated 2024 ERRA Forecast track was expected in April but is now delayed. To meet the statutory deadline of June 30, 2025, the PD must be on the June 26 CPUC Voting Meeting agenda. The PD will address whether any changes are needed to IOU fixed generation costs; CalCCA and most parties continue to agree no changes or new reporting requirements are necessary.
CalCCA will continue engaging with PG&E and SCE and will submit protests to both ERRA Forecast applications by the June 16 deadline.
General Rate Cases — A.25-05-009
Issue
In four-year cycles, the IOUs submit General Rate Case (GRC) applications for authority to adjust rates and charges for electric and gas service. The CPUC conducts GRCs in two phases, using Phase I to set the total amount each IOU is authorized to collect and Phase 2 to determine the cost allocation and rate schedules for each customer class. All CCAs participate jointly in GRCs through CalCCA to advocate for just and reasonable IOU rate design and transparent customer bill presentation.
PG&E Status
PG&E filed its Phase 1 2027 GRC Application on May 15, 2025. The application requests a base year revenue requirement for electric generation and distribution of $11.4 billion, which represents a $1.3 billion increase from PG&E’s previous 2023 GRC base-year electric revenue requirement. Notably, this amount no longer includes costs associated with the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, as those costs are now recovered in PG&E’s annual DCUP forecast filing. The amount also excludes AB 1054 wildfire mitigation costs. Approximately three-fourths of the proposed increase is related to electric distribution improvements. For the attrition years (2028–2030), the requested revenue requirement escalates by an average of $800 million per year, with a proposed revenue requirement of nearly $14 billion for 2030.
The application also proposes additional investments in PG&E’s hydro facilities, which will be an issue of interest to the CCAs.
Next Steps
Protests are due June 16 for PG&E’s Phase 1 GRC Application. 3CE LEGISLATIVE REPORT – Spring 2025
Federal Legislative Developments:
The federal budget legislation passed the House of Representatives by a narrow margin of one vote shortly before the Memorial Day weekend. This legislation contains several provisions that will significantly impact renewable energy incentives:
Investment Tax Credits (ITC): The bill would eliminate tax credits for all renewable energy projects that do not begin construction within 60 days of the bill's signing. Consumer Incentives: Energy efficiency and electric vehicle incentives currently utilized by 3CE customers in conjunction with our rebate programs would be terminated by the end of 2025.
Despite initial opposition from 14 Republican Representatives (including two specifically targeted by 3CE), these members ultimately supported the legislation. While a letter from Republican Senators
representing Utah, North Carolina, Kansas, and Alaska expressing support for the ITC provides some cause for optimism, consumer tax incentives appear likely to be eliminated even if the ITC receives some form of preservation.
State Legislative Developments:
Supported Legislation
· Senate Bill 540 (Becker) - Pathways Program
Status: Passed with amendments from Appropriations Committee to Senate Floor This legislation has the potential to reduce costs for renewable energy portfolios and decrease emissions growth throughout the Western United States. While the bill maintains momentum, amendments from the Judiciary Committee may limit participation from other western regions in a common market with California. Our coalition, including CalCCA, successfully advocated for the removal of the most problematic amendments in the Appropriations Committee. However, an additional amendment that could reduce participation has been incorporated. We remain actively engaged in the coalition, and the bill requires further refinement to achieve success in its current form.
· Senate Bill 283 (Laird) - Battery Safety Standards
Status: Approved without opposition in all committees, forwarded to Senate Floor This legislation establishes enhanced safety requirements for battery systems by mandating compliance with the latest NFPA 855 standards. Key provisions include:
Strengthened safety requirements for battery installations Mandatory consultation with local fire departments for projects undergoing California Energy Commission (CEC) approval
Prohibition of construction within flammable buildings 3CE maintains a support position for this legislation. CalCCA is requesting amendments to clarify that the requirements do not apply to residential and commercial behind-the-meter systems. · Senate Bill 254 (Becker) - Electricity Price Reduction Initiative Status: Passed Appropriations Committee to Senate Floor This Senate leadership initiative aims to reduce electricity price growth. 3CE supports this legislation, which includes the following provisions:
Establishment of the Clean Energy Infrastructure Authority for transmission and infrastructure development
Requirements for cost-effective wildfire mitigation measures Prevention of investor-owned utilities from rate-basing portions of fire risk mitigation and energization expenses mandated by the Commission
Enhanced credits for income-qualified customers during peak billing periods Creation of the Policy-Oriented and Wildfire Electric Reimbursement (POWER) program using appropriated funds to reimburse certain California Public Utilities Commission programs
Modified reporting requirements for demand-side management programs to facilitate Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) program implementation Increased burden of proof requirements for cost increases exceeding inflation rates California Energy Commission preparation of a program Environmental Impact Report for renewable facility development to support other agencies' approval processes Expanded CEC exclusive permitting jurisdiction by reducing the capital investment threshold from $250 million to $100 million for discretionary projects and extending eligibility through mid-2034
Legislation of Concern
· PG&E Large Load Proposal
Status: Proposal stage, not yet formal legislation
Pacific Gas & Electric has proposed requirements for load certainty that would impinge upon CCA authority to serve as the default provider for commercial customers. Rather than direct opposition, 3CE and CalCCA are pursuing negotiations to balance certainty requirements with data sharing provisions.
· Assembly Bill 306 (Rivas) - Housing Construction Standards Status: Passed Assembly Floor 72-0, referred to Senate Housing Committee This legislation would permit housing construction without adherence to updated building codes. 3CE participates in a coalition seeking amendments to preserve the advancement of energy-saving technologies. Assembly Speaker declined to accept proposed amendments in late April.
· Assembly Bill 303 (Addis) - Battery Storage Restrictions Status: Assigned to Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee, hearing postponed This legislation would prohibit battery storage systems of 200 megawatts or larger in most coastal and agricultural communities through overlapping setback requirements, while significantly increasing setback distances in other areas. The bill would also eliminate streamlining options currently available to battery systems that are afforded to other energy projects. Given that the bill has been withdrawn and referred to three committees, it appears likely that this legislation will not advance.
GLOSSARY
AL Advice Letter
AMP Arrearage Management Plan Program
BioMAT Bioenergy Market Adjustment Tariff
BPP Bundled Procurement Plan
CEC California Energy Commission
CAISO California Independent System Operator
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
CPE Central Procurement Entity
CCA Community Choice Aggregation
DDEMI Demand and Distributed Energy Market Integration
DERs Distributed Energy Resources
DWR Department of Water Resources
DCUP Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Land Use Application ERRA Energy Resource Recovery Accounts
FSR Financial Security Requirement
GRC General Rate Case
GHG Greenhouse Gas
IRP Integrated Resource Planning
ITC Investment Tax Credits
IOU Investor-Owned Utilities
LMS Load Management Standards
LSEs Load Serving Entities
LDES Long Duration Energy Storage Council
LLT Long-Lead Time
MBPs Market Price Benchmarks
MW Megawatt
MTR Mid-Term Reliability
OIR Order Instituting Rulemaking
PIPP Percentage of Income Payment Plan
PFM Petition for Modification
PRM Planning Reserve Margin
POWER Policy-Oriented and Wildfire Electric Reimbursement PABA Portfolio Allocation Balancing Account
PCIA Power Charge Indifference Adjustment
PPA Power Purchase Agreement
PPR Program Participation Request
PD Proposed Decision
POLR Provider of Last Resort
RCPPP Reliable and Clean Power Procurement Program
RECs Renewable Energy Certificates
RA Resource Adequacy
SOD Slice-of-Day
UCAP Unforced Capacity
UOG Utility Owned Generation
Staff Report Item 9
TO: 3CE Policy Board of Directors
FROM: Robert M. Shaw, Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: CEO Report
DATE: June 18, 2025
WELCOME CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BYRON VOSBURG
Byron Vosburg is joining 3CE as our Chief Operating Officer and will oversee key functions of 3CE, including Power Resources and Regulatory Affairs and Compliance. Byron was most recently with San Diego Community Power (SDCP) where Byron developed a team of knowledgeable Power Services specialists, instilled a holistic approach to procurement strategy, and established a robust, diverse, $1BB/year power supply portfolio. In addition, he oversaw commercial strategy and furnished executive insight to cross-functional efforts related to strategic planning, leadership training, regulatory policy, risk management, retail rate-setting, financial modeling, municipal prepay transactions, and local DER deployment.
