2075 Woodside Road | Redwood City, CA 94061 | 866-966-0110 | PenCleanEnergy.com April 24, 2026
Dear Honorable County and City Clerks and Managers,
As required by Section 7.4 of the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority (PCE) Joint Powers Agreement, I write to you to provide notice that the PCE Board will be voting at its May 28, 2026 Board Meeting on proposed amendments to its Joint Powers Agreement (Fourth Amendment). Please find attached a copy of the redlined version of the proposed changes.
No action from you is necessary. However, if you have any concerns, please give me a call.
These changes are administrative and operational updates related to the name change to WestLight Energy. These are non-substantive changes and do not impact jurisdictional rights, obligations, and/ or duties under the Joint Powers Agreement. As you are also aware, the proposed edit to Section 2.2 is undergoing a review process by each member jurisdiction. Approximately twelve (12) jurisdictions have reviewed and approved the proposed administrative amendment to Section 2.2 and the remainder are scheduled on or before May 13, 2026. The further administrative amendments contained in the attached redline, if approved by the Board of Directors, would take effect on May 28, 2026.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Shawn Marshall
Chief Executive Officer
Peninsula Clean Energy
(415) 786-9118
Attachments:
Proposed Fourth Amended Joint Powers Authority Agreement – Redlined
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THIRD FOURTH AMENDED JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT RELATING TO
AND CREATING THE
PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGYWESTLIGHT ENERGY
(FORMERLY PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGY AUTHORITY)AUTHORITY
This Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement, effective on the dateFebruary 29, 2016 as determined by Section 2.1, is made and entered into pursuant to the provisions of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5, Article 1 (Sections 6500 et seq.) of the California Government Code relating to the joint exercise of powers among the Parties set forth in Exhibit B, and establishes Peninsula Clean EnergyWestLight Energy, a Joint Powers Authority, Authority (hereinafter, “AuthorityWestLight” or the “Authority”) , is by and between the County of San Mateo (“County”) and those counties, cities, and towns within the State of California who become signatories to this Agreement, and relates to the joint exercise of powers among the signatories hereto.
RECITALS
A. The Parties share various powers under California law, including but not limited to the power to purchase, supply, and aggregate electricity for themselves and customers within their jurisdictions.
B. In 2006, the State Legislature adopted AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 to 1990 levels. The California Air Resources Board is promulgating regulations to implement AB 32 which will require local governments to develop programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
C. The purposes for entering into this Agreement include:
a. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to the use of power in San Mateo County and the State of California;
b. Providing electric power and other forms of energy to customers at a competitive cost;
c. Carrying out programs to reduce energy consumption;
d. Stimulating and sustaining the local economy by developing local jobs in renewable energy; and
e. Promoting long-term electric rate stability and energy security and reliability for residents through local control of electric generation resources.
D. It is the intent of this Agreement to promote the development and use of a wide range of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programs, including but not limited to solar, wind, and biomass energy production. The purchase of renewable power and greenhouse gas-free energy sources will be the desired approach to decrease regional greenhouse gas
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emissions and accelerate the State’s transition to clean power resources to the extent feasible. The Agency Authority will also add increasing levels of locally generated renewable resources as these projects are developed and customer energy needs expand.
E. The Parties desired to establish a separate public agency, known as WestLight Energy, formerly the Peninsula Clean EnergyEnergy Authority Authority, under the provisions of the Joint Exercise of Powers Act of the State of California (Government Code Section 6500 et seq.) (“Act”) in order to collectively study, promote, develop, conduct, operate, and manage energy programs.
F. The Parties anticipate adopting aneach adopted an ordinance electing to implement through the Authority a common Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, an electric service enterprise available to cities and counties pursuant to California Public Utilities Code Sections 331.1(c) and 366.2. The first priority of the Authority is the Authority will be the consideration of those actions necessary to implementation of the CCA Program.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and conditions hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and among the Parties as follows:
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS AND EXHIBITS
1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in the Agreement shall have the meanings specified in Exhibit A, unless the context requires otherwise.
1.2 Documents Included. This Agreement consists of this document and the following exhibits, all of which are hereby incorporated into this Agreement.
