MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2022
8:45 A.M.
___________________________________________________________ ****AB 361****
**RE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19**
CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF AB 361 WHICH SUSPENDED CERTAIN
REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PARTICIPATED IN THE JULY 7, 2022, MEETING BY TELECONFERENCE.
CALL TO ORDER
(8:48 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:07)
Chair King called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair King, Vice Chair Fudge, and Directors Bagby, Peters, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Gjerde, and Hopkins. Director Landman was absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs; Ryan Tracey, Director of Planning & Analytics; Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations and Marketing; Chris Golik, Revenue Manager; Erica Torgerson, Director of Customer Service; and Joshua Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(8:49 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:03:13)
1. Approve June 2, 2022, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
3. Approve Additional Funding for the Existing On-Bill Finance Assistance Pilot Program and Delegate Authority to the CEO to Negotiate, Execute, and Amend a Professional Services Agreement for On-Bill Finance Administrator Agreement for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $139,643 through June 30, 2023
4. Authorize Extension of SCP Resolution 2021-05 Permitting Remote Teleconference Meetings of the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee Pursuant to AB 361
5. Adopt a Resolution Setting a Date, Hour, and Place for Regular Meetings Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve the July 7, 2022, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Bagby
Second: Director Peters
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Bagby, Peters, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Landman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
6. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(8:51 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:05:35)
Erica Torgerson, Director of Customer Service, discussed the customer bill protections that were a result of the California 2020 State of Emergency due to Covid. California’s recently approved budget included the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP). The CAPP helps pay back balances for residential customers. A newer version of CAPP has been approved to cover unpaid residential customer balances from June 2021 to December 2021.
Michael Koszalka, COO, gave an update on the Advanced Energy Center and stated that in-person visits have been picking up. He discussed SCP’s Community Needs Assessment analyzing what customers need and want and spoke about GridSavvy Rewards.
Chris Golik, Revenue Manager, pointed out in the financials year-to-date column, that SCP now has a positive net position through 11 months of this fiscal year. He also mentioned that the reserve balances had been corrected to reflect the actual audited financials.
Director Rogers asked what the cost breakdown is for each new customer and inquired when SCP can drop customers and what would be the nexus. COO Koszalka stated that SCP is gaining more customers gradually over time. He explained that SCP is working on increasing public awareness and the effect of that would be to drive more customers to SCP. Director Torgerson stated that SCP only has a 1% opt out rate for new customers.
Director Slayter inquired if new construction developments would require net zero emissions and if there was a long-term contract for EverGreen to satisfy the need. CEO Syphers answered not yet, because the California Energy Commission’s regulation for Title-24 is limited to one property and energy resources cannot be on a different parcel from the home. Director Slayter then asked if smart meters were required for GridSavvy participation. Director Simonson answered yes.
Public Comment: None
7. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:09 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:23:22)
CEO Syphers gave a regulatory update and he stated that PG&E has filed for a revenue increase for rates on January 1, 2023. He gave an update on the US Supreme Court decision, West Virginia et al v. Environmental Protection Agency et al, where the Supreme Court held that the EPA does not have the right to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. He then introduced SCP’s lobbyist, Kate Brandenburg of the Brandenburg Group.
Ms. Brandenburg explained that there is urgency to get bills passed in Sacramento before the summer recess. SCP has taken a position on 15 bills this year. She discussed SB 1158 (Becker) and stated that SCP had worked with the author to make changes to the bill and SCP has changed its position from oppose to support. She discussed AB 2316 (Ward) regarding community renewable energy and stated CalCCA worked with the Senate to put language back in the bill that was removed, which has improved the bill. She discussed SB 1020 (Laird) and stated SCP has requested amended language to the bill to allow the use of EverGreen service for State agency customers.
She discussed SB 1136 (Portantino) which SCP has requested an amendment to and the author has approved. Finally, she stated that SCP had removed opposition to AB 2038 (O’Donnell).
Special Counsel Joshua Nelson provided an update on bills related to remote meetings rules. He said AB 1944 (Lee, Garcia, Becker, Cortese, Stern) is no longer moving forward. He stated that AB 2449 (Rubio) is moving forward and would allow remote meetings without certain Brown Act requirements, but would require a quorum from a single location, in cases for good cause or an emergency, has limitations on the number of people who can participate remotely, and would require remote participants to disclose others who are in their location.
CEO Syphers discussed SB 122 which is an omnibus energy bill which was swiftly passed, and he stated that SCP will be working to tighten the rules for implementing the bill in future legislation.
Director Bagby asked if the Omnibus Energy bill was reinstating energy production at Diablo Canyon. CEO Syphers stated that he doesn’t know.
Director Bagby exited the meeting at approximately 9:33 a.m.
Director Hopkins asked about the teleconference bill and stated that Bay Area Air Quality Management District had taken the position to oppose this bill and she asked that SCP consider opposing the bill. Director Rogers asked when the current bill expires, and Counsel Nelson answered that it runs through 2023.
Chair King asked about SB 122 and CEO Syphers responded that the bill appropriates funds from California’s General Fund.
Public Comment: None
8. Approve the Continued Use of New Customer Rates Effective July 1, 2022 (9:48 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:00:03)
Revenue Manager Golik explained that the approval of the new customer rates was needed to keep customer total bills at or below PG&E bundled customer bills for all rate schedules. and explained the fiscal impact would decrease revenue by around 1%.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve the Continued Use of New Customer Rates Effective July 1, 2022, by Director Peters
Second: Director Fudge
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES:, Peters, King, Elward, Rogers, Slayter, Felder, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins ABSENT: Bagby, Landman
9. Receive Presentation on Brand Awareness Survey Findings (9:51 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:03:47)
Kate Kelly, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, introduced Harry Hiner from Hiner & Partners, Inc. to give a presentation on focus group research regarding SCP’s brand awareness.
Mr. Hiner stated that results of the survey showed SCP has achieved 40% unaided brand awareness, a level that is unprecedented. He stated the survey originated from the Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) and the responses were very similar across the counties in SCP’s service territory. He also said that there was brand awareness across all age groups. He said there was little change needed to SCP’s brand awareness efforts but recommended focusing on messaging to younger, Hispanic, and people living in multifamily buildings (e.g., apartments).
Chair King requested the slides be distributed to the Board.
Director Fudge stated that we need to entice the public to EVs by showing them price points and discounts.
Director Kelly announced that SCP was named the “Best Business to do Business With” in the North Bay Business Journal.
10:15 a.m. Director Bagby re-entered the meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:16 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:28:28)
Chair King reminded the Board that the next meeting will start at 9:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:16 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:28:48)
Public Comment: Mr. Green’s email was read into the record - Attached
ADJOURN
(10:19 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:32:01)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin Bartow, J.D.
Clerk of the Board