Byron has fourteen years of experience in the California electric utility and CCA industries. He has a deep expertise in procurement strategies for California CCAs and has demonstrated that knowledge through execution of comprehensive energy portfolio and organizational development. 3CE’s FUTURE LEADERS’ INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BEGINS SECOND YEAR 3CE has officially launched another year of our Future Leaders Internship Program. Interns will work alongside 3CE staff in multiple departments, gaining insights into Finance, Power Purchasing, Data Analytics, and more. The initiative enables students to apply knowledge and skills acquired in college in a professional setting. 3CE looks forward to learning from and providing a forum to foster the innovative ideas that college students and graduates will bring to the agency.
RELIABLE CLEAN POWER PROCUREMENT PROGRAM
On April 29, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued its long-awaited staff proposals detailing the Reliable Clean Power Procurement Program (RCPPP) – the purpose of which is to reduce CPUC reliance on ad hoc procurement orders. It details two options for long-term reliability procurement and separate option for GHG emission reduction procurement. As a load serving entity, 3CE will be subject to compliance requirements under the RCPPP, enforced by financial penalties. 3CE is hopeful the RCPPP can create a predictable management planning process for additional reliability resources.
POWER CHARGE INDIFFERENCE ADJUSTMENT (PCIA) PROCEEDING UPDATE On May 23, 2025, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) proposed changes to how they calculate the fair market price for electricity reliability services. This price calculation is important because it affects how much customers pay through a specific charge called the PCIA.
The main changes include combining three separate price calculations into one simpler method and excluding certain types of transactions that might skew the results. If approved, these new rules would start affecting customer bills in 2025 and 2026.
CPUC staff propose using older transaction data (3-4 years old) instead of more recent data (1-2 years old) when setting these prices. Using older data to calculate prices could impact how well the PCIA tracks market prices and create an artificial competitive see on their bills. This change could happen even if actual electricity costs remain high.
The final decision on these pricing changes could come as soon as June 26, 2025, and would directly impact what 3CE customers pay.
LARGE LOAD ADVOCACY
Legislators and regulators are increasingly focused on the forecasted growth in electricity demand driven by data centers and other large loads across California. In preparation, policymakers are reviewing legislation and utility applications aimed at streamlining interconnection processes. The state sees this demand growth as an opportunity to address energy affordability by spreading system costs over a broader customer base. However, realizing this potential requires careful attention to ensuring parity between Investor-Owned Utilities, who operate the distribution grid, and Load Serving Entities, like Central Coast Community Energy.
These developments will span an array of regulatory proceedings related to equitable customer energization, high distributed energy resource system planning, long-term procurement for greenhouse gas reductions, and reliability. In response, 3CE staff have already begun direct advocacy efforts, including engagement on Senate Bill 540 and meetings with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) leadership—such as President Reynolds' staff—to advocate for fair treatment of Community Choice Aggregators and ensure equitable data access to forecasted load projections.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORT
At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 4, 2025, 3CE’s Community Advisory Council received comprehensive updates on 3CE's operations and energy programs with positive feedback from members. Chief Communications Officer Catherine Stedman provided updates on federal incentive opportunities, enrollment completion in Atascadero and San Luis Obispo County, and the upcoming Annual Meeting in San Luis Obispo. The Council received presentations on findings from the April 2025 Electrify Your Home community workshops and proposed program design improvements for version 2.0, progress updates on the FY 2024-25 Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement Plan implementation (including successful Spanish-language audience engagement and bill assistance initiatives), and the Final FY 2023-24 Energy Programs Portfolio Evaluation Report showing $11 million in incentives distributed with significant greenhouse gas emission reductions of 3,758 metric tons CO2e.
The Council's positive reception of all agenda items, particularly the community-informed program enhancements and equity-focused outreach efforts, demonstrates strong Advisory Council support for 3CE's continued expansion of clean energy programs and inclusive customer engagement strategies across the Central Coast region
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Customer Outreach and Engagement Report
Customer Outreach and
Engagement Report
Statistics and Activity
Central Coast Community Energy
Communications and Outreach Department
Submitted June 2, 2025
2 Table of Contents
3CE 2025 Enrollment................................................................................................................. 3 Below is an overview of the customer outreach efforts to support enrollment in these jurisdictions, along with the most recently available data on customer retention and load....... 3 Customer Outreach: ............................................................................................................... 3 Marketing & Advertising:......................................................................................................... 3 Customer Retention (11/1/24-05/30/2025):............................................................................. 4 Opt-Outs as of May 17, 2025.................................................................................................. 5 Opt-Outs Reasoning:.............................................................................................................. 6 3CE Enrollment Profile............................................................................................................... 7 Media Outreach ......................................................................................................................... 8
3 3CE 2025 Enrollment
Atascadero and Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County
In May, 3CE enrolled 1,188 previously ineligible accounts in Atascadero and unincorporated San Luis Obispo County.
Roughly 1,188 customers received/will receive enrollment mailers in March, April, and June as follows:
March 3 Pre-notification #1
April 14 Pre-notification #2
June 2 Post-notification #1
June 23 Post-notification #2
Below is an overview of the customer outreach efforts to support enrollment in these jurisdictions, along with the most recently available data on customer retention and load.
Customer Outreach:
Four enrollment mailers for customers in the City of Atascadero and unincorporated San Luis Obispo County were delivered to USPS mailboxes and email inboxes beginning Saturday, November 2. The fourth and final notification was distributed the first week of March. In December, an additional informational mailer was sent to Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers.
Staff has conducted monthly meetings with representatives from the City of Atascadero and the County of San Luis Obispo to provide updates on the enrollment process. Additionally, staff engaged with two key accounts, 17 major commercial accounts and 19 community groups in the enrollment areas to address questions and promote available rebate programs.
Staff presented to the SLO Farm Bureau Board of Directors and presented at a Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance seminar focused on vineyard electrification. On February 18, staff hosted a reception at the Atascadero City Hall Council Chambers, where representatives from the City and 3CE discussed the benefits of 3CE for both customers and the broader community.
Staff updated our contact management database for over 90 commercial accounts including key contacts.