Exhibit A: Definitions
Exhibit B: List of the Parties
Exhibit C: Annual Energy Use
Exhibit D: Voting Shares
Exhibit E: Signatures
ARTICLE 2: FORMATION OF PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGYWESTLIGHT ENERGY (FORMERLY PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGY AUTHORITY)AUTHORITY
2.1 Effective Date and Term. This Agreement shall become effective and Peninsula Clean EnergyWestLight Energy Authority, formerly Penisula Clean Energy Authority, shall exist as ashall exist as a separate public agency on February 29, 2016 or when the County of San Mateo and at least two municipalities execute this Agreement, whichever occurs later. The AuthorityThe Authority shall provide notice to the Parties of the Effective Date. The Authority shall continue to exist, and this Agreement shall be effective, until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 6.4,
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subject to the rights of the Parties to withdraw from the Authority.
2.1 2.2 Formation. There is formed as of the Effective Date a public agency named the Peninsula Clean EnergyWestLight Energy Authority. Pursuant to Sections 6506 and 6507 of the Act, the Authority is a public agency separate from the Parties. Pursuant to Sections 6508.1 of the Act, the debts, liabilities or obligations of the Authority shall not be debts, liabilities or obligations of the individual Parties unless the governing board of a Party agrees in writing to assume any of the debts, liabilities or obligations of the Authority. A Party who has not agreed to assume an Authority debt, liability or obligation shall not be responsible in any way for such debt, liability or obligation even if a majority of the Parties agree to assume the debt, liability or obligation of the Authority.
Notwithstanding Section 7.4 of this Agreement, this Section 2.2 may not be amended unless such amendment is approved by the governing board of each Party.
2.3 Purpose. The purpose of this Agreement is to establish an independent public agency in order to exercise powers common to each Party to study, promote, develop, conduct, operate, and manage energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and other energy-related programs, and to exercise all other powers necessary and incidental to accomplishing this purpose. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties intend for this Agreement to be used as a contractual mechanism by which the Parties are authorized to participate in the CCA Program, as further described in Section 4.1. The Parties intend that other agreements shall define the terms and conditions associated with the implementation of the CCA Program and any other energy programs approved by the Authority.
2.4 Powers. The Authority shall have all powers common to the Parties and such additional powers accorded to it by law. The Authority is authorized, in its own name, to exercise all powers and do all acts necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and fulfill its purposes, including, but not limited to, each of the following powers, subject to the voting requirements set forth in Section 3.7 through 3.7.5:
2.4.1 to make and enter into contracts;
2.4.2 to employ agents and employees, including but not limited to a Chief Executive Officer;
2.4.3 to acquire, contract, manage, maintain, and operate any buildings, infrastructure, works, or improvements;
2.4.4 to acquire property by eminent domain, or otherwise, except as limited under Section 6508 of the Act, and to hold or dispose of any property; however, the Authority shall not exercise the power of eminent domain within the jurisdiction of a Party over its objection without first meeting and conferring in good faith.
2.4.5 to lease any property;
2.4.6 to sue and be sued in its own name;
2.4.7 to incur debts, liabilities, and obligations, including but not limited to loans from private lending sources pursuant to its temporary borrowing powers such as Government
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Code Sections 53850 et seq. and authority under the Act;
2.4.8 to form subsidiary or independent corporations or entities if necessary, to carry out energy supply and energy conservation programs at the lowest possible cost or to take advantage of legislative or regulatory changes;
2.4.9 to issue revenue bonds and other forms of indebtedness;
2.4.10 to apply for, accept, and receive all licenses, permits, grants, loans or other aids from any federal, state, or local public agency;
2.4.11to submit documentation and notices, register, and comply with orders, tariffs and agreements for the establishment and implementation of the CCA Program and other energy programs;
2.4.12 to adopt Operating Rules and Regulations; and
2.4.13 to make and enter into service agreements relating to the provision of services necessary to plan, implement, operate and administer the CCA Program and other energy programs, including the acquisition of electric power supply and the provision of retail and regulatory support services.
2.4.14 to permit additional Parties to enter into this Agreement after the Effective Date and to permit another entity authorized to be a community choice aggregator to designate the Authority to act as the community choice aggregator on its behalf.
2.5 Limitation on Powers. As required by Government Code Section 6509, the power of the Authority is subject to the restrictions upon the manner of exercising power possessed by San Mateo County.
2.6 Compliance with Local Zoning and Building Laws and CEQA. Unless state or federal law provides otherwise, any facilities, buildings or structures located, constructed, or caused to be constructed by the Authority within the territory of the Authority shall comply with the General Plan, zoning and building laws of the local jurisdiction within which the facilities, buildings or structures are constructed and comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”).
