STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 8.1
AGENDA DATE: October 27, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Stephen Kullmann, Director of Demand Side Management SUBJECT: Regulatory and Legal Services Agreement with PefferLegal
SUMMARY
In March 2022, RCEA, on behalf of itself and six partner organizations, filed a motion to form a new Regional Energy Network (REN). The proposed REN is the Rural Regional Energy Network (RuralREN) which would serve hard-to-reach and underserved customers in 31 rural counties across the state. RCEA is the designated Program Administrator for the proposed RuralREN.
In May 2021, staff evaluated legal and regulatory needs for the application phase of the RuralREN and issued a request for proposals for services that resulted in the selection of Braun, Blaising and Wynne (formerly Braun, Blaising, Smith and Wynne). The firm provided these services through the proposal phase of the RuralREN application. RCEA submitted its RuralREN proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in March 2022, concurrently with other Program Administrators throughout California.
Following the submission of the RuralREN proposal, the CPUC established a regulatory timeline for an extended stakeholder process to consider all Program Administrator proposed programs and budgets. This process will inform the CPUC’s ultimate decision on whether to approve the RuralREN proposal in quarter three of 2023.
Following the proposal submission, RCEA issued another competitive solicitation for legal and regulatory services to support RCEA through the stakeholder process up until the CPUC’s issuance of a decision in 2023.
RCEA received proposals from two firms and both proposals were deemed responsive to the request in its entirety. Staff further evaluated the proposals on the following criteria:
• Prior experience in providing regulatory and legal services to Regional Energy Networks and government agencies comparable to RCEA.
• Qualifications of the firm and assigned staff, as well as the quality of management support. • Cost and fees.
Staff is recommending entering into an agreement with PefferLegal as a well-qualified practice with direct experience with REN regulatory matters, and the lowest per hour rates of the two most qualified firms.
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ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Not applicable.
EQUITY IMPACTS
Not applicable.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The hourly rates included in the PefferLegal proposal are $310 per hour, 16% lower than the current billing rates for our retained regulatory consultant for CCA matters. Based on the estimation of legal and regulatory services needed, the not-to-exceed value of the contract will be $90,000. RCEA’s current fiscal year budget for regulatory services, the budget line item these services will be billed to, is $180,000 and spending through August is at about $4,000. Staff anticipates that the proposed budget line item for the 2022-23 fiscal year will accommodate the cost of legal services through the CPUC’s 2023 decision.
The total proposed 5-year RuralREN budget is just over $95.8M, with $8.1M specified for RCEA to cover Administration costs separate from the amount to provide services to RCEA customers.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Executive Director to execute a Legal Services Agreement with PefferLegal for RuralREN regulatory support and legal services through December 2023 for a not to exceed value of $90,000, subject to sufficient budgetary allocations and pending RCEA General Counsel review.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PefferLegal Response to Request for Proposal for Regulatory and Legal Services 121
Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services
for Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s RuralREN
Program
Law Office of David Peffer
3424 Cook Street
Rocklin, California 95765
(760) 715-0407
[email protected]
October 14, 2022
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PefferLegal Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services 1
COVER MATTERS
Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this proposal for regulatory and legal services for Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s (“RCEA”) Rural Regional Energy Network (“RuralREN”) program.1 The Law Office of David Peffer (“PefferLegal”) is a new solo law practice consisting of attorney David Peffer, a seasoned California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) practitioner with the experience and specialized skill set needed to help RuralREN navigate the REN formation process in CPUC proceeding A.22-02-005.
PefferLegal welcomes the opportunity to serve RCEA and RuralREN.
Firm Information
Law Office of David Peffer
3424 Cook Street
Rocklin, California 95765
Phone: (760) 715-0407
Email: [email protected]
Firm Representative
The following person is authorized to represent, answer questions on behalf of, and enter binding agreements on behalf of PefferLegal:
David Peffer
Attorney
Law Office of David Peffer
3424 Cook Street
Rocklin, California 95765
Phone: (760) 715-0407
Email: [email protected]
1 This Proposal is provided in response to RCEA’s September 2022 Request for Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services (RFP-22-202).