Marketing & Advertising:
From November 2024 to January 2025, our Enrollment Campaign performance surpassed 3CE’s most popular campaign to date, the 2024 Awareness Campaign, in both engagement and click-through rates. Engagement rates during the Enrollment Campaign reached 18.1% for Spanish website visitors and 21.2% for English website visitors, compared to 16.5% and 15.1%, respectively, during the 2024 Awareness Campaign. Click-through rates also far exceeded industry benchmarks, with Spanish ads achieving 3.46% and English ads reaching 2.38%, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.9%.
4 3CE’s 2025 Awareness Campaign, which ran from February to April 2025, benefitted from the momentum generated by our enrollment outreach. Cities like Atascadero (59.24%), San Luis Obispo (58.13%), and Paso Robles (33.26%) showed the highest website engagement of all the areas we serve. This demonstrates the sustained impact of our Enrollment Campaign and the effectiveness of our awareness-driven creative assets—including videos and digital ads—in supporting ongoing enrollment.
Year over year, the 2025 Awareness Campaign delivered impressive gains compared to 2024.
We saw an 81.3% increase in website page views and a 154.3% boost in web sessions, along with a 10.7% rise in overall engagement. The Home page remained the most visited section, followed by the About Us page—often accessed through clicks on our brand ads—followed by the Rebates & Incentives page. Click-through rates also improved significantly, reaching 2.79% for English ads and 2.09% for Spanish ads—both more than double the industry average of
0.9%.
Encouragingly, Spanish speaker engagement is nearly on par with English speaker engagement, at 18.82% and 17.11% respectively, and our campaigns have generated over 800,000 impressions via Facebook and Instagram alone. Overall, we continue to outperform not only our previous campaigns but also industry averages, reinforcing the effectiveness of our strategic digital efforts.
Customer Retention (November 1, 2024 – May 30, 2025):
In Atascadero, 14,051 customers are eligible for 3CE service. 1,529 customers opted out, including 1,409 residential customers and 119 commercial customers. Altogether, these op outs represent 14.2% of eligible accounts and result in 85.8% of customers electing to stay with 3CE.
Broken down by rate class, 85.3% of residential customers and 89.7% of commercial customers chose to be served by 3CE.
In unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, 60,842 customers are eligible for 3CE service. 4,666 customers opted out, including 4,083 residential accounts, 361 commercial, and 222 agricultural accounts. Altogether, these opt-outs represent 9.4% of eligible accounts and result in 90.6% of eligible customers electing to stay with 3CE.
Currently, the combined enrollment for both areas is 90% of eligible accounts and 94% of eligible loads, reflecting higher load profiles of the larger commercial accounts.
5 Opt-Outs as of May 17, 2025
City of Atascadero Total Opt-Outs
1490
# of Accounts CARE/FERA Medical Baseline
Residential- Total 1374 171 112
NEM 608 31 46
Non-NEM 766 140 76
Commercial 115
NEM 4
Non-NEM 111
County of San Luis Obispo Total Opt-Outs 4611
# of Accounts CARE/FERA Medical Baseline
Residential- Total 4039 393 241
NEM 1775 117 107
Non-NEM 2264 276 134
Commercial 351
NEM 46
Non-NEM 305
Agriculture 221
NEM 41
Non-NEM 180
6 Opt-Outs Reasoning:
Staff continues to monitor customer requests to opt-out of 3CE service and their “Reason Given” for the decision.
Enrollment Op-Outs ATASCADERO COUNTY OF SLO COMBINED
REASONS GIVEN Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent Dislike Being Automatically Enrolled 554 37% 1762 38% 2316 38% Decline to Provide 287 19% 933 20% 1220 20%
Rate or Cost Concerns 269 18% 807 18% 1076 18%
Other 190 13% 593 13% 783 13%
Service or Billing Concerns 76 5% 238 5% 314 5%
Concerns about Government-Run Agency 82 6% 175 4% 257 4% Have Renewable Energy Reliability Concerns 32 2% 103 2% 135 2% Totals 1490 4611 6101
0 50
100
150
200
250
11/2/202411/7/2024
11/12/202411/17/202411/22/202411/27/2024
12/2/202412/7/2024
12/12/202412/17/202412/22/202412/27/2024
1/1/20251/6/2025
1/11/20251/17/20251/22/20251/27/2025
2/1/20252/6/2025
2/11/20252/16/20252/21/20252/26/2025
3/3/20253/8/2025
3/13/20253/18/20253/23/20253/28/2025
4/2/20254/7/2025
4/12/20254/17/20254/24/20254/29/2025
5/6/2025
5/11/20255/17/2025
Opt-Outs by Date
Pre-enrollment
Notification
Pre-enrollment
Notification
#2
Post-enrollment
Notification
#1
Pre-enrollment
Notification
#2
NEM-enrollment
Notification
End of
Enrollment
Enrollmen
t
Begins
7 3CE Enrollment Profile
Enrollment as of May 7, 2025
Territory % of Eligible Accounts % of Eligible Load
ARROYO GRANDE 94.0% 93.8%
ATASCADERO 85.8% 89.4%
BUELLTON 96.5% 94.9%
CAPITOLA 96.1% 98.2%
CARMEL 97.6% 98.2%
CARPINTERIA 94.8% 91.2%
DEL REY OAKS 95.1% 96.9%
GOLETA 94.3% 95.8%
GONZALES 86.9% 97.5%
GREENFIELD 87.4% 96.9%
GROVER BEACH 96.2% 97.4%
GUADALUPE 97.3% 99.3%
HOLLISTER 88.6% 93.7%
MARINA 93.7% 93.3%
MONTEREY 95.9% 95.4%
MONTEREY CO 92.4% 96.2%
MORRO BAY 97.0% 96.5%
PACIFIC GROVE 96.6% 97.8%
PASO ROBLES 90.7% 94.9%
PISMO BEACH 95.3% 96.8%
SALINAS 89.2% 94.6%
SAN BENITO CO 90.1% 95.7%
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA 91.8% 95.0%
SAN LUIS OBISPO 96.3% 97.3%
SAN LUIS OBISPO CO 90.6% 95.0%
SAND CITY 96.0% 99.0%
SANTA BARBARA CO 93.7% 79.2%
SANTA CRUZ 96.7% 98.0%
SANTA CRUZ CO 94.8% 95.7%
SANTA MARIA 97.5% 91.5%
SCOTTS VALLEY 96.3% 97.8%
SEASIDE 94.0% 96.6%
SOLEDAD 87.6% 94.6%
SOLVANG 96.3% 96.4%
WATSONVILLE 90.5% 94.2%
Total Service Area 93.0% 92.8%
8 Media Outreach
May 2025
Facebook
Followers: 2.13K
Page Reach: 234K
Page Impressions: 272K
Post Reach: 3.78K
New page followers: 40
Top Performing Content: Did you know your 3CE participation helps fund local climate solutions? From all-electric affordable housing to school bus electrification, your energy dollars stay local. #LocalEnergy #EarthMonth
Facebook En Espanol
Followers: 244
Page Reach: 244
Page Impressions: 498
Instagram
Followers: 1.24K
New Followers: 12
Reach: 1.61K
Top Performing Content: Resilience Through Clean Energy Clean energy = community resilience. ⚡⚡ 3CE is expanding renewable energy + storage projects across the region, helping prepare for extreme weather and power outages. #EnergyResilience #CleanGrid #EarthMonth #PowerForGood
Twitter (X)
Followers: 1.1K
New Followers: -6
Top Performing Content: Battery Rebates Empower You --Our home battery rebates help you store solar power when it's most available—and use it when it counts. Clean, reliable, and under your control. #BatteryPower #CleanEnergyFuture #EarthMonth LinkedIn
9 Followers: 2.9K
New Followers: 74
Post Clicks: 850
Top Performing Content: Thank you, Watsonville! ⚡
We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for our Electrify Your Home community workshop last week. ⚡⚡
Your insights and experiences are invaluable—they’ll help us shape energy rebate programs that better serve our communities now and in the future.