ARTICLE 3: GOVERNANCE AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION
3.1 Board of Directors. The governing body of the Authority shall be a Board of Directors (“Board”). The Board shall consist of 2 (two) directors appointed by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and 1 (one) director appointed by each County, City, or Town that becomes a signatory to the Agreement (“Directors”). Each Director shall serve at the pleasure of the governing board of the Party who appointed such Director and may be removed as Director by such governing board at any time. If at any time a vacancy occurs on the Board, a replacement shall be appointed to fill the position of the previous Director within 90 days of the date that such position becomes vacant.
Directors must be members of the Board of Supervisors or members of the governing board of the municipality that is the signatory to this Agreement. Each Party may appoint an alternate(s) to serve
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in the absence of its Director(s). Alternates may be either (1) members of the Board of Supervisors or members of the governing board of the municipality that is the signatory to this Agreement, or (2) staff members of the County or any such municipality.
3.2 Quorum. A majority of the appointed Directors shall constitute a quorum, except that less than a quorum may adjourn from time to time in accordance with law.
3.3 Powers and Functions of the Board. The Board shall exercise general governance and oversight over the business and activities of the Authority, consistent with this Agreement and applicable law. The Board shall provide general policy guidance to the CCA Program. Board approval shall be required for any of the following actions:
3.3.1 The issuance of bonds or any other financing even if program revenues are expected to pay for such financing.
3.3.2 The hiring or termination of the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel.
3.3.3 The appointment or removal of officers described in Section 3.9, subject to Section
3.9.3. 3.3.4 The adoption of the Annual Budget.
3.3.5 The adoption of an ordinance.
3.3.6 The approval of agreements, except as provided by Section 3.4.
3.3.7 The initiation or resolution of claims and litigation where the Authority will be the defendant, plaintiff, petitioner, respondent, cross complainant, or cross petitioner, or intervenor; provided, however, that the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel or by delegation thereof, on behalf of the Authority, may intervene in, become a party to, or file comments with respect to any proceeding pending at the California Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or any other administrative agency, without approval of the Board as long as such action is consistent with any adopted Board policies.
3.3.8 The setting of rates for power sold by the Authority and the setting of charges for any other category of service provided by the Authority.
3.3.9 Termination of the CCA Program.
3.4 Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer for the Authority, who shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the Authority and the CCA Program. The Chief Executive Officer, may exercise all powers of the Authority, including the power to hire, discipline, and terminate employees as well as the power to approve any agreement if the total amount payable under the agreement is equal to or less than the amount specified in the Operating Rules and Regulations (Policy 14 , “Delegation of Non-Energy Contract Authority”) except for the powers specifically set forth in Section 3.3 or those powers
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which by law must be exercised by the Board of Directors.
3.5 Commissions, Boards, and Committees. The Board may establish any advisory commissions, boards, and committees as the Board deems appropriate to assist the Board in carrying out its functions and implementing the CCA Program, other energy programs and the provisions of this Agreement which shall comply with the requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act. The Board may establish rules, regulations, policies, bylaws or procedures to govern any such commissions, boards, or committees if the Board deems appropriate to appoint such commissions, boards or committees, and shall determine whether members shall be compensated or entitled to reimbursement for expenses.
3.6 Director Compensation. Directors shall serve without compensation from the Authority.
However, Directors may be compensated by their respective appointing authorities. The Board, however, may adopt by resolution a policy relating to the reimbursement by the Authority of expenses incurred by Directors.
3.7 Voting In general, as described below in Section 3.7.3, action by the Authority Board will be taken solely by a majority vote of the Directors present. However, as described below in Section
3.7.4, upon request of a Director, a weighted vote by shares will also be conducted. When such a request is made, an action must be approved by both a majority vote of Directors present and a majority of the weighted vote by shares present. No action may be approved solely by a vote by shares. The voting shares of Directors and approval requirements for actions of the Board shall be as follows:
3.7.1. Voting Shares.
Each Director shall have a voting share as determined by the following formula: (Annual Energy Use/Total Annual Energy) multiplied by 100, where:
(a) “Annual Energy Use” means, (i) with respect to the first year following the Effective Date, the annual electricity usage, expressed in kilowatt hours (“kWh”), within the Party’s respective jurisdiction and (ii) with respect to the period after the anniversary of the Effective Date, the annual electricity usage, expressed in kWh, of accounts within a Party’s respective jurisdiction that are served by the Authority; and
(b) “Total Annual Energy” means the sum of all Parties’ Annual Energy Use. The initial values for Annual Energy Use will be designated in Exhibit C, and shall be adjusted annually as soon as reasonably practicable after January 1, but no later than March 1 of each year. These adjustments shall be approved by the Board. (c) The combined voting share of all Directors representing the County of San Mateo shall be based upon the annual electricity usage within the unincorporated area of San Mateo County.