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PefferLegal Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services 2 Statement of Licensure
PefferLegal and all key staff to be assigned to this matter are properly licensed to practice in California. PefferLegal is a solo law practice, and attorney David Peffer (State Bar Number 270479) is an active member of the State Bar of California.
Disclosure of Professional Relationships Involving RCEA From 2016 to September 2022 David Peffer was an attorney in Braun Blaising & Wynne’s CCA practice. This work included the advising and representing RCEA, either individually or as part of a joint CCA group, in the following matters:
• Providing advice to RCEA on one-off regulatory matters and questions. • Providing RCEA with support in preparing CPUC compliance filings and submissions.
• Representing a Joint CCA group that included RCEA in Phases 1 and 2 of the CPUC’s Microgrids Rulemaking.
• Representing a Joint CCA De-Energization/PSPS group that, at times, included RCEA.
• Providing RCEA’s RuralREN program with legal and regulatory support and representation in preparing its REN Formation Motion and advocating for approval of its Motion before the CPUC in R.13-11-005 and A.22-05-005.
This past representation does not create any conflicts of interest that would limit PefferLegal’s ability to represent RCEA and RCEA’s RuralREN program going forward. In his past representation of RCEA, Mr. Peffer acted in the furtherance of RCEA’s interests and in accordance with the duty of loyalty owed by attorneys to their clients.
Notice of Potential Conflicts
PefferLegal places its highest priority on fulfilling its duties of loyalty and candor to its clients. PefferLegal does not have any potential conflicts to report at this time. In accordance with the California Bar’s Ethics Rules, PefferLegal will will provide RCEA with immediate written notice of any professional or personal relationships entered into during the period of the agreement that could pose a potential conflict with the work RCEA is doing, the work RuralREN is doing, or RCEA’s or RuralREN’s interests generally.
It is PefferLegal’s policy to provide clients with the maximum possible level of transparency regarding potential conflicts, and the firm will err on the side of disclosure even if a relationship poses only a remote likelihood of creating a conflict.
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PefferLegal Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services 3
QUALIFICATIONS
Firm Qualifications
PefferLegal is uniquely qualified to provide RCEA’s RuralREN Program with the legal and regulatory services described in the RFP. From late-2021 to September 2022, David Peffer, then working at another firm, was RuralREN’s lead outside attorney. In this role Mr. Peffer provided RuralREN with many of the services described in the RFP’s scope of work. These services include:
• Providing the RuralREN team with legal advice and regulatory support in developing the RuralREN Business Plan.
• Drafting RuralREN’s REN formation motion, originally submitted in the Energy Efficiency Rulemaking (R.13-11-005).
• Working with RuralREN to develop its litigation strategy in support of its Motion and adapting this strategy to procedural developments. • Drafting RuralREN’s A.22-02-005 Prehearing Conference Statement and representing RuralREN at the Prehearing Conference.
• Working with other parties, in particular the other RENs, to develop coordinated positions.
• Providing legal review of data requests submitted to RuralREN and RuralREN’s draft responses.
This experience makes PefferLegal the ideal firm to provide the services sought in the RFP. PefferLegal is positioned to provide RuralREN with continuity of representation, with no ramp-up or extended learning period required. Mr. Peffer is deeply familiar with the CPUC’s REN formation process, the key issues at play in A.22-02-005, RuralREN’s interests, and RuralREN’s litigation strategy.
This continuity of representation is especially important given the very complex procedural position that RuralREN currently finds itself in, having filed a REN formation Motion rather than an Application, but having its Motion considered in the Energy Efficiency Application proceeding.
PefferLegal already has solid working relationships with RuralREN team, the other RENs, the CPUC’s energy division, and many of the other key parties in A.22-02-005.
