Report to City Council
ID: 25-0502 Page 1
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Melissa Walker, Public Works Director/City Engineer
AGENDA DATE: December 16, 2025
TITLE: AUTHORIZE NEW PUBLIC PURPOSE PROGRAM
INCENTIVES FOR THE MORENO VALLEY ELECTRIC
UTILITY AND AN UPDATE TO THE EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE FUND CREDIT (REPORT OF: PUBLIC
WORKS) (ALL DISTRICTS)
TITLE SUMMARY: Authorize Two New Incentive Programs Under The Moreno Valley Electric Utility’s Public Purpose Programs: The Shade Tree Incentive Program and The Solar Generator Rebate
Program for Medical Baseline Customers and Authorize An Increase To The Maximum One-Time Hardship Credit
Available Through The Emergency Assistance Fund For
Residential Customers
DISTRICT: All Districts
Recommendation(s)
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the addition of two new incentive programs under the Moreno Valley Electric Utility’s Public Purpose Programs: the Shade Tree Incentive Program and the Solar Generator Rebate Program for Medical Baseline Customers; and
2. Authorize an increase to the maximum one-time hardship credit available through the Emergency Assistance Fund to $1,400 per hardship event, and funded through Public Purpose Funds (Fund 6012) as detailed in the Fiscal Impact section of this report; and
ID: 25-0502 Page 2
3. Authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to make any minor amendments as necessary to finalize the programs, subject to the approval of the City Attorney; and
4. Authorize a budget adjustment as set forth in the Fiscal Impact section.
SUMMARY
This report recommends approval of a budget allocation to implement two proposed rebate programs: the Shade Tree Incentive Program and the Solar Generator Rebate Program for Medical Baseline Customers , both offered by Moreno Valley Electric Utility through its Public Purpose Pro grams. Additionally, staff also suggests modifying the Emergency Assistance Fund Program by increasing the one -time hardship credit to $1,400 per hardship event. These proposed initiatives are funded through Public Purpose Funds, as adopted in the City Council approved operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
There is no impact to the General Fund.
DISCUSSION
Moreno Valley Electric Utility (MVU) is committed to promoting environmental sustainability, improving energy efficiency, and supporting expanded assistance for residents. To further these objectives, the department is proposing two new rebate programs for residential customers: the Shade Tree Incentive Rebate Program and the Solar Generator Rebate for Medical Baseline Customers Program . These programs will also assist MVU’s compliance with the state-mandated efficiency standards of Senate Bill (SB) 1037, which require publicly owned utilities to report energy savings from Public Purpose Programs.
Shade Tree Incentive Rebate Program
The Shade Tree Incentive Rebate Program provides financial incentives to residents who purchase and plant qualifying shade trees on their property. Increasing the tree canopy results in lower cooling energy demand , reduces indoor temperatures , improve s air quality, and contribute s to a healthier, more sustainable environment. Additionally, customers benefit from lower energy use and costs, while the reduced demand eases strain on the electrical grid, thereby improving system reliability.
Eligibility and Requirements
Open to all MVU-served residential customers.
Rebate offers $50 per qualifying shade tree , up to four trees per account per calendar year.
Trees must be recently purchased and selected from MVU’s list of approved species.
Customers must submit a complete application and required documentation. Applicant must be the account holder of record.
Rebates are issued after MVU confirms compliance with program requirements. Incentives are distributed on a first -come, first -served basis until funds are exhausted, or the program is discontinued.
Property owner is responsible for maintaining the trees.
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Solar Generator Rebate for Medical Baseline Customers
This program supports medically dependent customers by offering an incentive towards the purchase of a qualifying solar generator system. Solar generators harness energy from the sun to provide a clean, reliable source of electricity, offering medically dependent customers an important backup power option. Because these systems operate independently from the electrical grid, they do not add demand during peak periods or emergency conditions. This allows customers access to a renewable energy device capable of maintaining uninterrupted access to essential medical equipment during outages, extreme weather events, or other medical emergency situations.
Eligibility and Requirements
Open to residential customers enrolled in MVU’s Medical Baseline Allowance Program.
