Redwood Coast Energy Authority
633 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 269-1700 Toll-Free (800) 931-7232 Fax: (707) 269-1777 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.redwoodenergy.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Wharfinger Building, downstairs Bay Room March 27, 2025 1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501 Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Any member of the public needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting or access the meeting materials should email [email protected] or call (707) 269- 1700 at least 3 business days before the meeting. Assistive listening devices are available.
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.5, all writings or documents relating to any item on this agenda which have been provided to a majority of the Board, including those received less than 72 hours prior to the Committee’s meeting, will be made available to the public at www.RedwoodEnergy.org.
NOTE: Speakers wishing to distribute materials to the Board at the meeting, please provide 13 copies to the Board Clerk.
THIS IS A HYBRID IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL MEETING.
The RCEA Board of Directors holds in-person hybrid meetings. When attending, please socially distance as much as possible and be courteous to those who choose to wear a mask.
To participate in the meeting online, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81972368051. To participate by phone, call (669) 900-6833 or (253) 215-8782. Enter webinar ID: 819 7236 8051.
To make a comment during the public comment periods, raise your hand in the online Zoom webinar, or press star (*) 9 on your phone to raise your hand. You will continue to hear the meeting while you wait. When it is your turn to speak, a staff member will prompt you to unmute your phone or computer. You will have 3 minutes to speak.
You may submit written public comment by email to [email protected].
Please identify the agenda item number in the subject line. Comments will be included in the meeting record but not read aloud during the meeting.
While downloading the Zoom application may provide a better meeting experience, Zoom does not need to be installed on your computer to participate. After clicking the webinar link above, click “start from your browser.”
1 RCEA March 27, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
OPEN SESSION Call to Order
1. ROLL CALL - REMOTE DIRECTOR PARTICIPATION
1.1. Approve teleconference participation request for this meeting by Director pursuant to Brown Act revisions of AB 2449 due to an emergency circumstance to be briefly described.
2. REPORTS FROM MEMBER ENTITIES
3. ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
This time is provided for people to address the Board or submit written communications on matters not on the agenda.
At the conclusion of all oral communications, the Board may respond to statements. Any request that requires Board action will be set by the Board for a future agenda or referred to staff.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the Board and are enacted in one motion. There is no separate discussion of any of these items. If discussion is required, that item is removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately. At the end of the reading of the Consent Calendar, Board members or members of the public can request that an item be removed for separate discussion.
4.1 Approve Minutes of February 27, 2025, Board Meeting.
4.2 Approve Disbursements Report.
4.3 Accept Financial Reports.
4.4 Reappoint Norman Bell to the Community Advisory Committee for a 2-Year Term Ending March 31, 2027.
4.5 Accept Community Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report.
4.6 Accept RCEA’s 2024 Supplier Diversity Report and 2025 Annual Plan.
4.7 Accept Quarterly Regulatory & Legislative Policy Engagement Report.
4.8 Approve Payment of California Community Choice Association Annual Dues up to $131,835 for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
4.9 Hold Regular RCEA Board Meetings:
With a Study Session on Affordability on April 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Center, 1000 B Street, Eureka, and
Beginning May 22, 2025, at Wharfinger Building Upstairs Great Room, 1 Marina Way, Eureka, at 3:30 p.m.
4.10 Approve Task Order Services Agreement with Schatz Energy Research Center for Programmatic Research and Development Technical Support Services For $250,000 Through June 2028 and Authorize the Executive Director to Execute All Applicable Documents.
5. REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Items removed from the Consent Calendar will be heard under this section.
COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY (CCE) BUSINESS (Confirm CCE Quorum) Items under this section of the agenda relate to CCE-specific business matters that fall under RCEA’s CCE voting provisions, with only CCE-participating jurisdictions voting on these matters with weighted voting as established in the RCEA joint powers agreement.
2 RCEA March 27, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
6. OLD CCE BUSINESS
6.1. Weighted CCE Voting
Accept updated and unchanged Community Choice Energy weighted Board vote distribution.
Provide guidance and input to staff on the Board discussion items as outlined in the CCE program voting memo.
7. NEW CCE BUSINESS – None.
END OF COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY (CCE) BUSINESS
8. OLD BUSINESS
8.1 RePower Humboldt, RCEA Strategic Plan Update
Receive staff presentations.
8.2 Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) Update Presentation Receive an update on the NREN program and approve the addition of a Demand Side Management Program Specialist to the RCEA organizational chart.
9. NEW BUSINESS
9.1 Annual Regulatory & Legislative Policy Platform Review and Federal Activity Update
Approve 2025 RCEA Policy Platform.
9.2 Update on Offshore Wind
Receive staff presentation and provide feedback.
10. STAFF REPORTS
10.1 Executive Director’s Report
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Any request that requires Board action will be set by the Board for a future agenda or referred to staff.
12. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, April 24, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Wharfinger Building downstairs Bay Room, 1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501 3 This page
intentionally
left blank.
4
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 1.1
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: RCEA Board of Directors
FROM: Eileen Verbeck, Deputy Executive Director
SUBJECT: Member Teleconference Participation
BACKGROUND
Since emergency Brown Act meeting law changes went into effect in 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the RCEA Board of Directors, Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and the subcommittees of those bodies met online with no physical, public meeting location.
Governor Newsom signed AB 361 into law in September 2021, which allowed these bodies to continue meeting completely virtually without publishing each member’s participation location while the COVID state of emergency continued and state or local officials recommended social distancing measures or the RCEA Board determined that meeting in person posed health and safety risks.
The COVID-19 State of Emergency ended on February 28, 2023, and RCEA Board and CAC meetings returned to meeting in-person at a physical location, with allowances under existing Brown Act rules or new AB 2449 Brown Act rules should a Board or CAC member need to participate from a remote location for certain reasons. If another state of emergency is declared, these bodies may be able to return to completely remote meetings.
SUMMARY
RCEA Board Directors may attend up to two meetings per year from a remote location without making the location accessible to the public for the following reasons:
1. “Just cause”
a. To provide childcare or caregiving need to a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner;
b. Due to a contagious illness that prevents the member from attending in-person; c. Due to a need related to a physical or mental disability as defined in Government Code sections 12926 and 12926.1 not otherwise accommodated; and d. Due to travel while on official business of the legislative body or another state or local agency.
2. “Emergency circumstance” due to a physical or family medical emergency that prevents the member from attending in person.
If a Board Director would like to attend the meeting remotely due to an emergency circumstance, the Board will take action by majority vote to approve the Director’s remote participation. A vote is not necessary for a request to attend remotely for just cause. A brief 5
description, protecting the Director’s (or Director’s family member’s) medical privacy, needs to be provided in both cases.
The remotely participating Board Director needs to publicly disclose at the meeting before any action (vote) is taken, whether anyone 18 years of age or older is present in the room at the remote location with the Director, and the general nature of the individual’s relationship with the Director.
If the Board Director anticipates needing to participate remotely for more than 2 meetings per year, staff recommends arranging for a publicly and ADA accessible space with visual and audio meeting capabilities from which to participate.
Staff asks to be notified one-week in advance, if possible, of remote meeting attendance so the Director’s publicly and ADA accessible remote meeting address can be published in the agenda, if required per Brown Act open meeting laws.
Current Remote Participation Requests
As of the writing of this staff report, there have been no remote director participation for “just cause” or “emergency circumstances” requests.
RECOMMENDED ACTION (if needed)
Approve teleconference participation request for this meeting by Director pursuant to Brown Act revisions of AB 2449 due to an emergency circumstance to be briefly described. 6 Redwood Coast Energy Authority
633 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 269-1700 Toll-Free (800) 931-7232 Fax: (707) 269-1777 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.redwoodenergy.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
Wharfinger Building, Bay Room February 27, 2025
1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501 Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
Chair Scott Bauer called a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority to order on the above date at 3:32 p.m. Notice of this meeting was posted on February 21, 2025.
PRESENT: Chair Scott Bauer, Michael Gerace, Skip Jorgensen, Alt. Dir. Cheryl Kelly, Alt.
Dir. Heidi Moore-Guynup, Elise Scafani, Sarah Schaefer, Frank Wilson, Alt. Dir. Mike Wilson.
ABSENT: Jerry King, Sheri Woo.
STAFF AND OTHERS PRESENT: Business Planning and Finance Director Lori Biondini, Executive Director Elizabeth Burks, Regulatory and Legislative Policy Manager Faith Carlson, Power Resources Director Richard Engel, The Energy Authority California Account Director Jaclyn Harr, Board Clerk Lori Taketa, Deputy Executive Director Eileen Verbeck.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Fortuna resident Dorre Howard submitted written comment opposing RCEA’s biomass contract with Humboldt Sawmill Company.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4.1 Approve Minutes of January 23, 2025, Board Meeting.
4.2 Approve Disbursements Report.
4.3 Accept Financial Reports.
4.4 Adjust RCEA Finance Committee Term Appointment Dates to End on February 28, 2026, to Simplify Mid-Year Budget Adjustment Meeting Scheduling.
M/S: Schaefer, Moore-Guynup: Approve Consent Calendar items.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Ayes: Bauer, Gerace, Jorgensen, Kelly, Moore-Guynup, Scafani, Schaefer, F. Wilson, M. Wilson. Noes: None. Absent: King, Woo. Abstain: None.
Chair Bauer confirmed that a Community Choice Energy (CCE) quorum was present.
OLD CCE BUSINESS
6.1. Energy Risk Management Semi-Annual Report
Business Development and Finance Director Biondini described how the CCE program’s risk management reports are semiannual to inform the Board’s annual budget setting and mid-year budget adjustment discussions. CCE revenues are higher than expected. Net power costs are less than forecast, largely because the Sandrini solar project now fulfils a large part of RCEA’s electricity needs at a fixed price. Power Resources Director Engel reported that PG&E’s electricity generation rate was higher than forecasted while the power charge indifference adjustment (investor-owned utility customer exit fee) was lower than forecasted, 7 RCEA February 27, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting DRAFT Minutes
resulting in higher RCEA revenues. The two-year cash projection is improved. Uncollected customer debt since the pandemic totals more than $7.9 million. Staff Dir. Engel explained how RCEA and PG&E handle customer debt and how RCEA budgets for uncollectible debt.
There were no public comments on this item.
M/S: M. Wilson, Jorgensen: Accept Energy Risk Management Semi-Annual Report.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Ayes: Bauer, Jorgensen, Kelly, Scafani, Schaefer, F. Wilson, M. Wilson. Noes: None. Absent: King, Woo. Abstain: None. Non-Voting: Gerace, Moore-Guynup.
NEW BUSINESS
9.1. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment
Deputy Executive Director Verbeck reported on proposed adjustments to the June 2024 Board-adopted budget, which was written when electricity market forecasts were less favorable, and program funding had not yet been received. Since the budget’s adoption, projected net revenues increased from negative $1.8 million (a budget shortfall) to positive $13.8 million, primarily due to initial receipt of Northern Regional Energy Network (NREN) funding and receipt of Sandrini Solar Project construction delay damages. Considering the improved net revenue projections, staff proposed reinstating funding for operations and programs that were cut in June, including unfreezing vacant staff positions, increasing electric vehicle rebate funding, and funding a cost-of-service rate analysis. The Finance Committee supported staff’s recommendation to: 1) keep renewable volumes currently in RCEA’s portfolio; and 2) not sell renewable energy products in excess of the state standards. These actions will not increase customer costs and will keep RCEA’s electricity portfolio at 82% renewable plus carbon free resources. With the proposed budget adjustments, RCEA should reach its reserve goal by early next fiscal year. Following the Board-adopted Reserve Policy, the Board may allocate funds in excess of the reserve target for bill credits or other programs after the reserve goal is maintained for 12 months. The directors expressed interest in investing reserves to generate funds for customer programs and to shelter the agency from market and policy volatility. There was interest in using reserve funds for a local bond to develop locally-owned and controlled resilience projects. Directors expressed hope that changing to cost of service rate setting would lead to customer bill savings and opt-ins. There were no public comments on this item.
M/S: Gerace, Moore-Guynup: Approve proposed changes to the RCEA Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Ayes: Bauer, Gerace, Jorgensen, Kelly, Moore-Guynup, Scafani, Schaefer, F. Wilson, M. Wilson. Noes: None. Absent: King, Woo. Abstain: None.
9.2. Federal Activity Update
Regulatory and Legislative Policy Manager Carlson reported on numerous, recent executive actions and their impacts on RCEA’s work. Staff expect slower implementation for energy efficiency rebates and incentives, slowed and higher-priced renewable energy development due to tariffs, and more difficulty for Humboldt County and other rural areas when pursuing federal funding. The Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty project is the most impacted RCEA project. Federal funding has been paused for the project’s microgrid development in 8 RCEA February 27, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting DRAFT Minutes
areas with unreliable or nonexistent electricity service. Executive Director Burks expressed to staff that the agency stands firm in its core values and mission. The directors requested updates on federal actions, their impacts and possible Board and staff action at each meeting, encouraged each other to share information from their contacts and to cooperate in enlisting strategic support at the regional and state levels. There were no public comments.
STAFF REPORTS
11.1 Executive Director’s Report (Information only)
Executive Director Burks interviewed all staff members and several Board directors as part of her onboarding process. Sheri Woo is now serving as Board Vice Chair. The April 24 Board meeting will focus on affordability issues. RCEA received 131 customer phone calls in January. Over half the callers wanted to discuss their high electricity bills. Twenty out of 25 callers who asked to opt out of RCEA service decided to remain after learning about what RCEA does and how to read their electricity bill. Staff postponed the CCE weighted vote discussion to March so the requesting director could be present. There were no public comments.
Chair Bauer adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m.
Lori Taketa
Board Clerk
9 This page
intentionally
left blank.
10 Accrual Basis Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Disbursements Report
As of January 31, 2025
Type Date Num Name Memo Amount
Liability Check 01/03/2025 ACH Ascensus Paydate 1/3/25 -13,934.79 Liability Check 01/03/2025 ACH EDD Paydate 1/3/25 -10,909.94 Liability Check 01/03/2025 ACH Internal Revenue Service Paydate 1/3/25 -34,897.57 Liability Check 01/03/2025 ACH Ascensus Paydate 1/3/25 -12,602.73 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 ACH CalCCA Operational Member dues Q3 FY 24/25 -28,094.00 Check 01/03/2025 19088 NEM Customer NEM Account Closeout-Reissued -249.36 Check 01/03/2025 19089 NEM Customer Special NEM Payout -714.92 Check 01/03/2025 19090 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 240521-2096 -50.00 Check 01/03/2025 19091 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241218-2362 -150.00 Check 01/03/2025 19092 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 240726-2165 -725.00 Check 01/03/2025 19093 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 240805-2174 -900.00 Check 01/03/2025 19094 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241018-2277 -1,012.50 Check 01/03/2025 19095 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 240808-2179 -1,050.00 Check 01/03/2025 19096 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 230914-1592 -1,650.00 Check 01/03/2025 19097 CCE Customer Res EVSE rebate #REVSE51 -297.96 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19098 Bidwell Consulting Services, Inc. Annual administration for 2024 -1,000.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19099 Braun Blaising & Wynne, P.C. Legal Services - Regulatory -Nov 2024 -351.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19100 Developed Employment Services, LLC. 805 3rd St. Yard work -116.34 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19101 Humboldt HyCycle Nov 2024: 1 E-Bike Voucher -500.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19102 Law Offices of Susie Berlin Nov 2024 Legal Services - RuralREN Support -212.50 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19103 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore ERC Membership + Liebert Library 2025 -6,050.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19104 Mission Linen & Uniform Service Dec 2024: 5 invoices -148.53 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19105 PG&E Office Utility 11/13-12/12/2024 utilities for 633 3rd Street -1,444.21 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19106 Quarles & Brady LLP Nov 2024 Legal Services for GRIP Award -2,537.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19107 Security Lock & Alarm 633 3rd St: Service Call for Keypad -78.74 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19108 Times Printing Company Qty 99 Holiday Postcards -260.47 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19109 Times Printing Company Dec 2024: Late Notice invoices -619.38 Bill Pmt -Check 01/03/2025 19110 Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce 2025 Annual Membership -150.00 Paycheck 01/03/2025 ACH Employees Paydate 1/3/25 -87,027.16 Bill Pmt -Check 01/15/2025 ACH The Energy Authority TEA Invoice #TEA 122024 Dec 2024 -3,772,672.39 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 ACH Leapfrog Power, Inc Dec 2024 RA Invoice -36,740.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 ACH Sonoma Clean Power Authority Dec 2024 - Flex RA sale - Monthly -261,000.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 ACH Viridity Energy Solutions, Inc. Tierra Buena RA-December 2024 -16,900.00 Liability Check 01/17/2025 ACH Ascensus Paydate 1/17/25 -14,048.08 Liability Check 01/17/2025 ACH EDD Paydate 1/17/25 -10,207.65 Liability Check 01/17/2025 ACH Internal Revenue Service Paydate 1/17/25 -35,801.49 Liability Check 01/17/2025 ACH Ascensus Paydate 1/17/25 -12,785.25 Check 01/17/2025 ACH VISA VISA 2291: Stmt 11/21/2024-12/19/2024 -16,710.92 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 WIRE PG&E Voluntary Allocation July 2024 Forecast Price- VA -220,671.04 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19111 Adventures Edge Nov 2024: 1 E-Bike Voucher -350.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19112 AT&T RCAM Router charges 11/19-12/18/24 -163.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19113 AT&T RCAM charges: 12/29-01/28/25 -930.80 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19114 AT&T Long Distance Phone charges 12/25 - 01/24/2025 -126.24 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19115 Baker Tilly US, LLP Audit services - period ending 12/31/24 -16,532.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19116 Burks, E. Per Diem Meals: Lobby Day 2025 -142.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19117 Busick, B. Dec 2024 Mileage Reimb -44.15 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19118 City of Arcata Dec 2024 Utility User Tax -16,065.75 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19119 City of Arcata Dec 2024 Excessive Energy Use Tax -2,348.29
11 Accrual Basis Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Disbursements Report
As of January 31, 2025
Type Date Num Name Memo Amount
Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19120 City of Eureka-Water Dec 2024 charges -337.84 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19121 Engel, R. Calpine Tour: Per Diem Meals 1/22-1/23/25 -104.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19122 Frontier Energy, Inc. NREN Program Consulting - Nov 2024 -8,821.75 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19123 Gwynn, J. Calpine Tour: Per Diem Meals 1/22-1/23/25 -104.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19124 HSU - Sponsored Programs Foundation RCAM O&M services -4,057.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19125 Humboldt Bay Coffee Co. Office coffee -83.25 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19126 Law Offices of Nancy Diamond Dec 2024 legal services -9,665.60 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19127 N.E.R.D Scooters 2024: 3 E-Bike Vouchers -2,100.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19128 North Coast Cleaning Services, Inc. 633 and 917 monthly cleaning -1,090.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19129 Quest VEEAM Backup License: 1 yr for 5 users -355.91 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19130 Recology Humboldt County Act 061371327, 917 3rd St. Dec 2024 -74.54 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19131 Recology Humboldt County Act 060703330, 633 3rd St. Dec 2024 -110.05 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19132 Rennie, J Mileage reimbursement - Dec 2024 -69.68 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19133 SDRMA P&L Additional Insured Cert: State of CA -47.50 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19134 Security Lock & Alarm 633 3rd St: Service Call for Keypad -70.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19135 Times Printing Company Mailer printing and postage -257.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19136 Ubeo Business Services 633 3rd St Printer Charges: 12/06-01/05/25 -179.65 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19137 Verbeck, E. Per Diem Meals: Lobby Day 2025 -142.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19138 Wavelength Automation LLC CapitolTrack Lite Subscription: 2025 -1,164.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/17/2025 19139 Yakovleva, Vera A. Per Diem Meals: Lobby Day 2025 -178.00 Check 01/17/2025 19140 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Yearly Payout: Reissued -3,436.03 Check 01/17/2025 19141 NEM Customer 2023 NEM Yearly Payout: Reissued -320.82 Check 01/17/2025 19142 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -442.85 Check 01/17/2025 19143 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -424.97 Check 01/17/2025 19144 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -350.44 Check 01/17/2025 19145 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -232.78 Check 01/17/2025 19146 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -180.43 Check 01/17/2025 19147-19177 NEM Customers NEM Account Closeouts -5,299.87 Paycheck 01/17/2025 ACH Employees Paydate 1/17/2025 -89,456.87 Check 01/22/2025 Debit Umpqua Bank Service Charge -275.79 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 WIRE EDPR CA Solar Park LLC II Test Energy-30 days -572,623.32 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19178 Advanced Security 1/10-3/31/25 Security Monitoring -259.68 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19179 Carter Properties 917 3rd Street Office Lease - Feb 2025 -2,375.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19180 Hooven & Reese, Inc. NCREN EVSE project -Carlson Park -3,449.12 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19181 Keyes & Fox, LLP Sept 2024 legal services-RA -290.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19182 Local Worm Guy Dec 2024 Compost service 633 & 917 3rd St -96.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19183 PG&E - ACV RCAM site utilities 11/23-12/24/2024 -301.22 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19184 PG&E EV Account REVNet utilities 12/01-01/01/2025 -1,772.83 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19185 PG&E Office Utility 12/05-1/05/2024 utilities for 917 3rd Street -646.09 Bill Pmt -Check 01/24/2025 19186 Winzler, John Office Lease - 633 3rd St. Feb 2025 -7,946.31 Bill Pmt -Check 01/27/2025 ACH Snow Mountain Hydro, LLC Dec 2024 Electricity Generation -98,308.14 Bill Pmt -Check 01/27/2025 ACH The Energy Authority CAISO Invoice #CISO012225-JAN -25,678.92 Bill Pmt -Check 01/28/2025 ACH The Energy Authority Special Invoice- Capacity Sales Dec 2024 -21,435.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/28/2025 WIRE EDPR CA Solar Park LLC II Dec 2024-Contract Energy -211,095.71 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 ACH CA Dept. of Tax & Fee Administration Electrical Energy Surcharge Return Q4 2024 -38,354.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 ACH CalPine Corporation Calpine Dec 2024 Costs -63,652.21 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 ACH Viridity Energy Solutions, Inc. Tierra Buena RA-Jan 2025 -16,900.00 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH Ascensus 1/31/25 Payroll -14,020.15
12 Accrual Basis Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Disbursements Report
As of January 31, 2025
Type Date Num Name Memo Amount
Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH CICCS Coalition for Controlling Insurance Jan 2025 Premiums -66.98 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH Colonial Life Feb 2025 Premiums -4,693.35 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH EDD 1/31/25 Payroll -9,790.68 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH Internal Revenue Service 1/31/25 Payroll -38,981.55 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH Keenan Feb 2025 Premiums -47,189.15 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH Principal Life Insurance Company Feb 2025 Premiums -131.24 Liability Check 01/31/2025 ACH Ascensus 1/31/25 Payroll -12,807.51 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19187 Advanced Display & Signs Qty 2 Parking signs for 805 3rd St Land -308.05 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19188 Arcata Technology Center Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -514.83 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19189 AT&T RCAM charges: 01/07-02/06/25 -330.21 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19190 Bidwell Consulting Services, Inc. Service fees for 401a and 457b plans for 2022 -9,310.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19191 Blue Lake Rancheria Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -789.74 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19192 Chargepoint Qty 10, 3-year cloud plans- end date 02/13/2028 -9,960.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19193 City of Arcata Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -1,229.63 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19194 City of Blue Lake Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -767.37 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19195 City of Eureka - REVNet Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -799.85 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19196 City of Eureka - Wharfinger Venue Rental: Staff Meeting 1/9/25 -165.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19197 City of Trinidad Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -408.03 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19198 Developed Employment Services, LLC. 805 3rd St. Yard work -116.34 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19199 Engel, R. Calpine Tour: Transportation 1/22-1/24/25 -73.87 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19200 Frontier Energy, Inc. NREN Program Consulting - Dec 2024 -16,835.50 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19201 Hilson, D. Dec 2024 & Jan 2025 Mileage Reimb. -112.34 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19202 Law Offices of Susie Berlin Dec 2024 Legal Services - RuralREN Support -680.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19203 Marin Esther Photography RCEA Headshots (6hrs) -2,700.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19204 Mission Linen & Uniform Service Jan 2025: 5 invoices -314.19 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19205 North Coast Unified Air Quality Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -838.67 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19206 NYLEX.net, Inc. Onsite network support services - Feb 2025 -4,059.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19207 Open Door Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -1,158.83 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19208 Pacific Paper Company Office Supplies: PR 2025-01_LR -69.66 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19209 PG&E CCA Dec 2024 Billing services -21,600.25 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19210 PG&E Office Utility 12/13-01/13/2025 utilities for 633 3rd Street -1,491.61 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19211 Premier Financial Group, Inc. Advisory Fee for Q1 2025 -6,069.54 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19212 St. Joseph Hospital, Eureka Site Host Reimbursement 10/01-12/31/2024 -2,795.71 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19213 The Engine is Red Dec 2024: NREN marketing services -28,050.00 Bill Pmt -Check 01/31/2025 19214 Times Printing Company Dec 2024 Move-in mailers -1,369.40 Liability Check 01/31/2025 19215 Air Med Care Invoice # 24736-01242025 -52.00 Liability Check 01/31/2025 19216 Ameritas - Dental Feb 2025 Premiums -2,850.44 Liability Check 01/31/2025 19217 Ameritas - Vision Feb 2025 Premiums -517.84 Check 01/31/2025 19218 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -241115-2317 -100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19219 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -241209-2348 -100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19220 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -241211-2351 -100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19221 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -241121-2332 -100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19222 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241230-2374 -100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19223 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241231-2377 -100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19224 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241226-2369 -150.00 Check 01/31/2025 19225 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241118-2320 -150.00 Check 01/31/2025 19226 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241212-2353 -250.00 Check 01/31/2025 19227 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 250110-2383 -350.00
13 Accrual Basis Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Disbursements Report
As of January 31, 2025
Type Date Num Name Memo Amount
Check 01/31/2025 19228 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241230-2376 -400.00 Check 01/31/2025 19229 CCE Customer CCE Equipment Rebate -Res 241227-2371 -400.00 Check 01/31/2025 19230 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241217-2360 -700.00 Check 01/31/2025 19231 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241003-2260 -700.00 Check 01/31/2025 19232 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 250110-2382 -700.00 Check 01/31/2025 19233 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241119-2327 -800.00 Check 01/31/2025 19234 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241122-2333 -825.00 Check 01/31/2025 19235 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241005-2262 -875.00 Check 01/31/2025 19236 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241227-2373 -975.00 Check 01/31/2025 19237 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 240917-2233 -975.00 Check 01/31/2025 19238 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 230824-1540 -1,025.00 Check 01/31/2025 19239 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241231-2378 -1,050.00 Check 01/31/2025 19240 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 240910-2225 -1,050.00 Check 01/31/2025 19241 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241230-2375 -1,100.00 Check 01/31/2025 19242 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241118-2321 -1,250.00 Check 01/31/2025 19243 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 250110-2381 -1,325.00 Check 01/31/2025 19244 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241122-2335 -1,350.00 Check 01/31/2025 19245 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241220-2367 -1,650.00 Check 01/31/2025 19246 CCE Customer CCE Heat Pump Rebate -Res 241221-2368 -1,975.00 Check 01/31/2025 19247 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Yearly Payout-Reissued -98.09 Check 01/31/2025 19248 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -271.11 Check 01/31/2025 19249 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -509.04 Check 01/31/2025 19250 NEM Customer 2024 NEM Payout-Transitional -195.12 Paycheck 01/31/2025 ACH Employees Paydate 1/31/2025 -96,182.21 TOTAL -6,198,488.40
14 Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual
July 2024 through January 2025
Jul '24 - Jan 25 Budget % of Budget
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Total 4 GRANTS AND DONATIONS 600.00 0.00 100.0%
5 REVENUE EARNED
Total 5000 · Revenue - government agencies 4,963,911.86 8,502,834.00 58.38% Total 5100 · Revenue - program related 5,922,938.86 5,950,888.00 99.53% Total 5300 · Revenue - interest on deposits 808.56 0.00 100.0% Total 5400 · Revenue-nongovernment agencies 242,739.50 501,000.00 48.45% Total 5500 · Revenue - Electricity Sales 40,813,397.22 80,442,685.00 50.74% Total 5 REVENUE EARNED 51,943,796.00 95,397,407.00 54.45% Total Income 51,944,396.00 95,397,407.00 54.45%
Gross Profit 51,944,396.00 95,397,407.00 54.45%
Expense
Total 6 WHOLESALE POWER SUPPLY 35,941,299.19 64,768,112.00 55.49% Total 7 PERSONNEL EXPENSES 2,720,532.63 5,388,452.00 50.49% Total 8.1 FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS 537,379.10 1,152,207.00 46.64% Total 8.2 COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH 99,658.32 276,200.00 36.08%
8.4 PROFESSIONAL & PROGRAM SRVS
8400 · Regulatory 75,519.77 164,300.00 45.97%
Total 8410 · Contracts - Program Related Services 235,068.09 6,015,634.00 3.91% 8420 · Accounting 68,334.00 290,000.00 23.56%
8430 · Legal 71,376.20 280,000.00 25.49%
8450 · Wholesale Services - TEA 501,875.83 875,603.00 57.32% 8460 · Procurement Credit - TEA 82,748.58 150,000.00 55.17% 8470 · Data Management - Calpine 446,493.94 855,276.00 52.21% 8480 · Customer Billing - PG&E 151,396.28 272,714.00 55.52% Total 8.4 PROFESSIONAL & PROGRAM SRVS 1,632,812.69 8,903,527.00 18.34% Total 8.6 INCENTIVES & REBATES 138,434.57 965,605.00 14.34% Total 9 NON OPERATING COSTS 64,427.92 129,000.00 49.94% Total Expense 41,134,544.42 81,583,103.00 50.42%
Net Ordinary Income 10,809,851.58 13,814,304.00 78.25%
Net Income 10,809,851.58 13,814,304.00 78.25%
15 Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Balance Sheet
As of January 31, 2025
Jan 31, 25
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking/Savings
1010 · Petty Cash 300.00
1060 · Umpqua Checking Acct 0560 1,703,974.74
1071 · Umpqua Deposit Cntrol Acct 8215 5,855,391.71
1075 · Umpqua Reserve Account 2300 27,000,000.00
1077 · JP Morgan Chase Act 74999 399,967.48
Total Checking/Savings 34,959,633.93
Total Accounts Receivable 2,503,005.01
Other Current Assets
1101 · Allowance for Doubtful Accounts -10,040,269.42
1103 · Accounts Receivable-Other 17,997,684.81
1120 · Inventory Asset 18,614.90
1205 · Prepaid Insurance 53,033.15
1210 · Retentions Receivable 28,995.93
1499 · Undeposited Funds 900.00
Total Other Current Assets 8,058,959.37
Total Current Assets 45,521,598.31
Total Fixed Assets 10,014,265.19
Other Assets
1700 · Security Deposits 4,202,212.42
Total Other Assets 4,202,212.42
TOTAL ASSETS 59,738,075.92
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Total Accounts Payable 5,197,805.83
Total Credit Cards 11,390.84
Other Current Liabilities
2002 · Deposits Refundable 1,013,130.01
2011 · NEM Escrow Liability 195,599.22
Total 2100 · Payroll Liabilities 191,823.88
Total 2200 · Accrued Expenses 16,097.63
2215 · Lease Liability - Current 123,444.15
Total Other Current Liabilities 1,540,094.89
Total Current Liabilities 6,749,291.56
Total Long Term Liabilities 6,113,788.73
Total Liabilities 12,863,080.29
Equity
3900 · Fund Balance 36,065,144.05
Net Income 10,809,851.58
Total Equity 46,874,995.63
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY 59,738,075.92
16
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.4
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Lori Taketa, Clerk of the Board
SUBJECT: Community Advisory Committee Arcata Appointment
BACKGROUND
RCEA‘s Board established the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to support RCEA public engagement efforts and provide decision-making support and input. In their advisory and outreach capacities, CAC members suggested standardized home energy efficiency kit contents to staff, provided feedback from a range of perspectives on accepting the Diablo Canyon nuclear allocation, and continue to educate Humboldt County residents about RCEA programs.
Under current appointment procedures, each Board member nominates one CAC member. The County representative may recommend three members to accommodate outlying or unincorporated communities. Five of the CAC’s Board member-nominated seats are currently vacant. Two have been vacant for two years.
SUMMARY
Director Schaefer (Arcata) recommends Norman Bell to serve another 2-year term ending March 31, 2027. Dr. Bell is a pediatrician at the Arcata Community Health Center.
Representing Jurisdiction Member Name Term Expiration
At-Large Colin Fiske 3/31/2026
At-Large Pliny McCovey 3/31/2026
Appointed Members
Arcata Norman Bell 3/31/2025
Blue Lake Kit Mann 3/31/2027
Blue Lake Rancheria Vacancy 3/31/2026
County 1 Luna Latimer 3/31/2027
County 2 Vacancy 3/31/2027
County 3 Benjamin Fordham 3/31/2026
Eureka Deborah Dukes 3/31/2027
Ferndale Dennis Leonardi, V. Chair 3/31/2026
Fortuna Vacancy 3/31/2026
HBMWD Ethan Lawton, Chair 3/31/2026
Rio Dell Vacancy 3/31/2026
Trinidad Richard Johnson 3/31/2027
Yurok Tribe Vacancy 3/31/2026
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
17
The CAC’s current work focus is to support RCEA public engagement efforts and provide decision-making support and input to the Board for the successful implementation of the agency’s work goals outlined in the RePower Humboldt strategic plan.
EQUITY IMPACTS
The CAC supports implementation of RePower Humboldt strategic plan goals. Membership may help benefit underserved population segments, promote racially-diverse inclusion in energy infrastructure or policy decision making, access to energy, energy efficiency services and freedom from pollution. Staff recommends considering these goals as well as Committee member diversity and inclusion when appointing members to fill these vacancies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
CAC membership administration is a budgeted staff expense.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Reappoint Norman Bell to the Community Advisory Committee Arcata seat for a term ending March 31, 2027.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
18
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.5
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Elizabeth Burks, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Community Advisory Committee Annual Report and 2024 Work Goals
BACKGROUND
RCEA‘s Board established the Citizens’ Advisory Committee in 2016 to plan and conduct workshops to educate the public about the then-proposed Community Choice Energy (CCE) program, synthesize public feedback and develop program implementation recommendations for the RCEA Board. After the CCE program launch, the Board voted to continue the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to support RCEA public engagement efforts and provide decision-making support and input.
In July 2021, the CAC agreed to report the group’s past year accomplishments and upcoming year goals annually to the RCEA Board of Directors to organize the CAC’s efforts within RCEA’s work goals and help the Board thoughtfully utilize the committee as a resource. In November 2022, the Committee extended the goal setting process to every two years, with possible adjustments at the midway point.
SUMMARY
The attached annual report highlights the group’s work in 2024. The CAC’s work goals remain unchanged from 2023, largely due to staff changes and alignment of earlier committee goals with departed staff’s assignments. Staff recommend the CAC and Board re-evaluate the committee’s work goals and focus later this year to best enlist the CAC’s efforts with current agency capacity.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
The CAC’s work focus is to support RCEA public engagement efforts and provide decision-making support and input to the Board for the successful implementation of the agency’s work goals outlined in the RePower Humboldt strategic plan.
EQUITY IMPACTS
The CAC membership furthers implementation of RePower Humboldt strategic plan goals and have opportunities to benefit underserved population segments, promote racially-diverse inclusion in energy infrastructure or policy decision making, access to energy, energy efficiency services and freedom from pollution. Staff recommends considering these goals as well as the involvement of as many different community groups as possible when appointing members to fill CAC vacancies.
19
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Support for CAC activities have occurred within budgeted staffing expenses.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Accept Community Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report.
ATTACHMENTS
• RCEA Community Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report
20 Redwood Coast Energy Authority
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2024 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE RCEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 2025
The Community Advisory Committee meets every other month, supports RCEA public engagement efforts and provides decision-making support and input to the RCEA Board. 2024 Committee Members Representing Jurisdiction: Term Expiration Norman Bell Arcata March 2025
Deborah Dukes Eureka March 2025
Colin Fiske At-Large March 2026
Benjamin Fordham County 3 (McKinleyville Area) March 2026 Christopher Honar, Chair County 2 (Southern Humboldt) March 2025 Richard Johnson Trinidad March 2025
Luna Latimer County 1 (Eastern Humboldt) March 2025
Ethan Lawton, V. Chair Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District March 2026 Dennis Leonardi Ferndale March 2026
Kit Mann Blue Lake March 2025
Pliny McCovey At-Large March 2026
Michael Shackelford Blue Lake Rancheria March 2026
Vacancy Fortuna March 2026
Vacancy Rio Dell March 2025
Vacancy Yurok Tribe March 2026
Other 2024 Members:
Elizabeth Burks Fortuna, January-October
Larry Goldberg At-Large, January-March
Emily Morris At-Large, January-March
Jerome Qiriazi County 2, January-March
Jeff Trirogoff At-Large, January-March
Committee Liaison:
Eileen Verbeck, Deputy Executive Director
I. ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Dennis Leonardi and Jerome Qiriazi served as Chair and Vice Chair through the March CAC meeting. Chris Honar and Ethan Lawton were elected to serve as Chair and Vice Chair in May 2024.
21 The Committee heard updates and received training on:
a. California open meeting laws, the Public Records Act transparency law, conflicts of interest, ethical public service conduct and Statements of Economic Interest. b. The Income Graduated Fixed Charge
c. The Board’s decision to temporarily pause renewable energy procurement aimed at achieving 100% renewable and carbon-free energy by 2025, and market and regulatory factors informing the Board’s decision
d. The potential Cost-of-Service rate calculation change e. How to use social media to support RCEA public engagement efforts.
The Committee provided input and recommendations to the Board on:
a. Electricity rate increase public messaging on RCEA’s website b. RCEA’s 2024 Regulatory and Legislative Policy Platform c. The RCEA contract with Humboldt Sawmill Company (Due to lack of consensus on a recommendation, a summary of dissenting views was presented to the Board.) d. An RCEA pilot battery storage rebate program
e. A standardized Residential Energy Efficiency Kit (Feedback was provided directly to the Community Strategies Team and the overseeing Demand-Side Management program Technician.)
f. The Diablo Canyon nuclear allocation.
The CAC ad hoc subcommittees accomplished the following in 2024:
(Former subcommittee members’ names are italicized.)
Bond Subcommittee (Staff Liaison: Interim Executive Director Eileen Verbeck) Members: Colin Fiske, Richard Johnson, Elizabeth Burks, Larry Goldberg, Jeff Trirogoff This subcommittee was not engaged in 2024. In January 2023, the CAC recommended that the Board direct staff to issue a request for proposals for bond development and issuance services to identify suitable financing mechanism(s) for one or more of the subcommittee’s previously shortlisted projects, allowing for additional projects to be determined at a later date, and prioritizing projects with community investment pathways. The Board approved issuing the RFP in February 2023. The RFP for bond development and issuance has not yet been released.
Climate Action Plan Outreach Subcommittee (Staff Liaison: Interim Executive Director Eileen Verbeck)
Members: Richard Johnson, Ethan Lawton, Michael Shackelford, Elizabeth Burks, Larry Goldberg, Jerome Qiriazi
22 a. This subcommittee was not engaged in 2024. Instead, the entire CAC was invited to promote and provide input on the Regional Climate Action Plan during its 30-day public review period. Some CAC members also attended the County’s CAP public information meeting in September.
b. Next steps: RCEA will determine what resources can be dedicated to CAP outreach; RCEA and the County will jointly develop a CAP outreach proposal; the ad hoc subcommittee will provide input on this proposal.
Critical Facilities (and At-Risk Communities) Subcommittee (Staff liaison: Juliette Bohn) Members: Luna Latimer, Dennis Leonardi, Pliny McCovey, Jerome Qiriazi, Jeff Trirogoff This subcommittee was not engaged in 2024.
Customer Programs Outreach Subcommittee (Staff Liaison: DSM Director Kullmann) Members: Deborah Dukes, Luna Latimer, Dennis Leonardi, Kit Mann, Michael Shackelford, Jeff Trirogoff
Subcommittee members participated in a workshop with local solar installers to provide feedback on proposed RCEA battery storage rebates to address the state’s changes to the net energy metering program. Further input was gathered from the entire CAC and a pilot program recommendation was forwarded to the Board.
McKinleyville - Arcata Major Project Subcommittee (Staff Liaison: Interim Executive Director Eileen Verbeck)
Members: Colin Fiske, Chris Honar, Richard Johnson
a. In 2023, the subcommittee met and helped decide on follow-up actions to be performed by staff on the following community projects:
i. Life Plan Humboldt, We Are Up, ADU Policy Development ii. McKinleyville Town Center
iii. Arcata Gateway Project
iv. Humboldt Bay Harbor Port Development
v. Eureka Parking Lot Housing Projects
b. Staff work on these projects will resume as staffing capacity allows.
Off-Grid Cannabis Greenhouse Gas Impact Subcommittee (Staff Liaison: Juliette Bohn, Infrastructure Programs Manager)
Members: Chris Honar, Larry Goldberg, Jeff Trirogoff
a. The CAC formed this ad hoc subcommittee at its January 2023 meeting with the following work scope:
1. Arrange partnership with Cal Poly Humboldt to quantify off-grid cannabis cultivation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
23 2. Monitor the County’s off-grid cannabis renewable energy fuel switching program.
3. Develop innovative ways to encourage off-grid gas and diesel fuel use reduction.
4. Include non-funded ways (e.g. education, project support) to reduce diesel use.
5. Include non-cannabis grower generator users.
6. Focus on Southern Humboldt to intersect with grid upgrade planning. b. Due to staff capacity constraints and resource considerations to not duplicate work already being done through Climate Action Plan studies or through projects addressing Southern Humboldt grid issues, staff has not met with this ad hoc subcommittee.
Offshore Wind Outreach Subcommittee (Staff Liaison: unassigned) Members: Norman Bell, Dennis Leonardi, Kit Mann, Elizabeth Burks, Larry Goldberg, Emily Morris, Jeff Trirogoff
a. Staff reported on their visit to Massachusetts’ working offshore wind areas. b. Staff will engage the CAC and subcommittee on offshore wind public education and as a sounding board for public concerns.
c. Staff is waiting until the County of Humboldt and CORE Hub determine their role in educational and outreach material development before re-engaging the subcommittee.
The subcommittee will be asked to help develop RCEA messaging and education materials to complement the County’s and CORE Hub’s efforts.
II. GOALS FOR 2025
The Committee conducts its goal setting process every odd-numbered year and makes adjustments as needed at the midway point as work is accomplished and new opportunities for CAC engagement arise. The work goals below involve long project trajectories and the CAC decided to continue work on the 2023 goal list in 2024. Staff recommends continuing the goals through 2025, with a mid-year review after the new RCEA Executive Director has started.
a. Help guide community outreach and messaging for RCEA programs. b. Monitor and advocate for implementation of RePower Humboldt Comprehensive Action Plan for Energy goals and notify staff of community activities and projects that may have significant impact on the ability to reach these goals. c. Support and help guide offshore wind energy community outreach. d. Provide input on the development of new and expanding RCEA customer programs. 24 e. Assist with identifying and prioritizing critical facilities and at-risk communities that would benefit from enhanced energy resilience infrastructure, including future microgrid deployment and/or facility-level renewable back-up power systems. f. Finalize recommendations to the RCEA Board and County Board of Supervisors for energy-project bond and/or alternative financing opportunities, support any resulting implementation efforts as appropriate.
g. Help facilitate community input on the finalization and adoption of the Humboldt Regional Climate Action Plan.
25 This page
intentionally
left blank.
26
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.6
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Faith Carlson, Regulatory and Legislative Policy Manager SUBJECT: RCEA 2024 Supplier Diversity Report & 2025 Annual Plan
BACKGROUND
What is Supplier Diversity?
Supplier Diversity is a program regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with the goal to increase procurement from women, minority, disabled veteran, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) business enterprises, or more concisely Diverse Business Enterprises (DBEs), with optional reporting on procurement from local and small businesses.
Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) must annually submit Supplier Diversity Reports with a summary of actions and procurement spending for the past year and an implementation plan for the following year.
History of the Program
The Supplier Diversity Program was established in 1988 by Assembly Bill 3678, which declared that California's competitive market economy would flourish if diverse business enterprises had equal opportunity to participate. Following AB 3678’s enactment, the CPUC issued General Order 156 (GO156), which laid out specific rules for IOUs to follow to increase DBE procurement.
Senate Bill 255 in 2019 extended the reporting requirements to CCAs. CCAs were obligated to submit Supplier Diversity Reports starting in 2021.
A 2024 CPUC decision added additional requirements: including existing publicly available non-confidential data on workforce diversity, a summary of workforce diversity and inclusion initiatives, and a brief description of Board diversity.
Following the 2024 decision, Senate Bill 1177 was passed, resulting in new subcontractor reporting requirements in next year’s report.
This year’s Supplier Diversity report captures the additional requested workforce and Board diversity data, general agency inclusion initiatives, as well as supplier diversity data. 27
A note on compliance with the program and with Prop 209 As a public agency, RCEA must comply with Prop 209, which prohibits public agencies from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, and public contracting.
We may promote diverse spending by sharing RCEA contract solicitations on platforms that encourage DBEs to respond, such as the CPUC’s Supplier Clearinghouse database, though ultimately status as a DBE does not affect a respondent’s likelihood of selection.
SUMMARY
RCEA’s Supplier Diversity activity highlights in 2024:
• External Activities
o Tribal Engagement
Grant funding applications and implementation
Staff support for tribal elder housing microgrid feasibility studies o Small, Local, and Diverse Businesses
Engagement and event sponsorship with Black Humboldt
E-bike program designed to support local purchases
EV rebate designed to support in-state purchases
Community benefits agreements associated with power procurement o Outreach and Community Engagement
Increased outreach from Community Strategies Department New website launch
Community event tabling
Educational workshops and webinars for homeowners and contractors Membership in local chambers of commerce
o Collaboration with External Equity Organizations
Membership in statewide equity working groups
Active engagement with local organizations
Approval of Northern Rural Energy Network
Participation in statewide equity events
• Internal Program Activities
o Annual Supplier Diversity training with staff
o Updated applicant screening process to promote equitable hiring o Development of Supplier Diversity Report and Plan
Planned Activities for Next Calendar Year
RCEA’s planned activities for 2025 are largely the same as 2024. New or notably revised 2025 activities include:
• Expanding outreach and education through more frequent workshops and trainings • Promotion of other CCA-led Supplier Diversity efforts • Increased Spanish translation services
• Voluntary Supplier Diversity survey for vendors to identify sub-contractor Supplier Diversity eligibility
28
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
• 1.1.1 Attract Energy-related Business.