For the purposes of Weighted Voting, if a Party has more than one director, then the voting shares allocated to the entity shall be equally divided amongst its Directors.
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3.7.2. Exhibit Showing Voting Shares. The initial voting shares will be set forth in Exhibit D. Exhibit D shall be revised no less than annually as necessary to account for changes in the number of Parties and changes in the Parties’ Annual Energy Use. Exhibit D and adjustments shall be approved by the Board.
3.7.3. Approval Requirements Relating to CCA Program. Except as provided in Sections
3.7.4 and 3.7.5 below, action of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of Directors present at the meeting.
3.7.4. Option for Approval by Voting Shares. Notwithstanding Section 3.7.3, any Director present at a meeting may demand that approval of any matter related to the CCA Program be determined on the basis of both voting shares and by the affirmative vote of a majority of Directors present at the meeting. If a Director makes such a demand with respect to approval of any such matter, then approval of such matter shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of Directors present at the meeting and the affirmative vote of Directors having a majority of voting shares present, as determined by Section 3.7.1 except as provided in Section 3.7.5.
3.7.5. Special Voting Requirements for Certain Matters. (a) Two-Thirds and Weighted Voting Approval Requirements Relating to Sections
6.2 and 7.4. Action of the Board on the matters set forth in Section 6.2 (involuntary termination of a Party), or Section 7.4 (amendment of this Agreement) shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of Directors present; provided, however, that (i) notwithstanding the foregoing, any Director present at the meeting may demand that the vote be determined on the basis of both voting shares and by the affirmative vote of Directors, and if a Director makes such a demand, then approval shall require the affirmative vote of both at least two-thirds of Directors present and the affirmative vote of Directors having at least two-thirds of the voting shares present, as determined by Section 3.7.1; (ii) but, at least two Parties must vote against a matter for the vote to fail; and (iii) for votes to involuntarily terminate a Party under Section 6.2, the Director(s) for the Party subject to involuntary termination may not vote, and the number of Directors constituting two-thirds of all Directors, and the weighted vote of each Party shall be recalculated as if the Party subject to possible termination were not a Party.
(b) Seventy Five Percent Special Voting Requirements for Eminent Domain and Contributions or Pledge of Assets.
(i) A decision to exercise the power of eminent domain on behalf of the Authority to acquire any property interest other than an easement, right-of-way, or temporary construction easement shall require a vote of at least 75% of all Directors. (ii) The imposition on any Party of any obligation to make contributions or pledge assets as a condition of continued participation in the CCA Program shall require a vote of at least 75% of all Directors and the approval of the governing boards of the Parties who are being asked to make such contribution or pledge.
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(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Director present at the meeting may demand that a vote under subsections (i) or (ii) be determined on the basis of voting shares and by the affirmative vote of Directors, and if a Director makes such a demand, then approval shall require both the affirmative vote of at least 75% of Directors present and the affirmative vote of Directors having at least 75% of the voting shares present, as determined by Section 3.7.1, but at least two Parties must vote against a matter for the vote to fail. For purposes of this section, “imposition on any Party of any obligation to make contributions or pledge assets as a condition of continued participation in the CCA Program” does not include any obligations of a withdrawing or terminated party imposed under Section 6.3.
3.8 Meetings and Special Meetings of the Board. The Board shall hold at least six regular meetings per year, but the Board may provide for the holding of regular meetings at more frequent intervals. The date, hour and place of each regular meeting shall be fixed by resolution or ordinance of the Board. Regular meetings may be adjourned to another meeting time. Special and Emergency Meetings of the Board may be called in accordance with the provisions of California Government Code Sections 54956 and 54956.5. Directors may participate in meetings telephonically, with full voting rights, only to the extent permitted by law. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code Sections 54950 et seq.).
3.9 Selection of Board Officers.
3.9.1 Chair and Vice Chair. The Directors shall select, from among themselves, a Chair, who shall be the presiding officer of all Board meetings, and a Vice Chair, who shall serve in the absence of the Chair. The term of office for and term limits of the Chair and Vice Chair shall be set forth in the policies and procedures established by the Board. The office of either the Chair or Vice Chair shall be declared vacant and a new selection shall be made if:
(a) the person serving dies, resigns, or the Party that the person represents removes the person as its representative on the Board or
(b) the Party that he or she represents withdraws from the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
3.9.2 Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, who need not be a member of the Board, who shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings of the Board and all other official records of the Authority.
