MINUTES
Executive Committee of the
Clean Power Alliance of Southern California
Regular Meeting
March 19, 2026
1:30 p.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:
Beverly Hills City Hall
Council Office, 4th Floor
455 N. Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, 90210
Clean Power Alliance
Executive Conference Room
801 S. Grand Ave., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Agoura Hills City Hall
Planning Conference Room
30001 Ladyface Court
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Camarillo City Hall
Council Office
601 Carmen Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010
Hawthorne City Hall
Administrative Office
4455 W. 126th Street
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Carson City Hall
Executive Conference Room
701 East Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
Santa Paula City Hall
Councilmember Office
970 E. Ventura Street
Santa Paula, CA 93060
Ventura County Government Center
CEO Point Mugu Room
Hall of Administration
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
Alhambra City Hall
Conference Room
111 S. First St.
Alhambra, CA 91801
Los Angeles County Hall of Administration
Sybil Brand Conference Room, Room 372
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Westin Pasadena
191 North Los Robles Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL
Chair Klein Lopez called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. and Annie Mendoza, Deputy Clerk of the Board, conducted roll call.
Roll Call
Agoura Hills Deborah Klein Lopez Chair Remote
Alhambra Jeff Maloney Committee Member Remote
Beverly Hills Julian Gold Immediate Past Chair Remote
Camarillo Susan Santangelo Committee Member Remote
Carson Cedric Hicks Committee Member Remote
Hawthorne Alex Monteiro Committee Member Remote
Los Angeles County Lindsey Horvath Vice Chair Remote
Santa Paula Jenny Crosswhite Committee Member Absent
Sierra Madre Robert Parkhurst Committee Member Remote
Ventura County Vianey Lopez Vice Chair Remote
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise stated.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Minutes from the February 19, 2026, Executive Committee Meeting Motion: Committee Member Gold, Beverly Hills
Second: Vice Chair Horvath, Los Angeles County
Vote: The consent agenda was approved by a roll call vote.
REGULAR AGENDA
2. Oral Update from the CEO on CPA Operations
Ted Bardacke, Chief Executive Officer, thanked committee members who participated in Lobby Day; reported that Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin will sponsor a bill regarding transmission finance. Mr. Bardacke also discussed impacts of the Middle East conflict, noting that while oil prices have been immediately impacted, domestic natural gas prices have remained low so far and therefore electricity costs have seen limited impact. Staff is anticipating lower electricity prices in the immediate future and CPA is ahead of budget. Mr. Bardacke commented that CPA is planning for long-term stability in its rates, budgeting, and policy and program development.
3. Review Draft Agenda for the April 2, 2026, Board of Directors Meeting Mr. Bardacke discussed the CalCCA Special Assessment for SCE ERRA Review and Forecast Applications on the consent agenda and reported that Director Parkhurst was the only nominee for the Board Chair position; the Committee directed staff to place the election on the regular agenda. The regular agenda items include the two-year budget discussion, Power Ready ownership, and a rates outlook presentation. Regarding the latter, staff is calculating the differentials among CPA’s products and conducting a cost of service study. Mr. Bardacke noted that lower than expected power prices are a factor in a potential PCIA increase and lower rates. CPA is operating ahead of budget and meeting reserve targets.
In response to Committee Member Parkhurst’s question, Mr. Bardacke clarified that staff is targeting June for approval of solar and storage PPAs.
4. Recommend that the Board of Directors direct Staff at its April 2 Meeting to Prepare a Budget Policy and Annual Budgets for Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28
Jennifer Stevenson, Financial Planning and Analysis Manager, explained that CPA's business has matured with increasingly predictable multi-year planning and that staff recommend that the annual budget structure transition to a two-year budget cycle. Projects are increasingly spanning multiple fiscal years, and business decisions can be constrained by line-item allocations. If a two-year budget cycle is adopted, the Board would approve two consecutive fiscal year budgets simultaneously, with authorization for staff to make certain operating expense transfers subject to controls. The Board would be presented a budget amendment for the second year of the two-year cycle to update revenue, cost of energy, and contribution to the net position in line with the annual rate setting process. The Finance Committee supported the transition to a two-year budget cycle.
Ms. Stevenson described the two-year budget system’s five controls, as well as accountability measures and reporting for transfers. Ms. Stevenson closed with a timeline of the budget process.