More broadly, Mr. Peffer has the experience and professional qualifications needed to provide the legal and regulatory services that the RFP is seeking. These qualifications are discussed in the “Personnel Qualifications” section below. 125
PefferLegal Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services 4 Professional References
Regional Energy Network References:
Stephen Kullmann
Demand Side Management Director
Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (707) 269-1700
References for Other CCA Energy Efficiency Work:
Neal Reardon
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Sonoma Clean Power
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (707) 890-8488
Jeremy Waen
Director of Regulatory Policy
Peninsula Clean Energy Authority
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (650) 257-8026
Personnel Qualifications
PefferLegal is a solo law practice, and David Peffer will be the only attorney working on this matter.
Mr. Peffer is a seasoned CPUC litigator with over 12 years of experience practicing at the CPUC. Mr. Peffer has deep experience in all aspects of CPUC advocacy, including:
• Developing CPUC litigation strategies and adapting them to changing procedural circumstances.
• Commenting on technical or policy rulings/proposals.
• Motion practice.
• Negotiating settlements in CPUC proceedings.
• Propounding and responding to Data Requests.
• Assisting witnesses in the preparation of expert testimony. • Defending witnesses in evidentiary hearings.
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PefferLegal Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services 5 • Cross-examining other parties’ witnesses in evidentiary hearings. • Briefing.
• Commenting on Proposed Decisions.
• Advocating on behalf of clients in ex parte meetings with CPUC Commissioners and staff.
Mr. Peffer has significant experience working on Energy Efficiency issues. Mr. Peffer has advised several CCAs, including Peninsula Clean Energy, Sonoma Clean Power, San Jose Community Energy, and Lancaster Choice Energy on various aspects of their CCA “elect to administer” energy efficiency programs. Mr. Peffer contributed significantly to the drafting of Sonoma Clean Power’s and Peninsula Clean Energy’s respective Elect to Administer Advice Letters and Business Plans. Most Importantly, from his previous representation of RuralREN Mr. Peffer brings a deep working knowledge of RuralREN’s interests, the REN formation process, and the key issues of interest to RuralREN play in A.22-02-005.
Mr. Peffer has top-tier educational qualifications, possessing a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley, a J.D. from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan.
COSTS AND FEES
As a streamlined solo law practice without significant overhead, PefferLegal can pass significant savings on to its clients. PefferLegal proposes to reduce his hourly rate by 16% compared to the rate RCEA previously paid for his RuralREN work.
Attorney Fees
PefferLegal proposes an attorney rate of $310 an hour for work under this agreement performed by David Peffer.
Although it does not appear that travel for A.22-02-005 will be necessary, if travel is required PefferLegal proposes that travel time be billed at of 50% of the attorney rate, or $155 an hour. Any time that Mr. Peffer spends working on other matters in transit will be subtracted from the time billed for travel.
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PefferLegal Proposal for Legal and Regulatory Services 6 Other Costs
PefferLegal is able and willing provide legal support services such as printing and mailing documents, filing and serving pleadings, and scheduling ex parte meetings. However, in many instances it may be more cost-effective for RCEA to handle these activities.
PefferLegal proposes to work closely with the RCEA RuralREN team to identify efficiencies and avoid the use of attorney billable time for activities the team can handle.
PefferLegal proposes that it any legal support costs that it does incur, such as document printing or preparation, mailing, or messenger/service fees, be billed through to the client without markup.
If travel is necessary, PefferLegal proposes that reasonable transportation and accommodations costs be billed through to the client without markup. PefferLegal will secure client approval of airfare and accommodations before making purchases/reservations.
OTHER MATTERS
Insurance
PefferLegal is in the process of procuring both a professional liability policy with $1 million in coverage and a comprehensive general liability policy with $1 million in coverage. Both policies will be in place prior to October 21, 2022. If PefferLegal is selected, prior to executing the representation agreement PefferLegal will provide RCEA with certificates of insurance for both policies naming RCEA as additional insured.
