MINUTES
Board of Directors of the
Clean Power Alliance of Southern California
Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Meeting videos are available on CPA's YouTube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/@CPApublicmeetings
Board members participated from the following locations:
Calabasas City Hall
Closed Session Room
100 Civic Center Way
Calabasas, CA 91301
Clean Power Alliance
Diana Mahmud Board Room
801 S. Grand Ave., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Conference Room
357 Van Ness Way, Suite 90
Torrance, CA 90501
Ventura County Government Center
Rincon Meeting Room, Hall of Administration
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
Beverly Hills City Hall
Conference Room 4A
455 North Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Whittier City Hall
Admin Conference Room
13230 Penn Street
Whittier, CA 90602
CalCCA Annual Conference
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
Meeting Room 5B
1400 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Santa Paula City Hall
Councilmember Office
970 East Ventura Street
Santa Paula, CA 93060
California Contract Cities Association Annual Conference Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Toulon Conference Room
44400 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Klein Lopez called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. Director Ordower led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Gabriela Monzon, Clerk of the Board, conducted roll call.
Roll Call
1 Agoura Hills Deborah Klein Lopez Chair Present
2 Alhambra Jeff Maloney Director Present
3 Arcadia Paul Cheng Director Remote
4 Beverly Hills Craig Corman Director Remote
5 Calabasas Ed Albrecht Director Remote
6 Camarillo Susan Santangelo Director Remote
7 Carson Reata Kulcsar Alternate Remote
8 Claremont Corey Calaycay Director Present
9 Culver City Yasmine-Imani McMorrin Director Remote
10 Downey Absent
11 Hawaiian Gardens Ramie L. Torres Alternate Remote
12 Hawthorne Alex Monteiro Director Remote
13 Hermosa Beach Absent
14 La Cañada Flintridge Stephanie Fossan Director Present 15 Los Angeles County Aaron Ordower Alternate Present
16 Lynwood Juan Muñoz-Guevara Director Present
17 Malibu Marianne Riggins Director Remote
18 Manhattan Beach David Lesser Director Remote
19 Monrovia Edward Belden Director Remote
20 Moorpark Chris Barrett Director Remote
21 Ojai Michelle Ellison Alternate Remote
22 Oxnard Kathleen Mallory Alternate Remote
23 Paramount Michelle Muller Alternate Remote
24 Port Hueneme Laura Hernandez Director Remote
25 Redondo Beach Brad Waller Director Remote
26 Rolling Hills Estates Jeannie Naughton Alternate Remote 27 Santa Monica Pam O’Connor Alternate Present
28 Santa Paula Jenny Crosswhite Director Remote
29 Sierra Madre Robert Parkhurst Director Remote
30 Simi Valley Rocky Rhodes Director Remote
31 South Pasadena Omari Ferguson Director Remote
32 Temple City Ed Chen Director Remote
33 Thousand Oaks David Newman Director Remote
34 City of Ventura Absent
35 Ventura County Vianey Lopez Vice Chair Remote
36 West Hollywood Absent
37 Westlake Village Kristopher Galvez Alternate Remote
38 Whittier Mary Ann Pacheco Director Remote
All votes are unanimous unless otherwise stated
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approve Minutes from April 2, 2026, Board of Directors Meeting
2. Re-appoint 12 Community Advisory Committee Members for the May 2026 – April 2028 Term
3. Adopt Resolution No. 26-05-106 Approving Amendments to CPA’s Investment Policy No. 2020-14
4. Approve and Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Execute an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with CLEAResult Consulting, Inc. to Modify the Instant AC Savings Program Scope, with No Change to the PSA Term or Not-To-Exceed Budget of $2,310,703
5. Receive and File Monthly Bill Positions Report
6. Receive and File Monthly Community Advisory Committee Report Motion: Director Calaycay, Claremont
Second: Director Muñoz-Guevara, Lynwood
Vote: The consent agenda was approved by roll call vote.