Rebate offers up to $500 for an eligible portable solar generator system that includes solar panels and at least 1 kWh of battery storage. Customers must submit a complete application and required documentation. Applicant must be the account holder of record.
Rebates are issued after MVU confirms compliance with program requirements. Incentives are offered on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted, or the program is discontinued.
Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) Program Update
In addition to the two new rebate programs the department also recommend s updating the Emergency Assistance Fund Program for residential MVU customers. Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) offers customers an emergency one -time credit to their electric bill through the Emergency Assi stance Fund (EAF) Program . This credit is designed to help customers alleviate outstanding charges on their electric bills during a financial hardship.
Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis and may be terminated or discontinued at any time once funding is exhausted.
The current assistance amount is up to $1,200 per eligible customer. Staff is p roposing to increase the maximum one-time credit to $1,400. This increase will provide disadvantaged customers with greater access to financial relief during times of temporary financial hardship that can help prevent service interruptions.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the two new incentive programs and associated budget adjustment as well as the proposed increase to the Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) one-time hardship credit for residential customers . Staff recommends this alternative as it will strengthen MVU’s ability to meet state-mandated energy-efficiency goals while providing meaningful support to customers through energy saving measures and emergency financial assistance.
2. Do not approve the proposed additional incentive programs or requested increase to the Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) one-time hardship credit. Staff does not
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recommend this alternative as it will limit customer access to renewable-energy benefits, reduce emergency assistance support, and hinder the utility’s ability to meet state-mandated energy-efficiency requirements.
FISCAL IMPACT
MVU Public Purpose Programs were formally adopted by the City Council in January 2004 and are funded through the collection of state -mandated funds through the Public Purpose Program . Public Purpose Program funds may only be strictly used under a category of programs determined by the State of California. A b udget increase is proposed in the amount of $20,000 for the Shade Tree Rebate Program and $50,000 for the Solar Generator Rebate Program for Medical Baseline Customers , for a total proposed budget increase of $70,000. The Fiscal Year 2025/26 adopted budget includes $1,600,000, which provides sufficient funding to support the proposed credit increase for the Emergency Assistance Fund Program’s one-time credit.
All proposed initiatives and budget amendments will be funded through Public Purpose Funds. There is no impact to the general fund.
Description Fund GL Account No. Type
(Rev/Exp)
FY 25/26
Budget
FY 25/26
Proposed
Adjustments
FY 25/26
Amended
Budget
Energy Efficiency 6012 6012-70-80-45511-710144 Exp $1,600,000 $70,000 $1,670,000
NOTIFICATION
Publication of the Agenda.
PREPARATION OF STAFF REPORT
Prepared By: Department Head Approval:
Tanya Dunlap Melissa Walker, P.E.
Electric Utility Program Coordinator Public Works Director/City Engineer Concurred By:
Jason Niccoli, P.E.
Electric Utility Division Manager
CITY COUNCIL GOALS
Positive Environment: Create a positive environment for the development of Moreno Valley's future.
CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
1. Economic Development
2. Public Safety
3. Library
4. Infrastructure
5. Beautification, Community Engagement, and Quality of Life
6. Youth Programs
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ID: 25-0502 Page 6
Report Approval Details
Document
Title:
STAFFREPORT_PW_MVU_NEW_PPP_INCENTIVES_EAF_MODIFICA
TION.docx
Attachment
s:
- DRAFT_Proposal for Shade Tree Incentive Program.pdf
- DRAFT_Tree Program Application.pdf
- DRAFT_Proposal For Solar Generator Rebate for Medical Benefit Customers.pdf
- DRAFT_Solar Generator Rebate Application.pdf
Final
Approval
Date:
Dec 9, 2025
This report and all of its attachments were approved and signed as outlined below:
Melissa Walker
Sean Kelleher
Natalia Lopez
No Signature - Task assigned to Dena Heald_Deleted was completed by workflow administrator Patty Rodriguez
Dena Heald_Deleted
Launa Jimenez
Brian Mohan
Patty Rodriguez