CONCLUSION
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this proposal. I would love the opportunity to continue working with RCEA’s amazing team on a project as significant, important, and challenging as RuralREN.
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STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 8.2
AGENDA DATE: October 27, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Matthew Marshall, Executive Director
SUBJECT: PG&E’s Southern Humboldt Transmission Issues
BACKGROUND
In September, local news outlets reported that PG&E had reached its capacity for electricity transmission in the Eel River Valley and Southern Humboldt County and is unable to provide promised electricity service to multiple development projects that are currently underway.
Affected communities include Fortuna, Rio Dell and Garberville. Affected development projects include, among others, the Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville, Fortuna’s Strong’s Creek Plaza and Riverwalk development areas and the city’s sewage lift back-up power system.
PG&E representatives informed elected officials and staff from affected jurisdictions that distribution system upgrades to accommodate load growth will cost $900 million and take between 7-10 years to complete, a timeline that prevents local jurisdictions from meeting county and state Climate Action Plan decarbonization requirements while also halting economic development. A September 20 PG&E press release stated that the utility’s multi-year grid plan addresses the area’s increasing capacity needs and that projects are already in progress.
In the wake of these reports, RCEA’s Board of Directors requested a presentation at this meeting on measures PG&E is taking to upgrade and develop its power distribution infrastructure in Southern Humboldt County to meet increasing electricity load and measures PG&E is taking to improve communication with local government agencies.
SUMMARY
Executive Director Matthew Marshall will provide a brief update on:
• PG&E Southern Humboldt Grid Issues, and
• Other topics as needed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
None. (Information only.)
ATTACHMENT
None.
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PG&E’s
Humboldt
County Grid
Issues
Grid infrastructure
• Transmission = highways
• Substations = offramps/interchanges
• Distribution = city streets and county roads
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
115kV lines from Eureka to
Cottonwood - ~follow Hwy 299 and Hwy 36
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
60kV lines from Eureka to
Cottonwood - ~follows 115kV line
along Hwy 299
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
60kV lines (with spurs)
from Eureka to Bridgeville,
Bridgeville to Willits
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
60kV lines (with spurs) from
Eureka to Bridgeville,
Bridgeville to Willits
The transmission-level
problems are this line and its
substations – which impacts customers served by the
distribution lines branching
out from those substations
Eel River Valley:
These distribution
lines generally ok –
issue is at the
transmission &
substation level in
this area
PG&E: $16 million in
transmission
upgrades to be
completed no later
than the end of
2024.
Will solve the issue
for 13 applications in
the queue + ~60
additional future
connections
Bridgeville to Alderpoint
PG&E: $30 million in
distribution and transmission
upgrades to be completed no
later than the end of 2026.
Will solve the issue for 23
applications in the queue in
this area plus three anticipated
applications
This work should also
create some additional
capacity in/around
Garberville
Garberville to Petrolia
PG&E: Would require
$300 million in upgrades
to serve 43 new
customers
Need to rebuild
transmission from
Bridgeville to Garberville
+ new distribution lines
from Garberville to
Briceland and Petrolia
Red = distribution
line with no capacity
for new loads
“Garberville 1102” circuit serves:
• Redway
• Along 101 to south of Phillipsville
• Shelter Cove
• Whitethorn
• Briceland
• Ettersberg
• Honeydew
• Petrolia
No distribution
line capacity for
new loads
Other locations
with no
distribution
capacity
RCEA Options
• Assess with PG&E if battery storage and other distributed resources can be deployed to help accelerate new connections while Eel River Valley and Bridgeville to Alderpoint work is in progress 2023-2026 • Evaluate if/how/where distributed resources and/or microgrids might be implemented to address issue out of the scope of PG&E’s proposed solutions
• Evaluate how future transmission upgrades for export of offshore wind could be leveraged to address local issues.
