Item 4
1 VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report – Item 4
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Alisa Lembke, Board Clerk / Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes from November 10, 2022 meeting DATE: December 8, 2022
RECOMMENDATION
Receive, review and approve the attached November 10, 2022 meeting Minutes.
VCEA Minutes November 10, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 1 of 3
MINUTES OF THE VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
The Board of Directors of the Valley Clean Energy Alliance duly noticed their regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., to be held via Zoom webinar. Chair Jesse Loren established that there was a quorum present and began the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Board Members Present: Jesse Loren, Tom Stallard, Don Saylor, Dan Carson, Wade Cowan Members Absent: Gary Sandy, Lucas Frerichs, Mayra Vega
Welcome Chair Loren welcomed all.
Public Comment
– General and
Consent
Board Clerk informed those present that there were no verbal or written public comments on general or consent items.
Approval of
Consent Agenda /
Resolutions 2022-
030 and 2022-
031
Motion made by Director Cowan to approve the consent agenda items, seconded by Vice Chair Stallard. Motion passed with Directors Sandy, Frerichs and Vega absent. The following items were:
3. Authorized to continue remote public meetings as authorized by Assembly Bill 361;
4. Approved October 13, 2022 Board meeting Minutes;
5. Received 2022 Long Range Calendar;
6. Received Financial Updates September 30, 2022 (unaudited) financial statement;
7. Received Legislative update from Pacific Policy Group;
8. Received October 2022 Regulatory update dated November 2, 2022 provided by Keyes & Fox;
9. Received Community Advisory Committee October 27, 2022 meeting summary;
10. Approved increase in allocation from the Tumbleweed Long Duration Storage project originally approved by the VCE Board on May 12, 2022 as Resolution 2022-030; and,
11. Approved participation in Phase 1 of VCE’s Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI) Pilot Program in partnership with SMUD and approve budget adjustment of $125,000 to meet VCE’s local match requirements and administrative costs associated with the pilot program as Resolution 2022-031.
VCEA Minutes November 10, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 2 of 3 Item 12: Approve
2023 Legislative
Platform. (Action)
VCE Executive Officer Mitch Sears introduced this item, and VCE Staff Yvonne Hunter provided a brief overview of the draft 2023 Legislative Platform. Board and Staff briefly discussed the draft Platform. Ms.
Hunter informed those present that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently came out with their Proposed Decision on Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0. Staff continue to monitor the proceeding. There were no verbal or written public comments.
Chair Loren made a motion to approve the 2023 Legislative Platform, seconded by Director Carson. Motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Loren, Stallard, Saylor, Carson, Cowan
NOES: None
ABSENT: Sandy, Frerichs, Vega
ABSTAIN: None
Item 13: Receive
update on draft
2023 Operating
Budget.
(Information)
Mr. Sears introduced this item. VCE Staff Edward Burnham provided an update on the 2023 Operating Budget by providing updated key factors for forecasting budget expenses and revenue. Staff and the Board discussed meeting reserve targets. There were no written public comments.
Verbal Public Comment: Christine Shewmaker commented that VCE has seen the unpredictable impacts of climate on VCE’s load and costs. It is difficult for VCE to focus on goals of clean energy and programs. She is glad to see power cost contingencies in the draft budget. Is the current amount enough? And are there ways to look at past impacts to forecast an amount? The erratic climate changes have made it difficult to adequately forecast. She poses the question to the Board and Staff: how is it best to deal with the uncertainty now and in the future.
Mr. Sears reaffirmed that the additional contingency built into the power budget and reserves are to be used to cover unanticipated costs. Mr.
Burnham also reminded those present that a Rate Adjustment policy is another tool to assist with maintaining reserves. A draft Rate Adjustment policy will be presented to the Board at the December meeting.
Board Member
and Staff
Announcements
Chair Loren announced that the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at Hotel Winters is finally moving forward after the completion of other work in the area. She is very proud on behalf of the City of Winters to report this good news.
VCEA Minutes November 10, 2022 Board Meeting via Webinar Page 3 of 3 Director Saylor announced that he attended a tour of Putah Creek Solar Farm located just outside the City of Winters in Yolo County. He thanked VCE Staff Ms. Hunter for being the host. The solar farm’s installation contractor was very informative and the event was well attended.
Mr. Sears informed those present that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released their updated Proposed Decision (PD) on Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0. Staff are currently reviewing and analyzing the PD for potential impacts. VCE’s annual Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Plan was submitted to the CPUC and accepted with no requests for additional information. In addition, VCE’s RPS Plan was recognized for the work within the Plan. Many thanks to Staff and VCE’s consultants for their exceptional job on putting together the Plan.
Mr. Sears gave an update on VCE’s AgFIT Pilot Program. Staff continue to collect information from participating farmers and sharing information with some of the State agencies. Those agencies were impressed with the early results and are interested in how more information can be captured through State efforts. VCE has received receptivity for the potential to expand VCE’s pilot program model throughout the State. VCE continues to participate in the CPUC proceeding for dynamic pricing.
Chair Loren announced that the Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Adjournment Chair Loren adjourned the regular Board meeting at 5:32 p.m.
Alisa M. Lembke
VCEA Board Secretary