REGULAR AGENDA
7. Approve a Rate Setting Approach for FY 2026/27: A. Select an Option That Reflects CPA’s Projected Cost of Service (COS) and Establishes Total Bill Comparison Targets for Residential and Small Business Rates Using Southern California Edison’s (SCE) June 1, 2026, Rates: I. Option 1 – “Clean-Up”, with a Reserve Percentage Target of 58-65%: Target 100% Green Power Rates to Provide a 7.5% Premium, Clean Power a 1% Premium, and Lean Power a 1% Discount; II. Option 2 (Recommended by Executive Committee) – “Historical” Total Bill Comparisons, with a Reserve Percentage Target of 56-63%: Target 100% Green Power Rates to Provide a 7% Premium, Clean Power a 0% Discount and, Lean Power a 2% Discount; III. Option 3 – Low Reserve Buffer, with a Reserve Percentage Target of 53-60%: Target 100% Green Power Rates to Provide a 6% Premium, Clean Power a 1% Discount and, Lean Power a 3% Discount; and B. Update Rates for Large Commercial, Industrial, Pumping and Agriculture, and Streetlighting Rate Classes Based on CPA’s Projected COS and the Selected Rate Approach Option
Karen Schmidt, Senior Director, Rates and Strategy, presented three rate approach options: Option 1 - the Clean-up option, Option 2 - Historical Bill Comparisons option, and Option 3 - Lower Reserve Buffer option. These rate options reflect projected cost of service and are informed by reserves and financial targets, competitiveness with SCE, and the price spread among CPA’s three retail rate products. The options maintain varying levels of projected reserve buffer to address impacts of the likely 2027 PCIA and SCE generation rate changes. At its April meeting, the Executive Committee voted to recommend Option 2 for Board approval. Customers would see a range between very little change to a reduction of up to $4 per month across the various options. Ms. Schmidt noted that most subset customers would have at least one option at a total bill discount to SCE.
The CPUC is currently considering PCIA methodology changes. Depending on the outcome of this CPUC decision, the overall upward trend forecast for the 2027 PCIA could be mitigated slightly Ms. Schmidt stated that CPA contracted with NewGen Strategies in January to provide an external objective review of CPA’s Cost of Service (COS) and rate setting methodology. The preliminary report documents CPA’s adherence to typical electrical industry COS practices. The FY 2026-2027 rates will not apply to the communities of Cudahy and Fillmore, which will begin CPA service in October 2027. Staff will propose options for the rate setting approach for these communities in December, in advance of these member agencies selecting their default energy option in early 2027.
Chair Klein Lopez added that the Executive Committee unanimously supported Option 2 as it falls within CPA’s traditional rate comparisons and leaves flexibility to pass along savings to customers. Healthy reserves and buffers allow for rate adjustments later if needed. Director Muñoz-Guevara asked about the rate setting approach as it relates to the PCIA. Ms. Schmidt responded that Option 2 creates competitive rates and bill comparison targets through the end of 2026 and flexibility if the PCIA goes up and SCE generation rates simultaneously go down. Ted Bardacke, Chief Executive Officer, added that if conditions are similar to last year, rate adjustments to a competitive level would cost about $25 million a month, or $125 million for the span of February to July. Maintaining reserves above 50% target for Option 2 would be able to address that.
Director Fossan expressed support for Option 2, and asked about the historical cost of renewable energy, and staff explained that when CPA launched, 100% Green was at a premium of ~9%, and has fluctuated over the years, at one point hitting as low 3% as CPA brought long-term PPAs online and brown power and RA prices were rising. This year’s target is 7%. Director Rhodes stated that Option 2 was a safe and reasonable option but suggested that Option 3 could be viable paired with a marketing campaign letting customers know CPA is choosing lower rates for as long as possible; it would also be an opportunity to promote green power. Director Maloney commented that the Executive Committee discussed the options and agreed that Option 2 would give CPA the most flexibility to respond with rate adjustments, potentially providing cost-savings to customers.
Motion: Director Calaycay, Claremont
Second: Director Muñoz-Guevara, Lynwood
Vote: Item 7, Option 2, was approved by roll call vote.
This item was presented out of order.
9. Open Nomination Period for Executive Committee At-Large Positions for the July 2026 – June 2028 Term
Chair Klein Lopez announced Committee Chair appointments for the next fiscal year and opened the nomination period for the Executive Committee At-Large positions. Nomination period remained open until May 22, 2026.
