Board of
Directors
Regular Meeting
April 24, 2025
Welcome
and
Call to
Order
Roll
Call
4 Land
Acknowledgement
6 Warm Welcome!
Cody Harrison
Senior Program Associate
Jeb Spengler
Strategic Finance Manager
Marlene Maurer
Senior Program Associate
Items to
be Added,
Withdrawn
or Reordered
on the
Agenda
Public
Comments
on non
Agenda
Items
9 Consent
Calendar
1. Approve March 27, 2025, Meeting Minutes
2. Receive and File Treasurer’s Report for Period Ending February 28, 2025
3. Receive and File Update on Programs
4. Receive and File Update on Power Services
5. Receive and File Update on Customer Operations
6. Receive and File Update on Human Resources
7. Receive and File Update on Marketing, Public
Relations, and Local Government Affairs
8. Receive and File Community Advisory Committee
Monthly Report
Public
Comment
on
Consent
Calendar
11 Regular
Agenda
9. Quarterly Update on Regulatory and Legislative Affairs
10. Adopt Resolution No. 2025-03, Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to: (1) Execute the Memorandum of
Understanding (“MOU”) in Substantially Final Form with Los Angeles County, through its Internal Services Department and to Negotiate and Execute any Amendments, Extensions or
Renewals of the MOU; (2) Accept, Appropriate, and Expend the Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”) Funds in an Amount not to exceed $1,409,316 in the FY 2025-26 Capital Budget and FY 2025-29 Capital Investment Plan; and (3) Take all Necessary Action to Administer, Monitor, Manage and Ensure Compliance with the MOU and to Negotiate and
Execute Agreements with Third-Parties to Implement the MOU or Use of Funds in Accordance with Applicable Policies, Including the Procurement Policy
11. Updates to San Diego Community Power Board and
Committee Compensation and Reimbursement Policy
12 Item No. 9
Recommendation:
Receive and File Quarterly Update on Regulatory and Legislative Affairs.
Presenters:
Laura Fernandez, Senior Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Patrick Welch, Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Aisha Cervantes Cissna, Senior Policy Manager
Dean Kinports, Senior Strategic Policy Manager
Stephen Gunther, Regulatory Manager
Quarterly Update on Regulatory and Legislative Affairs
13 State Legislative Update
Legislation Community Power is Supporting
• AB 259 (Rubio): Extending the sunset date on
public agency teleconferencing protocols
• SB 239 (Arreguin): Teleconferencing standards
for subsidiary bodies
• SB 302 (Padilla): Inflation Reduction Act tax
conformity
• SB 330 (Padilla): Public financing of
transmission powerlines
• SB 540 (Becker): Participation in a regional
electricity market
• SB 710 (Blakespear): Property taxes on behind
the meter solar + storage SB 540 (Becker) coalition letter 14 State Legislative Update
State Budget & Funding
• Support for California Energy Commission’s
Distributed Electricity Backup Assets (DEBA): $180
million could become available if the Legislature
approves the Governor’s budget request.
• Working to unlock residential battery storage funds
for disadvantaged communities: Legislature provided
$280 million to the CPUC in 2023, but CPUC rules have
so far excluded CCA customers.
• Support for energy efficiency programs that reduce
customer bills, enhance grid reliability, and reduce
emissions: Community Power is part of a coalition
advising the Legislature to preserve key energy
efficiency programs.
Energy efficiency coalition letter
15 State Legislative Update
Tracking Energy Storage Safety Legislation
• SB 283 (Laird): Fire department inspections, safety standards, and installing in noncombustible buildings.
• AB 303 (Addis): No installation within 3,200 feet of sensitive receptors and environmentally sensitive sites and prohibit state-level siting.
• AB 434 (DeMaio): 2-year moratorium while the State Fire Marshall adopts guidelines and minimum standards.
• AB 588 (Patel): Working group to recommend potential safety solutions to the Building Code. • AB 841 (Patel): Working group to develop recommendations about personal protective equipment used by firefighters when responding to lithium-ion batteries. • AB 1285 (Committee on Emergency Management): State Fire Marshal development of fire prevention, response, and recovery measures.
16 Federal Update
Overview
• The 117th Congress and previous Administration passed significant legislation that expanded and extended clean energy tax credits and advanced clean energy funding solutions: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). • Since the new (119th) Congress and Administration has taken office in January, Community Power staff has actively been tracking relevant energy policy developments. • Fluid situation with activity happening through executive orders, pending action in Congress, and through the Courts.
• Community Power staff is coordinating with other California CCAs and the Local Energy Aggregation Network (LEAN) to advance to our priorities and protect the interests of our customers and communities.
