Agenda
Special Meeting of the Lake County Board of Supervisors Joint Workshop of County of Lake and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport on the Option of Public Power Generation in Lake County with Sonoma Clean Power
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.
County of Lake Courthouse - Board Chambers
255 N. Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453
To listen and/or participate via Zoom Webinar:
https://lakecounty.zoom.us/j/86533544962?pwd=eFU3SWhhVlR4OGtqK1hPLzI0N2F0dz09 Webinar ID: 865 3354 4962
Passcode: 726865
One tap mobile: +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#
Collaborating entities: County of Lake, City of Clearlake, and City of Lakeport
1. 5:00 p.m. - Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Welcome and Introductions
4. Presentation and Discussion by Sonoma Clean Power
5. Public Q & A
6. Adjournment
Meeting Date: Page 1 Agenda Item #
CITY OF LAKEPORT
City Council
City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District
Lakeport Industrial Development Authority
Municipal Financing Agency of Lakeport
STAFF REPORT
RE: Joint Workshop of County of Lake and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport on the Option of Public Power Generation in Lake County with Sonoma Clean Power
MEETING DATE: 09/30/2025
SUBMITTED BY: Kevin M. Ingram, City Manager
PURPOSE OF REPORT: Information only Discussion Action Item WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF THE CITY COUNCIL/BOARD:
The City Council is being asked to participate in a joint informational workshop with the County of Lake and the City of Clearlake to explore the option of joining Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) for public power generation. This workshop will provide background on how SCP operates, the potential benefit for Lake County residents and businesses, and the process for extending service into Lake County.
No formal action will be taken at this meeting.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The City of Lakeport, together with the County of Lake and the City of Clearlake, has scheduled a joint workshop to consider the option of public power generation in partnership with Sonoma Clean Power (SCP). The session is intended to provide information on how other counties have successfully transitioned to SCP service, the potential benefits for Lake County communities, and the process for evaluating this opportunity.
Lake County has the opportunity to offer an alternative to PG&E’s electric power sources, cut emissions and potentially trim rates while maintaining PG&E for grid maintenance. Attendees will learn how Mendocino and Sonoma counties have successfully replaced PG&E’s power sources with their own, and how Lake County is considering a similar action.
Earlier this year, the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the Cities of Lakeport and Clearlake sent requests to SCP to consider extending service into Lake County, and an offer has been extended. This meeting will continue to explore that option in detail. The expectation is then that the Board of Supervisors (Tuesday, October 21) and City Councils will vote on this decision in October (Clearlake, Thursday, October 2; Lakeport, Tuesday October 21).
This special Joint Workshop is informational, only; no decision-making will be undertaken by any of the three governing bodies represented.
About SCP
Meeting Date: Page 2 Agenda Item #
SCP is a community-owned organization fighting for lower rates and more renewable energy. Starting in 2014, SCP began replacing PG&E’s power sources for customers across Mendocino and Sonoma counties. SCP is not a full municipal utility as it still relies on PG&E to maintain all of the poles and wires in the power grid.
SCP has trimmed power bills for its customers by over $100 million over the past decade, and built large solar, wind, and battery systems. SCP is also leading an effort to build 600MW of new geothermal power to secure affordable rates and improve our region’s energy independence. Today, SCP generates the power for 87% of all electric customers across Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
OPTIONS:
• Receive the informational presentation.
• Provide any comments or questions for staff or Sonoma Clean Power representatives.
The item is presented for informational purposes only. No formal action or direction is requested of the City Council at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None $0 Budgeted Item? Yes No
Budget Adjustment Needed? Yes No If yes, amount of appropriation increase: $ Affected fund(s): General Fund Water OM Fund Sewer OM Fund Other:
Comments: No direct fiscal impact to the City.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES:
☐ Priority #1: Public Safety & Crisis Response
☐ Priority #2: Disaster Resiliency
☒ Priority #3: Good Governance & Fiscal Stability
☐ Priority #4: Capital Infrastructure Improvement
☐ Priority #5: Safe, Sustainable & Attractive Neighborhoods ☐ Priority #6: Economic Development
SUGGESTED MOTIONS:
Informational Workshop, only. No recommended action.
Attachments: 1. SCP Presentation: Consideration of Joining Sonoma Clean Power Consideration of Joining
Sonoma Clean Power
Joint Meeting of the Lake County Board of Supervisors, and the City Councils of Lakeport and Clearlake
September 30, 2025
Why Consider SCP?
Local Control
SCP is part of a statewide transition to shift more
decisions to local communities.
SCP allows our communities to steer decisions over
which sources of electricity we should use.
SCP would allow Lake County to use the local
geothermal energy produced here, and have a
stronger voice over what new resources are built.
SCP microgrid partnership with PG&E
Why Consider SCP?
Improve Service & State Policy
SCP adds strong customer service support to
customers struggling with high bills.
SCP invests locally and sponsors scholarships, local
events and non-profits.
SCP advocates for better laws and regulations to cut
energy costs and accelerate affordable renewable
energy.
SCP helps stabilize total power costs and provides a
small amount of direct savings in most years.
What is a CCA?
SCP is a “CCA” – Community Choice Aggregation
25 operating CCAs all around California, serving
over 1/3 of all California homes and businesses
CCAs replace utility power sources, build new
renewable energy and trim rates whenever
possible
SCP Does Not Replace PG&E
PG&E still:
Sends out the electric bill
Maintains the poles and wires of the grid
Decides when to shut off power for safety
SCP Offer for Service
Early in 2025, Lake County, Lakeport and Clearlake asked SCP to study the feasibility of extending service.