• 1.4.8 Develop Programs that Foster Social Equity. Identify, fund, and establish new programs that address the energy needs of the least advantaged and underserved members of our community.
• All of 1.5 Education strategies, including providing education in energy efficiency, conservation and electrification, and training to energy professionals. • 4.1.1 Maximize the Use of Local Renewable Energy to the Extent Technically and Economically Feasible and Prudent.
• 4.1.5 Ensure Diversity in Local Sources.
• 4.1.8.2 Procure Local Solar Energy.
EQUITY IMPACTS
Complies with all of RCEA’s Racial Justice Plan initiatives.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
RCEA’s 2024 procurement totals were:
• $41,208 from diverse suppliers
• $48,457 from small businesses
• $7,240,757 local businesses.
Program administration expenses totaled $6,267.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Accept RCEA’s 2024 Supplier Diversity Report and 2025 Annual Plan.
ATTACHMENTS
RCEA’s 2024 Supplier Diversity Report and 2025 Annual Plan 29 This page
intentionally
left blank.
30 Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s
Supplier Diversity
2024 Annual Report
& 2025 Annual Plan
Report to the California Public Utilities Commission
March 1, 2025
633 3rd Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Telephone: 707-269-1700
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.RedwoodEnergy.org/supplier-diversity/
31 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2024 ANNUAL REPORT ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
9.1.1 – Description of Supplier Diversity Program Activities During the Previous Calendar Year............................................................... 3 External Program Activities In 2024 ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Internal Program Activities In 2024 ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Workforce Data.............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Self-reported CCA Board Member Demographics ......................................................................................................................... 9
9.1.2 – Supplier Diversity Results of Goods and Services (Non-Power Purchases) if Procured.............................................................. 10 RCEA’s Small and Local Vendors .................................................................................................................................................11
9.1.2 – Description of Diverse Suppliers with Majority Workforce in California ........................................................................................ 12
9.1.3 – Supplier Diversity Program Expense............................................................................................................................................ 13
9.1.5 – Description of Prime Contractors Utilization of Diverse Subcontractors....................................................................................... 13
9.1.5 – New Diverse Prime and Subcontractor Utilization........................................................................................................................ 14
9.1.6 – List of Supplier Diversity Complaints Received and Current Status............................................................................................. 14
9.1.9 – Description of Supplier Diversity Activities and Progress in Power (Energy) Procurement .......................................................... 15
9.1.9 – Supplier Diversity Results in Power (Energy) Procurement ......................................................................................................... 16 2025 ANNUAL PLAN .............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
10.2 – Description of Supplier Diversity Program Activities Planned for the Next Calendar Year ............................................................ 17 Planned External Program Activities For 2025............................................................................................................................. 17 Planned Internal Program Activities For 2025.............................................................................................................................. 19
10.2 – Plans to Encourage Prime Contractors to Subcontract Small, Local, and Diverse Businesses .................................................... 19 32 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 3
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s (RCEA) Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program started serving load to Humboldt County in May 2017 for the express purpose of empowering its member communities to choose the generation resources that reflect their specific values and needs. Chief among these needs identified through community workshops and input to RCEA’s Board of Directors are affordability, local economic development, local control over power resources and generation rates, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, air quality, protection of natural resources, and energy reliability in rural Humboldt County, an area especially prone to extended electric outages.
2024 marks the fifth year for RCEA’s participation in the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Supplier Diversity Program.
Several highlights from RCEA’s 2024 supplier diversity activities include increased engagement with our community and collaborations with equity organizations, implementation of several community projects, an increase in the proportion of procurement with small and local businesses, representing 41% of total procurement, and continuity in contracting and spend with the three certified diverse businesses from the previous year. RCEA is thankful for the opportunity to continue participating in this and other programs in our community to expand equity.
9.1.1 – Description of Supplier Diversity Program Activities During the Previous Calendar Year
In 2024, RCEA made progress toward the goals set in the Annual Plan submitted last reporting cycle. 2024 activities and a description of progress are provided below.
External Program Activities In 2024
As reported in previously filed Supplier Diversity reports, the RCEA Board of Directors adopted a Resolution in 2020 that made a commitment to racial justice. In October 2022, the Board adopted the RCEA Racial Justice Plan, which established a plan of action for ongoing work toward increasing diversity and equity in RCEA’s hiring practices, governance, workplace culture, program development, and program delivery. RCEA recognizes that access to energy, energy efficiency, freedom from pollution and a role in the renewable 33 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 4
energy transition intimately affect economic and personal health outcomes. RCEA strives to serve everyone in the Humboldt County community more equitably. Throughout the course of 2024, RCEA has made progress on many of the components identified in the Racial Justice Plan.
Tribal Engagement
RCEA's service area is home to several California Tribes, namely the Big Lagoon Rancheria, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Resighini Rancheria, Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, Wiyot Tribe and the Yurok Tribe. Because of this, many of the programs RCEA implements in the community serve Tribal members and Tribally-owned businesses and entities.
The Racial Justice Plan goals related to Tribes are to strive to include Tribal representation, including Board representation, expand work with local Tribes on program development, customer outreach, and policy setting, and expand efforts to identify opportunities to collaborate with local Tribes as partners on sustainable energy initiatives.
RCEA has made progress this year in implementation of a $3,000,000 award to begin design, solicitation, and contracting to construct resilient energy systems consisting of solar panels and batteries at fire stations that serve high-fire risk areas. This effort is in partnership with the Yurok Tribe Fire Department, Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources, Hoopa Fire Department, and 13 other non-tribal rural fire stations.
Additionally, in 2024 RCEA staff assisted the Yurok and Hoopa Valley tribal housing authorities with micro-grid feasibility studies for planned elder housing facilities. RCEA staff secured $20,000 to conduct the studies which included solar plus battery system alternatives and projected financial benefits.
Lastly, RCEA is continuing collaboration with both Blue Lake Rancheria and the Wiyot tribe to apply for Department of Energy Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) funding.
Efforts in Support of Small, Local, and Diverse Businesses RCEA staff continues to engage with new and existing vendors that are qualified but not certified to provide information about Clearinghouse certification and offer technical assistance and resources to become certified.
While there are limited chambers and groups in our rural are that are dedicated to supporting diverse businesses, RCEA has connected with Black Humboldt, a volunteer organization with a mission to enlighten, empower, and entertain our Black and Brown communities 34 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 5
on California’s North Coast. In 2024, RCEA sponsored Black Humboldt’s Juneteenth Celebration. This contributed towards the Humboldt’s Juneteenth Festival celebrations and future endeavors by Black Humboldt.
In 2024, RCEA staff launched two equitable transportation incentive programs with a focus on supporting local businesses and prioritizing the distribution of the program dollars to underserved segments of the community, including:
• An electric bike (e-bike) program that limits rebate dollars to purchases made at locally owned bike shops throughout Humboldt County. Additionally, the program has dedicated 75% of the initial program budget to low-income customers and has designed the rebate as a point-of-sale voucher to enable low-income rebate recipients to purchase an e-bike without initially fronting the funds and waiting until a rebate payment is generated. The program also offers adaptive e-bike rebates (defined as an e-bike designed for a customer who has a medical condition precluding use of a standard e-bike). The e-bike program has been popular and successful, particularly with the adaptive customers whose purchase of an e-bike using RCEA’s voucher is their primary, or only, form of independent transportation.
• An Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate program, which required EVs to be purchased in California, offered enhanced incentives for low-income customer rebates, and allowed for the use of the rebate on used EVs. RCEA’s budget for the EV rebate program was expended in 2024 and an updated program is planned for launch in 2025.
In our power procurement, RCEA continues to incorporate energy-justice best practices and affordability into renewable development and power purchase solicitations and resource planning. To ensure that contracts benefit racially diverse communities and to avoid projects that are detrimental to those communities, RCEA includes project location and community benefit in its evaluation criteria for power solicitations. Some of these contracting efforts include the following activities:
• As part of the 2022 Tierra Buena project located in Sutter County, RCEA’s contract stipulated that the developer commit to contributing $10,000 “to a clean energy or battery storage workforce training program, or science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational program, located within twenty (20) miles of the Project.” In 2024, the developer completed the curriculum and shared it with RCEA and host community Sutter County for use in their jurisdictions. • In April 2024 RCEA entered into a contract for the Sandrini battery energy storage system project located in Kern County and was able to negotiate a $250,000 community benefit fund to that contract, to be used either in Kern or Humboldt Counties. • In December 2024, RCEA issued a solicitation for local storage projects that includes preferred criteria for proposals with a community benefits component. Responses to this solicitation are due in March 2025. 35 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 6
Outreach and Community Engagement
RCEA staff continues to improve methods to reach wider audiences and get information, resources, and programs out to all segments of our community.
RCEA launched a new website this year, which provides a more streamlined and accessible format for customers and community member to navigate. The website meets accessibility standards and has Google Translate features embedded. The website now includes a new page for “Contractor Resources” which details the Supplier Diversity Certification, its benefits, and how to apply.
Additionally, RCEA staff continued translating program applications into Spanish as a standard procedure as a tool to help the programs benefit more segments of our community.
RCEA staff tabled at eight public community events in geographically diverse locations throughout the county. Some examples of events RCEA tabled at include the Klamath Salmon Festival, two days at the Humboldt County Fair, the Humboldt County Conservation Fair, an Earth Day event in Loleta, and a Zero-Waste Humboldt Earth Day event.
In March, RCEA hosted a Heat Pump Workshop for homeowners and contractors. In November, RCEA hosted a webinar educating participants about how to electrify their homes without upsizing their panel. RCEA provides a supplier diversity brochure and presentation slide tailored for contractors and business owners for presentation and distribution at all RCEA-led workshops and events.
RCEA is a member of all 11 local chambers and staff attended chamber of commerce mixers in Arcata, Ferndale, Fortuna, Eureka, McKinleyville, and the Young Professionals this year. RCEA staff members also attended the Women’s Leadership Training at Eureka Chamber of Commerce, which was hosted by the Eureka Chamber of Commerce.
Collaboration with External Equity Organizations
RCEA continues to maintain collaboration with organizations that promote the interest of and advocate for diverse suppliers and diverse communities.
As a member of CalCCA, who “share a commitment to inclusion and representation of our diverse communities through democratic governance and intensive community engagement,” RCEA continues to represent Humboldt County in these endeavors.
RCEA continues participating as a member of the Equity Metrics Working Group of the California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee (CAEECC), which serves as an advisory group to the CPUC.
RCEA continues engagement with the Redwood Region Climate & Community Resilience Hub (CORE Hub), a community organization with a mission to provide community engagement, technical assistance and an equity and justice lens to help our community transition 36 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 7
our built and natural systems to a decarbonized and resilient future. The CORE Hub has been requested by federal, Tribal, state, and local governments, agencies, and community organizations to facilitate community engagement on Offshore Wind, to include “Community Benefits” strategies that will ultimately help guide and shape this new industry as it develops within the region. In this work, CORE Hub will help reduce conflicts, avoid maladaptation, and create enduring human, environmental, and economic resilience. RCEA is actively engaged in CORE Hub’s discussions and collaborations with tribal governments, tribal organizations, community-based organizations representing underrepresented communities, local government and agencies, local environmental and conservation groups, local educational leaders, and trade unions.
In September 2024, the CPUC issued a decision approving the Northern California Rural Regional Energy Network (NREN) to deliver energy efficiency programs to underserved rural customers. RCEA, serving as Lead Portfolio Administrator, is partnering with the Sierra Business Council, Lake Area Planning Commission, and the Mendocino Council of Governments to govern the NREN and guide the implementation of seven programs across 17 counties.
The seven programs are:
• Residential Resource Acquisition: energy efficiency and electrification incentives and rebates for residential customers • Commercial Resource Acquisition: energy efficiency and electrification incentives and rebates for commercial customers • Residential Equity: assessments and other “non-resource” services to residential customers • Public Equity: assessments and other “non-resource” services to public agency customers • Codes & Standards: education and technical resources to increase understanding of and compliance with California’s Building Energy Efficiency Codes
• Workforce Education & Training: accelerates training (upskilling of existing workers and training for new workers) and increases new opportunities for employment
• Finance: gap and micro-loans for residential, commercial, and public agency customers.
This year, RCEA worked with our NREN partners to begin program design and implementation planning for program launch in 2025.
Five of the seven NREN programs are equity programs that will target and primarily serve energy efficiency to hard-to-reach or underserved customers and disadvantaged communities in advancement of the CPUC’s Environmental and Social Justice (ESJ) Action Plan.
External equity events RCEA attended include April 2024’s CPUC’s Small and Diverse Business Expo held in San Francisco and January 2024’s first-ever Tribal Offshore Wind Summit. The tribe-centered Summit included other local government agencies and offshore wind federal agencies to critically examine current and future floating offshore wind projects and empower tribes to play a greater role in offshore wind development and ensure that such projects benefit our community. 37 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 8
Internal Program Activities In 2024
This year, RCEA continued to integrate and update supplier diversity language in solicitations and continue the practice of posting solicitations directly to the Supplier Diversity Clearinghouse to share these opportunities with existing certified vendors. RCEA also trained key staff, as needed, with instructions and procedures for distributing contract opportunities on the Supplier Clearinghouse platform.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies
RCEA is committed to creating a supportive and affirming space for staff, stakeholders, and community members across all identities.
To foster this environment, RCEA has worked to progress the goals in our Racial Justice Plan in our hiring process and internal operations through the incorporation of equity actions in job descriptions and work plans, interviewing, and continued staff training.
In 2024, RCEA took additional steps to ensure fair and equitable hiring. Building upon our practices of blind applicant screening, HR created a new application screening process in which the reviewers would rate applicants based on how well their experience and education lined up with specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as detailed in the job descriptions. Prior to this change, the screening sheet used a simplified ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘maybe’ system, which was open to debate, personal feelings, and potential bias, as committee members were using their instincts and judgement to determine applicant compatibility.
In conjunction with hiring managers, HR now identifies 5-10 important KSAs and provides a rating sheet in which reviewers determine on a set scale how well the candidate’s education and prior experience meet those KSAs. Scores are then added and averaged over all reviewers to create an ordered list from which candidates are interviewed. In doing this, we have been able to focus the reviewers to screen the applications through the lens of identifying important elements of the position, rather than through potential affinity or halo biases.
Additionally, this year, RCEA began restructuring aspects of the Community Strategies Department to emphasize responsibilities related to RCEA’s strategy for targeted outreach for rural, hard-to-reach, and equity priority communities and for facilitating ongoing Tribal engagement. With the restructuring and new hires for this department, RCEA is building a team that integrates more elements of our supplier diversity program into community events and engagements with business owners and community members.
Workforce Data
RCEA is not required to report any non-confidential workforce data that is already reported to other state and federal agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission on the EEO-1. 38 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 9
Self-reported CCA Board Member Demographics
RCEA’s Board is made up of member-agency appointed representatives, who are primarily elected Council and Board members.
Board demographic data was collected via a survey with this question: “In three sentences or less, please describe yourself using whatever demographic categories or language you prefer. Or let us know if you decline to participate.” See the table below for the results of RCEA’s Board demographic survey:
Jurisdiction Director Survey Response
City of Arcata Sarah Schaefer, Chair I am a 32-year-old white, cis-gender female.
City of Blue Lake Elise Scafani Decline
County Humboldt Natalie Arroyo Humboldt County Supervisor, District 4. I identify as Puerto Rican/Latina, and I am a military veteran.
City of Eureka Scott Bauer, Vice-Chair Decline
City Ferndale Skip Jorgensen
I am Alan “Skip” Jorgensen a seventy-five year old male caucasian and RCEA representative for the City of Ferndale, CA. I am a retired educator and public school administrator working 37 years in California and serving as Superintendent in three different school districts. I live with a neurological condition - Primary Lateral Sclerosis since 2016 which has transitioned and was diagnosed as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in early 2023.
City of Fortuna Kris Mobley NO RESPONSE
Humboldt Bay
Municipal Water
District
Sheri Woo Asian-American female
City of Rio Dell Frank Wilson White American male
City of Trinidad Jack Tuttle Decline
Yurok Tribe Michael Gerace Decline
Blue Lake Rancheria Jason Ramos
I'm the Tribal Chairman of the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California. I’m a tribal member and part of the larger native American community in Humboldt County.
39 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 10
9.1.2 – Supplier Diversity Results of Goods and Services (Non-Power Purchases) if Procured
Direct
Spend1 $
Sub
Spend2
$ Total $ %
Product
Spend $
Service
Spend $ Total $ %
$ 12,674 $ 12,674 0.40% $ 12,674 $ 12,674 0.40%
$ 12,674 $ 12,674 0.40% $ 12,674 $ 12,674 0.40%
$ 12,674 $ 12,674 0.40% $ 12,674 $ 12,674 0.40%
$ 23,184 $ 23,184 0.72% $ 23,184 $ 23,184 0.72%
$ 5,350 $ 5,350 0.17% $ 5,350 $ 5,350 0.17%
$ 41,208 $ 41,208 1.28% $ 41,208 $ 41,208 1.28%
[Year] of Report
Total Minority Male
Minority Male
African American
Asian Pacific American
Hispanic American
Native American
Minority Female
African American
Asian Pacific American
Hispanic American
Native American
Total Minority Female
Total Supplier Diversity Spend
Net Procurement**
Total Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Business
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (DBE)
8(a)*
$ 3,208,404
Total Number of Diverse Suppliers that Received 3
Net Product Procurement $ 84,843
Net Service Procurement $ 3,123,561
40 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 11
RCEA’s Small and Local Vendors
In addition to RCEA’s efforts to engage with and procure from certified diverse business, RCEA's procurement policies continue to support small and local business owners. While General Order (GO) 156 acknowledges Small Business Administration 8(a) certified small businesses, RCEA notes the importance of purchasing from local and small businesses not recognized through the CPUC’s diverse business enterprises-focused Supplier Clearinghouse. Procuring from small businesses is impactful because our CCA service territory is rural, thus experiencing economic marginalization distinct from our metropolitan neighbors served by their own CCA programs. RCEA defines “small” as businesses that have California Department of General Services “Small Business” and “Micro Business” certifications. RCEA defines “local” as businesses based within RCEA’s territory, Humboldt County. This year, RCEA did business with seven certified small or micro businesses. For purposes of clarity, six out of the seven businesses RCEA identified as small also met the criteria for local, but the expenditures for these six businesses were excluded from the local expense calculations.
This year, RCEA’s business with these certified small businesses, some of which were also certified diverse businesses, resulted in a total sum of $48,457.
RCEA also recognizes the value in procurement with local businesses. Local procurement is essential in our service territory, where poverty and low household income are widespread, and where distance creates logistical challenges in procuring goods and services from outside our area. In 2024, RCEA did business with 65 local businesses including one power supplier and other non-power businesses providing a wide array of services such as event and training facilitation, IT, security, legal, financial, engineering, project consulting, as well as facility and outreach material expenses. More information can be found in section 9.1.9 regarding RCEA’s efforts to procure local renewable energy and energy storage projects.
RCEA has maintained contracts with several vendors over several years that are local and have been identified as woman-owned, but not women business enterprise (WBE) certified. In 2024, $183,240 of RCEA’s total spend went to these four WBE-eligible businesses.
Small
Business
Procurement
Number of
Small Suppliers
Local Business
Procurement
Number of
Local Suppliers
Small & Local
Combined
Spend
Small & Local
Combined %
Non-Power $ 48,457 7 $ 381,826 64 $ 430,283 13%
Power - - $ 6,858,931 1 $ 6,858,931 47%
ALL $ 48,457 7 $ 7,240,757 65 $ 7,289,214 41%
Net Non-Power Procurement $ 3,208,404
Net Power Procurement $14,572,575
Net Power and Non-Power
Procurement $17,780,979
41 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 12
RCEA does not currently survey all existing vendors for eligibility, so this total only represents the local businesses that are primarily sole proprietorships for which eligibility verification comes easily. While RCEA has engaged with some of our contracted WBE-qualified businesses to educate and assist with the certification process, it is important to emphasize that the certification requirements pose a material hurdle for these sole proprietors, and a more streamlined certification process could provide an equitable opportunity for certification of smaller vendors.
Nevertheless, RCEA is proud of our procurement from these businesses and is excited to continue leveraging GO 156 as an opportunity to further the power our procurement holds to stimulate small, local, and diverse business growth.
9.1.2 – Description of Diverse Suppliers with Majority Workforce in California All three certified Diverse Supplier vendors RCEA hired in 2024 have 100% of their workforce working in California.
Supplier
Average Perentage of
Workforce
Supplier 1 1.00
Supplier 2 1.00
Supplier 3 1.00
Sum of Average Percentage 3.00
Number of Suppliers 3
Average percentage of total diverse
workforce that resides in California 1.00
42 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 13
9.1.3 – Supplier Diversity Program Expense
9.1.5 – Description of Prime Contractors Utilization of Diverse Subcontractors In 2024, RCEA entered five contracts that included the utilization of a subcontractor. Staff verified that none of those subcontractors were certified diverse business enterprises. RCEA enters very few contracts that entail prime contractors who utilize subcontractors for the work. With that said, RCEA is committed to collecting data about future subcontractors to the best of our ability.
Expense Category 2024 (Actual)
Wages $ 4,540
Other Employee Expenses $ 889
Program Expenses
Reporting Expenses
Training Expenses
Consultant Expenses
Other Expenses $ 838
Total $ 6,267
43 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 14
9.1.5 – New Diverse Prime and Subcontractor Utilization RCEA maintained contracts for services with three certified diverse businesses in 2024, but does not have any new contracted prime or subcontractor businesses that were certified to report during 2024.
9.1.6 – List of Supplier Diversity Complaints Received and Current Status RCEA did not receive any formal complaints this reporting cycle.
Category New Prime
Contractors #
New
Subcontractors #
Minority Male Business Enterprise
Minority Female Business Enterprise
Total Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (DBE)
8(a)
Total 0 0
44 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 15
9.1.9 – Description of Supplier Diversity Activities and Progress in Power (Energy) Procurement
RCEA did not procure power products from a Clearinghouse-certified entity during reporting year 2024, nor did RCEA have any owned power plants or power purchase agreements (PPA) that required fuel provision. RCEA did, however, post two long-term open power procurement solicitation to the Supplier Clearinghouse website. No responses were received via the Clearinghouse as of the end of 2024.
Despite this, RCEA does procure power products from a variety of small, local producers as part of our Board-directed effort to spur and sustain economic development within our service area. In 2024, RCEA continued to procure energy and capacity from a local biomass plant, Humboldt Sawmill Company’s Scotia Cogeneration Plant (HSC) which is depicted in the Small and Local Vendors subsection in section 9.1.2 of this report. RCEA’s procurement from HSC sustains local jobs and will continue to do so through the end of the PPA term in June 2031.
RCEA has issued at least one solicitation for renewable energy and energy storage projects per year over the last few years, most of which have expressed preference for local resources. RCEA will continue to seek procurement opportunities with an emphasis on projects within its service area to promote local economic development and grid reliability. 45 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 16
9.1.9 – Supplier Diversity Results in Power (Energy) Procurement RCEA has no results to report in Energy Procurement from certified diverse businesses in 2024, notwithstanding the efforts and activities outlined in the preceding section.
