MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:03 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:42)
Chair Hopkins called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Chair Hopkins, Vice Chair Barnacle, Directors Lands, Lemus, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, and Gjerde.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operations Officer; Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs; Scott Salyer, Program Manager; Carolyn Glanton, Program Operations Manager; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy and Community Engagement Manager; and Josh Nelson, Special Counsel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:03:51)
1. Approve March 7, 2024, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
3. Approve and Delegate Authority to the Chief Executive Officer or Designee to Execute an Amendment to the Software License, Maintenance, and Support Agreement with Ascend Analytics, LLC, for a Three-Year Extension and Incremental Contract Total of $546,503
4. Approve Changes to Financial Policy B1 – Chief Executive Officer Spending Authority to allow the Chief Executive Officer to Approve Expenditures of Up to $250,000, Consistent with the Board’s Adopted Budget Public Comment: None
Motion to approve the April 4, 2024, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Vice Chair Barnacle
Second: Director Elward
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
5. Receive Internal Operations and Monthly Financial Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:06 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:05:43)
Michael Koszalka, COO, introduced Scott Salyer, Programs Manager, to give a program update on the Parkwood Apartment Complex that has been working on energy efficiency with Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). This program is a great example of how SCP combines funding streams.
Director Fudge requested information on Parkwood be sent to the Board.
COO Koszalka then introduced Carolyn Glanton, Program Operations Manager to give an update on the Enphase battery program. Ms. Glanton explained the Enphase program and stated it would be launching very soon.
COO Koszalka then discussed current SCP enrollments and financials. He pointed out the long-term target reserve and added that SCP would have a re-stated target reserve once the audit is complete following the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. Geof Syphers, CEO, introduced Kory Clement SCP’s new Risk Manager and added that SCP would be opening a recruitment for a Chief Financial Officer.
Public Comment: None
6. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Approve Legislative Positions, and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:12 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:11:35)
CEO Syphers discussed SCP’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that was required to be submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). He stated that the IRP was accepted and the CPUC commended SCP’s commitment to underserved communities. CEO Syphers then announced that Governor Newsom appointed Matthew Baker to the CPUC.
Miles Horton, Legislative Policy and Community Engagement Manager, gave a legislative update. He mentioned that all placeholder bills had been clarified and he proposed three new legislative positions. He discussed SB 1130 (Bradford) which would provide an energy discount under the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) and stated that SCP staff recommend supporting the bill. He then discussed SB 1305 (Stern) which SCP’s staff recommendation is “oppose unless amended” because the bill would stipulate specific procurement of resource adequacy from virtual power plants at a time when the rules for this technology are far from clear, and it is therefore unknown whether SCP’s existing virtual power plant (GridSavvy) would qualify. Mr.
Horton then discussed SB 1221 (Min) which would tackle building decarbonization and added that SCP supports this bill.
Chair Hopkins stated that she appreciates SCP looking into FERA and asked if PG&E had investigated pricing based on cost of living and not a one size fits all system. CEO Syphers responded that affordability is a topic many lawmakers are discussing in Sacramento. Chair Hopkins then asked if SCP had investigated SB 1298 (Cortese) which would increase California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions for data centers and CEO Syphers asked for more time for staff to analyze the bill. Director Rogers discussed attending SCP’s lobby day in Sacramento and Mr. Horton thanked Kate Brandenburg, SCP’s lobbyist, for her help that day. Director Lemus added that CalCities took a watch position on AB 1999 which discussed electricity fixed charges at their legislative policy meeting.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve Sonoma Clean Power Authority’s Legislative Positions and add SB 1298 (Cortese) as a watch position by Director Rogers Second: Director Farrar-Rivas
AYES: Lands, Lemus, Barnacle, Elward, Rogers, Zollman, Farrar-Rivas, Strong, Fudge, Gjerde, Hopkins
7. Review and Provide Direction on the Draft Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025
(9:40 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:39:33)
CEO Syphers introduced SCP’s budget and annual process. He mentioned that the draft budget would be seen and reviewed four times, twice by the Committee and twice by the Board of Directors. Chris Golik, Revenue Manager, walked the Board through the Budget tables and explained how this draft budget would support a 7% savings on customer bills relative to PG&E, and includes the expected cost of energy rising, and sustaining SCP’s reserve funds.
Vice Chair Barnacle stated that equity investments are not called out in the program’s budget and requested information on what SCP was doing for equity be added. CEO Syphers explained that additional equity programs were being workshopped and encouraged the Board to give their input on how to use SCP’s extra funds. Rebecca Simonson, Director of Programs, stated that SCP was focused on targeting Empower communities with a 25% target rate for incentives. Director Elward stated that when equitable programs are not discussed in writing then they tend to be overlooked. Director Zollman stated that he would like to see equity programs in writing, and he would like the Board to be given updates accordingly and Vice Chair Barnacle agreed.
Director Lemus said that she would like to see more outreach in local communities and Director Zollman added that Analy High is looking for outreach and he believed all local schools are.
Public Comment: Drake Cunningham discussed skilled tradesmen and his comment is attached to these minutes.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(9:58 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:57:34)
Vice Chair Barnacle invited everyone to Petaluma’s Butter and Eggs Day Parade. Director Lemus invited everyone to attend Roseland’s Cinco de Mayo festival and hoped SCP would have a presence. Director Farrar-Rivas invited everyone to Sonoma’s Pride Festival. Director Fudge invited everyone to the Grand Fondo race in Windsor. Director Zollman encouraged everyone to attend Sebastopol’s Apple Blossom Festival and Pride Celebration. Director Rogers encouraged everyone to attend Santa Rosa’s Rose Parade. Chair Hopkins invited everyone to attend Occidental’s Fools Parade and thanked the Clerk of the Board and his staff for running excellent meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:02 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:01:22)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:04 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:03:02)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Darin A. Bartow, JD
Clerk of the Board