This August, SCP’s Board voted to offer service with 1 Board seat for Lake County and 1 shared seat for the Cities of Lakeport and Clearlake.
SCP recommends Lake County Board members be appointed in January 2026 to take advantage of advocacy opportunities, but understand jurisdictions may choose to wait until January 2027.
SCP Offer for Service
If the county and both cities accept, all electric customers in Lake County will start receiving SCP’s power starting in May 2027.
This presentation explains more about SCP, the process of starting service, and the benefits to Lake County.
Who is SCP?
Started service in 2014
Public agency generates power for 87%
of all homes and businesses in Sonoma
and Mendocino Counties
11-member Board of Directors,
appointed by the participating cities and
counties
Self-funded through revenues – no tax
dollars
Working to improve oversight, lower
rates, cut pollution, invest locally and
help customers
SCP Offer for Service
Necessary to confirm:
Alignment across all three jurisdictions:
Lake County, Lakeport and Clearlake.
Alignment with SCP’s goals of
developing next-generation geothermal
resources, including in Lake County.
Alignment with SCP’s governing
purposes. See right
SCP’s Governing Purposes:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Provide electric power at competitive
costs
Help reduce total energy consumption
Invest locally
Advocate for energy affordability,
security, reliability, resilience
Process for Joining SCP
October 2025 - Lake County and cities vote on whether to join SCP.
November 2025 - SCP Board formally accepts Lake County.
SCP staff add Lake County into its Implementation Plan.
December 2025 - SCP Board certifies the updated Implementation Plan. SCP files the Implementation plan with the CPUC for a start date of May 2027.
January 2026 (or 2027) - Lake County appoints a Supervisor to the SCP Board The Cities of Lakeport and Clearlake appoint one shared representative NOTE: If votes to join SCP are delayed past Oct 31, all dates will be pushed back one year, and the SCP Board will need to authorize a new offer.
What Customers Can Expect
2026
One year before service starts, SCP will start to
introduce itself to the community.
SCP will also begin participating in community events
to start to meet people.
May – October expect SCP to participate in a few key
events and meetings to build awareness.
2027
Beginning in March 2027, SCP will start to be more visible in the county through community presentations, tabling at local events, and attending key events.
During this time, Tribal engagement will also ramp up as we engage with all stakeholders.
March – July 2027: Residents and businesses will receive five mailed notices over a five-month period. During this time, people may opt out at no cost. After that window, residential customers who choose to opt out will pay a $5 fee, and commercial customers will pay a $25 fee.
May 2027 – SCP service begins for all customers.
New Customer Choice
California law requires that SCP become the default
provider when we start service.
But – for the first time – customers will be able to
choose for themselves who generates their power:
PG&E (investor-owned utility)
SCP (local agency operated by cities and
counties)
SCP also offers you a choice of power mixes:
Default Mix – 51% Renewable
Optional Mix – 100% Renewable
Customer Benefits
Improved Customer Service
SCP adds new customer support while customers
keep all of PG&E’s existing support.
SCP also proactively looks for customers who are
paying too much and helps them cut their bills by
ensuring they are on the right rate. Recent examples
of small businesses saving money by changing their
rate includes:
• Senior Care Center: $4,000 per year savings
• Treatment Plant: $60,000 per year savings
• Small Retail Store: $17,000 per year savings
• Warehouse: $20,000 per year savings
Customer Benefits
Exclusive access to SCP programs, including rebates for heat pumps and induction stove tops, free energy savings boxes, and GridSavvy Rewards which pays customers for reducing their energy use.
CARE/FERA/Medical Baseline/PG&E Employee discounts remain in effect and unchanged, there is no need to re-apply.
Equivalent program for solar customers as PG&E. Switching to SCP will not affect your NEM status.
In-house, local call center. Agents are local SCP employees and all are bilingual.
Geothermal Power
Geothermal Power Development
SCP is committed to increasing local access
to geothermal power and lowering long-term
energy costs.
SCP aims to attract local investment and drive
development that aligns with local values and
creates well-paid, highly skilled local jobs.
California has already ordered 2,000 MW of
new geothermal construction.
New technologies expand opportunities
beyond current geologic, land, and water
constraints. New technology improves flexibility to site geothermal projects with reduced surface impacts
Geothermal Opportunity Zone
SCP has led the formation of the
“GeoZone” across Sonoma and
Mendocino Counties.
Goal is to build 600 MW of local clean
power that meets established community
criteria.
SCP customers get first opportunity to
purchase power from GeoZone projects.
SCP also advocates for steering state
development of geothermal in our region
into preferred places and technologies.
Advocacy
A Stronger Voice
SCP pushes back when PG&E tries to raise rates, and
once in a while we win. Those wins aren’t small
change: to date, we’ve reduced customer bills by over
$100 million.
SCP’s Advocacy Department fights for better laws in
Sacramento and better regulations at the CPUC.
Recently, we've:
• Helped defeat a CPUC proposal to reduce the credit
promised to customers who install solar on their roofs. • Forced PG&E to share data about which customers they
shutoff and who's subject to repeat outages.
Mendocino Perspective
Questions