17 Federal Update
Executive Orders
• Import tariffs on Chinese goods, steel and aluminum, and minimum 10% tariff on all countries.
• Unleashing American Energy (January): Paused IRA and IIJA disbursements and repeals prior executive actions on climate change.
• Declaring a National Energy Emergency (January): Enhanced the production/generation of domestic energy sources.
• Protecting American Energy from State Overreach (April): U.S.
Attorney General will identify all state/local laws burdening domestic energy production and take all appropriate actions.
• Strengthening the Reliability and Security of the U.S. Electric Grid (April): U.S. Dept. of Energy will analyze bulk grid reserve margins and retain generation in areas deemed at risk.
18 Federal Update
IRA Funding Status
Community Power is not the direct recipient of any federal funds, but is tracking three federal funding streams that present potential incentive stacking opportunities:
• Solar 4 All: $249 million through the CPUC, of which $190.2 million may be available to offset the costs of community solar projects.
• Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES): $291 million program through the CEC to pay for whole home upgrades. The CEC’s plan is pending and $89.4 million may be “braided” with the Equitable Building Decarbonization funding for the Southern California region that will be discussed in the next agenda item. • Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEERA): $290 million statewide program through the CEC to help low to moderate income households pay for energy efficient equipment and appliances, such as heat pumps.
19 Federal Update
Potential Congressional Actions
• Budget reconciliation: Congress working to
identify $1.5 - $4.5 trillion in budget savings
over 10 years by Memorial Day (May 26).
• The process could target energy tax
credits: Eliminating clean energy tax credits
could result in budget savings of $870 billion
over 10 years.
• Wholesale power tax credits: Investment
tax credit (ITC) and production tax credit
(PTC) provide a 30% credit for
energy projects, and 10% "adders" for energy
communities and for domestic content
standards.
Source: House Budget Committee FY25-34 Budget Resolution One Pager 20 Federal Update
Potential Congressional Actions Cont’d
• Consumer-level energy tax credits: Home
Energy Efficiency Improvement Credit (HEEIC)
saves homeowners money on improvements
like more efficient electric hot water heaters,
and the Residential Clean Energy Credit
(RCEC) provides a 30% tax credit for residential
solar and storage assets.
• Tax-exempt municipal bonds. These bonds
underpin pre-pay transactions and support
municipal investments across the entire U.S.
Source: climateaction.ca.gov/home-energy
21 Federal Update
Potential Congressional Actions Cont’d
(HR 2838)
22 Federal Update
Community Power Federal Activities
• Joint CCA Congressional Letter advanced the
following priorities:
o Maintain tax-exempt status for municipal bonds
o Preserve federal energy tax incentives, such as
the ITC, PTC, HEEIC, RCEC, and the Clean
Vehicle Credits
o Streamline transmission development
o Tariffs could create new affordability headwinds
o Uphold existing lease contracts and federal grant
commitments
23 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Establish Policies, Processes, and Rules to Ensure Safe and Reliable Gas Systems in California and Perform Long-Term Gas System Planning
• Proceeding purpose
o Facilitate decarbonization activities over
time in a way that supports equity,
safety, affordability, reliability, and price
spikes
• Key interests
o Gas distribution planning data to support
CCA load planning
o Development of priority zones for
neighborhood decarbonization pilots
(Senate Bill 1221)
(Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) 24 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Smart Meter Decision Petition for Modification Requesting SDG&E to Continue to Provide Real-Time Data to Customers Background: Real-Time Energy Usage Data Access
In 2007, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized SDG&E’s Smart Meter Program, one of the key benefits cited was giving customers access to real-time energy usage data through Home Area Network (HAN) devices.
HAN devices connect smart meters and allow customers to monitor their energy use in real-time, allowing customers to:
• Monitor and adjust energy usage in real-time
• Participate in demand response and dynamic pricing programs • Lower their bills and carbon footprint
25 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Smart Meter Decision Petition for Modification Requesting SDG&E to Continue to Provide Real-Time Data to Customers What is SDG&E Doing (or Not Doing)
SDG&E ended their support of the ZigBee-based HAN reconnections and new requests for connections, leaving customers without real-time data access SDG&E will restore this functionality when it deploys next-generation smart meters (wifi enabled), which is likely years away
In the meantime:
• Customers who lose their connection are permanently disconnected in this interim period • Customers cannot request new HAN connections
26 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Smart Meter Decision Petition for Modification Requesting SDG&E to Continue to Provide Real-Time Data to Customers Community Power filed the PFM because:
• SDG&E is out of compliance with previous CPUC orders
• Customers are being denied a benefit that they have
already paid for
• CPUC’s recent denial of SDG&E’s Smart Meter upgrades
was denied in their recent General Rate Case and must be refiled as a separate application
Overview of the PFM
The petition asks the CPUC to clarify and modify the previous decision to require SDG&E to:
• Reconnect existing HAN devices that lose connection
• Honor new customer requests for HAN pairing
• Continue these services until WiFi-enabled smart meters are installed
What is a Petition for Modification (PFM)?