Direct Power Purchases $ %2
Renewable and Non-Renewable Power Products Diesel Nuclear Natural Gas Direct3 Sub4 Total $5
African American $ - $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Asian Pacific American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Hispanic American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Native American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Total Minority Male $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
African American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Asian Pacific American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Hispanic American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Native American $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Total Minority Female $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
Total Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) $ - - $ $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ $ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
$ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
$ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
$ - - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $
$ - - $ $ - - $ - $ - $ - $
$ - - $ $ - - $ - $ - $ - $
Net Power Procurement $ 14,572,575
Net Direct Power Purchases $ 14,572,575
Net Direct Fuels for Generation $ -
Total Number of Diverse Suppliers 0
8(a) 6
Total Supplier Diversity
Minority
Male
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
Business Enterprise (LGBTBE)
Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise
(DVBE)
Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Persons with Disabilities Business
Enterprises (DBE)
Direct Fuels for Generation $ Totals $1
2024
Minority
Female
46 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 17
2025 ANNUAL PLAN
RCEA looks forward to continuing our Supplier Diversity Program with expanded efforts, policies, and programs in 2025.
Overall, RCEA’s 2025 activities will focus on refining the methods established over the last several years to continue and improve our engagement and support with small, local, and diverse businesses. RCEA looks forward to continuing to grow the programs, initiatives, and policies outlined in this report. The following activities are under development for 2025.
10.2 – Description of Supplier Diversity Program Activities Planned for the Next Calendar Year
Planned External Program Activities For 2025
Efforts in Support of Small, Local, and Diverse Businesses RCEA will continue the E-Bike rebate program mentioned in section 9.1.1. RCEA will develop an updated Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate with very similar goals of supporting local businesses and prioritizing the distribution of the program dollars to underserved segments of the community. RCEA also plans to add EV charging capability in our most remote and rural areas of our territory, including on or near tribal reservations and tribally owned land.
RCEA will continue to offer assistance to community partners in the development and implementation of grant applications.
RCEA will continue to provide technical assistance to diverse businesses and encourage local qualified firms and existing vendors to pursue certification. If RCEA finds that contractors or vendors are qualified for Clearinghouse certification or hold non-Clearinghouse certifications, we will encourage them to pursue Clearinghouse certification. 47 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 18
Outreach and Community Engagement
RCEA will continue to expand our outreach efforts to local community environmental groups, trade organizations, and chambers of commerce. Our goal is to provide at least two community presentations, participate in two tabling opportunities, attend two chamber mixers, and meet with two leaders of mission-aligned or tangentially connected local organizations or agencies a month. We also plan to participate in at least one event or presentation in each town or city of our service territory. Additionally, RCEA will continue to host workshops and trainings tailored for contractors and will continue sharing resources and information about the benefits of certification at these events.
RCEA will promote MCE’s Certify and Amplify workshop, as well as any other CCA-led supplier diversity events throughout the year via social media, our website, community presentations, tabling, and participation in chamber of commerce activities.
RCEA will continue efforts to make resources, program applications, and information more accessible. This will include adding Spanish translation capabilities to our website and procuring an on-call translation service for customer interactions over the phone and in person.
Collaboration with External Equity Organizations
RCEA will continue collaboration with the CORE Hub efforts, which are anticipated to escalate as the timeline and efforts to develop offshore wind energy off the coast of Humboldt Bay continue to unfold. RCEA will seek partnerships with expert consultants on racially diverse community engagement, especially for large-scale projects such as offshore wind.
RCEA will continue to be active members of the CalCCA Environmental Justice and Equity Committee.
RCEA will ramp up collaboration with NREN partners and organizations throughout the 17 Counties served by NREN as we begin launching programs throughout the territory.
RCEA is partnering with four Tribal Nations (Blue Lake Rancheria, Karuk, Hoopa, and Yurok) and Schatz Energy Research Center to apply for federal funding for the Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty project. This project was selected in 2024 and RCEA anticipates final award and project commencement in early 2025. The six-year TERAS project aims to increase reliability and resiliency for the Tribal Nations by developing microgrids. The project will serve vulnerable and historically under-resourced populations, in a fire-prone region, while simultaneously pushing microgrid innovation and development. 48 RCEA SUPPLIER DIVERSITY REPORT 2025 | 19
Planned Internal Program Activities For 2025
RCEA will continue the practice of providing staff trainings as needed to educate staff of how to distribute opportunities on Supplier Clearinghouse platform on the new website.
RCEA plans to continue restructuring aspects of the Community Strategies Department to emphasize responsibilities related to RCEA’s strategy for targeted outreach for rural, hard-to-reach, and equity-priority communities and for facilitating ongoing Tribal engagement.
With increased team capacity, RCEA will be able to include more elements of our supplier diversity program in community events and engagements with business owners and community members.
RCEA will develop and implement a voluntary supplier diversity survey for new vendors, with a future roll out to existing vendors. This survey will identify the certification status and eligibility of prime- and sub-contractors, with the goal of empowering RCEA to educate and support not-yet-enrolled-but-qualified vendors to complete certification. The development and process for collecting this data will be informed by other CCA best practices.
RCEA plans to continue the incorporation energy-justice best practices and affordability into renewable development and power purchase solicitations and resource planning.
10.2 – Plans to Encourage Prime Contractors to Subcontract Small, Local, and Diverse Businesses
As noted in previous sections, RCEA very seldomly solicits and contracts for work that entails hiring prime contractors who utilize subcontractors. As such, RCEA intends to educate prime contractors about utilization of diverse subcontractors on a case-by-case basis in upcoming years. As with all RCEA solicitations, supplier diversity information will be collected from vendors who contract with RCEA, and this request will extend to subcontractors when applicable. 49 This page
intentionally left
blank.
50
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.7
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Faith Carlson, Regulatory and Legislative Policy Manager SUBJECT: RCEA Regulatory and Legislative Report
BACKGROUND
The RCEA Board of Directors adopted the RCEA 2024 Policy Platform in March 2024 to serve as a guide for RCEA’s staff regulatory and legislative engagement based on the principles set forth in RCEA’s RePower Humboldt strategic plan.
In accordance with the procedures as described in the Platform, staff keeps the Board apprised of legislative stances taken by RCEA through periodic reports summarizing RCEA’s legislative engagement. This update covers staff actions since October 2024.
STAFF REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT
By law, RCEA abides by the mandates and regulations of several governing institutions within the state of California, including the California Energy Commission (CEC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Air Resources Board (CARB), and others.
RCEA engages with governing bodies through a few advocacy groups, both for regulatory and legislative issues. The key advocacy groups RCEA participates in are California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) and Joint CCAs. These groups track, draft and submit comments on, and engage in stakeholder groups on issues brought to their attention by their membership.
A summary of tracked legislation and CalCCA positions on various bills from this session is attached, as well as a list of key regulatory topics in which CalCCA or Joint CCAs engage.
RCEA has conducted individual advocacy as listed below:
• Direct engagement with CAISO:
o RCEA staff has met with CAISO 1:1 to discuss topics such as:
Interconnection Process Enhancements,
Resource Adequacy for new and existing microgrids,
Resource Adequacy for new and existing Energy Only projects, 51
The relationship between transmission and distribution planning and the challenges faced by RCEA and Humboldt County in these areas, Our questions and needs for offshore wind and the associated transmission infrastructure, such as gas curtailment and retirement, ability to power loads with offshore wind, and interconnection of new resources. • CPUC Engagement
o RCEA presented equity metrics a stakeholder workshop hosted under the CPUC’s High Distributed Energy Future docket focusing on metrics that the IOUs should adopt into order to assess and plan for equitable distribution planning.
RCEA has conducted joint advocacy as listed below:
• Federal advocacy for TERAS (Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty) project funding:
o RCEA shared information and updates on the project with the offices of Assemblymember Rogers, Senator Padilla and Senator McGuire. • Energy Efficiency Programming
o NREN, a broad cross section of local governments, community choice aggregators, regional energy networks, businesses, and non-profit organizations that are committed to the state’s clean energy transition drafted and circulated a letter to Senator Becker and other relevant parties encouraging the preservation of energy efficiency program funding.
o The letter states that:
Energy efficiency delivers important benefits including affordability. Energy efficiency programs are a small and declining component of customer bills and are not driving up bills or exacerbating the affordability crisis.
Energy efficiency is critical for California’s world-leading clean energy transition.
Statewide, energy efficiency is overwhelmingly cost-effective. Energy efficiency is critical for maintaining a stable grid in an era of rapidly increasing demand for electricity.
Many energy efficiency programs are designed to provide energy and bill savings to disadvantaged customers and communities.
Successful energy efficiency programs depend on reliable, predictable multi-year funding.
We agree with the CPUC that opening a new energy efficiency proceeding is the best course of action to affirm that energy efficiency programs are meeting their intended goals.
• Participation in CalCCA Lobby Day
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
RCEA’s Policy Platform is guided by RCEA’s Strategic Plan. Whenever making advocacy decisions for a given proceeding or issue, RCEA staff references the Policy Platform, and if the topic is not well defined within the platform, consults the Board. 52
EQUITY IMPACTS
This report reflects legislation that is intended to improve CCAs’ abilities to tailor services to meet the needs of their local communities which are often unique in their constituent marginalized populations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Budgeted staff and legal costs.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Accept quarterly Regulatory and Legislative Policy Engagement Report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Tracked Legislation
2. CalCCA and Joint CCA Regulatory Engagement
53 This page
intentionally
left blank.
54
Tracked Legislation, Based on Language as of 3/19/2025
Affordability
Bill Author Summary
AB 13 Ransom (D) Would require that 4 members of the current 5 member California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) represent 4 geographic districts and one member be at large with expertise in nongovernmental public advocacy or public interest law with a nongovernmental background. Would also prohibit any elected member or employee of the Legislature or executive branch from serving as a member of the CPUC within one year of leaving the position.
AB 61 Pacheco (D) The Public Advocate’s Office (PAO) of the CPUC would review proposed programs or requirements imposed under proposed legislation that would be paid for by ratepayers of electrical and gas corporations of more than 100,000 service connections.
AB 99 Ta (R) Would prohibit an electrical corporation from proposing, and the CPUC from approving, a rate increase above the rate of inflation, unless the rate increase is approved by a majority of the electrical corporation’s customers by vote, except when the CPUC determines that the costs underlying the rate increase are directly related to safety enhancements and modernization or to higher commodity or fuel costs.
AB 286 Gallagher (R) Would require the CPUC to reduce the kilowatt-per-hour rate for electricity charged to ratepayers by not less than 30%.
AB 745 Irwin (D) CPUC would approve or deny transmission projects based on appropriateness and cost effectiveness of projects.
AB 825 Petrie-Norris
(D)
Cleanup to one of the reports required by last year’s AB 3264-- this report is related to total home energy costs and includes 5, 10, 15% scenarios to reduce rates. Requires use of the results of the report by the CPUC to be shared with Legislature.
AB 1273 Patterson (R) CPUC shall not place application from an electrical corporation for a rate increase on its consent calendar. CPUC shall provide a public comment period for the application of not less than 30 minutes, if any commenters are present.
ACA 9 Boerner (D) CPUC commissioners would be confirmed by Assembly (in addition to existing senate confirmation), be required to consider the affordability of rate setting, no longer regulate telephone/telegraph, and no longer set their own rules of practice and procedure.
SB 302 Padilla (D) Would conform CA environmental tax credits with federal tax credits.
SB 330 Padilla (D) Would allow public financing pilots for transmission projects.
SB 332 Wahab (D) Would require the California Energy Commission (CEC), PAO, and CPUC by 3/31/26, to issue a request for proposals for a team to develop a study to (1) conduct a historical energy justice assessment of the investor-owned utility’s (IOU) operations and impacts, (2) complete a comparative analysis of the benefits and challenges of transitioning the IOUs to a successor entity in order to identify a recommended model, and, (3) if the study finds that it is in the best long-term interests of the people and ecologies of California to transition away from an investor-owned utility model, create a justice-centered implementation plan for managing the transition. 55
SB 810 Dahle (R) Governor Newsom issues an executive order last year requiring reports on energy efficiency programming and costs. This would require those reports submitted to be submitted to the legislature by 7/1/25.
Building Decarbonization and Distributed Energy Resources Bill Author Summary
AB 222 Bauer-Kahan
(D)
Would require a data center related to AI to estimate the total energy used to develop the model and to report that information to the developer and would require a developer to inform the data center of the developer’s intent to develop a model before use of the data center
AB 305 Arambula (D) Would allow CEC to certify small nuclear fission reactors. Large reactors would still be prohibited.
AB 306 Schultz (D) Would, from 6/1/25 to 6/1/31, inclusive, prohibit a city or county from making changes to building code that are applicable to residential units, unless a certain condition is met. This would pause the implementation of reach codes.
AB 368 Ward (D) Would require the to evaluate and adopt passive house energy efficiency standards that align with the state’s existing requirements, as an alternative compliance pathway for the building efficiency standards.
AB 738 Tangipa (R) Buildings rebuilt after disaster (such as fire) when rebuilt would comply with PV code at time of their initial construction.
AB 806 Connolly (D) Restrictions on installation or use of cooling systems at mobile home, site, lot, or space mobile home is located would be deemed unenforceable. Violation of this allows for damages to be paid of up to $2000 to the affected party.
AB 832 Muratsuchi (D) Extends school energy efficiency program and reporting and allows more flexibility for how funding is allocated within the program.
AB
1260
Ward (D) Would revise and recast the requirements for the customer renewable energy subscription program (community renewable energy) to specify that the avoided costs include certain avoided cost values and would require the CPUC, on or before 3/1/26, to modify the community renewable energy program to ensure the program meets the bill’s requirements or to adopt a new program and to adopt a final decision by 9/1/26.
SB 282 Wiener (D) Would require the CEC, by 1/127, to establish a statewide certification program for licensed contractors of residential heat pump water heaters and heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to obtain a heat pump installation certification and would require the CEC to create a state training program on residential heat pump water heaters and heat pump HVAC systems for purposes of the certification program.
CCA Autonomy
Bill Author Summary
AB 777 Rodriguez,
Celeste (D)
The Electricity Oversight Board (EOB) was established as part of California's effort to restructure the electricity market in 1996. The goal of the EOB was to ensure that wholesale energy markets and the electric transmission system function reliably and provide electricity at fair costs to California's consumers and businesses. The EOB's primary means of pursuing these goals had been to monitor electricity markets to guard against price manipulation by electricity producers, and to 56
pursue refunds of alleged overcharges during the energy crisis of 2001. This would add 2 new members to the Board, 1 from the Senate and 1 from the Assembly.
AB
1117
Schultz (D) Would require the CPUC, through a new or existing proceeding, to develop optional dynamic rate tariffs applicable to each large electrical corporation for the large electrical corporation’s commercial and industrial customers on or before 7/1/28, and for its other customers, including residential customers, on or before 7/1/2030. Would require each dynamic rate tariff to include dynamic transmission and distribution rates that reflect real-time grid conditions and nonbypassable charges.
SB 57 Padilla (D) Would require the CPUC to establish a tariff for transmission and distribution service to data centers where grid investments are fully recovered by the data center. Would require that 100% of the electricity delivered to the data center is zero-carbon by 1/1/2030. CalCCA is actively working on amendments to this bill. Overlaps closely with Rule 30 in the regulatory space.
Infrastructure
Bill Author Summary
AB 303 Addis (D) Battery energy storage systems would no longer be eligible for CEC environmental review and must go through local review.
Would not allow development of battery energy storage systems in environmentally sensitive sites, or within 3,200 feet of sensitive receptors, which includes residences, education facilities, community centers, health care facilities, publicly accessible businesses.
RCEA and CalCCA support new battery safety and zoning policy, especially in the wake of the Moss Landing fire. However, AB 303 would disallow development for the majority of feasible sites and make it very challenging for CCAs to meet state procurement requirements. Thus, RCEA has advised for, and CalCCA has taken an “oppose unless amended” position.
AB 472 Rogers (D) Would amend the definition of “infrastructure” described in the CEC’s infrastructure plan to include port infrastructure for offshore wind energy development and would require the 5-year infrastructure plan to include, beginning in the 2027–28 fiscal year, an assessment of funding needs for port infrastructure for offshore wind energy development. Would require the Governor to assess federal, state, and local funding opportunities, including general obligation bonds and funding from the private sector, that can help build port infrastructure for offshore wind energy development.
AB 526 Papan (D) Would require the CEC to publish a strategic plan for the development of new in-state geothermal energy in California by 6/30/27 and evaluate and quantify the maximum feasible capacity of new in-state geothermal energy to achieve reliability, ratepayer, employment, and decarbonization benefits, and to establish megawatt in-state next-generation geothermal planning goals for 2035 and 2045.
AB 527 Papan (D) Geothermal exploratory project which satisfies federal NEPA exemption would be presumed to have satisfied requirements of CEQA.
AB 531 Rogers (D) Would allow geothermal power to use CEC’s AB 205 “opt-in” permitting process in lieu of local permitting. 57
AB 615 Davies (R) Applications to CEC for certification of electric transmission or thermal powerplants would be required contain an emergency response plan incorporating impacts to the surrounding areas in an emergency and that would be conducted/coordinated with local emergency management agencies, unified program agencies, and first response agencies.
AB 941 Zbur (D) Accelerated review (270 days) for CEQA for transmission projects.
AB 1017 Boerner (D) Each electric and gas corporation would report to CPUC the capacity of its electrical or gas distribution system, respectively.
AB
1182
Irwin (D) CPUC would report to the Governor’s Office and Legislature on status of electrical transmission and distribution grid infrastructure manufacturing in this state, including the manufacturing of substation transformers, transmission lines, and other related equipment.
AB 1191 Tangipa (R) Would make all hydro facilities Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) eligible.
AB 1228 Essayli (R) Expedited utility distribution infrastructure undergrounding programs that are not a Division 13 project must have environmental review completed before expedited pathway approval.
AB
1285
Committee on
Emergency
Management
State Fire Marshal with the Office of Emergency Services, would develop fire prevention, response, and recovery measures for utility grade lithium-ion battery storage facilities.
SB 252 Valladares (R) Would exempt from the provisions of CEQA a project to underground powerlines.
SB 331 Padilla (D) Would expand the facilities eligible to be certified by the CEC and deemed environmental leadership development projects to include electrical transmission projects and would require an applicant applying for certification of an electrical transmission project to file by 1/1/2033, and to take certain actions to avoid or minimize significant environmental impacts in any disadvantaged community.
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: certification of facilities: electrical transmission projects.
Bill Author Summary
AB 39 Zbur (D) Would require cities and counties to develop transportation plans, including transportation electrification, that coordinates with existing building decarbonization plans.
AB 406 Bennett (D) Every 3 years, the CEC prepares a transportation fuels assessment for the Legislature. Would require CEC to include implementation and mitigation plan along with assessment. Would require the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Geologic Energy Management Division, and other state agencies to share information CEC deems necessary in preparation of this assessment.
AB 544 Davies (R) Lighting and helmet requirements for bicycles to be applied to e-bikes AB 545 Davies (R) Would clarify that an electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor that is not physically capable of exceeding 750 watts of power.
AB 555 Jackson (D) Would require a quarterly report by CARB on transportation fuels to Legislature. 58
AB 605 Muratsuchi
(D)
Encourages cargo handling equipment that complies with EU emissions standards or CA standards, where cargo handling equipment means “Any off-road, self-propelled vehicle, or equipment used at a port or intermodal railyard to lift or move container, bulk, or liquid cargo carried by ship, train, or another vehicle.” AB 620 Jackson (D) Medium Duty/Heavy Duty (MDHD) Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) vehicle regulation would:
• associate emissions with rental cars with customers, not the rental company, • consider cost effectiveness and flexibility of rental vehicles vs purchased fleets, • consider role rental companies can play in exposing fleet operators to ZEVs and charging infrastructure, consider public greenhouse gas benefit, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), environmental, and supply chain benefit related to rented vehicles vs procuring vehicles.
AB 674 Connolly (D) The state board shall prioritize vehicle retirement in areas of the state that have the highest percentage of people residing in disadvantaged and low-income communities and the highest number of vehicles manufactured prior to 2004 or that are at least 20 years old.
AB 696 Ransom (D) By July 1, 2026, the Secretary for Environmental Protection shall convene the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Advisory Group to generate policy recommendations to the Legislature to ensure best practices are created that allow first responders to respond to lithium-ion vehicle battery emergencies in a safe and efficient manner.
AB 855 Lackey (R) By 1/1/27 Office of Emergency Services to develop action plan for responding to electric commercial motor vehicle battery fires.
AB 911 Carrillo (D) Would exempt emergency telecommunications vehicles from the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulations.
AB 939 Schultz (D) Safe, Sustainable, Traffic-Reducing Transportation Bond Act of 2026 would authorize the issuance of $20mill bonds for transit and passenger rail improvements, local streets and roads and active transportation projects, zero-emission vehicle investments, transportation freight infrastructure improvements, and grade separations and other critical safety improvements.
Would require voter approval in 11/3/26 statewide general election.
AB 1174 Alanis (R) Would make Clean Transportation Program funding eligible for programs and projects to deter and combat vandalism of publicly available electric vehicle charging stations.
AB 1423 Irwin (D) CEC would pass regulation to increase uptime for all charging stations and set standards to notify customers of accessibility of public charging infrastructure. Enforcement for violation not to exceed $2,500 per violation (paid towards General Fund) with an option for CEC to notify Attorney General.
SB 86 McNerney (D) Would extend indefinitely the authorization to provide financial assistance in the form of a sales and use tax exclusion for projects approved by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority and would increase the maximum cumulative amount of the sales and use tax exclusions authorized under these provisions to $300,000,000 per calendar year. Would add electrical generation facilities using nuclear fusion technology to the types of projects qualifying for this sales and use tax exclusion. 59
SB 298 Caballero (D) CEC, Transportation Agency, and the state board, would develop a plan by 12/31/30 for alternative fuels at California’s public seaports.
SB 533 Richardson
(D)
An EV charging station may require payment for charging services to be made through an internet-based app and require the use of that app for admission to the premises.
SB 586 Jones (R) Would define the term “eMoto” as an electric two-wheeled device built on a bicycle infrastructure that does not have pedals or an engine number and is not subject to registration under the Vehicle Code.
SB 752 Richardson (D) Would extend the exemption for specified zero-emission technology transit buses until 1/1/28.
Other
Bill Author Summary
AB 275 Petrie-Norris
(D)
Would require the Office of Emergency Services to establish, on or before 12/31/26, a working group to study the feasibility of making the SoCal Edison-funded Quick Reaction Force firefighting helitanker program permanent in statute.
AB 443 Bennett (D) Would require the CEC, as part of the 2027 edition of the integrated energy policy report, to include an assessment of the potential for using curtailed solar and wind generation to produce hydrogen.
AB 740 Harabedian
(D)
CEC would report to Leg report on virtual power plants on electricity costs and rate reduction and implementation plan that includes goals and milestones. There would potentially be a compliance filing by RCEA associated with this report.
SB 80 Caballero (D) Would create the Fusion Research and Development Innovation Hub Program in the CEC with the goal of delivering the world’s first fusion energy pilot plant in the state in the 2030s.
SB 491 Laird (D) Would require the chair of the CEC to appear annually before the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature to report on activities of the CEC.