3.9.3 Treasurer and Auditor. The Chief Financial Officer shall, among other duties, act as the Treasurer for the Authority. Unless otherwise exempted from such requirement, the Authority shall cause an independent audit to be made by a certified public accountant, or public accountant, in compliance with Section 6505 of the Act. The Treasurer shall act as the depository of the Authority and have custody of all the money of the Authority, from whatever source, and as such, shall have all of the duties and responsibilities specified in Section 6505.5 of the Act. The Treasurer shall report directly to the Board and shall comply with the requirements of treasurers of incorporated municipalities. The Board may transfer
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the responsibilities of Treasurer to any person or entity as the law may provide at the time.
The duties and obligations of the Treasurer are further specified in Article 5.
3.10 Administrative Services Provider. The Board may appoint one or more administrative services providers to serve as the Authority’s agent for planning, implementing, operating and administering the CCA Program, and any other program approved by the Board, in accordance with the provisions of an Administrative Services Agreement. The appointed administrative services provider may be one of the Parties. An Administrative Services Agreement shall set forth the terms and conditions by which the appointed administrative services provider shall perform or cause to be performed all tasks necessary for planning, implementing, operating and administering the CCA Program and other approved programs. The Administrative Services Agreement shall set forth the term of the Agreement and the circumstances under which the Administrative Services Agreement may be terminated by the Authority. This section shall not in any way be construed to limit the discretion of the Authority to hire its own employees to administer the CCA Program or any other program.
ARTICLE 4: IMPLEMENTATION ACTION AND AUTHORITY DOCUMENTS
4.1 Preliminary Implementation of the CCA Program.
4.1.1 Enabling Ordinance. To be eligible to participate in the CCA Program, each Party must adopt an ordinance in accordance with Public Utilities Code Section 366.2(c)(12) for the purpose of specifying that the Party intends to implement a CCA Program by and through its participation in the Authority.
4.1.2 Implementation Plan. The Authority shall cause to be prepared an Implementation Plan meeting the requirements of Public Utilities Code Section 366.2 and any applicable Public Utilities Commission regulations as soon after the Effective Date as reasonably practicable. The Implementation Plan shall not be filed with the Public Utilities Commission until it is approved by the Board in the manner provided by Section 3.7.3.
4.1.3 Termination of CCA Program. Nothing contained in this Article or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Authority to terminate the implementation or operation of the CCA Program at any time in accordance with any applicable requirements of state law.
4.2 Authority Documents. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the affairs of the Authority will be implemented through various documents duly adopted by the Board through Board resolution.
The Parties agree to abide by and comply with the terms and conditions of all such documents that may be adopted by the Board, subject to the Parties’ right to withdraw from the Authority as described in Article 6.
4.3 Addition of Parties. Other incorporated municipalities and counties may become Parties subject to all applicable terms of this Agreement, including but not limited to those in Article 6, upon (a) the adoption of a resolution by the governing body of such incorporated municipality or such county requesting that the incorporated municipality or county, as the case may be, become a member
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of the Authority, (b) the adoption, by an affirmative vote of the Board satisfying the requirements described in Section 3.7, of a resolution authorizing membership of the additional incorporated municipality or county, specifying the membership payment, if any, to be made by the additional incorporated municipality or county to reflect its pro rata share of organizational, planning and other pre-existing expenditures, and describing additional conditions, if any, associated with membership, (c) the adoption of an ordinance required by Public Utilities Code Section 366.2(c)(12) and execution of this Agreement and other necessary program agreements by the incorporated municipality or county as required by the Board, (d) payment of the membership payment, if any, and (e) satisfaction of any conditions established by the Board.
4.3.1 Continuing Participation. The Parties acknowledge that membership in the Authority may change by the addition and/or withdrawal or termination of Parties. The Parties agree to participate with such other Parties as may later be added, as described in Section 4.3. The Parties also agree that the withdrawal or termination of a Party shall not affect this Agreement or the remaining Parties’ continuing obligations under this Agreement.
4.3.2 Termination by Additional Parties. In addition to any financial obligations under Article 6, and in the events that the Board does not require a membership payment to reflect the additional party’s pro rata share of organizational planning and other pre-existing expenditures as allowed by Section 4.3(b) and the additional party withdraws its membership in the Authority within the first five years of becoming a party, the party shall be obligated to reimburse the Authority for all the costs related to the cost of launch, including but not limited to the costs of updating the Implementation Plan and mailings to party’s accounts.
ARTICLE 5: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
5.1 Fiscal Year. The Authority’s fiscal year shall be 12 months commencing July 1 or the date selected by the Authoritygency and ending June 30. The fiscal year may be changed by Board resolution.