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
Humboldt
Transmission Lines
& Substations
Routes considered for
offshore wind energy
export in CA Independent
System Operator’s (CAISO)
2022 long-range
transmission planning
outlook
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 8.3
AGENDA DATE: October 20, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Matthew Marshall, Executive Director
SUBJECT: MOU with the California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association
SUMMARY
One of the core stakeholder groups relevant to the development of offshore wind energy is the commercial fishing industry, and RCEA has been working to actively engage and collaborate with local fishermen since RCEA’s local offshore wind development efforts began to ramp up in 2017.
One key local fishing industry organizations is the Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association (HFMA). After ongoing engagement RCEA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HFMA in 2018 to establish a shared understanding and set of goals around proceeding with the development of offshore wind energy in a manner that minimizes and mitigates impacts to commercial fishing as much as possible.
At the time that the MOU with HFMA was executed it was anticipated that other local/regional fishing organizations with an interest in the waters off Humboldt County would request similar agreements with RCEA. In 2020 RCEA provided a $20,000 grant to HFMA to fund external costs necessary to their effective engagement in the offshore wind development process, and HFMA used a portion of that RCEA funding to establish the California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association (CFRA).
CFRA is a new non-profit formed-by and representing the port associations from Crescent City south to San Francisco -- the ports of San Francisco, Bodega Bay, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove, Humboldt Bay, Trinidad Bay, and Crescent City. The intended purpose of CFRA is to serve as a central “point of contact” for developers and projects intending to work in the ocean waters of the north coast, and particularly for the immediate purpose of negotiating a Fishing Community Benefit Agreement (FCBA) between commercial fishermen and offshore wind energy developers.
RCEA has received a request to enter into a MOU with CFRA similar to the one executed with HFMA in 2018. The MOU between RCEA and CFRA establishes an agreement to cooperate and work together in good faith for the purpose of ensuring that the development of floating 130
offshore wind energy off the coast of northern California proceeds in a way that effectively identifies, avoids, minimizes and mitigates impacts to the commercial fishing industry to the greatest extent possible so that commercial fishing and offshore wind energy can successfully coexist to the greater benefit of the community.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association and RCEA and authorize the Executive Director to execute the agreement contingent on final review and approval by RCEA Legal Counsel.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft MOU between RCEA and the California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association 131
1 MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION
BETWEEN
THE REDWOOD COAST ENERGY AUTHORITY
AND
THE CALIFORNIA FISHERMEN’S RESILIENCY ASSOCIATION
This Memorandum is entered into this the 31st day of October, 2022 (“Effective Date”), by and between:
1. REDWOOD COAST ENERGY AUTHORITY (“RCEA”), a California Joint Powers Authority, having an office at 633 3rd Street, Eureka, CA, 95501, whose members include the County of Humboldt, the Cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District; and
2. The California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association (CFRA), a California non-profit Mutual Benefit Corporation at 1118 6th Street, Eureka, California 95501.
The CFRA serves as a “point of contact” for OSW developers and a Fishing Community Benefit Agreement (FCBA) negotiator for fishermen and OSW industry.
RCEA and CFRA are referred to herein either in singular as “Party” or in plural as the “Parties.” PREAMBLE:
By creating access to economically priced renewable energy, renewable resource diversification, and enhanced economic activity in coastal areas, floating offshore wind energy development represents tremendous opportunity for the State of California. This is especially true of Humboldt County, where the wind resource offshore is particularly strong and Humboldt Bay is endowed with characteristics that make it well suited for harbor investment and utilization to support the deployment of offshore wind power systems.
132
2 The North Coast region’s fishing grounds, the site of the Humboldt Wind Energy lease areas, have been occupied by the West Coast fishing fleet since the early 1900’s. The North Coast region, especially Eureka, Fort Bragg, Shelter Cove, Trinidad and Crescent City is home to a commercial fishing industry that provides sustainably caught seafood both for our community and for country wide distribution. For many generations, the North Coast community fishing grounds have provided a livelihood for fishermen and their families, as well as widespread employment in the seafood distribution economy. North Coast commercial fishing contributes to national food security.