It was inspiring to see such a big, engaged group come together to talk about clean energy and what it means at home. Your voice truly matters. ⚡ hashtag#Watsonville hashtag#ElectrifyYourHome hashtag#CleanEnergy hashtag#CommunityVoices hashtag#3CE hashtag#PowerForGood
Earned Media
Monterey County Weekly: 5/29/2025: https://www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/opinion_blog/ Goleta Monarch Press: 4/3/2025: https://www.goletamonarchpress.com/2025/04/3ce-community-workshop-electrify-your-home-2-0/ Noozhawk: 4/4/2025: https://www.noozhawk.com/workshop-covers-making-switch-to-all-electric-appliances/ New Times SLO: 4/10/2025: https://www.newtimesslo.com/news/5cities-homeless-coalitions-new-partnership-helps-prepare-fresh-dinners-for-the-homeless-16603986 San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce: 4/11/2025: https://slochamber.org/member-news-habitat-for-humanity-invites-the-community-to-slo-countys-annual-build-with-us-fundraiser/ Edhat: 4/20/2025: https://www.edhat.com/news/santa-barbara-earth-day-festival-to-take-over-alameda-park-april-26-27/ Santa Barbara Independent: 4/25/2025: https://www.independent.com/2025/04/25/santa-barbara-earth-day-festival-announces-this-years-highlights-schedules-for-april-26-27/
Staff Report Item 10
TO: 3CE Policy Board of Directors
FROM: Robert M. Shaw, Chief Executive Officer
PREPARED BY: Jenna Espinosa, Manager of Customer Accounts and Services SUBJECT: Update on the FY2024-25 Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement Action Plan
DATE: June 18, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive an update on the FY2024-25 Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement Action Plan.
BACKGROUND:
In 2021, the Community Advisory Council (CAC) formed an Ad Hoc Committee that, together with staff, developed the Underserved Communities Outreach & Engagement Plan (the Plan). The Plan was designed to ensure that 3CE services and programs are accessible to all members of the community, including those who have historically been underserved and hard to reach.
In February 2022, the CAC supported the Policy Board’s approval of the Plan. The Policy Board later approved the Plan on June 15, 2022. The Plan requires staff’s periodic review and update to ensure it continues to mee the communities’ needs.
At its June 5, 2025, meeting, the CAC supported the Policy Board’s approval of a FY 2024-25 Action Plan to advance key components of the Plan in response to feedback from key stakeholders. That Action Plan was approved by the Policy Board on June 26, 2025.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Since the adoption of the FY 2024-25 Action Plan, staff have made measurable progress toward increasing customer awareness of available financial resources, energy programs, and increasing engagement with Spanish-language audiences.
To support the goal of increasing awareness about customer financial resources, 3CE compiled a list of county social service agency representatives across the service area as part of a broader strategy to strengthen partnerships and facilitate better information sharing. Staff equipped these contacts with materials to help their communities and developed and distributed a bill assistance brochure. Internally, 3CE also developed a phone script for agents at its customer service center to better support CARE and FERA customers and test different messaging during phone interactions.
Progress has also been made toward increasing awareness and access to energy programs. A detailed plan was completed for an instructional video that will guide customers through the energy program application process, with a focus on accessibility and clarity. The video will be completed this fall. When a customer applies for a program rebate; they receive a series of automated emails. All these emails have been refreshed to ensure clarity, accessibility, and to minimize industry jargon.
Efforts to reach Spanish-language audiences have been successful, measured by Spanish-language website engagement and click through rates in online advertising. To further advance customer awareness, a targeted media list has been developed, with a particular focus on Spanish-speaking audiences. Staff are developing a pilot effort to reach CARE and FERA customers in regions of low customer enrollment that will include direct outreach tactics such as targeted direct mail and outbound calls.
These actions represent important progress toward the broader goal of increasing equity and accessibility in 3CE’s customer engagement efforts. Over the remainder of this fiscal year, staff will continue to work on additional components of the FY 2024-25 Action Plan by partnering with Spanish radio to increase general awareness, working internally to improve accessibility in program applications processes, and continuing to build relationships with partner organizations across our service area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this progress update.
CONCLUSION:
The Action Plan identifies a variety of strategies for improving the way 3CE serves customers and will continue to guide staff for the remainder of the fiscal year.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. FY 2024-25 Action Plan Mid-year Update
Underserved Communities
Outreach and Engagement
Action Plan FY 2024-25
Mid-year Update
Central Coast Community Energy
Communications and Outreach Department
June 4, 2025
Adopted by 3CE Policy Board on June 26, 2024
1 Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement
Action Plan FY 2024-25 –Mid-year Update
BACKGROUND:
In 2021, the Community Advisory Council (CAC) formed an Ad Hoc Committee that worked closely with staff to collaboratively develop the Underserved Communities Outreach & Engagement Plan (the Plan).
The Plan was developed to ensure that 3CE services and programs are accessible to all members of the community, including those who have historically been underserved and hard to reach.
At its February 2022 meeting, the CAC considered and supported forwarding the Plan to the Policy Board. The Policy Board later approved the Plan on June 15, 2022. In the April 2024 CAC meeting, the CAC received an update on the implementation of the Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement Plan and provided input on the development of this Action Plan to prioritize efforts for FY 2024-25.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Over the course of November 2023 – May 2024 staff collected feedback from key stakeholders to ensure that 3CE’s Underserved Community Outreach and Engagement Plan continues to be in alignment with current community needs. Staff held meetings internally with a cross-departmental team, with four public agencies providing electricity services (community choice aggregators) across California, and nine community-based organizations across San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties.
Through these meetings staff were able to identify current community needs, partnership opportunities, and priority actions the agency can take to advance key components of the Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement Plan throughout FY 2024-25. The following Action Plan outlines the proposed activities that staff will take in FY 2024-25 to address these findings.
KEY FINDINGS:
Cost of Living: cost of living, including the rising costs of utilities, was a commonly cited challenge. The promotion of bill pay assistance programs and ways to save on electricity costs emerged as key opportunities.
Communication: to better reach Spanish-speaking customers, 3CE must simplify messaging, originate Spanish communications in Spanish, increase utilization of infographics, and align communications with community literacy levels.
Partnerships: mission-aligned community-based organizations can amplify agency awareness and program promotions, through existing bi-lingual field staff and well-established channels of communication.
Climate-ready Workforce: much remains to be learned as to how 3CE can support the development of a climate-ready workforce. Paid internships, scholarships, monolingual-Spanish educational opportunities, and workforce development boards were all lauded as key considerations.
2 Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement
Action Plan FY 2024-25 –Mid-year Update
What follows is the FY 2024-25 Action Plan with a Mid-Year status update listed for each action. This Action Plan prioritizes specific outcomes to fulfill the overarching goals outlined in 3CE’s Underserved Communities Outreach and Engagement Plan and also supports 3CE’s strategic goal to reach 100% customer satisfaction.