A procedural request to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to make changes to or clarify the text of an issued decision.
It is used when circumstances have changed, or when a
decision’s implementation is unclear or flawed.
27 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Smart Meter Decision Petition for Modification Requesting SDG&E to Continue to Provide Real-Time Data to Customers Community Power Interests: Real-time usage data supports customer empowerment, demand flexibility, affordability, and decarbonization
• Community Power views such data as a critical tool that allows retail electric customers to make informed decisions about their energy usage, respond effectively to dynamic rate signals, and shift their load in ways that align with State of California decarbonization objectives and Community Power’s own policy goals • Community Power supports customers' ability to leverage granular, real-time meter data, so customers can adjust usage during peak times, take advantage of lower-cost off-peak periods, and better integrate on-site and community-level renewable resources February 19: Community
Power, CEA, and Mission:Data
filed PFM
March 21: Responses filed by
SDG&E, Voltus, and CEDMC
April 1: Community Power,
CEA, and Mission:Data replied
to SDG&E’s response
6-12 Months: expected CPUC
Decision
Timeline and Next Steps
28 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Update and Reform Energy Resource Recovery Account and Power Charge Indifference Adjustment Policies and Processes
On February 20, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to open a new order instituting rulemaking (OIR) on the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) and other matters related to the Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) annual forecast and compliance proceedings.
• PCIA: Ratemaking element to ensure indifference to all customers, bundled and unbundled, to avoid cost shifts when load departs the incumbent utility to another load serving entity, such as a CCA, by having all customers pay their share of legacy costs. *Value calculated using “Market Price Benchmarks” (MPB) Source: CalCCA
29 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Update and Reform Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) and Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) Policies and Processes
Rulemaking Goals and Structure:
• Consider improvements to existing ERRA and PCIA rules and processes • Identify ways to mitigate rate volatility
• Ensure indifference between bundled and departed customers • Provide policy guidance for forecast ratemaking proceedings Track 1 is focused on possible
adjustments to the Resource
Adequacy Market Price
Benchmarks for use in 2026 rates
Track 2 will consider additional
long-term revisions to ERRA and
PCIA rules and processes
30 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Update and Reform Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) and Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) Policies and Processes
Parties filed opening comments on March 18 and reply comments on April 2 Community Power’s trade association, the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA), made the following overarching arguments:
• The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has an obligation to ensure indifference for both bundled and unbundled customers.
• Overall customer affordability will not be achieved through modifications to the Resource Adequacy Market Price Benchmarks (RA MPB).
• In today’s PCIA framework, lowering bundled customers’ rates only increases departed customers’ rates. • Any CPUC Decision on the staff proposals must be based on transparent data and modeling demonstrating the rate impacts on bundled and unbundled customers.
• CalCCA also addressed the five staff proposals for modifying the RA MPB. 31 Regulatory & Legislative Update
Order Instituting Rulemaking to Update and Reform Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) and Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) Policies and Processes
Next Steps
• A Prehearing Conference was held on April 7, 2025, and a Scoping Memo and Ruling for was issued the following day.
• Opening Briefs are due April 21 and Reply Briefs are due April 30. • It is anticipated that a proposed decision on Track One will be issued in May 2025 • The goals is to address the Resource Adequacy Market Price Benchmarks (RA MPB) in time for Energy Division to provide revised RA MPB inputs in time for the October ERRA Updates (for use in 2026 rates)
• Community Power continues to analyze potential rate impacts of various proposals Public
Comment
on Item
No. 9
33 Item No. 10
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-03, Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to: (1) Execute the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) in substantially final form with Los Angeles County, through its Internal Services Department and to negotiate and execute any amendments, extensions or renewals of the MOU; (2) accept, appropriate, and expend the Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”) funds in an amount not to exceed $1,409,316 in the FY 2025-26 Capital Budget and FY 2025-29 Capital Investment Plan; and (3) take all necessary action to administer, monitor, manage and ensure compliance with the MOU and to negotiate and execute agreements with third-parties to implement the MOU or use of funds in accordance with applicable policies, including the Procurement Policy.