SB 540 Becker (D) Would authorize the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the electrical corporations that are participating transmission owners whose transmission systems are operated by the CAISO, in lieu of the CAISO managing related energy markets, as provided, to use energy markets governed by an independent regional organization, provided that specified requirements are satisfied. Often called “regionalization”. This would enable most load serving entities in the state of California to join a regional energy market. CalCCA is supportive of this legislation. 60 1
CalCCA and Joint CCA Regulatory Engagement
CalCCA Managed Cases
Key Agency Topic Summary
CPUC Demand Flexibility Focuses on leveraging demand response as a critical resource in integrated
resource planning, which includes
ratemaking. Current issues include the
implementation of the Income Graduated
Fixed Charge (IGFC) and Dynamic Rates.
CPUC Diablo Canyon Extension
Operations
Establishes RA allocations of Diablo
Canyon’s extended operations, cost of
extended operations and cost recovery,
and how performance fees will be spent.
CPUC Disconnections Relates to rules and programs surrounding customer disconnection.
CPUC Distribution: Distributed Energy
Resources
Relates to rules surrounding distributed
energy resource, such as cost
effectiveness, data access, and equipment
performance standards.
CPUC Distribution: Energization
Timelines
Implementation of SB 410 and AB 50,
which focus on the establishment of
reasonable average and maximum
energization target time periods, and
procedures for customers to report
energization delays to the CPUC. Targets
have been established. The next phase of
the proceeding covers compliance
reporting and penalties for non-compliance.
CPUC Distribution: High Distributed
Energy Resource Future
Streamlining of the distribution planning
process to better reflect known loads and
resources, equitable grid planning, and
allow for data access. Also covers smart
inverter use cases and cost recovery for
grid modernization.
CPUC Energy Resource Recovery
Account (ERRA)
Filed annually by each of the Investor
Owned Utilities (IOUs) as both a forecast
of expected energy procurement-related
revenue requirements and as a retroactive
compliance review.
CPUC General Rate Case (GRC) In four-year cycles, IOUs submit GRC applications for authority to adjust rates
and charges for
61 2
CalCCA Managed Cases
Key Agency Topic Summary
electric and gas service. The revenue
requirements include electric and
gas distribution system costs,
administrative expenses, and customer
service costs
CEC Integrated Energy Policy Report
(IEPR)
A holistic biennial report assessing energy
issues facing the state. The preparation of
this report includes the load forecasting
process, which drives energy planning and
procurement requirements for Load
Serving Entities.
CPUC Integrated Resource Planning
(IRP)
Focuses on the implementation and
reform of California’s Integrated Resource
Planning (IRP) program to ensure sufficient
resource procurement and development
and compliance with California’s GHG
(Green House Gas) reduction and
reliability goals. This process feeds into the
state’s Transmission Planning Process at
CAISO. This proceeding is expected to soon
focus on reforms to better align the IRP
program with the Resource Adequacy (RA)
and Renewables Portfolio Standards (RPS)
programs through an initiative called the
Renewable and Clean Power Procurement
Program (RCPPP).
CAISO Interconnection Process
Enhancements (IPE), Congestion
Revenue Rights (CRR),
Transmission Planning Process,
and Demand and Distributed
Energy Market Integration.
CAISO is responsible for bulk power
systems, transmission operation, and
California’s electricity market
participation. Current reforms RCEA
engages in are related to the acceleration
of the interconnection study process for
new resources, transmission
capacity/transmission plan deliverability to
resources for RA eligibility, congestion of
transmission capacity, transmission
planning, and a NEW initiative related to
distribution grid resources. CalCCA
engages on additional issues at CAISO,
however RCEA tracks those less closely at
this time.
62 3
CalCCA Managed Cases
Key Agency Topic Summary
CPUC Power Charge Indifference
Adjustment (PCIA)
NEW rulemaking to consider changes to
the PCIA as well as rules and processes
applicable to the ERRA annual forecast and
compliance proceedings.
CPUC PG&E Helms Uprate Application PG&E proposal to increase the capacity of the existing Helms pumped storage facility
and allocation of costs and benefits.
CPUC Provider of Last Resort (POLR) If a Load Serving Entity (LSE), such as a CCA, ceases business operations, their
customers will be returned to the Provider
of Last Resort (POLR). This proceeding
relates to the Financial Security Rating
(FSR) and monitoring needed to mitigate
that risk. This proceeding has recently
moved into Phase 2, which will delve into
topics related to the feasibility of a non-IOU POLR.
CPUC and
CEC
Renewable Portfolio Standard
(RPS)
Program that required load serving
entities to reach continuously escalating
renewable energy procurement goals.
CPUC and
CAISO
Resource Adequacy (RA) Focuses on the implementation and reform of California’s RA program, which
was designed in response to California’s
energy crisis to ensure safe and reliable
operation of the grid. Current activity
relates to Local Resource Adequacy
Central Procurement reform and the
setting of Planning Reserve Margins at the
CPUC and RA counting, cost allocation, and
treatment of outages at CAISO.
63 4
Joint CCA Managed Cases
Key Agency Topic Summary
CPUC BioMAT This issue is largely in the implementation phase at this time, though there is ongoing
regulatory effort to extend the sunset date
of this program.
CEC, CPUC Building Decarbonization A suite of programs that aim to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from
buildings.
CPUC De-Energization Rulemaking related to utility power shutoff, including Public Safety Power
Shutoffs (PSPS).
CEC, CPUC Demand Response and Energy
Efficiency
This issue relates to demand response
programming or energy efficiency
program.
CPUC Microgrids Rulemaking that addresses microgrid
policy, including programs, rules, and
rates.
CPUC Net Billing Tariff (NBT) Rulemaking related to the development and implementation of Net Billing Tariff
(NBT) and related rates.
CPUC PG&E Safety Culture This issue focuses on wildfire management related issues, including PG&E compliance,
and proactive measures such as
undergrounding.
CPUC and
CEC
Renewable Financing Issues tracked related to On-Bill Financing, Tariff-On-Bill, Go Green Financing, and
other funding efforts.
CPUC Rule 30 PG&E recently submitted an application
for a NEW interconnection rule for new
transmission level customers. This rule
could apply to potential data centers or
manufacturing. CCAs in the PG&E territory
are working together ensure fair
treatment under the potential new rule
and access to load planning data.
CEC, CPUC,
and CARB
Transportation Electrification CEC Clean Transportation Program, CPUC proceeding of Transportation
Electrification Policy and Infrastructure
(TEPI), and updates to CARB Low Carbon
Fuel Standard (LCFS) implementation,
targets, and compliance.
64
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.8
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Eileen Verbeck, Deputy Executive Director
SUBJECT: Annual Dues Payments to California Community Choice Association
BACKGROUND
RCEA has participated as a member in California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) since 2017. CalCCA acts as an industry association for CCAs, providing support on regulatory and legislative policy matters.
CalCCA scales its membership dues in proportion to each CCA’s revenues. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, RCEA’s dues will be $131,835, a 17.3% increase over the current year’s $112,375 dues. The increase is due to inflation coupled with some expansion of CalCCA’s activities and accompanying increased staffing.
SUMMARY
RCEA’s membership in CalCCA continues to provide important benefits. With CalCCA’s leadership and coordination, CCAs have scored numerous wins in the past year that advance and defend our community-serving business model. CalCCA coordinates numerous committees and working groups in which RCEA staff participate, focusing on billing operations and customer care, regulatory and legislative matters, power procurement, coordination on compliance filings, community equity, and customer programs.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
As the industry association representing community choice aggregators across the state, CalCCA helps the CCAs to achieve their collective policy objectives, including RCEA’s Board-adopted 2024 Policy Platform. This Policy Platform in turn supports RCEA’s RePower Humboldt strategic plan goals, particularly those in section 4, Energy Generation & Utility Services, which pertains to RCEA’s role as a CCA. 65
EQUITY IMPACTS
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The General and Administrative dues for CalCCA will be included in the draft 2025-2026 fiscal year budget being presented to the Board in May and will be a 17.3% increase over the current year’s dues.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve Payment of California Community Choice Association Annual Dues up to $131,835 for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
ATTACHMENTS
CalCCA Proposed FY 25-26 Dues Schedule
66 Proposed
FY 25-26 Dues
13 • .165% of revenue • 4 cap tiers based on range of
revenue
• Board seat continues to be
optional for CCAs <$100M in
revenue
• No change to Reserves
FY 25-26 Dues Caps
.165% of Revenue <$200M
$420,000 $200M-<$350M
$520,000 $350M-<$600M
$540,000 $600M-<$1000M
$555,000 >$1000M
Member
FY 25-26
Revenue
(Million)
FY 25-26 Proposed
Dues (.165% of
Revenue, 4 Cap Tiers)
DCE 68 $111,788
RCEA 80 $131,835
VCEA 102 $168,300
PIONEER 249 $420,000
OCPA 249 $420,000
SCP 250 $420,000
CalChoice 387 $520,000
CEA 401 $520,000
PCE 436 $520,000
CPSF 445 $520,000
SJCE 510 $520,000
SVCE 518 $520,000
3CE 770 $540,000
MCE 811 $540,000
Ava 1146 $555,000
SDCP 1202 $555,000
CPA 1389 $555,000
$7,536,923
67 This page
intentionally left
blank.
68 STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.9
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Lori Taketa, Clerk of the Board
SUBJECT: Board Meeting Location Changes
SUMMARY
In response to meeting venue feedback, RCEA staff:
1. Reserved the Jefferson Community Center Auditorium for the April 24 Board meeting, which will include a study session on electricity bill affordability issues, and
2. Reserved the larger upstairs meeting room at the Wharfinger Building to more comfortably accommodate public Board meetings beginning with the May 22 regular Board meeting.
The attached revised 2025 meeting calendar reflects these changes.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Hold regular RCEA Board meetings:
1. With a study session on affordability on April 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Center, 1000 B Street, Eureka, and
2. Beginning May 22, 2025, at the Wharfinger Building’s Upstairs Great Room, 1 Marina Way, Eureka, at 3:30 p.m.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Changing the venue will result in approximately $1,700 more in 2025 for additional equipment and rental fees, and is covered in the adopted budget.
ATTACHMENT:
• 2025 RCEA Board of Directors meeting calendar with revised locations 69 Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Board of Directors
2025 REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE
Meetings begin at 3:30 p.m.
*Starting May 22, meetings will be held at the Wharfinger Building Upstairs Great Room, 1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501.
February 27 (4th Thursday)
March 27 (4th Thursday) Meet downstairs, Wharfinger Bldg.
April 24 (4th Thursday) Meet at Jefferson Community Center May 22 * (4th Thursday) Begin meeting upstairs, Wharfinger Bldg.
June 26 (4th Thursday)
July 24 (4th Thursday)
August 28 (4th Thursday)
September 25 (4th Thursday)
October 23 (4th Thursday)
November 24 (4th Monday, due to the holiday)
December 22 (4th Monday, due to the holiday)
January 22, 2026 (4th Thursday)
RCEA Board of Directors meetings are conducted in-person and online via Zoom pending any declared States of Emergency preventing the safe, in-person meeting of the Board and public. Meeting recordings are also aired on Access Humboldt/Optimum Cable Channel 10 on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and archived on Internet Archive, https://archive.org/.
70
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 4.10
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Lexie Perez, Grants and Contracts Manager
SUBJECT: Task Order Services Agreement with Schatz Energy Research Center
BACKGROUND
On February 25, 2021, the RCEA Board of Directors approved a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Schatz Energy Research Center to provide RCEA with professional programmatic research and development services through June 20, 2022. On August 25, 2022, the Board of Directors approved extending the term of the MSA through June 30, 2025. The MSA is structured to allow staff to develop task orders for covered services as needed and avoid the extra expense associated with developing multiple individual contracts.
SUMMARY
To date, RCEA has utilized the MSA for 10 different task orders. The services have primarily included vital Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid (RCAM) operations and maintenance support, analytic research, and engineer design consulting for infrastructure projects. Expenditures under the MSA have averaged approximately $60,000 per fiscal year. The Community Choice Energy program and Infrastructure Planning department have a continued need for these professional services and Staff are overall satisfied with how the MSA and task order structure has been working.
The existing MSA refers to “Humboldt State University”; rather than amending the current MSA Staff is recommending the Board approve a new Task Order Services Agreement using the now-accurate “Cal Poly Humboldt” name, for a subsequent term of July 2025 through June 2028, and a not-to-exceed amount of $250,000.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Although task orders will vary in scope, the Schatz Energy Research Center has been an essential local research and development partner to RCEA since inception, specifically in the areas of alternative fuels for transportation and renewable energy. This Task Order Services Agreement is meant to aide RCEA in achieving many of the ambitious goals in the RePower strategic plan. 71
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action would make available up to $250,000 for as-needed professional services from July 2025 through June 2028. To date, anticipated task order amounts have been included in the RCAM operations and maintenance budget line item, and the Professional and Program Related Services budget line item. If a task order is not funded under the adopted budget and will result in more than a 5% increase to a budget category, staff will ask the Board to consider a budget adjustment before approving it, per RCEA’s Financial Management Policy.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve Task Order Services Agreement with Schatz Energy Research Center for Programmatic Research and Development Technical Support Services For $250,000 Through June 2028 and Authorize the Executive Director to Execute All Applicable Documents.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Task Order Services Agreement Between The Redwood Coast Energy Authority and Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation / Schatz Energy Research Center 72 Task Order Service Agreement between RCEA and SPF/Schatz Center, 2025 - 1 - Task Order Services Agreement
between
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority
and
Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation / Schatz Energy Research Center General Details:
Name See Task Orders for project names
Assignments are Consulting services as requested by Redwood Coast Energy Authority for various projects as defined in task orders Consultant means Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation (SPF)/Schatz Energy Research Center (Schatz Center)
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521
[email protected]
707-826-4189
Consultant designated representative(s) is
Consultant authorized signer is
Redwood Coast Energy Authority business
name and contact information
Redwood Coast Energy Authority
633 3rd Street
Eureka, CA 95501
707-269-1700
Redwood Coast Energy Authority designated
representative(s) are
Redwood Coast Energy Authority authorized
signer is
73 Task Order Service Agreement between RCEA and SPF/Schatz Center, 2025 - 2 - This Task Order Services Agreement is made and entered into this _____________, 2025, by and between Redwood Coast Energy Authority (“RCEA”) and the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation and its affiliate, the Schatz Energy Research Center, (“Consultant”), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that is an auxiliary organization to the California Polytechnic University Humboldt. RCEAand Consultant are hereinafter also referred to collectively as the “Parties” and individually as a “Party”. This Task Order Services Agreement sets forth the general terms and conditions which shall apply to all Task Orders duly executed under this Agreement. Additionally, any provisions of a Prime Agreement that become applicable to a Task Order issued under this Agreement, will be appended to the Task Order and shall be incorporated by reference and become a part hereof. A sample Task Order is attached as Exhibit A.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
Services
Consultant will provide technical support services to RCEA related to programmatic research and development (“Services’). Services shall be provided on a task order basis as further defined in Exhibit A. Work on individual tasks shall commence upon mutual agreement of an applicable scope of services and payment schedule, and issuance by RCEA of a Task Order.
Term of Agreement
The term of this agreement shall be for a period commencing on 7/1/2025 through 6/30/2028 unless terminated earlier or extended, as provided for herein. This Agreement may be renewed for additional 12-month periods upon the express written agreement of the parties. Period of service for each Task Order to be further defined in Exhibit A, as amended.
Termination
The obligation to provide services under this Agreement for any Task Order may be terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days’ written notice in the event of substantial failure by the other party to perform in accordance with the terms hereof through no fault of the terminating party. Upon such termination, RCEA will pay to Consultant only amounts owing for work properly performed by Consultant prior to the effective date of termination. Time for payment will be as provided in Compensation and Payment section, below.
This Agreement may be terminated for convenience by RCEA upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to Consultant. In the event of termination for convenience by RCEA, Consultant shall be entitled to receive all amounts owing to Consultant under this Agreement for all work performed up to the effective date of termination.
Time for payment will be as provided in Compensation and Payment section, below.
In the event of an early termination hereunder, neither Party shall have any further obligations hereunder except that each Party shall promptly return to the other Party all materials (in written electronic or other form) provided to that Party and Consultant shall provide to RCEA any materials created on RCEA behalf in connection with this Agreement.
Compensation and Payment
RCEA shall pay Consultant for services rendered under each Task Order, as defined in Exhibit A, with a combined total maximum amount not to exceed $250,000. Consultant shall invoice RCEA according to Exhibit B “Schatz Energy Research Center – Hourly Rates” and the payment schedule under each Task Order. Invoices shall contain a time summary of work performed by each person for whom charges are billed. Invoices shall be sent to RCEA, 633 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501, Attention: Accounting, or emailed to [email protected].
If RCEA disputes an invoice, it may withhold that portion so contested and shall pay the undisputed amount.
RCEA may withhold all or any portion of the funds provided for by this Agreement in the event that the CONSULTANT has materially violated, or threatens to materially violate, any term, provision, or condition of this Agreement; or the CONSULTANT fails to maintain reasonable progress toward completion of the Services 74 Task Order Service Agreement between RCEA and SPF/Schatz Center, 2025 - 3 - or any component thereof. Payment will be made to Consultant within thirty (30) working days of receipt of invoice and associated deliverables, as applicable.
Indemnification
Each party agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party, its Governing Board, its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers from any and all claims and losses, whatsoever, accruing or resulting from any and all subcontractors, laborers, and any other person, firm or corporation furnishing or supplying work services, materials, or supplies in connection with the performance of this agreement, and from any and all claims and losses accruing or resulting to any person, firm or corporation who may be injured or damaged as a result of the other party, its agents and employees, pertaining to the performance of this Agreement.
The indemnity obligations in this provision shall survive the termination or completion of this Agreement for the full period of time allowed by law.
Relationship of Parties
Consultant shall perform all work and services as described herein as an independent contractor. No person performing any of the work or services described herein shall be considered an officer, agent, servant or employee of RCEA, nor shall any such person be entitled to any benefits, including but not limited to Workers Compensation Benefits, available or granted to employees of RCEA. Consultant shall be solely responsible for the acts or omissions of its officers, agents, employees, and subcontractors. Nothing herein shall be construed as creating a partnership or joint venture between RCEA and Consultant.
Insurance
Consultant agrees to maintain, at a minimum, the insurance coverage as set out below at all times during the terms of this. Failure to maintain the required insurance shall be grounds for termination of this Agreement.
1. All insurance carriers shall have an A.M. Best’s rating of A- or better and a minimum financial size VII. Said coverage shall include an endorsement to add RCEA, its officers, agents and employees, as additional insureds with respect to liability arising out of or connected with the services to be provided under this Contract. Said coverage shall additionally be endorsed to specify that the Consultant’S insurance is primary and that insurance or self-insurance maintained by RCEA shall not contribute with it. Upon request, Consultant shall furnish RCEA with certificates of insurance and endorsements of all required insurance. Said documentation shall state that coverage shall not be cancelled except after thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to RCEA. In the event Consultant subcontracts any part of the Services, each subcontractor shall be bound by the same terms and conditions concerning insurance as required by this Agreement will be made a part of any such subcontract agreement. RCEA reserves the right at any time during the term of the Agreement to change the amounts and types of insurance required by giving the Consultant ninety (90) days advance written notice.
2. Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Insurance: Consultant shall provide Workers' Compensation and Employers’ Liability insurance for Consultant’s employees and agents to the extent required by law.
3. Commercial General Liability: Consultant shall maintain $1 million minimum commercial general liability insurance coverage on an occurrence basis, including products and completed operations, property damage, bodily injury and personal and advertising injury.
4. Professional or Errors and Omissions Insurance: Consultant shall maintain such Professional or Errors and Omissions Insurance as will provide protection from any claim arising out of any negligent act, error or omission in rendering or failing to render professional services either committed or alleged to have been committed by Consultant or by anyone employed by Consultant to perform or furnish any 75 Task Order Service Agreement between RCEA and SPF/Schatz Center, 2025 - 4 - of the Services, or by anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable. Such coverage shall not be less than $1,000,000 single limit, any one claim and $2,000,000 annual aggregate.
5. Technology Professional Liability Errors and Omissions Insurance: Consultant shall maintain Technology Professional Liability Errors and Omissions Insurance with limits not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence. Coverage shall be sufficiently broad to respond to the duties and obligations as is undertaken by Consultant in this agreement and shall include, but not be limited to, claims involving infringement of intellectual property, copyright, trademark, invasion of privacy violations, information theft, release of private information, extortion and network security. The policy shall provide coverage for breach response costs as well as regulatory fines and penalties as well as credit monitoring expenses with limits sufficient to respond to these obligations. a. The policy shall include, or be endorsed to include, property damage liability coverage for damage to, alteration of, loss of, or destruction of electronic data and/or information “property” of RCEA in the care, custody, or control of Consultant. If not covered under Consultant’s liability policy, such “property” coverage of RCEA may be endorsed onto Consultant’s Cyber Liability Policy as covered property as follows:
i. Cyber Liability coverage in an amount sufficient to cover the full replacement value of damage to, alteration of, loss of, or destruction of electronic data and/or information “property” of RCEA that will be in the care, custody, or control of Consultant.
6. The insurance obligations under this agreement shall be the greater of 1) all insurance coverage and limits carried by or available to Consultant; or 2) minimum insurance requirements shown in this agreement. Any insurance proceeds in excess of the specified limits and coverage required, which are applicable to a given loss, shall be available to RCEA. No representation is made that the minimum insurance requirements of this agreement are sufficient to cover the indemnity or other obligations of Consultant under this agreement.
Assignment
Neither party shall assign its obligations under this Agreement, nor any specific Task Order issued hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other.
Subcontracting
The Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the work required by this Agreement without prior written approval of the RCEA except for any sub-contract work identified in Task Orders. If Consultant shall cause any part of the project to be performed by a subcontractor, the provisions of this contract shall apply to such sub-contractor, and Consultant shall be liable hereunder for all acts and negligence of the subcontractor.
Books of Record and Audit Provisions
When required by a specific Task Order, the Consultant shall maintain on a current basis complete books and records relating to the Task Order. The books and records shall be original entry books with a general ledger itemizing all debits and credits for the work. In addition, a specific Task Order may require the Consultant to maintain detailed payroll records. These documents and records shall be retained for the time period specified in the Task Order. The CONSULTANT will permit RCEA to audit all books, accounts or records relating to the specific Task Order.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property developed by Consultant as a result of each specific Task Order of this Agreement will be the property of Consultant, intellectual property developed by RCEA will be the property of RCEA, and intellectual 76 Task Order Service Agreement between RCEA and SPF/Schatz Center, 2025 - 5 - property jointly developed by both parties will be the property of both parties, with ownership terms to be negotiated in good faith at a later date.
Each party shall grant the other a non-exclusive, sublicensable, transferable, irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual license to use, publish, translate, modify, and reproduce the Work Products created under Task Orders of this Agreement.
Confidentiality
RCEA and Consultant acknowledge that either party may provide certain information to the other that is considered to be confidential. RCEA and Consultant shall take reasonable precautions to protect such confidential information. Such precautions shall involve at least the same degree of care and precaution that either Party customarily uses to protect its own confidential information.
Disclosure of confidential RCEA energy customer usage data by RCEA to Consultant may occasionally be required for Consultant to perform its services under a specific Task Order. In such circumstances, Consultant shall be required to execute and deliver to RCEA a Data Security Agreement prior to receiving such information.
