Item 9
VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report – Item 9
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Alisa Lembke, Board Clerk / Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: Summaries of Community Advisory Committee meetings: 1) January 25, 2024; 2) February 22, 2024; and, 3) March 28, 2024
DATE: April 11, 2024
This report summarizes the Community Advisory Committee’s meetings held in person and via Zoom webinar on 1) Thursday, January 25, 2024 (Woodland); 2) Thursday, February 22, 2024 (Davis); and, 3) Thursday, March 28, 2024.
1) January 25, 2024 Meeting Summary:
A. Received customer participation update and 2024 rates and budget update. The CAC received a copy of Board staff report updates dated January 11, 2024 on customer participation and on 2024 rates and budget.
B. Overview of the Brown Act and social media. Patrick Enright of Richards, Watson and Gershon, VCE’s general legal counsel, reviewed highlights of the Brown Act, social media rules and Robert’s Rules of Order. CAC asked questions related to social media, Nextdoor, and enforcement related to violations of the Brown Act.
C. Received Introduction / Overview of AgFIT program. VCE Staff Sierra Huffman gave an overview of the AgFIT program: participants, hourly prices, subscription/Bill protection, customer experience, initial finds since the program began and customer response. CAC and Staff discussed: Locational Marginal Price (LMP) and how it is used; the different variables, such as, weather, soil, water table level, the needs of the plants, effecting how much electricity is used; how VCE sought out participation; spot pricing; generation rate setting; billing determinants; pilot expansion of the AgFIT program to other sectors of customers, such as residential, commercial; participant control and price signaling; automation benefits; demand charges; grant opportunities that align with AgFIT; and, the potential to work with other agencies.
D. Reviewed 2024 Task Group draft Charges. Task Group Chairs provided brief overviews of the Task Groups’ 2024 draft Charges. The Legislative/Regulatory Task Group and Programs & Outreach Task Group Charges were approved. (9-0-0) 2) February 22, 2024 Meeting Summary:
A. Received Strategic Plan update. Staff provided a summary of 2023 Strategic Plan accomplishments. CAC and Staff discussed the need to highlight VCE’s accomplishments in collateral (pamphlets and social media) and opportunities to encourage Customers to opt up to UltraGreen now that renewable power is coming online.
Item 8
2 B. Received Resource Adequacy “Slice of Day” framework presentation. VCE Staff Gordon Samuel, and Jaclyn Harr and Jay Strickland of The Energy Authority, provided an overview of traditional and updated Resource Adequacy (RA) products and requirements; reviewed California Public Utility Commission’s (CPUC) goals of restructuring RA; and defined “Slice of Day”. Staff and the CAC discussed: compliance issues, Flex RA, load, trading capabilities, impacts of new requirements, reliability, management of resources, and resource acquisition timing.
C. Electrification Retrofit Rebate Outreach (ERRO) Program update and seeking feedback and recommendation on Concierge Service. The CAC received written and verbal public comments. The public comments will be reviewed by the Programs & Outreach Task Group. The CAC tabled the item to their next meeting.
3) March 28, 2024 meeting summary:
A. Electrification Retrofit Rebate Outreach (ERRO) program update and provided feedback and recommendation on Concierge Service. This item was carried over from the CAC’s February meeting. VCE Staff Rebecca Boyles provided a verbal update on the ERRO program and reviewed key aspects of the proposed Concierge Service. The CAC and Staff discussed: details of the ERRO program and Concierge Service; the challenges of reaching out and incentivizing the owner to participate in the program; how to reach low income renters; and, available resources for obtaining home electrification information. The CAC heard one verbal public comment. The CAC recommends that the Board approve the Concierge Service tool. (6-0-0)
B. 2023 Net Margin discussion. VCE Staff Edward Burnham reviewed various options on how to allocate the estimated net margin for 2023. CAC and Staff discussed: reserves including local programs, risks, credit rating, generation rate discount, customer opt outs and opt ins, dividends, and marketing. The CAC provided their feedback to Staff on the scenarios presented. Mr. Burnham informed the CAC that the 2023 Net Margin item will be presented to the Board at their May meeting for discussion and Staff will be returning in May for the CAC’s input on updating the reserves policy and dividend program.
C. CPUC BioMAT program participation. Executive Officer Mitch Sears provided the background on the California Public Utilities (CPUC) BioMAT program expiring at the end of 2025, and included which CCA’s are actively participating in the program. He reviewed the program criteria, who is eligible to participate, and the three (3) categories of bioenergy. Staff and the CAC discussed: request to extend BioMAT program, energy production, contract capacity, funding of program, penalties, bioenergy technology advances, potential impacts to VCE’s portfolio, and public perception of biomass. Mr.
Sears informed those present that Staff will continue to assess the pros/cons of biomass and the BioMAT program and return to the CA for further discussion, prior to taking the BioMAT program to the Board.