Item No. 2
Regular Meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Peninsula Clean Energy Authority (PCEA)
Minutes
Monday, May 9, 2022
10:00 a.m.
Zoom Video Conference and Teleconference
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m. in virtual teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Participating Remotely:
Dave Pine, San Mateo County
Rick DeGolia, Atherton, Chair
Julia Mates, Belmont
Donna Colson, Burlingame, Vice Chair
Giselle Hale, Redwood City
Laura Parmer-Lohan, San Carlos
Rick Bonilla, San Mateo
Jeff Aalfs, Portola Valley
John Keener, Director Emeritus
Pradeep Gupta, Director Emeritus
Absent:
Marty Medina, San Bruno
A quorum was established.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ACTION TO SET AGENDA AND TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS MOTION: Director Bonilla moved, seconded by Director Mates to set the Agenda and approve Agenda Item Number 1-2.
1. Adopt Findings Pursuant to AB 361 to Continue Fully Teleconferenced Committee Meetings Due to Health Risks Posed by In-Person Meetings
2. Approval of the Minutes for the April 11, 2022 Executive Committee Meeting MOTION PASSED: 8-0 (Absent: San Bruno)
JURISDICTION BOARD MEMBER YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT
San Mateo County Director Pine X
Item No. 2
Atherton Director DeGolia X
Belmont Director Mates X
Burlingame Director Colson X
Redwood City Director Hale X
San Bruno Director Medina X
San Carlos Director Parmer-LohanX
San Mateo Director Bonilla X
Portola Valley Director Aalfs X
Totals 8 1
REGULAR AGENDA
3. Chair Report
Chair DeGolia gave a welcome to Shawn Marshall, Peninsula Clean Energy’s new Chief Operating Officer.
4. CEO Report
Jan Pepper, CEO, provided a report that included a recruitment update, an update on the hybrid meeting space within the Peninsula Clean Energy office, and an update on the Community Choice Power (CC Power) Firm Clean Resources requirement.
Director Aalfs asked if this schedule could delay the CC Power vote. Jan explained that the other Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) have authorized their CEOs to vote while Peninsula Clean Energy requires Board approval before Jan can vote at CC Power Board Meetings.
Director Colson recommended making it easy for senior management to participate and vote in these conversations. Director Bonilla noted that the Peninsula Clean Energy Board established this policy to ensure that CC Power policies aligned with the policies Peninsula Clean Energy has established around labor and the environment.
Director Bonilla asked if Jan abstained from voting if the item would still pass. Jan explained that she didn’t believe it would fail as there are 10 other voting members.
Chelsea Keys, Power Resources Manager, explained that this project would likely move forward without Jan’s vote.
Jennifer Stalzer, Deputy County Counsel, suggested that this discussion be moved to an agenda topic for a future agenda.
Director Pine offered a suggestion for a hybrid approach where Jan can vote if the timing between Peninsula Clean Energy Board meetings and CC Power Board meetings do not align for Jan to get Peninsula Clean Energy Board approval prior to the vote.
Vice Chair Colson suggested that we put this on a future agenda item so adjustments to this policy can be made as needed.
Item No. 2
Chair DeGolia asked if Jan would be able to share information on the Firm Clean Resources Geothermal Project in time for the May Board meeting. Jan explained that unless the public packet is released the night of the Peninsula Clean Energy Board meeting on May 26th, she would not be able to share details on the project.
5. Review of 2021 Citizens Advisory Committee Workplan Deliverables and Role of the Committee (Discussion)
Kirsten Andrews-Schwind, Senior Manager of Community Relations, gave a presentation covering the 2021 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Workplan deliverables and the role of the CAC.
Vice Chair Colson shared that due to a variety of skill levels and interests—ranging from community outreach to technical—creating goals and objectives that satisfy the entire CAC is challenging. Vice Chair Colson believes that going forward the newly appointed CAC members should have a better understanding of the role of the CAC Director Aalfs added that there is balance between what CAC members want to accomplish versus CAC tasks and staff’s ability to support. Director Aalfs also noted that the CAC has made large contributions to the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Project.
Chair DeGolia shared that this experience is similar to what is experienced on local advisory committees and that Peninsula Clean Energy is doing a good job at balancing the role of the CAC.