Consultant’s execution and delivery of the Data Security Agreement is an express condition precedent to the specific Task Order. This provision is intended to comply with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision 12-08-045 (August 23, 2012), as it may be amended from time to time.
Nondiscriminatory Employment
In connection with the execution of each Task Order under this Agreement, the Consultant shall not discriminate against any employee or application for employment because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, marital status or disability. This policy does not require the employment of unqualified persons.
Notices
All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or delivery by courier to the Party to be notified; or upon deposit with the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the Party to be notified; or via email at the email address provided on the general details page; or at such other address as the Party may designate by advance written notice to the other Party provided per the terms of this Section.
Compliance with Applicable Laws
The Consultant shall comply with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws affecting the services covered by each Task Order under this Agreement.
Standard of Practice
The Consultant warrants that Consultant has the degree of learning and skill ordinarily possessed by reputable professionals practicing in similar localities in the same profession and under similar circumstances. Consultant duty is to exercise such care; skill and diligence as professionals engaged in the same profession ordinarily exercise under like circumstances.
Jurisdiction and Venue
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, and the parties hereto agree that venue shall be in Humboldt County, California.
Severability
If any paragraph, section, sentence, clause or phrase contained in each Task Order under this Agreement shall become illegal, null or void or against public policy, for any reason, or shall be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, null or void or against public policy, the remaining paragraphs, sections, sentences, clauses or phrases contained in each Task Order under this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. 77 Task Order Service Agreement between RCEA and SPF/Schatz Center, 2025 - 6 - Waiver
The waiver of any breach of any provision hereunder by any party hereto shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach hereunder.
Entirety of Contract
This Agreement, inclusive of Exhibit A, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this agreement, and shall supersede any previous agreements, promises, representation, understanding and negotiation, whether oral or written, concerning the same subject matter. Any and all acts which may have already been consummated pursuant to the terms which are embodied in this Agreement are hereby ratified.
Amendment
No addition to, or alteration of, the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
Warranty of Authority
Each of the undersigned hereby warrants that he/she has authority on behalf of his or her principal to execute this agreement.
Counterpart Signatures
This Agreement may be signed in separate counterparts, and all counterparts, when signed, shall constitute an enforceable agreement.
Duly authorized representataives to execute this agreement:
On behalf of RCEA:
Signature
Elizabeth Burks, Executive Director
Date
On behalf of Consultant:
Signature
Name, Title
Date
78 SAMPLE OF TASK ORDER BASIS AGREEMENT – EXHIBIT A
Task Order To Agreement between RCEA and Consultant
Task Order No. ___ to original Task Order Services Agreement dated __________ between Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) and Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation/Schatz Energy Research Center (Consultant).
Project Name: __________________
RCEA hereby requests and authorizes Consultant to perform services as set forth in this Task Order.
Scope of services as set forth below or in specified attachment (s). (add scope or reference attachment)
Terms of compensation as set forth below or in specified attachment(s). (add scope or reference attachment)
Period of services as set forth below or in specified attachment(s). (add scope or reference attachment)
All terms and provisions specified in the original Task Order Services Agreement dated __________ are in effect.
No other agreements, guarantees, or warranties are in effect.
In witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this Task Order upon the terms and conditions stated above.
On behalf of RCEA:
Signature Printed Name Title Date
On behalf of SPF/Schatz Center:
Signature Printed Name Title Date
Task Order No.
TOTAL
________________
$_______________
Exhibits included in this Task Order:
Exhibit A – Scope of Work
Exhibit B – Prime Agreement or Provisions of Prime Agreement applicable to Task Order 79 SCHATZ ENERGY RESEARCH CENTER – HOURLY RATES – EXHIBIT B Classification FY25
7/1/25-6/30/26
FY26
7/1/26-6/30/27
FY27
7/1/27-6/30/28
Director $224 $235 $247
Operations Director, Principal Engineer, Principal
Analyst, Principal Scientist, Faculty Scientist,
Faculty Research Associate
$160 $168 $176
Senior Research Engineer, Senior Research
Analyst, Senior Research Scientist, Senior Policy
Analyst, Senior Development Manager
$144 $151 $159
Research Engineer, Research Analyst, Research
Scientist, Economic Analyst, Project Manager,
Communications Specialist
$130 $137 $144
Engineering Technician, Research Assistant,
OfficeManager $80 $84 $88
Administrative Assistant $64 $67 $70
Student Assistant $48 $50 $53
80
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 6.1
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Matias Concoby, Power Analyst
Elizabeth Burks, Executive Director
Eileen Verbeck, Deputy Executive Director
Nancy Diamond, General Counsel
SUBJECT: Board Weighted Voting Revision
SUMMARY
RCEA’s Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) establishes a weighted voting protocol for community choice energy matters on the agenda requiring a Board vote. Vote weighting is based on the number of electric accounts in each voting member’s jurisdiction. The original weighting adopted by the Board was calculated based on the number of electric accounts in December 2014. It was last adjusted in January 2023. The JPA calls for this weighting to be updated every two years. The adjustment before the Board now is based on customer counts as of January 14, 2025.
The attached table shows the previous distribution and the recalculation. There was no change in the distribution of the 100 weighted votes.
The Board was presented the 2025 unchanged weighted Board vote distribution at the January 2025 Board meeting. The item was pulled from the consent calendar, and the Board of Directors directed staff to gather more information on why weighted voting was adopted for the CCE program and why RCEA’s non-City and County members are not allowed to vote on CCE Program matters. In response to this request, Nancy Diamond, RCEA’s General Counsel, along with RCEA staff prepared a supplemental memo to the Board addressing these questions.
The attached memo outlines the following considerations for Board discussion:
1. Revising the weighted voting methodology as outlined in the Joint Powers Agreement.
2. Randomizing the order of roll call votes.
3. Moving CCA matters to the end of the Board agenda.
4. Revisiting the delineation for Board voting purposes of CCA and non-CCA matters.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The redistribution of weighted voting is an administrative change with no direct financial impacts.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Not applicable – the weighted voting is an operational matter. 81
EQUITY IMPACTS
Not applicable.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
Accept updated and unchanged Community Choice Energy weighted Board vote distribution.
Provide guidance and input to staff on the Board discussion items as outlined in the CCE program voting memo.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Updated Weighted Voting Table
2. Memo to Board Regarding CCE Program Voting
82 Exhibit A
Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement
Board Voting Shares for Community Choice Aggregation Business Updated January 2025
Jurisdiction
Electric
Customer
Accounts
Percentage of Total
Accounts
(Jurisdiction's
Accounts Divided by
Total Accounts)
Customer Base
Voting Share
(67 x ratio of
accounts)
Pro Rata
Voting Share
(33 x [1/number
of Directors])
Total
Votes,
Prior to
Rounding
TOTAL
VOTES
PRIOR
VOTES
City of Arcata 8,743 12.95% 8.68 4.125 12.80 13 13
City of Blue Lake 655 0.97% 0.65 4.125 4.77 5 5
City of Eureka 13,956 20.67% 13.85 4.125 17.97 18 18
City of Ferndale 949 1.41% 0.94 4.125 5.07 5 5
City of Fortuna 5,811 8.61% 5.77 4.125 9.89 10 10
City of Rio Dell 1,568 2.32% 1.56 4.125 5.68 6 6
City of Trinidad 274 0.41% 0.27 4.125 4.40 4 4
County of Humboldt (unincorporated) 35,561 52.67% 35.29 4.125 39.41 39 39 Total 67,517 100% 67 33 100 100 100
• Due to rounding, totals will differ at various stages of the calculation process. • The percentages of total accounts are rounded to two decimal places prior to calculating the Customer Base Voting Share. • Customer Base Voting Share = 67 multiplied by the % of total accounts, rounded to two decimal places. • Total votes are the sum of the Pro Rata Voting Share and the Customer Base Voting Share, rounded to the nearest whole number. • The allocation of voting shares will be updated every two years, and as-needed to adjust for changes in the make-up of jurisdictions participating in the CCA.
83 This page
intentionally left
blank.
84 To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Board
From: Nancy Diamond, General Counsel
Beth Burks, Executive Director
Eileen Verbeck, Deputy Executive Director
Date: February 27, 2025
Re: CCE Program Voting
SUMMARY
At its Board meeting on January 23, 2025, the RCEA Board discussed the Community Choice Energy (CCE) Program voting protocol and requested staff to return with more information on the following questions:
1. Why was weighted voting adopted for the CCE Program?
2. Why are RCEA’s non-City and County members not allowed to vote on CCE Program matters?
The following is intended to provide legal and historical background to answer these questions.
DISCUSSION
In 2002, California adopted legislation to allow end-use electric service customers who received electricity from an investor-owned utility (IOU) such as PG&E to aggregate their loads into local community choice aggregators (CCAs). This legislation authorized cities and counties to form CCAs as a type of a joint powers authority (JPA) in order to procure electric generation for the locally aggregated electricity load subject to the governance of local elected officials (AB 117 Stats 2002, Ch 838, codified at Public Utility Code §§ 331.1 and 366.2).1 The law was amended
in 2011 to strengthen the market power of CCAs as they compete with IOUs to purchase electric power (SB 790, Stats 2011, Sections 2(d), 2(b), 2(i)).2 California Public Utilities Code §366.2(a)(1) states that, “Customers shall be entitled to aggregate their electric loads as members of their local community with community choice aggregators. Additionally, California Public Utilities Code §366.2(c) authorizes “a community choice aggregator to aggregate the electrical load of interested electricity customers within its boundaries…” California Public Utilities Code §331.1 restricts the public agencies who can be community choice aggregators to “Any city, county, or city and county whose governing board 1 Some electric service customers receive electric power generation from local publicly-owned utilities (POUs).
Unlike CCAs, electric POUs own the transmission and distribution component of the electric utility. Although otherwise similar to CCAs in that they are owned and governed at the local level, customers of a POU may not aggregate their electric load into a CCA.
2 By 2011, Marin Clean Energy (MCE) was the only CCA program implemented. After review, the CPUC found that “conduct by electrical corporations to oppose community choice aggregation programs has had the effect of causing community choice aggregation programs to be abandoned.” Based on this, the California legislature adopted new legislation aimed at reducing the market superiority held by the IOUs (SB 790, Stats 2011, Sections 2(d), 2(b), 2(i)).
85 elects to combine the loads of its residents, businesses, and municipal facilities in a communitywide electricity buyers’ program.”
In contrast, state law applicable to JPAs authorizes the following broad group of public agencies to share their common powers and form a JPA: the Federal government, any state, a county, county board of education, county superintendent of schools, city, public corporation, public district, regional transportation commission of any state, a federally recognized Indian Tribe, or any joint powers authority (California Government Code §6500).
A critical feature of a JPA is that the member public agencies are sharing commonly held powers. (California Government Code §6502). A public agency may not acquire new functions or powers through a joint powers agreement (City of Oakland v. Williams (1940) 15 C.2d 542, 549). The source of the municipalities’ commonly held power shared in a CCA in order to provide electricity to the end-user derives from the California Constitution, which empowers cities and counties to own and operate electric utilities under the same or similar regulatory framework (Cal Const Art XI §9(a)). Although other types of entities may be empowered to own and operate electric utilities, the State legislature appears to have focused on the relationship between the electricity customer, its local community, and the municipality that governs it. The types of entities authorized to aggregate a customer’s electrical load is therefore narrower in scope than those allowed under other state law to form joint power authorities.
As the Board is aware, RCEA was first formed in 2003 as a JPA comprised of Humboldt County, the Cities within Humboldt County, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, in order to develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives in Humboldt County. In 2015, the Board amended and restated the Joint Powers Agreement to establish the CCA program as a component within the confines of the pre-existing RCEA governance structure rather than through the creation of a new JPA. In order to accomplish this consistent with the CCA law, the amended Joint Powers Agreement restricts voting on CCA Program matters to the representatives from the RCEA member City and County agencies.
For CCA Program matters, the amended Joint Powers Agreement established partial weighted voting whereby each CCA Director’s vote is comprised 1) one third fixed equal voting share based on the number of CCA members, and 2) two thirds of the proportional share of electricity customers in the member’s jurisdiction. The Board of Directors and a CCA formation Board subcommittee considered many different options for CCA Program voting prior to adopting this methodology, including whether voting should be fully weighted, whether the proportional vote should be based on electric consumption or on electric customer counts in the jurisdiction, or whether it should be based on a one fourth fixed vote and three quarters proportional vote. The following outline of these considerations was presented to the Board in a General Counsel memorandum on September 21, 2015, immediately prior to the Board’s vote to approve the amended Joint Powers Agreement and create the CCA:
“CCA PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, VOTING PROTOCOL: The RCEA Board previously indicated its interest in using a partial weighted voting structure based on each participating member’s proportion of annual energy consumption. After discussion, the Executive Director and I recommend that this weighted component be based on the 86 proportionate share of electric customer accounts instead of consumption in order to be consistent with RCEA’s primary goal of energy reduction. The current percentage breakdown of electric accounts within each RCEA local jurisdiction is roughly equivalent to that of annual consumption. However, at the Board’s direction, this weighted vote component could be revised prior to approval to reflect consumption.
The RCEA Board previously indicated its preference in not using a pure weighted vote, and in retaining a portion of the current one member-one vote structure. The Board directed that equal voting be retained for the participating members in a ratio of one third equal vote to two thirds electric consumption/account proportion (or 1 to 2). Voting on other RCEA matters will remain one vote per member.”3
CONSIDERATIONS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
Nothing in state law requires the Board to follow a weighted voting methodology for CCA Program matters. However, revising this protocol would require a Joint Powers Agreement amendment, and staff does not recommend devoting staff resources to this at the present time.
There have been limited times since the formation of the CCA that weighted voting has influenced the outcome of the decision. One option to acknowledge the potential impact weighted voting may have is to change the order of the vote when a roll call vote is required.
Currently, a roll call vote is called by Board Director last name in alphabetical order. Changing the order of the vote each time would eliminate the ability of the early voters to influence the rest of the voters, particularly when early voters carry a proportionately higher weight of the vote.
Randomizing the order of calling a vote may create less occasion for votes to be based on how another agency with greater weight has voted.
A separate consideration is when CCA matters are heard by the RCEA Board. Currently, the RCEA Board meeting agenda separates CCA business from non-CCA matters and places CCA matters after the consent calendar. We believe this order of CCA business should remain as it is currently. Although non-CCA voting members are not eligible to vote, they are encouraged to participate in these discussions, express their views, and indicate support or opposition for the voting members to consider. Moving CCA business to the end of the agenda, for example, runs the risk of losing non-CCA Members from that portion of the meeting. 3 This memorandum provided the following additional explanation about the methodology to be used to calculate the vote: “Staff believes that the 1/3 – 2/3 voting share concept is most easily implemented by converting the two vote components into countable vote shares that are added together to generate the vote count for each participating member. Thus, each participating member’s vote is determined by 1) identifying the proportion of customer accounts within the participating agency’s jurisdiction multiplied by 67 (to generate 2/3 of a total vote of 100), and adding this to 2) one divided by the total number of participating members multiplied by 33 (to generate the remaining one third of total vote of 100). The initial vote counts would be contained in an Exhibit to the revised JPA. Staff has prepared a draft Exhibit based on participation by all Cities and the County using December 2014 account data. The Exhibit will be finalized based on the actual CCA participation. The vote count would thereafter be reanalyzed, and the Exhibit updated, every two years or earlier if participation changes.” 87 A final consideration for the Board is revising the delineation for Board voting purposes of CCA and non-CCA matters. Based on the RCEA Board Operating Guidelines, the following is a list of the types of items considered to be non-CCA program related and voted on by the full Board:
• Adopting the annual budget
• Contracting, including CCA procurement contracts
• Organizational policies
• Organizational positions on legislative or regulatory matters (even if only related to CCA)
• Personnel matters
• Financial operating policies and procedures
• Litigation or other legal matters
• Program-related matters for any programs not funded by the CCA • Agency-wide risk management matters, including primary energy-risk management policies/procedures
The Board Operating Guidelines go on to list the types of items considered to be CCA program related and therefore limited to CCA voting members:
1. Setting of Overall CCA Program Objectives
2. Determining power content targets
3. CCA budget decisions (which will be incorporated in the overall organizational budget)
4. Setting customer rates
5. Procurement strategy and procedures
6. CCA-funded program allocations
7. Any policies that apply exclusively to CCA operations If there is uncertainty whether a particular Board decision is CCA program business or non-CCA program business, RCEA General Counsel will be consulted for a determination on which voting structure applies.
Bullet point items 1,2 and 5 above are fundamentally connected to RCEA’s overall strategic planning goals and initiatives. Staff therefore recommends moving these items to the list on non-CCA vote matters. If the Board would like this revision, staff will bring proposed Board Operating Guidelines revisions to a future Board meeting for Board action. 88
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 8.1
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2024
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Beth Burks, Executive Director
Lori Biondini, Business Planning & Finance Director
Dana Boudreau, Infrastructure Planning & Operations Director Richard Engel, Power Resources Director
Stephen Kullmann, Demand Side Management Director
Eileen Verbeck, Deputy Executive Director
SUBJECT: RePower Update
BACKGROUND
RePower Humboldt1, RCEA’s Comprehensive Action Plan for Energy (adopted in 2019) is the strategic planning document that lays out RCEA goals and strategies for the 10-year period from 2020 to 2030. The goals and strategies within the plan help support the mission and purpose of RCEA’s Joint Powers Agreement which is to:
“Develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand. Increase energy efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient and renewable resources available in the region.”
RePower goals and strategies are centered around regional planning and coordination, integrated demand side management, low-carbon transportation, and energy generation and utility services.
SUMMARY
Department Directors will provide presentations on accomplishments over the last year that support the implementation of the RePower plan.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
This staff report updates the Board on activities conducted to support the implementation of RCEA’s Strategic Plan.
1 https://redwoodenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/850/2024/12/RePower-Humboldt-CAPE-2019-Plan-Update.pdf 89
EQUITY IMPACTS
Not applicable, information only.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Budgeted staff expense.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive staff presentations.
ATTACHMENTS
RePower Executive Summary
90 RePower Humboldt
The Redwood Coast
Energy Authority’s
Comprehensive Action
Plan for Energy
2019 UPDATE
12-12-19
91
Executive Summary
Consistent with Humboldt County’s General Plan, the County of Humboldt recognizes the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) as the regional energy authority to foster, coordinate, and facilitate countywide strategic energy planning, implementation, and education through RePower Humboldt, RCEA’s comprehensive action plan for energy. This action plan consists of implementation measures specific to the functions of RCEA as the regional energy authority for Humboldt County and in alignment with the mission and purpose in RCEA’s Joint Powers Agreement, which is to:
Develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand, increase energy efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient and renewable resources available in the region.
The strategies within this 2019 update of the RePower Humboldt strategic plan will be implemented between 2020-2030 to achieve the goals listed below. Reduction targets are from a baseline year of 2018, unless otherwise stated. While this plan has a ten-year time horizon, RCEA will revisit it regularly during that period to keep it updated and reflective of changes to our community’s needs and energy market trends.
REGIONAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION
RCEA will take a leadership role to develop and advance strategic regional energy goals through economic development, funding, planning efforts, and education. This work will be done in coordination with RCEA’s member governments, other local public agencies, local tribes, and other public and private stakeholders.
Goals: Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions county-wide by 2030.
By 2030 fully establish Humboldt County as an energy secure community that can affordably and reliably meet its local energy needs with local renewable resources and has the robust local capabilities and infrastructure necessary to effectively respond to energy emergencies or disruptions in energy supply.
Build the clean energy sector into a cornerstone of the local economy through a breadth of strategies that include innovation, research and development, local energy-related business development, and establishing Humboldt Bay as the primary west coast hub for the offshore wind energy industry.
INTEGRATED DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT
RCEA will use an Integrated Demand Side Management approach to develop distributed energy resources and reduce energy consumption in the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and government sectors and to align customer energy use with variable clean and renewable energy supplies. RCEA will prioritize efforts that enhance local energy resiliency and independence.
Goals: Support the wide-spread installation of customer solar photovoltaic energy systems, with a target to increase installations to a rate of one system every day for the next decade and reach 30MW of customer solar installed by 2025 and 50MW installed by 2030. 92
Make energy efficiency and conservation services available to every household and business in the county by 2030.
Expand existing energy efficiency, conservation and electrification programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use in buildings by 20% by 2030 and maintain a trajectory to reduce emission from natural gas by 90% by 2050.
Develop a network of community microgrids and renewable-energy back-up power systems across the county to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide energy resiliency and long-duration emergency energy supply at all critical facilities by 2030.
LOW-CARBON TRANSPORTATION
RCEA will decarbonize regional transportation through efforts to reduce vehicle miles travelled, increase advanced fuel vehicles adoption and fuel efficiency, and expand advanced fuel infrastructure.
Goals: Accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, with a target of over 6,000 electric vehicles on the road in Humboldt County by 2025 and 22,000 vehicles by 2030. Develop public, workplace, and residential electric vehicle charging infrastructure necessary to support these county-wide electric vehicle targets.
Work with other local public entities to reduce vehicle miles traveled in Humboldt County by at least 25% by 2030.
By 2030 reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by over 65% through reductions in vehicle miles traveled, improved vehicle efficiency, the adoption of electric vehicles, and, where determined to be an effective emissions-reduction strategy, the use of biofuels as a bridge to a full transition to zero-emissions vehicles. Maintain a trajectory of emissions reduction to eliminate the use of fossil fuels by 2050.
ENERGY GENERATION AND UTILITY SERVICES
RCEA will address Humboldt County’s supply-side energy needs through its existing Community Choice Energy (CCE) program and development of new programs and initiatives.
Goals: By 2025 100% of RCEA’s power mix will be from a combination of state-designated renewable energy sources—solar, wind, biomass, small hydroelectric, and geothermal— and state-designated net-zero-carbon-emission existing large hydroelectric facilities.
By 2030 Humboldt County will be a net exporter of renewable electricity and RCEA’s power mix will consist of 100% local, net-zero-carbon-emission renewable sources.
Humboldt County can effectively respond to regional and local disruptions to energy supply and distribution systems through modernization of the local electric grid, the deployment of local distributed energy resources, and the development of community microgrids.
93 This page
intentionally
left blank.