Chair Klein Lopez asked about budget amendments; staff responded that they can be made anytime they are warranted. Committee Member Hicks inquired about the ability of the CEO to make purchases; Mr. Bardacke stated that he has signing authority up to $250,000 as part of the non-energy contracting policy, and that no one vendor can get more than $250,000 in a 12-month period. Staff clarified for Committee Member Hicks that during fiscal year two, staff can propose a budget amendment if more funds are needed for a customer program or other use.
Committee Member Parkhurst asked about the Board’s ability to review budgeting and contracting items on its agendas. Staff explained that most contracts are placed on consent agendas because funding has already been allocated, while budget items are placed on the regular agenda. Staff will ensure the distinction between budget and contracts is clearly reflected in the presentation. Vice Chair Horvath expressed support for a two-year budget process and asked how it would affect CPA’s potential transmission opportunities. Staff explained that long-term fixed assets have different accounting and reporting requirements, but transmission legislation has not yet been passed so budget amendments may be necessary. Committee Member Gold asked if CPA would create a different business entity to handle transmission projects, and David McNeil, Chief Financial Officer, offered that CPA’s legal authority has not yet been established and legislation will define a pathway forward. Chair Klein Lopez expressed support for the staff recommendation and enumerated the benefits of a two-year budget.
Finance Committee Chair Santangelo reported that the committee was enthusiastic about the proposal as an indication of CPA’s stability and maturity as an organization.
Motion: Committee Member Santangelo, Camarillo
Second: Chair Klein Lopez, Agoura Hills
Vote: Item 4 was approved by a roll call vote.
5. Receive Presentation Receive Presentation on the Proposed Power Ready Round 2 Ownership Delivery Approach and Provide Feedback on the Ownership Delivery Structure and whether Staff Should Proceed with the Necessary Activities Associated with Pursuing Ownership
Matt Langer, Chief Operating Officer, provided background on the Power Ready program, which provides on-site solar and battery storage in the event of power outages. Interest from the Board in transmission ownership and challenges with the implementation of the current PPA model have led staff to develop a proposed delivery structure. Staff identified a Design-Build process utilizing a Build-Transfer Agreement that utilizes one Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor that handles both the engineering (design) and construction (build) functions, supported by an Owner's Representative to oversee project development, compliance with code and industry best practices, and manage the agreed upon scope of work. Drawing on industry best practices and examples from other CCAs, staff determined that project risks are manageable with appropriate mitigations. The estimated cost of ownership over a 20-year operational term would total $13,200,000, with no debt financing and a new project manager position is included in CPA’s proposed staffing budget. Mr. Langer concluded with a timeline through 2028 and described next steps, including approval of sites and budget and the execution of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Site Lease Agreements (SLAs) with CPA. Staff requested feedback from the Committee.
Chair Klein Lopez asked about end of the 20-year term, and staff explained that facilities could be decommissioned, continue operating if it still viable, or sold to the host agency; specifics would be outlined in the SLA. Committee Member Monteiro inquired about insurance and staff stated that both CPA and the host agency would have insurance to cover respective liabilities, although contractors’ warranties and responsibilities would be first in review prior to pursuing any claims.
Vice Chair Horvath expressed support, highlighting the approach as an example of a way to ease bureaucratic processes.
In response to Committee Member Hicks’ question about term length and equipment obsolescence, staff noted that CPA ownership allows for flexibility in reducing the term, though CPA assumes the risk of equipment becoming obsolete.
Staff clarified for Committee Member Gold that the equipment is a depreciable capital asset and due to tax credit requirements, CPA would not be able to transfer the facility to the host agency for free, but it could be sold at a fair market value.
Mr. Langer also noted that maintenance and repair expectations, including emergency response, will be outlined in the agreements. Host agencies are expected to receive backup power from the system, without impact to their electricity bill.
Committee Members expressed consensus support for the proposal and commended staff for improving upon Round 1. Committee Member Parkhurst emphasized the value of clearly defined roles to manage unforeseen circumstances and risks. Vice Chair Lopez expressed support, and Chair Klein Lopez added that having more control and flexibility will benefit CPA’s member jurisdictions.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
None
ADJOURN
Chair Klein Lopez adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m.