5.2 Depository.
5.2.1 All funds of the Authority shall be held in separate accounts in the name of the Authority and not commingled with funds of any Party or any other person or entity.
5.2.2 All funds of the Authority shall be strictly and separately accounted for, and regular reports shall be rendered of all receipts and disbursements, at least quarterly during the fiscal year. The books and records of the Authority shall be open to inspection by the Parties at all reasonable times. The Board shall contract with a certified public accountant or public accountant to make an annual audit of the accounts and records of the Authority, which shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of Section 6505 of the Act.
5.2.3 All expenditures shall be made in accordance with the approved budget and upon the approval of any officer so authorized by the Board in accordance with its Operating Rules and Regulations. The Treasurer shall draw checks or warrants or make payments by other
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means for claims or disbursements not within an applicable budget only upon the prior approval of the Board.
5.3 Budget and Recovery of Costs.
5.3.1 Budget. The annual budget shall be approved by the Board. Staff shall report to the Board quarterly budget results and any significant budget variances. The Board may revise the budget as needed to address any significant changes and/or unexpected expenses incurred.
5.3.2 Funding of Initial Costs. The County of San Mateo has funded certain activities necessary to implement the CCA Program. If the CCA Program becomes operational, these Initial Costs paid by the County of San Mateo shall be included in the customer charges for electric services as provided by Section 5.3.3 to the extent permitted by law, and the County of San Mateo shall be reimbursed from the payment of such charges by customers of the Authority. Prior to such reimbursement, the County of San Mateo shall provide such documentation of costs paid as the Board may request. The Authority may establish a reasonable time period over which such costs are recovered. In the event that the CCA Program does not become operational, the County of San Mateo shall not be entitled to any reimbursement of the Initial Costs it has paid from the Authority or any Party.
5.3.3 CCA Program Costs. The Parties desire that all costs incurred by the Authority that are directly or indirectly attributable to the provision of electric, conservation, efficiency, incentives, financing, or other services provided under the CCA Program, including but not limited to the establishment and maintenance of various reserves and performance funds and administrative, accounting, legal, consulting, and other similar costs, shall be recovered through charges to CCA customers receiving such electric services, or from revenues from grants or other third-party sources.
ARTICLE 6: WITHDRAWAL AND TERMINATION
6.1 Withdrawal.
6.1.1 Right to Withdraw. A Party may withdraw its participation in the CCA Program, effective as of the beginning of the Authority’s fiscal year, by giving no less than 12 months advance written notice of its election to do so, which notice shall be given to the Authority and each Party. Withdrawal of a Party shall require an affirmative vote of the Party’s governing board.
6.1.2 Right to Withdraw After Amendment. Notwithstanding Section 6.1.1, a Party may withdraw its membership in the Authority following an amendment to this Agreement adopted by the Board which the Party’s Director(s) voted against provided such notice is given in writing within thirty (30) days following the date of the vote. Withdrawal of a Party shall require an affirmative vote of the Party’s governing board and shall not be subject to the twelve month advance notice provided in Section 6.1.1. In the event of such withdrawal,
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the Party shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.3.
6.1.3 The Right to Withdraw Prior to Program Launch. After receiving bids from power suppliers, the Authority must provide to the Parties the report from the electrical utility consultant retained by the Authority that compares the total estimated electrical rates that the Authority will be charging to customers as well as the estimated greenhouse gas emissions rate and the amount of estimated renewable energy used with that of the incumbent utility. If the report provides that the Authority is unable to provide total electrical rates, as part of its baseline offering, to the customers that are equal to or lower than the incumbent utility or to provide power in a manner that has a lower greenhouse gas emissions rate or uses more renewable energy than the incumbent utility, a Party may immediately withdraw its membership in the Authority without any financial obligation, as long as the Party provides written notice of its intent to withdraw to the Authority Board no more than fifteen days after receiving the report.
6.1.4 Continuing Financial Obligation; Further Assurances. Except as provided by Section
6.1.3, a Party that withdraws its participation in the CCA Program may be subject to certain continuing financial obligations, as described in Section 6.3. Each withdrawing Party and the Authority shall execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take any further action that may be reasonably necessary, as determined by the Board, to effectuate the orderly withdrawal of such Party from participation in the CCA Program.
