MINUTES
Legislative & Regulatory Committee
of the Clean Power Alliance of Southern California
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
Meeting videos are available on CPA's YouTube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/@CPApublicmeetings
Committee Members participated in this meeting from the following locations:
Agoura Hills City Hall
Planning Conference Room
30001 Ladyface Court
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Clean Power Alliance
Executive Conference Room
801 S. Grand Ave., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Carson City Hall
Executive Conference Room
701 East Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
Manhattan Beach City Hall
City Manager Conference Room
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Los Angeles County
Hall of Administration
Sybil Brand Conference Room, Room 372
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
City of West Hollywood
3rd Floor City Manager’s Conference Room
8300 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chair Deborah Klein Lopez called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and Gabby Monzon, Clerk of the Board, conducted roll call. Incoming Chair Cedric Hicks presided over the meeting.
Roll Call
Agoura Hills Deborah Klein Lopez Committee Chair Remote Carson Cedric Hicks Committee Member Remote
Los Angeles
County Lindsey Horvath Committee Member Remote
Manhattan Beach Amy Howorth Committee Member Absent
West Hollywood John Erickson Committee Member Remote
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise stated.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Minutes from the February 28, 2024, Legislative & Regulatory Committee Meeting
Motion: Chair Klein Lopez, Agoura Hills
Second: Committee Member Horvath, Los Angeles County
Vote: The consent agenda was approved by a roll call vote.
REGULAR AGENDA
2. 2024 California Legislative Update
Gina Goodhill, Sr. Director, Government Affairs, updated the Committee on the main themes at the legislature, including affordability, building and vehicle decarbonization, transmission and distribution, infrastructure, the climate bond, and the budget deficit.
Regarding the climate bond, Committee Member Horvath expressed the importance of advocating for energy infrastructure as an affordability measure.
Committee Member Horvath also noted that proposed budget cuts shouldn’t cause extended delays in implementing climate goals and emphasized that lack of funding should not delay customer programs addressing extreme heat throughout the county and the state.
3. Provide Direction to Staff on whether CPA should take a Support Position on Assembly Bill 1176 and, if so, recommend that the Board of Directors Approve a Support Position On Assembly Bill 1176.
Gina Goodhill, Sr. Director, Government Affairs, explained that AB 1176 is a planning bill. Overall, the bill aligns with many of CPA’s goals. However, it would require that cities and counties that still need a climate action plan create one, which may be challenging for smaller cities. In CPA’s service territory, about half of member agencies have adopted a climate action plan, a variety of electrification plans, or specific building decarbonization plans; yet there are remaining member communities that have not adopted any plans and would be required to do so under the bill.
Acting Chair Hicks shared concern for communities who did not have a climate action plan or may not have the resources to put one together; asked if CPA was able to assist member agencies in putting a plan together or the availability of other legislative funding for smaller cities. Ms. Goodhill noted that CPA does not have the capacity to assist in creating these types of plans. However, it can help connect member agencies to organizations that specifically draft or model plans that local cities can adopt. Committee Member Horvath added that the Strategic Growth Council and CARB are some entities that can support cities that need it. Committee Member Horvath expressed support for the bill, which aligns with organizational goals, reiterating the importance of supporting cities needing new plans. Chair Klein Lopez asked why the League of Cities has opted to stay neutral, given that it’s in everyone’s interest to have a plan to meet mandated climate goals. Ms.
Goodhill explained that staff discussed with the League, and the League indicated they were able to take a neutral position because the bill was amended to remove several burdensome requirements; however, other additional requirements in the bill and the lack of funding for cities have prompted them to refrain from a support position. Chair Klein Lopez also asked if it were possible for cities without a specific plan to utilize their counties’ climate action plan. Ms. Goodhill indicated the bill did not address that; however, if a county’s plan meets the climate goals and the city adopts the county’s plan, that may fulfill the bill’s requirements.
Chair Klein Lopez expressed support for the bill, noting it will prompt many cities to begin developing climate plans. While CPA is an example of how cities are addressing climate goals, funding is an ongoing concern, and mandating climate action plans can be burdensome for smaller cities. Chair Klein Lopez suggested that if the bill were to be discussed at the Board level, it would be insightful to get the author’s perspective on funding. Ms. Goodhill added that CARB also has a scoping plan with a local action appendix that municipalities may use to start a climate plan. Committee Member Erickson shared that West Hollywood has a climate action dashboard where the public can see its progress, creating a sense of urgency in meeting climate goals.
Acting Chair Hicks summarized the consensus noting the Committee is in support of the bill, noting that smaller cities that cannot afford to adopt plans may utilize their county’s action plans. Acting Chair Hicks also agreed with Committee Member Erickson as far as tracking and making it accessible to the public, showing how it is helping the community.
Motion: Committee Member Erikson, West Hollywood
Second: Chair Klein Lopez, Agoura Hills
Vote: A support position on Assembly Bill 1176 was approved by a roll call vote.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADJOURN
Acting Chair Hicks adjourned the meeting at 10:32.