94 RePower Update
RCEA’s
2024 Year in Review
Power Resources Department
Power Resources Director
Richard Engel
Demand Side Management
DSM Director
Stephen Kullmann
Infrastructure Planning
Director of Infrastructure Planning and Operations
Dana Boudreau
Business Planning and Finance
Director of Business Planning and Finance
Lori Biondini
Administration
Deputy Executive Director
Eileen Verbeck
Materials Submitted
At Meeting
March 27, 2025
RCEA Board of Directors
Regular Meeting
2024 Year in Review
Power Resources
• Implemented the RES-BCT pilot Program (renewable energy self-generation bill credit transfer) with Harbor District as initial participant, we are the first CCA within PG&E territory to do this
• Processed Multiple Rate Changes
• Getting out the Joint Rate Mailer & Power Content Label to our customers (in partnership with Power Resources and Community Strategies)
• Implemented transition from Net Energy Metering into Net Billing Tariff for solar customers
• Completed first year of Percentage of Income Payment Plan pilot for Eureka (95501) and Hoopa and have begun receiving reimbursement
• New contracts
o Drifter energy storage
o Sandrini energy storage
o Foster Clean Power B solar + storage
o Sol Systems - first long-term PCC3 unbundled REC procurement • New projects online
o Sandrini solar (35%+ of our total customer load)
o Sagebrush (RA only, resale from SCP of portion of project) • New solicitations issued
o CC Power solicitation for Build Transfer projects
o Local storage solicitation
• Re-launch of feed-in tariff with new terms, new pricing • Began offering BioMAT program for small bioenergy projects • Completed a multi-year RPS compliance period in full compliance. • Completed our first year ahead RA compliance under the CPUC’s new slice of day framework with full compliance
What we are looking forward to in 2025
• New projects coming online
o RNA Foster A & B solar + storage (5/25 & 6/25 expected CODs) o NCHS FIT solar - (mechanical completion expected in 2025, with COD early 2026)
o Sandrini storage component (12/25 expected COD)
o CC Power project - Fish Lake geothermal
• Promoting new FIT and BioMAT with goal of getting local project offers • Taking next steps with CC Power on several ventures they are leading: CADEMO offshore wind, RA pool, innovative long-duration storage projects, build-transfer agreements allowing CCAs to jointly own projects
• Moving toward cost of service-based ratemaking with consultant study • Incorporating community feedback we got from our 2023 Humboldt's Electric Future project into our 2025 Integrated Resource Plan
Demand Side Management
• 11 full time, 1 part time staff with over 90 years of combined RCEA experience (and growing)
• Continued the Local Government Partnership (LGP) with PG&E o 77 energy assessments and referrals for local business and assessments o Public agency project support and management activities 58 Public Project Management Activities
28 Schools
21 Public Agencies
9 Tribal projects
Approximately$1.8 million in outside funding to Humboldt public agencies
• Conducted residential assessments – 87 for the year.
• Conducted public outreach and education events
• Prioritized Tribal engagement
• Supported local contractors to access additional incentives for their customers • Provided energy advisor services
• Equipment and Heat Pump rebate program
o 91 heat pump rebates totaling $102,000
o 170 equipment rebates totaling $50,000
• Prepared and delivered 139 no cost residential energy efficiency kits What we are looking forward to in 2025
• Launching Northern Regional Energy Network, implementing energy efficiency programs to Humboldt County Residents and serving as Lead Portfolio Administrator for 16 other Sierra Nevada and North Coast.
• Developing successor to Public Agency Solar Program (PASP) to assist public agencies secure funding and manage energy and decarbonization projects Infrastructure Planning
Transportation Electrification:
• The California Energy Commission approved RCEA’s North Coast Medium-Duty-Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Readiness Blueprint, making RCEA eligible for future implementation funds from the Clean Transportation Program. • Our REVNet EV charging network of 56 Level-2 charging ports supported over 12,000 charging sessions to deliver 160 MWh in 2024. This is roughly 31% growth over 2023. • We secured a $700,000 CEC grant to add 32 higher capacity (19.2kW) Level-2 ports at 10 community locations during 2025. This increases our charging port count by about 57%.
• The team launched an E-Bike voucher program for a “point-of-sale” discount focused on income-qualified customers. In 2024 the program redeemed more than 30 vouchers, and included collaboration with the City of Arcata to increase available funding and achieve some climate action goals.
• We re-launched our EV Rebate program of post-purchase incentives for qualified electric vehicles. This program included new and used vehicles, eligibility for commercial and residential customers, and enhanced incentives for income qualified customers. The program incentivized 25 vehicle purchases with over 15% for income qualified customers.
• We continued our EV Charger Rebate program of post-purchase incentives for qualified Level-2 residential EV charging equipment, and in 2024 we provided 12 incentives. This rebate demonstrates best uptake when in parallel with the EV Rebate.
Resilience:
• For the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid, in 2024 the behind-the-meter array continued to work flawlessly. Front of the meter array achieved 100% operation. • We finalized a $3M grant through the California Office of Planning and Research for a Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation grant. Our project is to install resilient energy systems at 16 remote fire stations in the county during 2025. • We secured our first grant funding through the California Clean Energy Group, and used it to complete resilient energy system feasibility studies for two Tribal elder housing facilities.
• We surveyed County airport facilities for potential microgrid siting opportunities.
Reliability:
• We held periodic discussions with PG&E staff on transmission reliability opportunities. • We participated in the PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff North Coast Working Group.
Business Planning and Finance
• Developed and adopted a Procurement Policy and an Investment Policy • Successfully completed a USDA loan audit.
• Finished and presented two years of fiscal audits and started on audits for the subsequent two years
• Navigated a projected budget deficit for the current fiscal year by pausing energy procurement goals and new office design
• Traveled with Humboldt County delegates to visit Vineyard’s east coast offshore wind projects
• Reached a cash reserve total of $30M
• Applied and received $88M DOE funds and $6M CEC funds to build 4 microgrids that will be owned and operated by area Tribal Nations
• Assisted in developing solicitations and contracts for the program teams, and MOAs with the RuralREN and TERAS partners.
• Maintain 4 bank accounts, petty cash account, track assets over $2,000, track $4.2M of security deposits that counterparties hold, and $2.6M of deposit liabilities. • Processed
o $400K of revenue from state contracts
o over $7M of construction delay damages from RE developers that RCEA is working with
o $65K of revenue from RCEA’s EV charging network
o About $35K of private and local government revenue, and o $64M of electricity sales
o 71 Docusign envelopes
o $51M of energy-related payments
o $4.8M of personnel expenses, including paychecks, benefits payments o $840K of facilities and operations payments including dues and memberships, utilities, office supplies and IT expenses, EV station and RCAM operations and maintenance, reimbursements for our site hosts, and
o $123K of communications and outreach expense, move-in mailers and postage, events, outside services such as printing, website design, print advertising and chamber dues.
o $2.4M of professional and program services, which include regulatory and legal consultants, accounting services, power scheduling, Calpine billing services, PG&E billing services, and program-specific services such as Schatz and Frontier o $232K of efficiency rebates, and $392K of NEM customer payouts o …that’s a total of 2252 Checks and 282 ACH payments or wires to vendors and customers
o 949 Paychecks, 490 Credit card transactions, 29 staff travel packets.
Administration
• Recruitment – We had 8 successful recruitments in 2024 (including ED)! 6 new employees, 2 promotions.
• Launched RCEA’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
• Successful Emergency Response during the Earthquake
• Hosted 3-day Strategic Business Writing training for employees. • Began working on a solicitation to move to a cost of service rate design model. • Participated in reviewing the CAP
• RCEA increased engagement in Transmission Planning and relationship building with CAISO.
• IT moved to multifactor authorization.
• IT completed a third-party security review to be able to execute the NREN contract.
What we are looking forward to in 2025
• Executing a final DOE agreement for the TERAS project. • Migrate and reorganize our file storage system.
• Update Records Retention policy.
• Re-start the new building design process.
• Schedule additional DEI training and team building.
• Complete a third-party compensation and classification review. • Execute a contract for a cost-of-service rate setting analysis.
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 8.2
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Stephen Kullmann, Demand-Side Management Director Patricia Terry, NREN Senior Portfolio Manager
SUBJECT: Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) Update
BACKGROUND
RCEA’s Demand-Side Management (DSM) Department has delivered customer programs to Humboldt County residents since RCEA formed as a JPA in 2003. DSM staff managed and implemented many ratepayer and grant-funded programs over the years, with steadily increasing scopes and budgets. Services began in partnership with PG&E through several Redwood Coast Energy Watch (RCEW) program iterations lasting through 2020. RCEW provided education, public agency support, and installations of CFLs, LEDs, pipe insulation, and more. In 2020 DSM launched an Elect to Administer (ETA) Program, providing direct-to-customer rebates and contractor partner installations of heat pumps, lighting, appliances, and more. RCEW continued under PG&E’s Local Government Partnership (LGP) program, supporting public agencies and small to medium business with assessments and referrals to energy programs. The ETA sunset in 2023, with plans to launch the Rural Regional Energy Network (RuralREN) described below. While the RuralREN launch was delayed, RCEA supported ongoing customer rebate programs using CCE funds. The LGP program continued uninterrupted, and staff are renewing that contract with PG&E through 2027.
SUMMARY
The California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) issued Decision D.24-09-031, effective September 26, 2024, approving the Northern California Rural Regional Energy Network (a.k.a.
Northern Rural Energy Network, or NREN) to deliver energy efficiency programs to underserved rural customers.
RCEA, serving as Lead Portfolio Administrator, is partnering with the Sierra Business Council (SBC), Lake Area Planning Commission (Lake APC), and the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) as NREN, which will provide the following seven programs across 17 counties:
• Residential Resource Acquisition: energy efficiency and electrification incentives and rebates for residential customers
• Commercial Resource Acquisition: energy efficiency and electrification incentives and rebates for commercial customers
95
• Residential Equity: assessments and other “non-resource” services to residential customers
• Public Equity: assessments and other “non-resource” services to public agency customers. This program will be offered in Lake and Mendocino Counties only, because Humboldt and the Sierra Nevada Counties are covered by Local Government Partnerships implemented by RCEA and SBC.
• Codes & Standards: education and technical resources to increase understanding of and compliance with California’s Building Energy Efficiency Codes • Workforce Education & Training: accelerates training (upskilling of existing workers and training for new workers) and increases new opportunities for employment • Finance: gap and micro-loans for residential, commercial, and public agency customers.
The seven programs will be launched in a phased approach across the regions from now through 2027. NREN will be submitting a proposal for continued funding for 2028-2032.
Currently, RCEA is using NREN funding to continue its equipment and heat pump rebate programs and residential efficiency kit and phone assessment services while preparing for additional service offerings. A preliminary timeline for service offerings in Humboldt County is as follows:
1st Quarter 2025
• Residential Equipment and Heat Pump Rebates
• Residential Energy Efficiency Kits
• Residential Phone Assessments
2nd Quarter 2025
• Residential In-Home Assessments
3rd Quarter 2025
• Finance Program Needs Assessment
• Commercial Assessments and Direct Install Program (Contractor Partnership) 4th Quarter 2025
• Finance Micro and Gap Loans
• Workforce Education &Training Needs Assessment
• Codes & Standards Needs Assessment
NREN Mission Statement:
At the most recent NREN Governing Partners meeting, the following mission statement was adopted:
To offer energy efficiency programs to rural communities, delivering cost savings, and strengthening community resilience to the North Coast, Lake County, and the Sierra Nevada. 96
NREN Staffing Needs
RCEA’s Demand Side Management is launching its Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) Residential Equity programs, which include phone-based and in-home Energy Assessments as well as no-cost Residential Energy Efficiency Kits and Outreach and Education activities. The kits and phone assessments have already launched and the in-home assessments are planned to begin in May or June 2025. This is in addition to the already launched NREN Residential rebate program.
To accommodate the program launch, staff requests an additional specialist position be added to the organizational chart. This position will be fully funded by the NREN. Adding the position will increase RCEA capabilities to complete in home energy assessments consistent with the NREN business plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The total 2024-2027 NREN budget is $33,139,078. Much of this will be pass through funds for implementation in the partners’ respective territories. RCEA’s share is approximately $6.85M for program implementation, $2.7M for administration, and $1.6M for marketing which will be included in the applicable fiscal year’s budget. Funding will pay for direct-to-customer rebates and energy-savings equipment, current and some new program staffing and associated overhead, consultants, and administrative tools such as software development and licenses.
The new specialist position will be fully funded through NREN and is within the approved Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget.
EQUITY IMPACTS
RENs in general, and the NREN in particular, are designed to reach customers that existing ratepayer-funded programs do not reach. The NREN programs will ensure that hard-to-reach, disinvested, disadvantaged, and underserved rural customers are provided an equitable level of CPUC energy program services and support, and are empowered to better manage their energy use and cost through increased awareness, support resources, a trained workforce and access to financing to improve their homes and businesses.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
The NREN advances multiple strategic goals, including
• 1.3.4 Implement Energy Project Financing
• 1.4.5 Encourage Adoption of Energy Elements
• 1.4.8 Develop Programs that Foster Social Equity
• 1.5.4 Provide Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Electrification Education and Training.
• 2.1.2 Support Implementation of Codes and Standards
• 2.1.4 Perform Energy Assessments
• 2.2.1 Maximize the Efficiency of Buildings
• 2.2.3 Increase Equipment Efficiency through Market Transformation. • 2.2.4 Promote Performance Contracting
• 2.2.5 Develop and Support Behavioral, Retro-Commissioning and Operations Programs.
Promote
• 2.3.2 Support Reduced Energy Use During Peak Hours and Peak Event Days. 97
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive an update on the NREN program and approve the addition of a DSM Program Specialist to the RCEA organizational chart.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Revised RCEA Organization Chart
98 Community
of Humboldt
County
RCEA
Board
Independent
Auditors
Executive
Director*
Manager
Community
Strategies
Coordinator
Community
Strategies
Coordinator
Customer
Service
Director
Infrastructure
Planning &
Operations (IP)
Manager
IP
Manager
IP
Specialist
IP
Director
Business
Planning
& Finance
Manager
Finance
Coordinator
Admin
Manager
Contracts
and Grants
Specialist
Finance
Analyst
Contracts
and
Grants
Director
Power
Resources
(PR)
Manager
PR
Manager
Account
Services
Analyst
PR
Specialist
PR
Specialist
Account
Services
Contractor
Wholesale
Power
Procurement
&
Scheduling
Director
Demand-Side
Management (DSM)
Manager
DSM
Residential
Technician
Technician
Specialist
Specialist
Coordinator
Intake
Manager
DSM
Commercial/LGP
Technician
Technician
Manager
Rural REN
Analyst
Rural REN
Coordinator
Rural REN
Manager
Regulatory
and
Legislative
Policy
General
Counsel
Deputy Executive
Director
IT Technician Specialist
Admin
Specialist
Clerk of the
Board
Manager
HR
Community
Advisory
Committee
RCEA Organization Chart
RCEA Board Draft March 27, 2025 *Executive Director may approve the hiring of part-time, intern and limited-term positions if they fit within the Board adopted personnel budget.
99 This page
intentionally left
blank.
100
RCEA Board of
Directors
March 27, 2025
Stephen Kullmann, Demand Side Management Director
Patricia Terry, Senior Portfolio Manager
What are Regional Energy Networks
• Designed to fill gaps in service by other CPUC regulated Energy Efficiency Programs
• Regions served
• Customer segments
• Program type or delivery
• Not held to same cost-effectiveness requirements
• First created in 2012 with BayREN and SoCalREN
• Currently seven RENs statewide
• Continuation of RCEA DSM
services through Energy Watch
and Elect to Administer programs
• RuralREN originally proposed
3/2022 and approved 7/2023 (7
partners serving 31 counties)
• Central and Northern partners
split shortly after formation and
two RENs officially formed 9/2024
• Northern California Rural Regional
Energy Network (shortened to
NREN) serving 14 Sierra Nevada
Counties and 3 North Coast
Counties
• 4 partners: SBC, Lake APC, MCOG,
RCEA
Mission: To offer energy
efficiency programs for
rural communities,
delivering cost savings,
and strengthening
community resilience to
the North Coast, Lake
County, and the Sierra
Nevada.
Programs for Humboldt County
Residents
• Continuing and new rebates for
Residential Customers – Replacing
CCE-funded rebates
•Heat Pumps
•Heat Pump Water Heating
•Induction Cooking
• Efficient Appliances
•No-cost assessments and Energy
Efficiency Kits
•Outreach and education
•Available Now!
https://redwoodenergy.org/prog
rams-rebates/rebates-incentives/rebate-catalog/
Programs for Humboldt County Businesses
• Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs
• Designing and launching Q2 2025
• Partner Contractor delivery
• Potentially higher incentives available through NMEC design • Heat Pumps
• Heat Pump Water Heating
• Refrigeration
• Lighting
Northern Rural Energy Network
More NREN Programs for Humboldt
County
Energy Efficiency Financing
• Designing and launching Q3 2025
• Focusing on Gap and Micro Loans for
all customers
Workforce Education and Training
• Designing in 2025 for launch in 2026
• Energy efficiency trainings for existing
workforce
• Partnerships with community colleges,
labor groups, and others to train new
workforce
Codes and Standards
• Designing in 2025 for launch later in
2026
• Compliance assistance for local
jurisdictions and contractors
• Trainings on Energy Codes
Local Government Partnership
Humboldt County Public Agencies,
Schools and Tribes are also served
through RCEA’s Local Government
Partnership with PG&E
+ Other RCEA
Programs
RCEA as Lead Portfolio
Administrator
Programs designed
locally with the unique
needs and concerns of
rural communities to
achieve a future where
all rural customers
receive equitable services
to reduce their energy
burdens, lower
greenhouse gas
emissions, and improve
quality of life.
Approximate Budgets
2024-2027
• Total NREN Budget: $33M
• RCEA Programs: $6.85M
• Portfolio Administration: $2.7M
• Marketing: $1.6M
Additional DSM Program Specialist
Under the supervision of a Senior
Technician, the DSM Program Specialist
will perform phone-based residential
energy assessments and assist
with other aspects of the NREN
Residential services.
RCEA Senior Technician Mike Bishop, RCEA employee since 2010 Thank You
Community Advisory Committee
Recommended Action:
Receive an update on the NREN program
and approve the addition of a DSM Program
Specialist to the RCEA organizational chart.
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 9.1
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Faith Carlson, Regulatory and Legislative Policy Manager SUBJECT: 2025 Policy Platform Update
BACKGROUND
On March 24, 2022, the RCEA Board of Directors adopted the RCEA 2022 Policy Platform (Platform), which is brought to the Board periodically for updates.
The purpose of the Platform is to deliver on RCEA’s RePower Humboldt goals and maintain the operation of RCEA’s various programs. The Platform allows RCEA to be nimbler in adopting positions on regulatory and legislative matters in a timely manner without full Board approval if the position is aligned with the Board-approved platform. This Platform also helps inform RCEA’s regulatory activities to ensure staff engagement aligns with the Board’s priorities and RCEA’s goals.
The 2024 Policy Platform and Draft 2025 Policy Platform support the following overarching policy priorities:
• To maintain local control to preserve the ability to self-procure its power resources, and to self-determine rates and the energy programs RCEA offers to its residents, businesses, and communities it serves, through the mechanisms of local governance; • To restructure the electric utility sector to allow for increased government ownership of energy infrastructure;
• To ensure cost effective energy service and programming; • To ensure transmission and distribution access reliability as well as access to energy resources;
• To provide equitable and just economic, resilience, and climate benefits to the local community;
• To maintain an efficient, transparent governance structure and operations.
SUMMARY
RCEA staff reviewed the 2024 Policy Platform and suggested revisions based on recent discussions with the Board as well as a review of the Platform with the Community Advisory Committee.
101
Recent events driving Policy Platform changes include:
• The establishment of Northern Rural Energy Network (“NREN”); • Increased distribution reform efforts at the California Public Utilities Commission; • Diablo Canyon extension and allocation;
• Increased energy affordability concerns and scrutiny of energy efficiency program funding;
• Change in federal administration.
Below are the substantive changes:
Location in
Document
Summary of Change Reason
Throughout
document
Inclusion of Regional Energy
Networks (“RENs”) as well as
Community Choice Aggregators
(“CCAs”)
RCEA is now the lead
administrator for Northern Rural
Energy Network and intends to
support this and similar
programming.
Procedures Removal of requirement for RCEA
to seek Board Chair and Vice Chair
approval prior to signing legislative
letters after staff confirms alignment
with Policy Platform.
This is recommended for
removal. Due to the time
sensitive nature of many
requests, it has proved to be a
barrier to RCEA submitting
timely letters. Staff would
confirm alignment with the Policy
Platform and report on any
positions taken during regular
Regulatory and Legislative
updates.
Restructuring the
Utility Sector
Section divided into cases related
to:
• Reducing reliance on
Investor-Owned Utilities
(“IOUs”) reforms,
• Reforms for where IOU
service is retained, and
• Direct access
Clarifies that RCEA has a desire
for a decreased role for IOUs,
while clarifying IOUs’ role where
a CCA or Publicly Owned Utility
does not exist. Better addresses
Direct Access scenario.
Restructuring the
Utility Sector
Combination of 3 sections:
Restructuring the Utility Sector,
Power Charge Indifference
Adjustment, and Direct Access.
Reduces redundancy, increases
conciseness across the
Platform.
Reliability Advocacy for transmission and
distribution maintenance moved
from community resilience to this
section.
Better aligns with current
initiatives around transmission
and distribution planning reform.
Emergency and
Disaster
Response
“Public Health Emergency and
Natural Disaster Response" section
updated to “Emergency and
Disaster Response.” Language
simplified.
Language simplified to allow
RCEA to support policies that
benefit all customers and not just
our own.
102
Energy
Generation
Sources
Section previously titled
“Renewable Energy Generation
Sources.”
Additional language around nuclear
waste and Diablo Canyon Power
Plant.
Updated to allow for advocacy
around permanent nuclear waste
solutions and retirement of
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power
Plant.
Environmental
Justice
Inclusion of language around
RCEA’s Racial Justice plan.
Inclusion of Racial Justice Plan
language broadens scope of this
section.
Environmental
Justice
Inclusion of language related to
metrics and cost-effectiveness.
Allows RCEA to advocate for
metrics that do not exclude
equity customers to assess cost
of programs and distribution
planning.
RCEA Programs Inclusion of language to protect
Public Purpose Program support
for energy efficiency programs as
well as language around non-regulated fuels.
Based on issues observed late
last year.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
The Platform was developed to allow RCEA to efficiently engage in regulatory and legislative development that will support RCEA’s ability to implement strategies in RePower Humboldt and achieve the objectives articulated in RCEA’s Mission Statement.
EQUITY IMPACTS
The Platform contains a section on “Environmental Justice” which includes “engag[ing] in policy that directly or indirectly impact the ability of rural, low-income, and underserved communities to have affordable, reliable and clean energy.”
This section also includes support for policies that “enable all communities […] to participate in the decarbonization of the state’s electrical grid, building stock, and the transportation sector in a cost-effective manner,” and support “for metrics and cost effectiveness rules that do not create a disadvantage in serving equity customers.”
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Budgeted staff and legal expenses.
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve 2025 RCEA Policy Platform.
ATTACHMENTS
Redwood Coast Energy Authority Draft 2025 Policy Platform, clean and redlined. 103
This page
intentionally
left blank.
104
1 2025 Policy Platform
REDWOOD COAST ENERGY AUTHORITY
2025 POLICY PLATFORM
INTRODUCTION
Redwood Coast Energy Authority (“RCEA”) is a joint-powers authority of the cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Trinidad, the Yurok Tribe, Blue Lake Rancheria, County of Humboldt, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. The mission of RCEA is to develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand, increase energy efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient, and renewable resources available in the region for the benefit of the member agencies and their constituents.
This Policy Platform serves as a guide for regulatory and legislative engagement based on principles set forth in RCEA’s RePower Humboldt strategic plan. To review RCEA’s strategic plan, please see RePower Humboldt 2019 Update
AVENUES AND EXAMPLES OF ADVOCACY
Legislation and regulation are two distinct, but related, policy tools. Legislation sets principles of public policy, while regulation implements these principles and brings legislation into effect.
Examples of RCEA legislative advocacy include submitting letters in support or opposition of specific bills, as well as meeting with legislators in the California State Senate, the California State Assembly, U.S.
House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate.
