Clean Energy Alliance - Board of Directors
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
City of San Marcos|Virtual Meeting
Teleconference Locations Per Government Code Section 54953(3) (Assembly Bill 361) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Druker called to order the regular meeting of the Clean Energy Alliance at 2:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Board Members: Bhat-Patel, Melendez, Becker, Vice Chair Musgrove, Chair Druker Board Member Garcia joined at 2:02 p.m. and Board Member Sanchez joined at 2:25 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE: Board Member Becker led the flag salute.
BOARD COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: In consideration of new members Chair Druker and Board Members introduced themselves.
PRESENTATIONS
CEO Barbara Boswell introduced California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) CEO Beth Vaughn who gave a presentation on the work and accomplishments of CalCCA and how the organization supports and advocates on behalf of CCAs.
Community Advisory Committee Chair Dwight Worden reported regarding the February 2, 2023, CAC meeting noting the new members; the presentation regarding the microgrid program proposal; the presentation regarding the new CEA rates; the CAC Vacancy for Carlsbad; the Escondido and San Marcos outreach program; the CAC subcommittee updates; and review of the CAC Workplan for the next year.
CEO Boswell commented regarding the recent events related to Escondido and San Marcos implementation and the representation of CAC Members, Tripepi Smith staff, and Spanish translators at events to answer questions and provide information about Clean Energy Alliance.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 26, 2023 – Deferred to next meeting.
Consent Calendar
Item 1: Clean Energy Alliance Treasurer’s Report for November 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file Clean Energy Alliance Treasurer’s Report for November 2022.
Item 2: Consider Approval of Clean Energy Alliance 2023 Legislative and Regulatory Policy Platform
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Clean Energy Alliance 2023 Legislative and Regulatory Policy Platform.
Motion by Member Sanchez, second by Member Becker, to approve the Consent Calendar Items 1-2.
Motion carried unanimously, 7/0.
New Business
Item 3: Receive Presentation of Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) from Keyes and Fox
RECOMMENDATION
Receive presentation of Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) from Keyes and Fox LLP.
CEO Barbara Boswell introduced the item noting the importance of the topic as it affects CEA customers on every monthly bill and acknowledged the work of Keyes and Fox having a positive outcome on PCIA fees. Lee Ewing and Tim Lindl of Keyes and Fox LLP, gave a presentation on the PCIA highlights included overview noting PCIA lasts as long as SDG&E departed customers’ obligation to pay for the underlying resources lasts leaving SDG&E remaining customers economically indifferent to departing customers service by SDG&E; how the PCIA is set; major influencers and PCIA trends; and Annual Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) Compliance Applications which allows for reviewing the rates and accounts from the prior year to ensure CCA customers have not overpaid.
CEA Board comments and questions included who monitors the contracts and is the purchased power resold as customers exit SDG&E; is there an estimated timeframe for completion of contracts when there will no longer be an exit fee; would any green energy be available to assume rather than wait until the contract timeframe is exhausted.
Tim Lindl and Lee Ewing responded to questions commenting that consultants monitor contracts and that excess energy is required to be sold wither in the bilateral market or to bid it into California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and if that renewable portfolio standard (RPS) energy is sold it affects the PCIA; the timeframe of power purchase agreements (PPA) is public information and PCIA can be projected but the utility owned generation is not currently subject to PPA. Active litigation for determining at what point utility owned generation leaves the books is underway; regarding green energy availability SDG&E would have to voluntarily sell their interest in those assets.
CEA Board received presentation.
Board Member Becker exited the meeting at 3:39 p.m. and Board Member Melendez exited the meeting at 3:50 p.m.
Item 4: Consideration of Approval to Pursue Establishment of a Distributed Microgrid Program for CEA
RECOMMENDATION
Receive presentation and approve pursuit of establishment of a Distributed Microgrid Program for CEA and direct staff to return with the required documents to establish the program.
