The Importance of Setting Aggressive RPS Targets for VCEA Tonight I want to address the importance of VCEA setting aggressive RPS targets. Often I speak before the board, but this matter is one that requires more than 2 minutes, so I have chosen to write a letter.
Bottom line, aggressive RPS targets are integral to the mission of VCEA. Delivering clean energy to our customers was one of the main reason VCEA was formed.
At the CAC meeting on 11/17/22 an item was heard relating to increasing the RPS target for VCEA beyond its existing target of 80% at 2030. After much discussion, the CAC decided to make a recommendation for an aggressive time line and that recommendation was “the CAC recommends that the Board set a target now of reaching 100% Renewable Power Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2030, of which 25% is local. (8-0-0)” (And yes, I made the motion and it was rapidly seconded). The subject of increasing the 2030 target including the CAC recommendation was scheduled to be heard by the board at their Dec 2022 meeting.
There has been significant work already in this area, particularly by staff. This includes both the recent IRP (Integrated Resource Plan) and the carbon neutral (CN) study. A task group of the CAC participated in the carbon neutral study in 2021. Outside consultants were also used in both the IRP process and the CN study. Both the IRP and CN study identified pathways to 100 % RPS by 2030. Considering increasing the 2030 target has been on the long range calendar both for the CAC and the board for a while.
I was quite shocked and not happy to find that the item was not on the December agenda.
What I would like to do below is outline why I think this item and the 2030 goal is important and why I think it should have been at least discussed at the December board meeting.
I. Some long term board members will not be returning in January. Three for sure will not be on the board and one may or may not return from his new jurisdiction. Two of these four have been here since VCEA formed and all four have been here for adoption of the strategic plan and the report on the carbon neutral (CN) study. It would have been good to hear their input on the importance of setting an aggressive RPS target now for 2030. While I acknowledge they may not agree with me or like the CAC recommendation, their input would have been good to hear. It may take time for new board members to come up to speed with all the past work.
II. Public messaging is important as well. Several CCAs have set 100% RPS targets including Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) which has set a quite aggressive target of 100% RPS by 2025 - 24/7 and Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) which states on path to "100% clean and renewable energy by 2030." There are others as well who have set similar goals, but not all have as yet. We would not be alone though at aiming for 100% RPS by 2030.
III. The requirement for 25% of the power to come from local sources is important. It exists for the 80% RPS target and the CAC recommended continuing that for the 100% RPS target. I realize, there may be challenges to the local target, but it is important to early on consider various ways of addressing the challenges. Agrivoltaics is one solution that should be considered. It may be workable for Yolo County and surrounding counties or not, but it should be considered along with other approaches.
Received 12/7/22 for VCE
12/8/22 Board Mtg. Item 2 -
Public Comment
IV. The carbon intensity of the electricity that VCEA delivers is important to the climate goals of municipalities and agencies that get their electricity from VCEA. For example Yolo County has set a goal of no carbon emissions by 2030 and Davis is in the process of updating their CAAP. As many emission reduction strategies involve electrification, it is important to have zero carbon electricity such as would come from 100% RPS.
V. Importance to climate in general and need for urgency. The IPCC has a number of reasons for urgency in addressing climate which I am paraphrasing below a. Every action matters
b. Every year matters
c. Every fraction of a degree matters
d. Every ton of CO2 matters
The sooner and faster we get to no emissions, the better.
VI. This is a stretch goal or reach goal. One makes the long term goal and then does their best to reach it. In the case of the climate emergency, it important to have an aggressive goal and the do the best they can to reach it
So again, these are my reasons for wanting to set an aggressive RPS target now of 100% by 2030 and why I think the item should have been at least heard. I do hope those that remain on the board will consider these reasons when the item (hopefully) comes back to the board. Also to those board members not returning perhaps some will consider these in their new or other ventures, whatever they may be.
If you have gotten this far – thanks for reading. Having been to numerous board and council meetings, I acknowledge that what I have written cannot really be commented upon at the December meeting as it was not agenized. And what I have written above in this letter is just my opinion, not speaking for anyone else.
Like to sign off with thanks to the four board members I am aware of that are ( or may be) leaving. If are others – no slight intended.
1. Supervisor Don Saylor, one of the original board members of VCEA from Yolo County and chair both in 2017 and 2020.
2. Mayor Lucas Frerichs, one of the original board members of VCEA from Davis and chair in 2018
3. Mayor Wade Cowan, one of first board members from Winters.
4. Council Member Dan Carson of Davis – chair in 2021.
Thank you all for your service.
Christine Kimball Shewmaker
Woodland CA