Most of RCEA’s regulatory engagement takes place through the California Public Utilities Commission, the primary State agency responsible for executing legislation and issuing regulations pertinent to Community Choice Aggregation (“CCA”) and Regional Energy Network (“REN”) operations. However, RCEA’s operations are also impacted by other state and federal agencies including but not limited to the California Energy Commission, the California Independent System Operator, the California Air Resources Board, the California Department of Water Resources, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Examples of advocacy in this sphere include meeting with agency staff, agency decision-makers, and submitting comments in response to regulations.
PROCEDURES
Regulatory Engagement: RCEA regulatory engagement at the CPUC and other agencies is conducted at the staff level under the authority of the Executive Director in a manner consistent with RCEA’s mission, this policy platform, RCEA’s strategic plan, and any applicable RCEA policies.
Legislative Advocacy: The RCEA Executive Director, or their designee, is authorized to adopt positions on legislative matters in a timely manner without Board approval if the position is aligned with the issue areas described below.
To keep the Board apprised of advocacy activities, staff will notify the full Board of any legislative 105
2 2025 Policy Platform
positions taken by RCEA through periodic reports to the Board summarizing legislative engagement.
While the platform attempts to address a full range of issues of interest to RCEA, it is not intended to limit RCEA’s engagement in other issues that may impact RCEA in a positive or negative way. Issues not addressed in the platform will continue to be brought to the Board on a case-by-case basis.
This platform will be brought to the RCEA Board on an annual basis for review and input.
ISSUE AREAS
1. Governance and Statutory Authority
RCEA will:
a. Oppose policies that limit local governments or CCA rate-setting, programming, or procurement autonomy.
b. Oppose policies that limit CCA and REN ability to effectively and affordably serve their customers. c. Support policies that allow CCAs and RENs to engage with their customers and promote transparency in their operations.
d. Support policies that make it easier for jurisdictions to form or become members of a CCA or REN and oppose regulations and legislation that restrict such ability.
2. Restructuring the Electricity Utility Sector
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that reduce reliance on Investor-Owned Utilities (“IOUs”), such as i. Polices that support governments’ ability to fund or own electric infrastructure, including transmission and distribution infrastructure. ii. Policies that stabilize, remove, or reduce costs associated with leaving IOU service, such as the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment or costs associated with maintaining a Provider of Last Resort.
b. Where IOU service is retained, advocate for:
i. Reforms to the utility regulatory and business model to transform IOUs into entities that solely provide transmission and distribution services. ii. Efforts to discourage new gas infrastructure and retire or repurpose existing gas infrastructure.
iii. Reforms to the utility regulatory and business model to ensure IOUs deliver effective service to ratepayers, increase safety and reliability, and reduce costs. iv. Greater collaboration to occur between CCAs, RENs, tribes, local governments, and IOUs, particularly in local planning efforts related to energy resources, load planning, and programs.
v. Increased data access to IOU data, such as customer program enrollment, meter data, and load planning data.
c. Oppose policies that expand direct access.
3. Reliability
RCEA will:
106
3 2025 Policy Platform
a. Support policies that reduce duration and frequency of power outages and improve grid reliability, such as Public Safety Power Shut-Offs (“PSPS”). i. Support policies that increase the notification and transparency requirements on IOUs as they implement a PSPS.
ii. Support policies that create standards for PSPS implementation and impose penalties on IOUs that execute PSPS below those standards. iii. Support policies that call for equitable treatment of non-utility owned generation during PSPS events and during related islanded operation of sections of the grid. b. Resource Adequacy (“RA”)
i. Support reforms to the RA program to improve system reliability at a reasonable cost to ratepayers.
ii. Advocate for and support efforts to remove barriers to demand response, microgrids, and behind the meter resources to provide RA or other demand-reduction value. c. Advocate for transmission and distribution development and maintenance to allow for reliable customer access to the grid and connection of new resources and loads.
4. Emergency and Disaster Response
RCEA will
a. Support policies to alleviate residential and commercial financial hardship caused by public health emergencies or natural disasters that could disrupt electricity service or restrict customer access to clean energy and transportation opportunities.
5. Community Resilience
RCEA will:
a. Advocate for and support funding for programs implemented by local governments, CCAs, and RENs to increase community resilience to wildfires, PSPS events and other potential service disruptions.
b. Support policies that reduce barriers to microgrid development by CCAs and other local entities including tribes and local governments.
c. Support policies that expand the ability of non-IOU entities to develop microgrids(e.g., ensuring CCA access to ratepayer funds to develop microgrids).
d. Support policies that increase the development of community level resources and distributed energy resources that reduce the need for new transmission and distribution infrastructure.
6. Climate Action
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that increase resources for climate change mitigation and adaptation and support initiatives that will strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
7. Energy Generation Sources
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that expand opportunities for or reduce barriers to the development of resources that align with Board-adopted strategic plan goals and our energy risk policy, as long as local development and siting criteria are consistent with city and county land use authority, 107
4 2025 Policy Platform
other local and state regulatory requirements, and informed by input from tribal governments. b. Oppose policies that require CCAs to purchase specific energy products, thus limiting the ability of CCAs to meet local energy needs in a cost-effective manner and in conflict with their local procurement and rate setting authority.
c. Advocate for permanent waste solutions for nuclear plants and oppose policies that extend the life of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.
8. Environmental Justice
RCEA will:
a. Advocate for policies that align with RCEA’s Racial Justice Plan. b. Engage in policy developments that directly or indirectly impact the ability of rural, low-income, and underserved communities to have affordable, reliable, and clean energy. c. Support policies that enable all communities, including emerging and historically marginalized communities, and individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, in California to participate in the decarbonization of the state’s electric grid, building stock, and the transportation sector in a cost-effective manner. d. Advocate for metrics and cost effectiveness rules that do not create a disadvantage in serving equity customers.
9. RCEA Programs
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that protect CCA and REN autonomy to administer programs, including but not limited to:
i. Integrated demand side management (including but not limited to microgrids, distributed energy resources, demand response, energy efficiency, electrification, distributed generation and storage, vehicle-to-grid storage) ii. Low-carbon transportation (including but not limited to advanced fuel deployment, fuel efficiency, fueling infrastructure)
iii. Energy generation and utility services (including but not limited to rates and tariffs, transmission and distribution infrastructure) b. Protect Public Purpose Program support for energy efficiency programs. c. Support non-regulated fuels, such as propane, to be treated comparably with natural gas in allowing for electrification incentives.
10. Local Economic Development and Environmental Objectives RCEA will:
a. Support policies that enhance opportunities for local governments, CCAs, and RENs to promote local economic and workforce development through locally designed programs that meet the unique needs of its member agencies and customers.
b. Support efforts to enhance development of local and regional sources of renewable energy, including efforts to establish Humboldt Bay as the primary west coast hub for the offshore wind industry
c. Support policies that enable CCAs and RENs to collaborate with their member jurisdictions on local energy resources and projects to advance environmental objectives. 108
REDWOOD COAST ENERGY AUTHORITY
20242025 POLICY PLATFORM
INTRODUCTION
Redwood Coast Energy Authority (“RCEA”) is a joint-powers authority of the cities of Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Trinidad, the Yurok Tribe, Blue Lake Rancheria, County of Humboldt, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. The mission of RCEA is to develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand, increase energy efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient, and renewable resources available in the region for the benefit of the Membermember agencies and their constituents.
This Policy Platform serves as a guide for regulatory and legislative engagement based on principles set forth in RCEA’s RePower Humboldt strategic plan. To review RCEA’s strategic plan, please see https://redwoodenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/RePower-2019-Update-FINAL-.pdf RePower Humboldt 2019 Update
This platform will be brought to the RCEA Board on an annual basis for review and input.
AVENUES AND EXAMPLES OF ADVOCACY
Legislation and regulation are two distinct, but related, policy tools. Legislation sets principles of public policy, while regulation implements these principles and brings legislation into effect.
Examples of RCEA legislative advocacy include submitting letters in support or opposition of specific bills, as well as meeting with legislators in the California State Senate, the California State Assembly, U.S.
House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate.
Most of RCEA’s regulatory engagement takes place through the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”),, the primary State agency responsible for executing legislation and issuing regulations pertinent to Community Choice Aggregation (“CCA”) and Regional Energy Network (“REN”) operations.
However, RCEA’s operations are also impacted by other state and federal agencies including but not limited to the California Energy Commission, the California Independent System Operator, the California Air Resources Board, the California Department of Water Resources, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Each of these agencies develop and implement regulations that are of interest to RCEA. Examples of advocacy in this sphere include meeting with agency staff, agency decision-makers, and submitting comments in response to regulations. 109
PROCEDURES
Regulatory Engagement: RCEA regulatory engagement at the CPUC and other agencies is conducted at the staff level under the authority of the Executive Director in a manner consistent with RCEA’s mission, this policy platform, RCEA’s strategic plan, and any applicable RCEA policies.
Legislative Advocacy: The RCEA Executive Director, or their designee, is authorized to adopt positions on legislative matters in a timely manner without Board approval if the position is aligned with the issue areas described below.
Prior to adopting a legislative position, the Executive Director shall confer with the Board Chair and Vice-Chair on the matter. If both the Chair and Vice-Chair concur that the position is consistent with the Legislative Platform and/or the mission of RCEA then the Executive Director may take the position.
To keep the Board apprised of advocacy activities, staff will notify the full Board of any legislative positions taken by RCEA and deliver a quarterly reportthrough periodic reports to the Board summarizing legislative engagement. Furthermore, this platform will be brought to the Board for review and input on an annual basis.
While the platform attempts to address a full range of issues of interest to RCEA, it is not intended to limit RCEA’s engagement in other issues that may impact RCEA in a positive or negative way. Issues not addressed in the platform will continue to be brought to the Board on a case-by-case basis.
This platform will be brought to the RCEA Board on an annual basis for review and input.
ISSUE AREAS
1. Governance and Statutory Authority
RCEA will:
a. Oppose policies that limit the local decision-making authority of local governments or CCAs, includingCCA rate-setting authority and , programming, or procurement of energy and capacity to serve their customersautonomy.
b. Oppose policies that limit RCEA’sCCA and REN ability to effectively and affordably serve itstheir customers.
c. Support efforts ofpolicies that allow CCAs and RENs to engage with their customers and promote transparency in their operations; oppose policies which restrict or limit these abilities..
d. Support policies that make it easier for other cities and countiesjurisdictions to form a CCA,or become members of RCEA or other CCAs,a CCA or expand the service area of an existing CCA, and opposeREN and oppose regulations and legislation that restrict these abilitiessuch ability.
2. Restructuring the Electricity Utility Sector
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that reduce reliance on Investor-Owned Utilities (“IOUs”), such as i. Polices that support governments’ ability to fund or own electric 110
infrastructure, including transmission and distribution infrastructure. ii. Policies that stabilize, remove, or reduce costs associated with leaving IOU service, such as the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment or costs associated with maintaining a Provider of Last Resort.
b. Where IOU service is retained, advocate for reforms:
i. Reforms to the utility regulatory and business model to transform IOUs into entities that solely provide transmission and distribution services. ii. Support policiesEfforts to discourage new gas infrastructure and advocate for reformsretire or repurpose existing gas infrastructure. ii.iii. Reforms to the utility regulatory and business model to ensure Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) deliver greater benefitseffective service to ratepayers, increase safety and reliability, and reduce costs.
b. Support local governments’ ability to form municipal electric utilities, including supporting legislation that expands opportunities for CCAs to become municipal electric utilities. i.iv. Advocate for greaterGreater collaboration to occur between CCAs, RENs, tribes, local governments, and incumbent IOUs, particularly in local planning efforts related to energy, EV charging, community resource centers resources, load planning, and customer programs.
c. Support efforts that result in IOUs providingIncreased data access to IOU data, such as customer program enrollment, meter data in real time to enable CCAs to better forecast, and schedule load.
3. Power Cost Indifference Adjustment (PCIA)
RCEA will:
a. Support efforts by the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) to increase the transparency of IOU electricity contracts which provide the basis for Power Cost Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) charges which RCEA (and its customers) and other CCAs must pay. b. Support efforts which create a pathway to reduce and eventually phase out the PCIA. i.v. Support policies which would bring stability to the PCIA and/or provide new mechanisms for CCAs to securitize PCIA charges planning data. c. Oppose policies which would increase or that expand exit fees, including PCIA, on CCA customersdirect access.
4. Public Health Emergency and Natural Disaster Response RCEA will
a. To the extent that it does not endanger RCEA’s financial health and standing, support regulatory policies, legislation, or budget appropriations to alleviate residential and commercial financial hardship caused by public health emergencies or natural disasters that could disrupt electricity service to RCEA customers or restrict RCEA customers accessing clean energy opportunities. This could include, for example, assistance to avoid electric service disconnection or economic recovery funding for transportation electrification. 111
4 2025 Policy Platform
5.3.Reliability
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that reduce duration and frequency of power outages and improve grid reliability., such as Public Safety Power Shut-Offs (“PSPS”). b. Public Safety Power Shut-Offs (PSPS)
i. Support policies that increase the notification and transparency requirements on IOUs as they implement a PSPS.
ii. Support policies that create standards for PSPS implementation and impose penalties on IOUs that execute PSPS below those standards. iii. Support policies that create rules and procedures to ensurecall for equitable treatment of non-utility owned generation during PSPS are implemented narrowly and only as absolutely necessaryevents and during related islanded operation of sections of the grid.
c.b. Resource Adequacy (“RA”)
i. Support the efforts of CalCCAreformsto reform the Resource AdequacyRA program to improve electric system reliability at a reasonable cost to ratepayers. ii. Advocate for and support efforts to remove barriers to demand response, microgrids, and behind the meter resources to provide Resource AdequacyRA or other demand-reduction value.
c. Advocate for transmission and distribution development and maintenance to allow for reliable customer access to the grid and connection of new resources and loads.
4. Emergency and Disaster Response
RCEA will
a. Support policies to alleviate residential and commercial financial hardship caused by public health emergencies or natural disasters that could disrupt electricity service or restrict customer access to clean energy and transportation opportunities.
6.5.Community Resilience
RCEA will:
a. Advocate for and support funding for programs implemented by local governments, CCAs, and CCAsRENs to increase community resilience to wildfires, PSPS events and other potential service disruptions.
b. Support policies that reduce barriersto microgrid development by CCAs and other local entities including tribes and local governments.
c. Support policies that expand the ability of non-IOU entities to develop microgrids(e.g., ensuring CCA access to ratepayer funds to develop microgrids).
d. Support policies that increase the development of community level resources and distributed energy resources that reduce the need for new transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Where new transmission or distribution infrastructure is needed, support policies that design, upgrade, and scale infrastructure to empower community access to renewable energy, green transportation, and rural transmission infrastructure.
112
5 2025 Policy Platform
7.6.Climate Action
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that increase resources for climate change mitigation and adaptation and support initiatives that will strengthen climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
8.7.Renewable Energy Generation Sources
RCEA will:
a. Support policies that expand opportunities for, or reduce barriers to the development of renewable energy sources, including, but not limited to, wind, solar, bioenergy, small hydro, and geothermal, as well as battery storage to enable the use or renewable resourcesresources that align with Board-adopted strategic plan goals and our energy risk policy, as long as local development and siting criteria are consistent with city and county land use authority, other local and state regulatory requirements, and informed by input from tribal governments. b. Support policies which expand opportunities for offshore wind, including investment in requisite infrastructure (e.g., harbor facilities and transmission) and workforce training necessary to support such development.
c.b. Oppose policies that require CCAs to purchase specific renewable energy products, thus limiting the ability of CCAs to meet local energy needs in a cost-effective manner and in conflict with their local procurement and rate setting authority. c. Advocate for permanent waste solutions for nuclear plants and oppose policies that extend the life of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.
9.8.Environmental Justice
RCEA will:
a. Advocate for policies that align with RCEA’s Racial Justice Plan. a.b. Engage in regulatory and legislativepolicy developments that directly or indirectly impact the ability of rural, low-income, and underserved communities in the RCEA service territory to have affordable, reliable, and clean energy. b. Support policies that strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
c. Support policies that enable all communities, including emerging and historically marginalized communities, and individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, in California to participate in the decarbonization of the state’s electricalelectric grid, building stock, and the transportation sector in a cost-effective manner. d. Advocate for metrics and cost effectiveness rules that do not create a disadvantage in serving equity customers.
10.9. RCEA Programs
Protect RCEA will:
a. Support policies that protect CCA and REN autonomy to administer programs, and support policies that expand opportunities for or reduce barriers to the development of RCEA programs including but not limited to:
i. Integrated demand side management (including but not limited to microgrids, 113
6 2025 Policy Platform
distributed energy resources, demand response, energy efficiency, electrification, distributed generation and storage, vehicle-to-grid storage) ii. Low-carbon transportation (including but not limited to advanced fuel deployment, fuel efficiency, fueling infrastructure)
iii. Energy generation and utility services (including but not limited to rates and tariffs, transmission and distribution infrastructure) b. Protect Public Purpose Program support for energy efficiency programs. c. Support non-regulated fuels, such as propane, to be treated comparably with natural gas in allowing for electrification incentives.
11.10.Local Economic Development and Environmental Objectives RCEA will:
a. Support policies that enhance opportunities for local governments, CCAs, and CCAsRENs to promote local economic and workforce development through locally designed programs that meet the unique needs of its member agencies and customers. b. Support efforts to enhance development of local and regional sources of renewable energy., including efforts to establish Humboldt Bay as the primary west coast hub for the offshore wind industry
c. Support policies that enable CCAs and RENs to collaborate with their member jurisdictions on local energy resources and projects to advance environmental objectives.
12. Direct Access/Electric Service Providers
RCEA will:
a.c. Oppose policies that expand direct access or the ability or economic incentives for electric service providers to selectively recruit CCA or IOU customers. 114
Policy Platform Updates
03/27/2025
Faith Carlson
Elizabeth Burks
Policy Platform Updates
RCEA’s Policy Platform
• Adopted March 24, 2022
• Reflects RCEA’s RePower Humboldt Plan
• Pre-Policy Platform, RCEA needed Board approval
to adopt regulatory and legislative positions
Policy Platform Updates
•Recent events driving Policy Platform changes
• Establishment of Northern Rural REN
•Increased distribution reform efforts at the CPUC
•Diablo Canyon Allocation
•Increased energy affordability concerns and
scrutiny of energy efficiency program funding
• Change in federal administration
Policy Platform Updates
Issue Areas
1. Governance and Statutory Authority
2. Restructuring the Electricity Utility Sector
3. Reliability
4. Emergency and Disaster Response
5. Community Resilience
6. Climate Action
7. Energy Generation Sources
8. Environmental Justice
9. RCEA Programs
10. Local Economic Development and Environmental Objectives Policy Platform Updates
Procedure Changes
1. Removal of requirement to confer with
Chair and Vice Chair
2. Periodic rather than quarterly reports
Policy Platform Updates
•Discussion
•Questions?
•Additions?
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 9.2
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
PREPARED BY: Beth Burks, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Update on Offshore Wind
BACKGROUND
There are several goals and strategies within RePower Humboldt that emphasize the importance of offshore wind development to reach locally sourced and renewable energy goals (see Alignment with RCEA’s Strategic Plan section below).
From 2017 to 2022, RCEA played a leadership role within the offshore wind space including conducting stakeholder outreach, exploring grid interconnection, and evaluating potential lease areas. It was in part thanks to RCEA’s early work that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued wind lease auctions off California’s Coast. During this time, RCEA formed a public private partnership with an offshore wind development team to bid on the lease areas. The RCEA team was not among the successful bidders and the public private partnership was essentially dissolved.
Since 2022, RCEA has been tracking offshore wind developments and occasionally commenting on environmental review documents for the lease areas, transmission planning proceedings, and port development by participating in CoreHub meetings. CoreHub is a community organization headquartered at the Humboldt Area Foundation that works to include community benefits in offshore wind development.
A consistent theme in RCEA engagement efforts over the years has been a strong interest in local control and local benefits of new renewable energy developments.
Recent federal actions1 have caused a temporary halt on federal on- and off-shore wind leasing, permitting, loans, and rights of way, effectively slowing down the offshore wind development process. However, the lease areas off our coast have already been granted and the developers can continue due diligence and environmental analysis. Additionally, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District is continuing its efforts to develop a heavy lift marine terminal to support the offshore wind industry.
1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/temporary-withdrawal-of-all-areas-on-the-outer-continental-shelf-from-offshore-wind-leasing-and-review-of-the-federal-governments-leasing-and-permitting-practices-for-wind-projects/ 115
SUMMARY
RCEA’s strategic plan includes offshore wind among the power resources strategies, specifically:
4.1.9.1: Develop Offshore Wind Energy. Work with public and private entities to develop offshore wind energy off of the north coast region’s coastline, and support establishing Humboldt Bay as a west-coast hub for the offshore wind industry.
Staff is seeking feedback from the Board on what role RCEA should play moving forward. The Community Advisory Committee considered this at their last meeting as well. The following suggestions include their input as well as input from others.
Areas staff has identified that could benefit from RCEA leadership, involvement, and expertise include:
• Public education and outreach
• Engaging with central procurement planning
• Transmission planning
• Supporting a pilot project or small-scale project that could happen in State waters • Supporting broad community benefits and especially supporting lower electricity rates for frontline communities such as Humboldt County
• Support the Harbor District in zero-emission port planning Staff will develop an action plan with feedback from the Board. The resources needed to fulfil the action plan (staffing and funds) will be included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal on which the Board will vote.
ALIGNMENT WITH RCEA’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Related goals include:
REGIONAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION
Build the clean energy sector into a cornerstone of the local economy through a breadth of strategies that include innovation, research and development, local energy-related business development, and establishing Humboldt Bay as the primary west coast hub for the offshore wind energy industry.
ENERGY GENERATION AND UTILITY SERVICES
By 2025 100% of RCEA’s power mix will be from a combination of state-designated renewable energy sources—solar, wind, biomass, small hydroelectric, and geothermal— and state-designated, net-zero-carbon-emission, existing large hydroelectric facilities.
By 2030 Humboldt County will be a net exporter of renewable electricity and RCEA’s power mix will consist of 100% local, net-zero-carbon-emission renewable sources. 116
Related strategies include:
4.1 POWER RESOURCES
4.1.6 Promote Energy Feasibility Studies. Encourage and support feasibility studies of local wind, solar, hydropower, and ocean energy resources. Make recommendations on preferred alternatives that are consistent with community goals for energy security and sustainability.
4.1.9 Power Resources: Offshore Wind
4.1.9.1 Develop Offshore Wind Energy. Work with public and private entities to develop offshore wind energy off of the north coast region’s coastline, and support establishing Humboldt Bay as a west-coast hub for the offshore wind industry.
4.1.9.2 Procure Local Offshore Wind Energy. Contract for local offshore wind energy as part of RCEA’s community choice energy portfolio to the extent economically feasible and compatible with portfolio diversity needs.
EQUITY IMPACTS
Development of the offshore wind industry in our region could have significant equity implications. RCEA efforts will include centering the commitments made through RCEA’s Racial Justice Action Plan, specifically as it relates to external partnerships and programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Based on the Board’s feedback, financial impacts will be included in the FY 2025-26 budget proposal.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive staff presentation and provide feedback.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
117
This page
intentionally
left blank.
118
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item # 10.1
AGENDA DATE: March 27, 2025
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Beth Burks, Executive Director
SUBJECT: Executive Director’s Report
SUMMARY
Executive Director Beth Burks will provide updates on topics as needed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
None. (Information only.)
ATTACHMENT
None.
119
This page
intentionally
left blank.
120