The following nominations were received at the meeting:
• Alex Monteiro, Hawthorne (for Los Angeles County)
• Edward Belden, Monrovia (for Los Angeles County)
• Jenny Crosswhite, Santa Paula (for Ventura County)
8. Receive Presentation Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28 Budget Priorities Mr. Bardacke presented an overview of CPA’s proposed operating budget, noting that the organization manages approximately $1 billion in annual energy costs, which account for 92% of total costs. He emphasized CPA’s growing investment in staff, technology, customer programs, and communications and marketing as the organization works to address rising electricity costs and improve customer awareness of CPA’s services. Flat/decreasing expenses include technical services, other services, billing, general & administration, legal, and SCE service fees. Proposed budget increases included customer programs, communications and marketing, mailers, and software. Customer programs budget priorities include investment in Energized Communities, Power Ready, resiliency initiatives, multifamily energy programs, and future commercial offerings, as well as enhanced communications and marketing efforts tied to customer outreach and program marketing. Mr. Bardacke requested feedback on the Mobile Education Unit (MEU), expanded public and media relations efforts, and the scope of CPA’s 10th anniversary celebration in 2028. Mr. Bardacke also described staffing and retention investments, including new positions in communications, energy contracting, customer support, and cybersecurity, noting that overall staffing growth is slowing. In addition, CPA plans significant investments in data infrastructure, financial and operational software, and energy management technologies to improve productivity, reporting capabilities, and optimize energy expense management.
Chair Klein Lopez noted that the Executive Committee reviewed budget priorities and expressed concern with the efficacy of the Mobile Education Unit (MEU) and its cost. The Committee supported a focus on enhanced public relations efforts and earned media, as well as using CPA’s 10th anniversary as a marketing opportunity to promote the organization’s brand and programs. Director Newman stated that if the MEU is launched, CPA should use an electric vehicle; asked whether SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, would impact CPA’s costs. Mr.
Bardacke noted that it’s too soon to know cost impacts and that CPA’s “watch” position on the bill centered more so on the safety component. The bill was not intended to set up a net metering system, but rather a means to load reduction.
Directors Barett and Albrecht also agreed that the MEU is not a priority and rather they encouraged staff to develop other more effective customer outreach initiatives. Director Waller offered support for the public and media relations efforts and CPA’s 10th anniversary outreach initiatives; noted support for cybersecurity as it is a rising risk in all industries; asked if the website complied with accessibility requirements. Mr. Bardacke acknowledged the feedback and noted that a website accessibility project is underway. Director Ferguson expressed support for the use of e-bikes to promote the CPA brand and asked for a discussion at some point on how CPA measures program performance with the lens of closing participation and equity gaps. Director Kulcsar echoed concern for the cost of the MEU and suggested a budget for smaller scale units or multiple tabletop units for community events. Director Pacheco expressed concern about a large 10th Anniversary celebration and offered support for the mobile education unit and public relations and media efforts that have been effective in the Whittier community. Director Pacheco observed that more education is needed around what CPA does and understanding electricity bills. Director Torres noted that a smaller mobile unit may offer cost-savings and achieve what the MEU aimed to achieve. Director Belden agreed that other smaller scale options may be available for community events.
Director Muñoz-Guevara supported increasing earned media, digital ads, and other communications initiatives as well as a 10th Anniversary celebration to spread awareness of CPA. Director Fossan expressed support for software that would improve program reporting and insights, noted that ERP transitions can be challenging so staff should finetune vendor expectations, and offered support for marketing efforts that will improve program participation and awareness. Director Monteiro added that digital ads can offer more exposure and educational outreach and Director Ordower thanked CPA staff for their work on the Instant AC Savings program.
COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES
Director Santangelo, Finance Committee Chair, shared that the Board approved in its consent calendar an amended Investment Policy. CPA has matured and continuously improves its fiscal policies to ensure proper investment of CPA funds.
Director Parkhurst, Energy Committee Chair, described the 2026 Clean Energy RFO and new categories of projects that will expand the impact of resources.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
Mr. Bardacke discussed an update on local solar projects and noted that communities should take advantage of the Power Ready Round 2 program which will close soon.
Additionally, two bills on PCIA and RA have moved forward in the legislature, although the transmission bill has not moved forward. CPA will continue to support CalCCA in its legislative efforts and explore other pathways on transmission.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Chair Klein Lopez noted that the next meeting will be her last as Chair-elect Parkhurst will take over in July.
ADJOURN
Chair Klein Lopez adjourned the meeting at 4:03 p.m.