Presenter:
Nelson Lomeli, Senior Program Manager
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-03, Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to: (1) Execute the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) in Substantially Final Form with Los Angeles County, through its Internal Services Department and to Negotiate and Execute any Amendments, Extensions or Renewals of the MOU; (2) Accept, Appropriate, and Expend the Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”) Funds in an Amount not to exceed $1,409,316 in the FY 2025-26 Capital Budget and FY 2025-29 Capital Investment Plan; and (3) Take all necessary Action to Administer, Monitor, Manage and Ensure Compliance with the MOU and to Negotiate and Execute Agreements with Third-Parties to Implement the MOU or Use of Funds in Accordance with Applicable Policies, Including the Procurement Policy
34 • No-cost, direct installation of decarbonization measures and equipment that:
• Electrify homes by replacing existing gas-fired appliances • Increase the homes’ energy efficiency
• Conduct basic remediation and safety upgrades
• Upgrade electric panels
Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
Heating and Cooling
Water Heating
Cooking
Laundry
Lighting
Building Envelope
Electrical
Remediation and Safety
Types of No-Cost Measures
35 • Available to low-to-moderate
income residential households in
Disadvantaged and/or Low-Income
Communities:
• Single-family homes (renters)
• Multi-family homes (renters &
condos)
• Mobile/manufactured homes
Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
36 • Working with Los Angeles County (“LA County”) and Southern California Equitable Building Decarbonization Coalition. • LA County, through a CEC solicitation, was selected as Program Administrator for the Southern Region.
• Budget of $328M for Southern Region.
• Potential to decarbonize 8,000+ homes in SoCal.
• Estimated 1,500 homes in Community Power service territory. • Estimating up to $60 million in investments in the territory (depending on per home costs and number of participating homes) Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
37 Under MOU, Community Power will receive and be responsible for:
• $737,000 to conduct marketing, outreach, and educational activities to generate awareness and recruit participants through our Power Network.
• Community Power will enter into agreements with 8-15 CBOs within the Power Network to provide this funding to complete promotional and educational activities.
• CEC identifying target communities that are:
• Vulnerable to extreme climate risks;
• Exposed to air pollution;
• Underserved by existing programs; and/or
• Experience high energy burdens.
Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
38 Community Power will also receive and be responsible for:
• $663,000 for Community Power staff time to:
• Support the Power Network
• Assist LA County in coordinating and integrating other programs • E.g., Smart Home Flex and/or programs from San Diego
Regional Energy Network (“SD REN”)
• Deliver additional benefits to participants that can help reduce operating costs and further reduce emissions
Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
39 Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
CEC issues an
RFI on the EBD
program
Jan – Mar
2023
CEC issues draft
guidelines for
EBD
Apr – June
2023
Staff engaging
with LA County
and SoCal
Coalition
July – Sept
2023
CEC issues draft
EBD Solicitation
Manual & Scope
of Work
Oct – Dec
2023
CEC releases
EBD solicitations
Proposal by LA
County Submitted
Apr – June
2024
CEC releases
NOPA selecting
LA County as PA
July – Sept
2024
CEC approves
Proposed Awards
& Signs Contracts
Oct – Dec
2024
MOU
negotiations with
LA County
Jan – Mar
2025
Seek Board
Approval of
Resolution 25-03
April 2025
EBD
Launch!
July 2025
40 • Resolution No. 2025-03, Authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to:
• Execute the Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County, through its Internal Services Department;
• Negotiate and execute any amendments, extensions or
renewals of the MOU;
• Accept, appropriate, and expend $1,409,316 in Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”) funds in the FY 2025-26 Capital Budget and FY 2025-29 Capital Investment Plan;
• Take all necessary action to administer, monitor, manage and ensure compliance with the MOU; and
• Negotiate and execute agreements with third-parties to implement the MOU or use of funds in accordance with
applicable policies, including the Procurement Policy.
Equitable Building Decarbonization (“EBD”)
Direct Install Program
Public
Comment
on Item
No. 10
42 Item No. 11
Recommendation:
Adopt Resolution No. 2025-04 amending San Diego Community Power Board and Committee Compensation and Reimbursement Policy (“Policy”) to increase the per diem compensation for advisory committee members; increase the cap on monthly per diem compensation for members who sit on more than one Board, Committee, or Working Group; allow committee members to receive a per diem for activities attended on behalf of Community Power, including outreach.
Presenter:
Chair Paloma Aguirre
Updates to San Diego Community Power Board and Committee Compensation and Reimbursement Policy
Public
Comment
on Item
No. 11
Report by
Chief
Executive
Officer
45 Happy Earth Day!
South Bay Earth Day Padres Earth Day Creative La Mesa Earth Day 46 Recent Speaking Engagements
New Children's Museum Opening Ceremony Startup San Diego 1st Mondays Directors'
Comments
Adjournment
Next Regular
Board of Directors Meeting
May 22, 2025