The Parties recognize that a viable commercial fishing industry is integral to the economy and culture of the North Coast and that the development of offshore wind energy will permanently impact the commercial fishing industry economically and culturally. They recognize that such development should be pursued in a manner that avoids, minimizes and mitigates impacts to fishing so that both endeavors can sustainably coexist for the benefit of our community.
AGREEMENT
The Parties agree to cooperate and work together in good faith for the purpose of ensuring that efforts to develop floating offshore wind energy off the coast of Humboldt County by RCEA, its project partners, and any other offshore wind developers proceed in a way that effectively identifies, avoids, minimizes, and mitigates impacts to the commercial fishing industry to the greatest extent possible. As part of this agreement, the Parties agree to work together:
1. To maintain open and honest communication and to inform the other Party in a timely fashion of relevant developments that could affect or impact the goals of this agreement;
2. To identify and evaluate any potential impacts to commercial fishing interests associated with the offshore wind project’s development, operation, and decommissioning, and to take reasonable steps to avoid and minimize those impacts;
3. To work together with RCEA’s development partners to negotiate Fishing Community Benefit Agreements to address avoidance, minimization and long term mitigation of impacts to North Coast commercial fishing. These FCBA’s will be broad based, democratic, and inclusive of all fishing gear types. These FCBA’s will include the 133
3 identification and contractual stipulation of sufficient permanent sourced funding to insure and enhance resiliency in California fisheries and fishing communities.
4. To seek out and cooperate as appropriate on mutually beneficial grant or public funding opportunities (such as for harbor infrastructure improvements) that are consistent with the goals of this agreement;
5. To coordinate and cooperate with state and other relevant officials in ways that advance the goals of this agreement;
6. To identify and reasonably address, in a timely manner, the additional needs of either party that may arise during the offshore wind project development operation and decommissioning process.
This Memorandum does not establish a joint venture, partnership, or business unit of any kind between the Parties, nor does it necessarily create a financial or subsequent legal obligation on behalf of either Party. Further, the Memorandum does not grant or create an exclusive right to negotiate between RCEA and CFRA; and either party is free to negotiate or explore similar agreements with other persons and entities.
GOVERNING LAW
The substantive laws of the State of California shall govern this agreement and any questions concerning its validity, construction or performance, without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof. The Parties agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in California in relation to any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise.
TERM
This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and terminate on the first to occur of any of the following events: (a) the passage of five years from the Effective Date; (b) the Parties mutual agreement to terminate this Agreement; (c) the Parties mutual agreement to supersede this Agreement with another form of legal agreement; (d) if either Party is placed into 134
4 liquidation, bankruptcy, administration, receivership or any similar process; or (e) by material breach of a Party.
Signed (date): 10/28/2022
________________________________________________________ Matthew Marshall, Executive Director
Redwood Coast Energy Authority
633 3rd Street
Eureka, CA 95501
________________________________________________________ Ken Bates, President
California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association
1118 6th Street
Eureka, California 95501
_______________________________________________________ RB Pincombe, Secretary
California Fishermen’s Resiliency Association
1118 6th Street
Eureka, California 95501
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STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 9.1
AGENDA DATE: October 27, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Matthew Marshall, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Executive Director’s Report
SUMMARY
Executive Director Matthew Marshall will provide a brief update on:
• RCEA recent activities, and
• Other topics as needed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
None. (Information only.)
ATTACHMENT
RCEA Monthly Report
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WE
ARE
HIRING!