6. Review of Proposed 2022 Citizens Advisory Committee Workplan and Deliverables (Discussion)
Kirsten Andrews-Schwind, Senior Manager of Community Relations, gave a presentation covering the proposed 2022 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Workplan and Deliverables.
Chair DeGolia shared that this plan seems to hit key areas that Peninsula Clean Energy is focused on in terms of programs work. Chair DeGolia added that CAC collaboration on Reach Codes within their jurisdictions could be a valuable contribution, as well as reaching out to CAC members of other Community Choice Aggregators to see how Peninsula Clean Energy can improve our processes between the CAC and the Board.
Director Bonilla suggested that the word “initial” be added to the CAC Role and Responsibility: “Provide forum for community discussions on wide variety of strategies to reduce carbon emissions in conjunction with staff and board”.
Vice Chair Colson asked for clarification on the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Project timeline. Kirsten explained that the intention is to keep the full body of the CAC engaged in the DEAI Project. Vice Chair Colson asked if this could be included in the Work Plan.
Cheryl Schaff, CAC Vice Chair, thanked Board Members for the comments and asked to share Board comments at next CAC meeting.
Item No. 2
7. Review Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Draft Budget (Discussion) Andy Stern, Chief Financial Officer, gave a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Draft Budget including Key Assumptions, PG&E and the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment Rate Change Summary, Revenues and the 5-year plan.
Director Bonilla asked if Peninsula Clean Energy could use excess funds to fund programs to help with full city electrification. Andy responded that this topic came up at the Audit & Finance Committee and asked Donna to further explain the organization strategies discussed. Vice Chair Colson shared that if these forecasts were to play out Peninsula Clean Energy would have significantly more than the required 180 days of cash on hand and that this excess could be part of rebates or fund additional programs, or potentially invested other projects such as microgrids.
Chair DeGolia requested that an item addressing long-term planning analysis in relation to the growing surplus be brought before the full board and any appropriate subcommittees.
Director Aalfs suggested balancing the idea of rebates with power procurement and programs strategies.
Vice Chair Colson added that changing the discount rate becomes something that becomes a part of the model forever versus a one-time rebate.
Director Emeritus Gupta added that rate structuring is currently tied to PG&E rates but alternative rate structuring may eliminate cash flow issues.
Director Pine added that investments should be made to help achieve 24/7 clean energy.
9. Review of Updated Peninsula Clean Energy Staff Organization Chart (Discussion) Chair DeGolia announced that Agenda Item Number 9 would be heard before Agenda Item Number 8 due to a timing conflict.
Jan Pepper, CEO, gave an update on the Staff Organization Chart with the inclusion of new Chief Operating Officer, Shawn Marshall, and the reorganization of departments which Shawn will oversee.
8. Staff Feedback and Discussion of Potential Expansion (Discussion) Marc Hershman, Director of Government Affairs, gave a presentation on staff feedback and discussion of potential expansion including information on Los Banos and current enrollment status, staff feedback on benefits and challenges of expansion, additional lessons and considerations going forward.
Director Parmer-Lohan asked if a dedicated team would be necessary to manage complex relationships. Marc explained that Sandra Benetti has been an invaluable resource for the Los Banos expansion and that with further expansion efforts additional staffing may be required.
Item No. 2
Vice Chair Colson noted that Shawn Marshall has experience with Marin Clean Energy (MCE) in expansion efforts and may be another valuable resource for Peninsula Clean Energy in these discussions.
Director Bonilla shared that potential expansion areas are likely in the Central Valley and also that there may be interest in helping Los Banos form its own Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) so it can direct programs based on the needs of its community.
Director Mates agreed that having Shawn’s expertise on expansion efforts would be valuable. Shawn Marshall, Chief Operating Officer, explained that expansion within MCE did not occur while she was on the MCE Board, but that she was part of the efforts with Peninsula Clean Energy in Los Banos.
Director Pine asked what is Peninsula Clean Energy’s objective in expansion and shared that he feels the number one objective is to spread the CCA movement and to decarbonize and bring clean energy to other parts of the state.
10. Committee Members’ Reports
Director Bonilla shared that the city of San Mateo has accepted a goal to eliminate the use of methane citywide by 2030.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 11:59 a.m.