CEO Boswell introduced the program noting that it’s a unique approach to solar and battery storage for residential customers and instead of homeowners purchasing or leasing solar and battery storage the customer would allow the system to be placed at their home and CEA would charge for the energy produced via a PPA with Participant Energy who is the capital financer of the project. This opens the possibility of obtaining these types of systems for consumers who may not otherwise be approved through a credit application process.
An added benefit of this type of program is that CEA would be able to count the energy produced as part of its portfolio. Ms. Boswell introduced staff from Participate Energy and Tesla.
Stephen Pollock and Ethan Friedman of Participate Energy presented the program commenting that the Distributed Microgrids program was developed in partnership with Tesla to support CCAs residents and to advance renewable energy. Messrs. Pollock and Friedman provided details of the program and how and why it works. Additionally, future expansion areas to Municipal – School Districts, Commercial, Low-Income, Storage retrofit for existing solar, and Multifamily were discussed.
Member Musgrove inquired whether the program would be available to existing solar customers and Mr. Pollock responded that the initial offer is solar paired with storage and that battery retrofit to existing solar is currently planned for phase two.
Alternate Member and CAC Chair Worden inquired regarding directional charging using electrical vehicles for home storage battery instead of a power wall. Mr. Pollock commented that they are two separate systems and if the vehicle had a bidirectional inverter how is that inter connecting into the home. He indicated that it’s not part of the program but that the program would not prohibit it.
Member Musgrove requested that CEO Boswell look into how the program would affect the member cites and their Climate Action Plans.
Chair Druker indicated that the full details of the and background of the proposed program and Participate Energy should be examined and why other CCAs are or are not pursuing establishment of the proposed program.
Motion by Vice Chair Musgrove, second by Member Sanchez, to approve investigation of establishment of a Distributed Microgrid Program as recommended.
Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Item 5: Consideration of the Circumstances of the COVID-19 State of Emergency to Determine Whether the Legislative Bodies of Clean Energy Alliance will Continue to Hold Meetings Via Teleconferencing and Making Findings Pursuant to Government Code Section 54943(e)
RECOMMENDATION
Continue meetings by teleconferencing pursuant to Government Code Section 54943(e), finding that: (1) the Board has considered the circumstances of the state of emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person.
Motion by Member Sanchez, second by Member Garcia, to approve the recommended action.
Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Item 6: Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution Changing the CEA In Person Meeting Location through June 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-002 designating the City of Oceanside as the CEA meeting location through June 2023.
CEO Boswell gave a brief presentation and Chair Druker
Motion by Member Sanchez, second by Chair Musgrove, to adopt Resolution No. 2023-002 designating the City of Oceanside as the CEA in person meeting location through June 2023.
Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Item 7: Clean Energy Alliance Chief Executive Officer Operational, Administrative, General Counsel Brown Act Update and Regulatory Affairs Update
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file Community Choice Aggregation Update Report from Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel Brown Act Update, and Regulatory Affairs Report from Special Counsel Tosdal APC.
This item was not heard and deferred to next meeting.
Item 8: Consider Approval of Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Midyear Budget Adjustment
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Midyear Budget Adjustment increasing revenues $16,084,120 and expenditures $14,165,750.
CEO Boswell made a brief presentation of the item noting that the adjustment will boost reserves and ensure that CEA is growing funds necessary to repay loans.
Motion by Vice Chair Musgrove, second by Member Sanchez, to approve the Midyear Budget Adjustment as recommended.
Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
Item 9: Consider Appointment of Clean Energy Alliance Community Advisory Committee Member for City of Carlsbad for Term Through December 2025
RECOMMENDATION
Appoint CAC Member representing Carlsbad for term through 2025.
Board Member Bhat-Patel commented that Lynda Daniels has been a great advocate for the community and would be a great asset to the CAC.
Motion by Member Bhat-Patel, second by Member Sanchez, to appoint Lynda Daniels to the CAC for City of Carlsbad for term ending December 2025.
Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None.
ADJOURN: Chair Druker adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p.m. _______________________________________
Susan Caputo, MMC
Interim Board Secretary