Current Employment Opportunities at RCEA
• Manager/Senior Manager - Demand Side Management Programs October 2022 News and Updates
from the Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Join us online
EV
Charging
Equipment
RCEA REBATE
Electric
Vehicles
RCEA REBATE
Heat
Pumps
RCEA REBATE
14 approved
37 approved
59 approved
7 reserved
Equipment
& Appliance
RCEA REBATE
39 approved
5 in progress
Residential Services
ASSESSMENTS
97 consultations
64 res kits
Non-Res Services
ASSESSMENTS
132
Completed
Rebate totals to date 2022 totals
Community Choice Energy
Mid-Term Reliability Solicitation:
In August, the RCEA Board of Directors approved the launch of a solicitation for zero-emitting resources in response to the California Public Utilities Commission’s Decision 21-06-035 to address the mid-term reliability (MTR) needs of the state’s electric grid in 2023-2026. In response to its solicitation, RCEA did not receive any eligible offers that would meet its MTR procurement obligation. Staff are looking at alternatives to meet RCEA’s procurement obligation, and plan to bring potential options to the Board ad hoc committee.
Fairhaven Energy Storage
The energy storage project at Fairhaven for which the Board approved a contract in June is moving forward. The site owner has removed stockpiled biomass to mitigate fire hazard risk. The project developer Broad Reach Power is working with PG&E on repowering the substation and has submitted final designs for needed modification of the site's grid interconnection.
New RCEA Staff page
We recently launched a page
featuring the full RCEA team,
including titles, bios, and contact
information.
We also added a poster to our
employment page illustrating the wide
range of degrees our team holds. We
created it for a Cal Poly Humboldt
Sustainability Practitioners Mixer, to
encourage diverse students to
consider joining RCEA or to pursue a
career in energy.
See
our website
for details
137
www.RedwoodEnergy.org
(707) 269-1700 ● [email protected]
Customer Energy Solutions updates
October 2022 News
Agency Projects - ongoing
Arcata School District - CalSHAPE HVAC and CO2 monitor projects are moving ahead Burnt Ranch Elementary School - roof-mounted solar array is being installed City of Arcata - energy efficiency project is being planned City of Blue Lake - best use of OES funding and a possible solar project are being planned City of Eureka - solar projects are being designed
City of Ferndale - solar and lighting project completed City of Rio Dell - solar, storage and generator installed City of Trinidad - solar and storage project completed
Coastal Grove Charter School - CalSHAPE HVAC and CO2 monitor projects are in progress Eureka City Schools - solar, storage, and EV bus charger project is in progress Loleta Union Elementary School - assisting with CalSHAPE program application McKinleyville Union School District - assisting with CalSHAPE program application Pine Hill Elementary - ECAA loan project kick-off meeting held in September Redway Community Services District - revisiting possible solar project Redwood Coast Montessori School - CalSHAPE plumbing application submitted, CalSHAPE HVAC and CO2 monitor projects in progress
Yurok Tribe - benchmarking and making connections for multiple project locations Rural Regional Energy Network
The RuralREN group is shepherding the proposed customer energy efficiency program through the CPUC regulatory process. The RuralREN partners, representing hard-to-reach rural communities, held its first in-person meeting in September in conjunction with the California Climate and Energy Collaborative Conference.
Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) Quick Start Grant Through this grant, RCEA is providing rebates for unregulated fuel users (propane, kerosene, cordwood, etc) to switch to heat pump space and water heaters. RCEA has secured partnerships with area contractors and identified 11 projects so far. The grant will cover a total of 20 projects. RCEA is a finalist for a second round of funding, which will support an analysis of barriers to electrification in the more rural parts of the county and tribal lands.
Rio Dell’s “Light the Night” Project
RCEA continues to reach out and provide residential energy efficiency kits to Rio Dell residents who bring in and dispose of old, inefficient light bulbs at Rio Dell City Hall. The project is part of the Rio Dell Police Department’s “Light the Night” initiative aimed at encouraging residents to leave their porch lights on at night to deter crime. Rio Dell city staff approached RCEA to collaborate on this win-win community boosting project.
Rebates Mailer
On the flip side of our Power Content Label (one of our annual compliance mailings that goes out to all our customers) we included an invitation for our customers to take advantage of all the rebates we have now. The response was robust and the timing was good. The public is curious about fuel switching and is willing to upgrade if the cost is manageable.
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