MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:05 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:46)
Chair Fudge called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Fudge, Vice Chair Hopkins, Directors Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Rogers, Elward, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, and Gjerde. Director Strong was absent with prior notice.
Staff present: Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations; Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, Carolyn Glanton, Programs Operations Manager; and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:07 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:28)
1. Approve January 4, 2024, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Ratify Generation Rates Effective February 1, 2024, Consistent with Prior Board Direction
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the February 1, 2024, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Barnacle
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Strong
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
3. Nominate and Approve the Appointments of Chair and Vice Chair of the Board for One-Year Terms
(9:09 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:06:33)
Public Comment: None
Motion to Nominate and Approve the Appointment of Lynda Hopkins as Chair of the Board for a One-Year Term by Chair Fudge
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Strong
Director Fudge thanked the Board and staff for their service during her time as Chair of the Board and discussed her history with SCP.
Chair Hopkins thanked the Board, staff and outgoing Chair Fudge and Director Elward also thanked Director Fudge for her service.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Nominate and Approve the Appointment of Brian Barnacle as Vice Chair of the Board for a One-Year Term by Rogers
Second: Director Farrar-Rivas
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Strong
Vice Chair Barnacle thanked the Board and staff.
4. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:23 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:20:18)
Stephanie Reynolds, Director of Internal Operations, discussed GridSavvy and community partner donations made through the program being over $5,000.
She added that the donation program has been extended and all applications are due on February 13, 2024. Director Reynolds then discussed EverGreen enrollment and explained the calculations used for weighted voting, which are recalculated annually. Michael Koszalka, COO, gave an update on SCP’s financials and announced that SCP had closed escrow on the 421 E St., Santa Rosa building. COO Koszalka then discussed SCP’s investment summary and reserves.
Director Lemus asked if the new building would be modified, and COO Koszalka answered that SCP has not made plans, yet. Director Fudge asked why GridSavvy numbers were low and added that SCP needed to re-advertise the program. Director Reynolds and COO Koszalka agreed and stated that the program was expanding. Director Farrar-Rivas asked how SCP was reaching out to non-profits and Carolyn Glanton, Programs Operations Manager, encouraged the Board to reach out to their personal relationships and added that SCP was using its distribution list. Director Zollman asked if SCP has a list for underserved communities and Ms. Glanton answered that SCP does have a list but always welcomes Board members to share information about the program with their contacts. Chair Hopkins asked if SCP had explored a community benefit fund to target equity and requested an upcoming item regarding community outreach.
Public Comment: None
5. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:39 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:36:52)
Neal Reardon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, announced that PG&E applied to expand the capacity of the Helms Pumped Storage Facility. Director Reardon explained that this expansion would extend the life of the hydro plant and add additional capacity. Director Reardon then discussed the extension of Diablo Canyon and explained that since its approval, two petitions have been submitted to the CPUC and he stated that PG&E wanted a guaranteed rate of return on their investment.
Vice Chair Barnacle asked how often PG&E is not guaranteed a rate of return and Director Reardon answered not often, but this time there are caps placed on PG&E. Director Rogers asked if the CPUC was supposed to discuss Diablo Canyon in January and Director Reardon answered that matter was working its way through the CPUC now.
Director Reardon then stated that CPUC Commissioner Shiroma had announced her retirement and the Governor will appoint a new Commissioner to fill the vacancy. He then added that PG&E had settled over the Dixie Fire with the CPUC for a $45 million fine.
Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, gave a legislative update and stated that bills were due to the legislature by February 16, 2024. He gave an update on SB 938 which would close a loophole using ratepayer funds for lobbying and he discussed leadership changes. Mr.
Horton then discussed the budget and the upcoming ~$39+ billion deficit. Mr.
Horton then gave an update on AB 1999 which would significantly alter the authorization it gave for income graduated fixed charges.
Director Barnacle asked if there was any appetite for an energy burden cap for income qualified participants and Mr. Horton answered not that he was aware of, but he added that awareness was increasing.
Public Comment: None
Motion to give authority to the Chair and Vice Chair to work with ratepayer groups regarding AB 1999 by Director Rogers
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
ABSENT: Strong
6. Receive Energy Savings Box Focus Group Findings
(10:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:00:27)
Brytann Busick, Marketing and Events Manager, gave a presentation on the Energy Savings Box focus group findings.
Director Fudge encouraged SCP to work with schools. Director Farrar-Rivas asked what SCP’s long-term plans were and COO Koszalka answered that these materials were the early stages and SCP was learning from the research.
Director Lemus stated that Cinco de Mayo festivals would be a good place to have the boxes and Vice Chair Barnacle added that Meals on Wheels, McDowell Family Resource Center, and the Mentor Me program would as well.
Ms. Busick invited the Board to send her ideas on where to distribute the boxes.
Public Comment: None
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:18 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:15:37)
Director Fudge honored Melanie Bagby as a member of the Board of Directors. Chair Hopkins also thanked Ms. Bagby for her leadership and requested staff to prepare a thank you from the Board. Chair Hopkins then asked Director Lands to introduce himself, which he did. Director Farrar-Rivas announced that the City of Sonoma adopted its Climate Action Strategy.
Member Lemus announced that the City of Cotati passed a resolution honoring Black History Month and Director Zollman added that Sebastopol did as well. Vice Chair Barnacle announced Petaluma would be holding Lumacon and they had also honored Black History Month.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:28 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:23:52)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:28 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:24:46)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board