Goal: Increase awareness about customer financial resources Action: Deepen relationships and partner with one social service agency in each County to share 3CE’s information regarding bill assistance, rates, cost saving tactics, and general awareness, including distribution of bilingual financial resources flyer to community members. Complete.
Action: As part of the annual rate plan awareness campaign, partner with community-based organizations (CBOs), media and other agencies that support underserved communities to increase awareness of rates, cost saving tips and bill assistance programs such as CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline. Complete.
Action: Create a bilingual financial resources flyer highlighting all bill assistance programs.
Include trackable QR code. Complete.
Action: Develop a minimum of two scripts for call center to use when discussing CARE/FERA with customers. Compare customer retention rates between the two scripts. Ongoing.
Action: In collaboration with local Spanish and English-speaking radio stations, host sixteen farmworker outreach events to distribute information on CARE/FERA and 3CE programs. Scope changed, ongoing.
Goal: Increase awareness and access to energy programs
Action: Create a streamlined, simplified Energy Programs inquiry process for Spanish-speakers to assist them in applying to 3CE programs. Action needed
Action: Develop screenshare instructional video on how to complete an energy programs application based on common barriers identified through the Programs inquiry process. In progress.
Action: Partner with at least two CBOs (one each in the northern and southern parts of 3CE’s region) to facilitate increased program referrals and Energy Program application assistance. In progress.
Action: Consider the piloting of lower capital program offerings, such as a direct install program for heat pumps. In progress.
3 Action: Partner with at least one English and one Spanish speaking radio station to promote 3CE programs. Ongoing
Goal: Collect customer feedback and implement changes to remove barriers and improve customer experience
Action: Document customer feedback and barriers identified during the streamlined Energy Programs inquiry process. Internally, review quarterly and implement changes. Ongoing.
Action: Partner with at least one CBO to present 3CE information at focus groups or peer-to-peer meetings in underserved communities. In progress.
Action: Explore supporting career opportunities, such as scholarships with educational institutions, to broaden the pathways to well-paid fields that align with community needs and environmental goals. Action needed.
Action: Incorporate Spanish-language outreach as part of annual customer survey. Standardized practice.
Goal: Launch Reenrollment and customer awareness outreach campaign Action: Develop and execute reenrollment campaign for CARE/FERA customers. In progress.
Action: Boost social media presence on 3CE Spanish and English platforms by increasing number of posts year-over-year by >10% with goal of increasing annual engagement >10% and increasing followers >20%. Ongoing.
Action: As part of communication tools buildout to support campaigns for enrollment, brand awareness, and energy programs; develop process of using infographics and narratives to align development of new and/or updated materials with communities’ literacy levels. Ongoing.
Action: Feature Spanish-speaking customers, community members in two paid promotional campaigns. Complete.
Action: Build relationships with Spanish-speaking media and seek earned media promotions in print, radio, and/or TV. Ongoing.
Action: Partner with one English and one Spanish speaking radio station to spread awareness around 3CE reenrollment campaign and efforts. Ongoing.
Staff Report Item 11
TO: 3CE Policy Board of Directors
FROM: Robert M. Shaw, Chief Executive Officer
PREPARED BY: Christopher Cook, Director of Energy Programs Ani Ukpe, Project Manager
SUBJECT: a. Approve an Electric Vehicle charger capital improvement project at 3CE’s office located at 2601 Porter Street in Soquel; and b. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute necessary vendor contracts to implement the improvements at 2601 Porter Street in Soquel with a total budget not to exceed amount of $261,778 DATE: June 18, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
This memorandum recommends that the Policy Board consider staff’s recommendation to:
a. Approve an Electric Vehicle charger capital improvement project at 3CE’s office located at 2601 Porter Street in Soquel; and
b. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute necessary vendor contracts to implement the improvements at 2601 Porter Street in Soquel with a total budget not to exceed amount of $261,778 BACKGROUND:
Geographically, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is one of the largest Community Choice Aggregators in California, covering 8,000 square miles across the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. In 3CE’s service area, EV purchases are significantly outpacing installation of new public and shared EV charging infrastructure. To improve customer access to EV charging, 3CE launched its EV Charger Asset Pilot in Q1 of 2025. The pilot will include 3CE-owned workplace and publicly accessible EV chargers at four locations.
On December 11, 2024, the Policy Board approved an EV charger capital project at 1026 Palm Street in San Lius Obispo as part of 3CE’s EV Charger Asset Pilot. The completed initial construction phase of the project, which involved civil construction and installing of charger pedestals, was highlighted during a 3CE open house event held on March 19, 2025. Final construction, involving electrifying the chargers and the fire sprinkler upgrade, is
scheduled for completion in late June 2025. This project is on track to be complete within the approved construction budget of $165,598 and have additional cost savings through an awarded San Luis Obispo APCD grant of $68,400.
With the EV Charger Asset Pilot requiring multiple sites to assess the benefits of 3CE owning and operating EV chargers, additional locations were evaluated for both workplace and public chargers. Following further study and evaluation, staff have identified 421 South McClelland Street in downtown Santa Maria as a viable location for a public facing EV charger project. Additionally, the newly acquired Santa Cruz office (2601 Porter Street, Soquel), allows for an additional workplace charger pilot site.
Since the Board’s approval of the pilot in December, there has been a 50% increase in the number of EVs purchased by 3CE employees at the San Luis Obispo office, demonstrating growing internal adoption and the value of accessible workplace charging.
For the City of Soquel site, staff leveraged the expertise gained from the San Luis Obispo project to manage the preliminary phase work, including engineering drawings and a contractor quote.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The California Energy Commission attributes approximately 50% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions to the transportation sector, making EV adoption critical to achieving 3CE’s goal of reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions. One of the main barriers to EV adoption on the Central Coast is the lack of adequate EV charging infrastructure.
1,2 To determine the ways in which the Agency can best address this problem, staff have developed a plan to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of developing, owning, and maintaining EV charging infrastructure across the 3CE service area.
The EV Charger Asset pilot will involve 3CE owned chargers at multiple workplace and public charging locations across the service area. Each location has been evaluated by staff and presents an opportunity to improve EV charging accessibility, provide cost savings, and evaluate operational efficiency.
With each of the pilot project locations, 3CE has a unique opportunity to directly manage the installation and ownership of EV charging stations. 3CE has taken a project management role in the EV charger design to date and will continue this work through installation to ensure a focus on accessibility, cost savings, and operational efficiency, as described below.
Pilot Projects Overview:
3CE Offices in Santa Cruz County located at 2601 Porter Street in Soquel, CA The EV charging stations at the 2601 Porter Street office parking lot will serve as another strategic pilot project, enabling 3CE to assess the operational and economic viability of owning and managing EV infrastructure in support of its broader emissions reduction and electrification objectives.