6.2 Involuntary Termination of a Party. Participation of a Party in the CCA program may be terminated for material non-compliance with provisions of this Agreement or any other agreement relating to the Party’s participation in the CCA Program upon a vote of Board members as provided in Section 3.7.5. Prior to any vote to terminate participation with respect to a Party, written notice of the proposed termination and the reason(s) for such termination shall be delivered to the Party whose termination is proposed at least 30 days prior to the regular Board meeting at which such matter shall first be discussed as an agenda item. The written notice of proposed termination shall specify the particular provisions of this Agreement or other agreement that the Party has allegedly violated. The Party subject to possible termination shall have the opportunity at the next regular Board meeting to respond to any reasons and allegations that may be cited as a basis for termination prior to a vote regarding termination. A Party that has had its participation in the CCA Program terminated may be subject to certain continuing liabilities, as described in Section 6.3.
6.3 Continuing Financial Obligations; Refund. Except as provided by Section 6.1.3, upon a withdrawal or involuntary termination of a Party, the Party shall remain responsible for any claims, demands, damages, or other financial obligations arising from the Party membership or participation in the CCA Program through the date of its withdrawal or involuntary termination, it being agreed that the Party shall not be responsible for any financial obligations arising after the date of the Party’s withdrawal or involuntary termination. Claims, demands, damages, or other financial obligations for which a withdrawing or terminated Party may remain liable include, but are not limited to, losses from the resale of power contracted for by the Authority to serve the Party’s load. With respect to such financial obligations, upon notice by a Party that it wishes to withdraw from the CCA Program, the Authority shall notify the Party of the minimum waiting period under which the Party would have no costs for withdrawal if the Party agrees to stay in the CCA Program for such period. The waiting period will be set to the minimum duration such that there are no costs transferred to remaining
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ratepayers. If the Party elects to withdraw before the end of the minimum waiting period, the charge for exiting shall be set at a dollar amount that would offset actual costs to the remaining ratepayers, and may not include punitive charges that exceed actual costs. In addition, such Party shall also be responsible for any costs or obligations associated with the Party’s participation in any program in accordance with the provisions of any agreements relating to such program provided such costs or obligations were incurred prior to the withdrawal of the Party. The Authority may withhold funds otherwise owing to the Party or may require the Party to deposit sufficient funds with the Authority, as reasonably determined by the Authority and approved by a vote of the Board of Directors, to cover the Party’s financial obligations for the costs described above. Any amount of the Party’s funds held on deposit with the Authority above that which is required to pay any financial obligations shall be returned to the Party. The liability of any Party under this section 6.3 is subject and subordinate to the provisions of Section 2.2, and nothing in this section 6.3 shall reduce, impair, or eliminate any immunity from liability provided by Section 2.2.
6.4 Mutual Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement of all the Parties; provided, however, the foregoing shall not be construed as limiting the rights of a Party to withdraw its participation in the CCA Program, as described in Section 6.1.
6.5 Disposition of Property upon Termination of Authority. Upon termination of this Agreement, any surplus money or assets in possession of the Authority for use under this Agreement, after payment of all liabilities, costs, expenses, and charges incurred under this Agreement and under any program documents, shall be returned to the then-existing Parties in proportion to the contributions made by each.
ARTICLE 7: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
7.1 Dispute Resolution. The Parties and the Authority shall make reasonable efforts to informally settle all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement. Should such informal efforts to settle a dispute, after reasonable efforts, fail, the dispute shall be mediated in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Board.
7.2 Liability of Directors, Officers, and Employees. The Directors, officers, and employees of the Authority shall use ordinary care and reasonable diligence in the exercise of their powers and in the performance of their duties pursuant to this Agreement. No current or former Director, officer, or employee will be responsible for any act or omission by another Director, officer, or employee.
The Authority shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the individual current and former Directors, officers, and employees for any acts or omissions in the scope of their employment or duties in the manner provided by Government Code Sections 995 et seq. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the defenses available under the law, to the Parties, the Authority, or its Directors, officers, or employees.
7.3 Indemnification of Parties. The Authority shall acquire such insurance coverage as is necessary to protect the interests of the Authority, the Parties, and the public. The Authority shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Parties and each of their respective Board or Council members, officers, agents and employees, from any and all claims, losses, damages, costs, injuries, and liabilities of every kind arising directly or indirectly from the conduct, activities, operations, acts,
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and omissions of the Authority under this Agreement.
7.4 Amendment of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written amendment approved by a vote of Board members as provided in Section 3.7.5. The Authority shall provide written notice to all Parties of amendments to this Agreement, including the effective date of such amendments, at least 30 days prior to the date upon which the Board votes on such amendments.
