MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026
9:00 A.M.
___________________________________________________________
CALL TO ORDER
(9:10 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:01:36)
Vice Chair Elward called the meeting to order.
Board Members present: Vice Chair Elward, Directors Laskey, Albin-Smith, Stapp, Carter, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, Hopkins. Chair Barnacle and Director Lemus were absent.
Staff present: Geof Syphers, Chief Executive Officer; Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer; Garth Salisbury, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Ryan Tracey, Chief Strategy Officer; Neal Reardon, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs; Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager; Adam Jorge, Senior Decarbonization Policy Manager; Chris Golik, Senior Finance Manager; Felicia Smith, Director of Customer Energy Solutions; and Karen Flores, Clerk of the Board.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSENT CALENDAR
(9:13 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:02:25)
1. Approve April 2, 2026, Draft Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
2. Receive Monthly Financial Report
3. Receive Geothermal Opportunity Zone Update
Public Comment: None
Motion to approve May 7, 2026, Board of Directors Consent Calendar by Director Haschak
Second: Farrar-Rivas
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Laskey, Albin-Smith, Elward, Stapp, Carter, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, Hopkins
ABSENT: Lemus and Barnacle
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR CALENDAR
4. Receive Internal Operations Report and Provide Direction as Appropriate (9:14 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:04:07)
Michael Koszalka, Chief Operating Officer, provided updates on the construction at 421 E Street and introduced CEO Syphers who spoke about the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) designed to provide resources and training to underserved entrepreneurs. CEO Syphers explained the program’s strategic value in improving outreach to hard-to-reach small businesses and noted that the loan is expected to generate financial returns for ratepayers while supporting a self-sustaining business model. Felicia Smith, Director of Customer Energy Solutions, also provided an update on a recent increase to SCP’s heat pump water heater rebate.
Public Comment: None
5. Receive Legislative and Regulatory Updates, Approve Legislative Positions, and Provide Direction as Appropriate
(9:18 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:14:00)
Neal Reardon, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs, introduced Adam Jorge, Senior Decarbonization Policy Manager who provided regulatory updates on two items he has been leading. Mr. Jorge shared that the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved SCP’s Load Management Standards Compliance Plan, recognizing its use of the SCP Rewards program as an effective, customer-friendly alternative to traditional pricing models that support grid reliability and clean energy goals. Separately, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering shifting the 2026 California Climate Credit payments for electric customers from spring to late summer months to better align with higher energy bills, without changing the total annual credit amount.
Miles Horton, Legislative Policy & Community Engagement Manager, provided a legislative update highlighting strong momentum on geothermal policy efforts, including advocacy for CEQA exemptions on exploration wells and securing $40 million in state funding, though outcomes remain uncertain pending the state budget. Additional updates included progress on transmission reform bills AB 2111 (Papan) advancing with support and AB 2369 (Rogers) modified but ongoing.
Public Comment: None
6. Approve the Proposed Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Conduct a Public Hearing on the Status of Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts (10:06 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 00:56:00)
Garth Salisbury, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, introduced Chris Golik, Senior Finance Manager, who went through the details of the budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 with no additional changes made since presenting the draft budget at the prior meeting.
The Chair opened the public hearing for Item 6. No public comments were received. The public hearing was closed.
Public Comment: None
Motion to Approve the Proposed Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Conduct a Public Hearing on the Status of Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts by Director Farrar-Rivas
Second: Albin-Smith
Motion passed by roll call vote
AYES: Laskey, Albin-Smith, Elward, Stapp, Carter, Farrar-Rivas, Potter, Haschak, Hopkins
ABSENT: Lemus and Barnacle
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
(10:16 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:05:40)
Director Haschak thanked SCP staff for working with Mendocino County on solar projects as well as SCP’s participation in Covelo’s Earth Day celebrations. Director Farrar-Rivas provided a recap of Earth Day celebrations in Sonoma. They were successful and focused on waste management, featuring a panel that helped clarify proper use of trash sorting systems for the community. Additionally, City Council also recognized Affordable Housing Month, supported the local radio station KSVY, and promoted upcoming bike-to-work initiatives to encourage sustainable transportation.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA
(10:18 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:08:11)
Public Comment: None
ADJOURN
(10:19 a.m. - Video Time Stamp: 01:08:48)
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Flores
Clerk of the Board