1 3CE Planning Action for Regional Transportation Electrification, Final Draft. March 2024 2 Central Coast Community Energy Blueprint for MHD ZEV Electrification, Build Momentum. September 2023
EV Chargers: The project will have five parking spaces serviced by three level 2 EV charging stations. Level 2 charging stations can typically fully charge an EV within one eight-hour workday. This EV charger layout is shown in Attachment 1. Electrical Work: The three level 2 chargers will connect to the existing new electrical panels via conduit routed primarily underground and along the building wall. Hardscape and Signage: To comply with Section 11B-812 of the 2016 California Building Code Accessibility Regulations for EVCS3, one to four EV charging stations at a facility should have at least one van accessible parking space. The parking at 2601 Porter Street, Soquel office has an existing van accessibility ramp, but improvements will be made to the ramp to meet compliance requirements.
Project Justification:
3CE promotes electrification to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for all customers. Staff reviewed the success achieved by Sonoma Clean Power’s on-site office EV charging facility in encouraging employees’ adoption of electric vehicles alternatives and reducing barriers for the surrounding renting community.
The EV charging stations at 2601 Porter Street, Soquel office will replicate the success of Sonoma’s facility by providing employees charging opportunities, particularly important to those who rent and may not have the ability to install a charger at their residence. Finally, the facility will encourage charging EVs during the middle of the day, which helps concentrate energy use to the hours of the day when solar supplies most of the power to California’s grid.
Project Timeline and Budget:
Timeline: A site visit with vendors has been completed. If the vendor agreement is executed in July, it is anticipated that project design, permitting, construction, and commissioning will be complete by Q4 2025.
Budget: The budget for this capital project is for a total not to exceed amount of $261,778.
This includes electrical and civil infrastructure for a future phase project to install EV chargers at the remaining parking spots. A budget breakdown is shown in following table.
3 https://up.codes/viewer/california/ca-building-code-2016/chapter/11B/accessibility-to-public-buildings-public-accommodations-commercial-buildings-and#11B-812
Construction Components Cost
Engineering Design $25,000
EV Charger Procurement $40,691
EV Electrical Infrastructure $58,606
Civil Infrastructure $48,574
Future Electrical Infrastructure $25,073
Future Civil Infrastructure $18,277
Bonding & Sales Tax $6,094
20% Construct. Contingency $39,463
Total Construction Cost $261,778
The approved FY 2024-25 Budget includes $700,000 to fund the EV Charger Asset Pilot Program, which includes the proposed 2601 Porter Street project, as well as future pilots.
Staff are additionally reviewing available grant opportunities to offset a portion of the construction cost.
CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION:
Staff request authorization to proceed with the execution of necessary contracts to complete EV infrastructure improvements at the 2601 Porter Street office in Soquel. The primary construction contract will be awarded to Alco Building Solutions, a firm with demonstrated experience delivering municipal EV charging station projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The anticipated costs associated with the EV Charger Asset Pilot for this fiscal year were included in the FY 2024– 25 Recommended Budget, which was separately reviewed and approved by the Policy Board at its September 19, 2024, meeting. To help offset installation costs, the agency has pursued and been awarded several grants and will explore cost-recovery options through rate design to minimize the impact on the agency’s capital budget.
CONCLUSION:
The installation of EV chargers at 2601 Porter Street office in Soquel will reduce barriers to EV charging across the service area, add community presence, and benefit 3CE customers in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Plan View of EV Charger Layout – 2601 Porter Street, Soquel office
40 40 68.98 0' SBL
64.13 0' SBL 13.00
84.01 147.36 82.00 30" CAMPH EXISTING ONE STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING ENTRY PA PA (E) DW40 40 (E) DW RAMP 40 (E) CG & SW P O R T E R S T R E E T EV CHARGING ONLY EV CHARGING ONLY EV CHARGING ONLY EV CHARGING ONLY EV CHARGING ONLY NO PARKING SITE PLAN A10025036.1-A100- SHEET NAME: SET ISSUED: JOB NO.: 2340 GARDEN ROAD, SUITE 100 MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA 93940 PHONE: 831.649.4642 FAX: 831.649.3530 WWW.WRDARCH.COM SHEET NO.: FILE NAME: DRAWN BY: CHECKED BY: THE USE OF THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS IS RESTRICTED TO THE ORIGINAL SITE FOR WHICH THEY WERE PREPARED, AND PUBLICATION THEREOF IS EXPRESSLY LIMITED TO SUCH USE. REUSE, REPRODUCTION OR PUBLICATION BY ANY METHOD IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED. TITLE TO THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS REMAINS WITH THE ARCHITECT, AND VISUAL CONTACT WITH THEM CONSTITUTES PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF THESE RESTRICTIONS. PLOT DATE: PRINT DATE: 4.28.2025 25036.1 CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY ENERGY E.V. CHARGING STATIONS
CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY ENERGY
2601 PORTER STREET
SOQUEL, CA 95073 030-201-76 A.P.N.: 05.15.25 BUILDING DEPT. No. C31466 REN. 1/31/27 LICENSED ARCHITECTSTATE OF CA LIFORNIA CHRISTOPHER BARLOW KEY NOTES 1 THE KEY NOTES THAT FOLLOW APPLY TO THE DRAWING(S) ON THIS SHEET ONLY. REFER TO FOLLOWING SHEETS FOR NOTES THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO THOSE DRAWINGS. 2 INDICATES EXISTING VEHICLE OVERHANG. 3 EXISTING CONCRETE WALKWAY TO REMAIN. 4 EXISTING WALK TO REMAIN. 5 EXISTING CURB TO REMAIN. 6 ARROWS INDICATE EXISTING COMPLIANT ACCESSIBLE PATH OF TRAVEL. 7 EXISTING ACCESSIBILITY AISLE. 8 EXISTING 4" WIDE PAINTED STALL STRIPING. 9 EXISTING CONCRETE RAMP TO REMAIN (VERIFIED TO BE COMPLIANT PER C.B.C. 11B-705.1.2.2.2.1 EXCEPTION #2) 10 EXISTING PAINTED ACCESSIBILITY SYMBOL TO REMAIN. 11 EXISTING VAN ACCESSIBLE PARKING STALL SIGNAGE TO REMAIN. LEGEND PRIMARY ENTRY 12 NEW EV CHARGING STATION TOW AWAY SIGNAGE. SEE DETAIL 4/A900 FOR REQUIREMENTS. 13 NEW EV CHARGING STATION. SEE DETAIL 7/A900 AND ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS FOR REQUIREMENTS. GENERAL NOTES 1. CONTRACTOR SHALL FIELD VERIFY ALL EXISTING CONDITIONS PRIOR TO BEGINNING WORK. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL NOTIFY THE ARCHITECT OF ANY DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE DOCUMENTS AND FIELD CONDITIONS PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH THE WORK. IF ANY QUESTIONS ARISE AS TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY MATERIAL, CLARIFY THE POINT IN QUESTION WITH THE ARCHITECT BEFORE PROCEEDING. 2. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROTECT ALL EXISTING ITEMS THAT ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR REMOVAL FROM DAMAGE. CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PATCHING AND/OR REPAIRING ANY DAMAGE CAUSED TO ITEMS TO REMAIN. 3. CONTRACTOR SHALL FURNISH ALL LABOR AND MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT AS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE DEMOLITION AND REMOVAL OF ALL ITEMS AS INDICATED. 4. CONTRACTOR SHALL IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION DUST / DEBRIS CONTROL MEASURES THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF CONSTRUCTION. 5. AT COMPLETION OF DEMO WORK, THE CONSTRUCTION AREA SHALL BE LEFT IN "BROOM CLEAN" CONDITION. ALL DEBRIS AND MISC. MATERIAL SHALL BE REMOVED. 6. DEMOLITION IS NOT NECESSARILY LIMITED TO WHAT IS SHOWN ON DRAWINGS. THE INTENT IS TO INDICATE THE GENERAL SCOPE OF DEMOLITION REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS. 7. CONTRACTOR TO ENSURE THAT EXISTING UTILITIES (GAS, ELECTRIC OR PHONE, ETC.), ACCESS FOR TENANT & CUSTOMER USE, MECHANICAL VENTILATION, HEATING AND/OR COOLING SYSTEMS, PROVIDED TO ALL TENANTS IN THE EXISTING BUILDINGS WHERE WORK WILL OCCUR (AS WELL AS IN BUILDINGS WHERE WORK WILL NOT OCCUR). 8. CARE SHALL BE TAKEN BY CONTRACTOR TO MINIMIZE DISRUPTION TO THE BUSINESS THROUGHOUT DURATION OF CONSTRUCTION. CONTRACTOR SHALL COORDINATE ALL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE AND HOURS OF CONSTRUCTION WITH BUILDING OWNER PRIOR TO WORK. 9. CONTRACTOR SHALL LEGALLY DISPOSE OF ANY MATERIALS SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION. 14 NEW ACCESSIBLE EV CHARGING STATION SIGNAGE PER DETAIL 8/A900. 15 NEW EV CHARGING STATION SIGNAGE PER DETAIL 6/A900. EXISTING PAVING TO REMAIN. 16 EXISTING 6'-0" FENCE. 17 EXISTING CATCH BASIN. 18 EXISTING BUILDING ADDRESS NUMBERS. * ACCESSIBLE PATH OF EGRESS AS INDICATED ON PLAN IS A BARRIER FREE ACCESS ROUTE WITHOUT ANY ABRUPT LEVEL CHANGES EXCEEDING 12" BEVELED AT 1:2 MAX. SLOPE, OR VERTICAL LEVEL CHANGES NOT EXCEEDING 14" MAX. AND AT LEAST 48" WIDE. SURFACE IS SLIP RESISTANT, STABLE, FIRM, AND SMOOTH. CROSS SLOPE DOES NOT EXCEED 2% AND SLOPE IN THE DIRECTION OF EGRESS IS LESS THAN 5% UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. * PATH OF EGRESS COMPLIES WITH CBC 11B-206. ACCESSIBLE PATH OF TRAVEL (POT) 19 FUTURE E.V. CHARGING STATION - PROVIDE CONDUIT TO THREE LOCATIONS. NOTE: 1. GENERAL CONTRACTOR TO VERIFY ACCESSIBLE STALLS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ADA & STATE DISABLED STANDARDS. 2. SURFACE SLOPES OF ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES AND LOADING ZONES SHALL NOT EXCEED 14" PER FOOT (2%) IN ANY DIRECTION. 3. REFER TO CITY OF SALINAS STANDARDS FOR REFERENCE. SCALE: 2 ACCESSIBLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS (EVCS) 1/8" = 1'-0" PAINT "EV CHARGING ONLY" IN WHITE LETTERS 12" HIGH MINIMUM. THE CENTERLINE OF THE TEXT SHALL BE A MAXIMUM OF 6" FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE VEHICLE SPACE AND ITS LOWER CORNER AT, OR LOWER SIDE ALIGNED WITH THE END OF THE PARKING SPACE LENGTH. THE WORDS "NO PARKING" SHALL BE PAINTED ON THE SURFACE WITHIN EACH ACCESS AISLE IN LETTERS A MINIMUM 12" IN HEIGHT AND LOCATED TO BE VISIBLE FROM THE ADJACENT VEHICULAR WAY. NOTE: PLACE A SIGN IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO, AND VISIBLE FROM, THE CHARGING STATION STALL OR SPACE, OR AT EACH ENTRANCE TO AN OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITY. 4 A900 18'-0" MINIMUM 30"X42" CLEAR FLOOR SPACE SHALL BE PROVIDED AT CHARGING STATIONS THAT SERVICE VAN ACCESSIBLE STALLS AND STANDARD ACCESSIBLE STALLS. THE OPERABLE PARTS AND POINT-OF-SALE DEVICES FOR THE CHARGING STATIONS AT THESE LOCATIONS SHALL CONFORM TO THE REQUIRED ACCESSIBLE REACH RANGES. (E) CONCRETE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE TO (N) EVCS DISPENSERS; SURFACE SHALL NOT EXCEED 2% SLOPE IN ANY DIRECTION (E) CONCRETE SIDEWALK 7 A900 ACCESS AISLES AT VEHICLE SPACES SHALL BE MARKED WITH A 4" PAINTED BORDERLINE AROUND THEIR PERIMETER. THE AREA WITHIN THE BORDERLINES SHALL BE MARKED WITH HATCHED 4" LINES A MAXIMUM OF 36" ON CENTER. THE COLOR OF THE BORDERLINES, HATCHED LINES, AND LETTERS SHALL CONTRAST WITH THAT OF THE SURFACE OF THE ACCESS AISLE. THE BLUE COLOR REQUIRED FOR IDENTIFICATION OF ACCESS AISLES FOR ACCESSIBLE PARKING SHALL NOT BE USED. ACCESS AISLE MARKINGS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIRED LENGTH. 9'-0" MIN 7'-0"5'-0" RAMP 3'-0" EXISTING TRUNCATED DOMES EXISTING WHEELSTOP PER 4~ 3~ 5'-10" LANDING RAMP EV CHARGING ONLY NO PARKING8'-0" SCALE: 3 TRUNCATED DOMES N.T.S.
0.2"
HEIGHT TAPERED EDGES WHERE EXPOSED NOTES: 4. TRUNCATED DOMES (DETECTABLE WARNINGS) SHALL BE SLIP RESISTANT; COLOR SHALL BE YELLOW AND APPROXIMATE 33538 OF SAE AMS-STD-595A. 5. THE MATERIAL USED TO PROVIDE CONTRAST SHALL BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WALKING SURFACE. 6. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE A 6" X 6" MIN. SAMPLE OF THE TRUNCATED DOMES TO THE ARCHITECT / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR APPROVAL PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. 0.90"-0.92" BASE DIAMETER 0.45"-0.47" TOP DIAMETER A TRUNCATED DOME SPACING 2.3"-2.4" NOMINAL B~ B TRUNCATED DOME SECTION 0.90"-0.92" BASE DIAMETER 0.45"-0.47" TOP DIAMETER 1. ONLY APPROVED DETECTABLE WARNING PRODUCTS AND DIRECTIONAL SURFACES SHALL BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CBC SECTION 11B-705. 3. INSTALLER SHALL BE CERTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER. 2. TRUNCATED DOMES (DETECTABLE WARNINGS) SHALL BE SUPPLIED BY: SAFETY STEP TD, INC.; PH: (866) 723-3883; EMAIL: www.safetysteptd.com
2.3"-2.4"
NOMINAL
0.65" MIN. SCALE: 4 EXISTING PRE-CAST WHEELSTOP 1/2" = 1'-0" PAINTED STALL STRIPING 6"x6"x36" PRE-CAST CONC. WHEELSTOP w/ 2" CHAMFERS. PROVIDE (2) 3/4"x18" REBAR DOWELS DRIVEN INTO PAVEMENT & SUBBASE EDGE OF STALL / PAVEMENT 3'-0" 1'-0" 1696111413 1 46 12 5 53 5 15 13 15 13 19 19 8 7 8 2 1 5 10 17 SCALE: 1 REFERENCE SITE PLAN 1/8" = 1'-0" 2~ 19 15 Page 153 of 157 Staff Report 12
TO: 3CE Policy Board of Directors
FROM: Robert M. Shaw, Chief Executive Officer
PREPARED BY: Juan Lopez, Director of Finance
SUBJECT: Presentation on the FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Forecast DATE: June 18, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation on the FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Forecast.
