MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:05 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:06:54)
Chair Fudge called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Fudge, Vice Chair Hopkins, Directors Bagby, Barnacle, Rogers, Elward, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, and Gjerde. Director Ford was absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:09:36)
1. Approve December 7, 2023, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
3. Approve and Delegate Authority to the CEO or his Designee to Execute Fourth Amendment to Contract with Calpine Energy Solutions, LLC to add $1,104,682 for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,074,682 through June 1, 2025 Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the January 4, 2024, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Vice Chair Hopkins
Second: Director Bagby
AYES: Bagby, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Hopkins
ABSENT: Ford, Gjerde
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
4. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:09 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:11:53)
9:11 a.m. Director Gjerde entered the meeting.
Geof Syphers, CEO, stated that SCP is in the process of purchasing the building located at 421 E St. and had Miles Horton, SCP’s new Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, introduce himself. Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations, discussed energy saving tips and community outreach. She mentioned that she would be sending a link to SCP’s newsletter to the Board. She discussed the Do-It-Yourself Toolkit that SCP offers, and the feedback SCP has received regarding it. She pointed out the October financials and stated that SCP’s reserves are higher than reflected on the statements because they are updated only once each year following the end-of-year audit.
Public Comment: None
5. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:17 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:19:46)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, stated that the California Public Utilities Commission denied CalCCA’s Application for rehearing of the resource adequacy decision preventing CCA expansion. CEO Syphers added that this decision delays service to two disadvantaged communities.
Director Bagby asked if there was a legislative cure to the decision and Director Reardon answered that the CPUC has been editing resource adequacy rules. Director Elward stated that she was bothered by the inequality in this decision.
CEO Syphers asked Mr. Horton to discuss the last session of the Legislature.
Horton discussed the last session, upcoming sessions, and some bonds that the legislature may place onto the ballot in the 2024 election cycle, and how the state’s budget shortfall could make a bond more likely on the ballot.
Director Bagby then asked if Legislators understood that the lack of transmission capacity was a big issue and Mr. Horton responded that yes, this was an issue that seems to bring people together in the Legislature. Director Barnacle asked what SCP’s priorities were for this legislative session and CEO Syphers responded that geothermal permitting allowing local agencies the ability for geothermal exploration would be a big priority. Chair Fudge added that transmission should be an issue also. Director Rogers stated that bi-directional charging should be a priority and CEO Syphers agreed, while noting there are many forms of bidirectional charging and some are much more affordable than others. Director Bagby encouraged the Board to review SCP’s legislative agenda with their cities and counties to harmonize policy platforms. Director Farrar-Rivas asked if the delay in permitting would affect SCP’s Geothermal partners and CEO Syphers explained that it could, but that SCP’s partners are currently only working on pilot programs, so some limited transmission capacity may still be available without building new transmission lines. Director Bagby asked if it would be timely to start discussing these matters with Lake County and CEO Syphers agreed that would be a good idea.
Public Comment: None
6. Receive the 2023 Annual Report
(9:51 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:53:55)
Kate Kelly, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, gave a presentation on the 2023 Annual Report entitled “More Power to You.” Chair Fudge and Director Elward thanked staff for the presentation. Director Strong asked if there were hard copies and Director Kelly answered no and offered a printable PDF version.
Public Comment: None
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(9:59 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:59:24)
Director Barnacle announced that Petaluma purchased the Petaluma Fairgrounds, four electric buses and received an $8 million grant for the electrification of the North Petaluma Station.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:01 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:01:28)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:02 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:02:10)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board