7.5 Assignment. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and duties of the Parties may not be assigned or delegated without the advance written consent of all of the other Parties, and any attempt to assign or delegate such rights or duties in contravention of this Section
7.5 shall be null and void. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Parties. This Section 7.5 does not prohibit a Party from entering into an independent agreement with another agency, person, or entity regarding the financing of that Party’s contributions to the Authority, or the disposition of proceeds which that Party receives under this Agreement, so long as such independent agreement does not affect, or purport to affect, the rights and duties of the Authority or the Parties under this Agreement.
7.6 Severability. If one or more clauses, sentences, paragraphs or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, it is hereby agreed by the Parties, that the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby. Such clauses, sentences, paragraphs or provision shall be deemed reformed so as to be lawful, valid and enforced to the maximum extent possible.
7.7 Further Assurances. Each Party agrees to execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take any further action that may be reasonably necessary, to effectuate the purposes and intent of this Agreement.
7.8 Execution by Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and upon execution by all Parties, each executed counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original instrument and as if all Parties had signed the same instrument. Any signature page of this Agreement may be detached from any counterpart of this Agreement without impairing the legal effect of any signatures thereon, and may be attached to another counterpart of this Agreement identical in form hereto but having attached to it one or more signature pages.
7.9 Parties to be Served Notice. Any notice authorized or required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be validly given if served in writing either personally, by deposit in the United States mail, first class postage prepaid with return receipt requested, or by a recognized courier service.
Notices given (a) personally or by courier service shall be conclusively deemed received at the time of delivery and receipt and (b) by mail shall be conclusively deemed given 48 hours after the deposit thereof (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) if the sender receives the return receipt. All notices shall be addressed to the office of the clerk or secretary of the Authority or Party, as the case may be, or such other person designated in writing by the Authority or Party. Notices given to one Party shall be copied to all other Parties. Notices given to the Authority shall be copied to all Parties.
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Exhibit A
Definitions
“Act” means the Joint Exercise of Powers Act of the State of California (Government Code Section 6500 et seq.)
“Administrative Services Agreement” means an agreement or agreements entered into after the Effective Date by the Authority with an entity that will perform tasks necessary for planning, implementing, operating and administering the CCA Program or any other energy programs adopted by the Authority.
“Agreement” means this Joint Powers Agreement.
“Annual Energy Use” has the meaning given in Section 3.7.1. “Authority” means the Peninsula Clean EnergyWestLight Energy (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy Authority) Authority.
“Authority Document(s)” means document(s) duly adopted by the Board by resolution or motion implementing the powers, functions, and activities of the Authority, including but not limited to the Operating Rules and Regulations, the annual budget, and plans and policies. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Authority.
“CCA” or “Community Choice Aggregation” means an electric service option available to cities and counties pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 366.2. “CCA Program” means the Authority’s program relating to CCA that is principally described in Sections 2.3, 2.4, and 4.1.
“Director” means a member of the Board of Directors representing a Party. “Effective Date” means February 29, 2016 or when the County of San Mateo and at least two municipalities execute this Agreement, whichever occurs later, as further described in Section
2.1. “Implementation Plan” means the plan generally described in Section 4.1.2 of this Agreement that is required under Public Utilities Code Section 366.2 to be filed with the California Public Utilities Commission for the purpose of describing a proposed CCA Program. “Initial Costs” means all costs incurred by the County and/or Authority relating to the establishment and initial operation of the Authority, such as the hiring of a Chief Executive Officer and any administrative staff, and any required accounting, administrative, technical, or legal services in support of the Authority’sinitial activities or in support of the negotiation, preparation, and approval of one or more Administrative Services Agreements.
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Exhibit A (cont.)
Definitions
“Operating Rules and Regulations” means the rules, regulations, policies, bylaws and procedures governing the operation of the Authority.
“Parties” means, collectively, any municipality or county that executes this Agreement. “Party” means a signatory to this Agreement.
“Total Annual Energy” has the meaning given in Section 3.7.1.
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Exhibit B
List of Parties
Parties:
Atherton
Belmont
Brisbane
Burlingame
Colma
County of San Mateo
Daly City
East Palo Alto
Foster City
Half Moon Bay
Hillsborough
Los Banos
Menlo Park
Millbrae
Pacifica
Portola Valley
Redwood City
San Bruno
San Carlos
San Mateo
South San Francisco
Woodside
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Exhibits C and D
Annual Energy Use and Voting Shares
ANNUAL ENERGY USE WITHIN PCE
JURISDICTIONS AND VOTING SHARES
Twelve Months Ended November [date]
Party Total kWh Voting
Share
SAN MATEO
COUNTY
Total 100