BACKGROUND:
The Mid-Year Budget Forecast (Forecast) is a critical management tool that evaluates financial performance and projections based on historical trends, current conditions, and future assumptions. It supports data-informed decision-making by identifying trends that may impact 3CE’s financial health, strategic goals, and procurement needs. The Forecast also serves as the starting point for developing the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and includes projections for the next two fiscal years.
On September 19, 2024, the Policy Board adopted the FY 2024-25 budget and 2025 electric generation rates with $730.3 million in appropriations, $770.3 million in estimated revenue, and a $40.0 million addition to reserves, reflecting a 23% increase in appropriations due to new community enrollments and higher energy costs. On March 19, 2025, the Board adopted adjustments to 2025 rates effective April 1, in response to impacts of significant changes to the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) implemented through the finalization of IOU rates in the Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) proceeding and revised retail load based on an updated forecast based on historical performance. The rate adjustments were necessary to maintain financial stability, recover projected shortfalls, and ensure continued competitive rates across all customer classes. These developments underscore the value of a continuous forecast as a proactive tool to assess fiscal conditions and guide timely adjustments that strengthen 3CE’s financial resilience heading into the next budget cycle.
The Operations Board and Audit & Finance Committee received the Forecast at their May 14 and May 21 meetings, respectively.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The Forecast estimates current year expenditures of $642.8 million, a $87.5 million (12%) variance to the adopted budget. Operating expenditures can be classified into two categories: energy and non-energy costs. Non-energy operating expenditures are projected at $42.7 million, compared to a budget of $65.1 million, a 34% variation. The lower non-energy operating costs are attributed primarily to lower capital assets expenditures for acquiring office locations in Monterey and Santa Cruz, with lower personnel costs from staffing vacancies, lower-than-expected professional services, and energy program incentive payments. The forecasted years of FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 assume higher costs for personnel based on full funding for all positions, higher benefit and salary expenses based on competitive market trends, increased customer participation in energy programs, and cost adjustments to ongoing service and supply costs.
The Forecast estimates the cost of energy (COE) for the year to be $600.1 million, a $65.2 million (10%) favorable variance to the adopted budget. The variance compared to budget results from lower-than-anticipated Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) costs resulting from a drop in market prices, higher-than-anticipated revenues from participation in the congestion revenue right auctions, and higher sales of wholesale energy, partially offset by higher resource adequacy (RA) costs. FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 forecasted years assume lower COE compared to the current year due to lower energy attribute costs (RA and RECs) offset by higher energy costs based on increases to market prices. Lower energy attributes are forecasted as new projects come online, such as Panoche, Midway, and SunZia, which will reduce purchases of attributes compared to the current year. Variables that could impact COE projections in the outlying years include delays in PPAs, market prices for energy, energy attributes, and RA under the Slice-of-Day paradigm.
Projected Financials with Prior Year Actuals
FY 2023-24
Actual
FY 2024-25
Adopted Budget
FY 2024-25
Mid-Year Forecast
FY 2025-26
Forecast
FY 2026-27
Forecast
Net Electricity Sales 544,358,419 745,962,356 660,909,347 649,122,905 640,133,788 Interest and Investment Returns 12,893,661 7,000,000 10,770,808 8,000,000 8,200,000 Other Income 98,215 68,400 8,182,430 72,000 72,000
Sub-Total Revenues 557,350,295 753,030,756 679,862,585 657,194,905 648,405,788 Capital Infrastructure Reserve - 17,318,000 2,780,254 - - Total Financing Sources $ 557,350,295 $ 770,348,756 $ 682,642,839 $ 657,194,905 $ 648,405,788 Cost of Energy 548,776,152 665,267,116 600,074,023 569,605,897 556,528,447 Salaries and Benefits 7,830,528 12,585,841 11,203,086 13,574,919 15,056,766 Services and Supplies 24,749,921 35,177,798 28,751,007 34,014,088 36,820,576 Capital Assets - 17,318,000 2,780,254 - -
Total Financing Uses $ 581,356,601 $ 730,348,756 $ 642,808,370 $ 617,194,905 $ 608,405,788 Total Budgeted Change to Net Position $ (24,006,306) $ 40,000,000 $ 39,834,469 $ 40,000,000 $ 40,000,000
The Forecast estimates total revenue at $679.9 million; a $73.2 million (10%) variance compared to the adopted budget. Net revenue from the sale of electricity is projected at $660.9 million, $85.1 million under budget, or 11%. Lower-than-anticipated load is the primary factor for the variance in electric generation revenue. In late 2024, staff assessed the long-term forecast assumptions and adjusted them based on historical forecast accuracy and updated weather projections. The projected retail load for FY 2024-25 was revised to 5.5 million MWh. The retail load in the forecasted years assumes minor (0.5%) annual growth due to stabilizing customer base post 2025 enrollment of the City of Atascadero and County of San Luis Obispo. Staff will continue to oversee the performance of the long-term load forecast and implement tools to develop scenario planning for long-term forecasting.
Other income, primarily comprised of investment revenue, is estimated at $19.0 million, a $11.9 million (168%) variance from the adopted budget. The favorable variance is partially due to higher-than-anticipated interest and investment earnings and settlement fund receipts. The forecasted years of FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 assume continued interest and investment earnings from the agency’s active treasury management and minor rental income from tenants in the San Luis Obispo office.
Reserve Targets
3CE is working towards meeting its reserve targets set in the Financial Policies adopted by the Policy Board. Reserves are projected at $254.5 million in the current year, meeting 73% of Financial Policy targets. Projected lower expenditures in the next two years will help close the remaining reserve gap. 3CE will continue to monitor the forecast against actual to ensure that reserve targets are met.
Maintaining robust reserves provides financial stability amid potential PCIA and market fluctuations, helps sustain a competitive rate structure that minimizes customer attrition, and supports a strong credit rating, reinforcing 3CE’s long-term financial resilience.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Mid-Year Budget Forecast estimates total revenue of $679.9 million, a 10% lower revenue variance from budget, and $642.8 million in total expenditures, equating to a 12% lower-than-budget variance, while maintaining growth in net position of $39.8 million, while withdrawing $2.8 million from the Capital Infrastructure Reserve for capital expenditures related to capital acquisition and improvements.
Because the Forecast is a mid-year estimation, unforeseen variables could decrease or increase the net operating results in the coming months. These variables could include energy market volatility, especially in the summer months, higher-than-estimated RA expenditures, lower retail load, and unforeseen regulatory compliance impacts.
CONCLUSION:
The FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Forecast reflects 3CE’s continued focus on prudent financial stewardship and long-term planning.
ATTACHMENT(S):
None.