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1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
Membership Agreement with the UCR
Southern California Research Initiative for
Solar Energy / Solar Valley Consortium
City Council
December 12, 2023
Riverside Public Utilities
RiversideCA.gov
2 SC-RISE/Solar Valley Consortium
1. Created by the University of California Riverside Center for Environmental Research & Technology (CE-CERT)
2. Mission
a. Establish a valuable source of data on solar projects and installations b. Advocate and support public policies for residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar projects
c. Promote the creation of local clean energy jobs, job training programs and attraction of solar energy and storage companies to the region
d. Contribute to education as to the value of solar energy as part of the region’s sustainable energy future
3. All memberships held in the name of the City of Riverside must be approved by the City Council
a. A recommendation is also sought by the Bo ard of Public Utilities supporting RPU’s participation because the mission aligns with RPU’s mission
BACKGROUND
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2 RiversideCA.gov
3 1. Riverside joined SC-RISE / So lar Valley Consortium in 2021 a. Item extends this membership for two years
2. Membership benefits
a. One City appointee position on the organization’s Leadership Council b. Provides the City with a voice on important local and regional solar energy public policy research
c. Provides access to Consortium events and member publications
3. Aligns with and supports meeting State and City goals a. State goals – by 2045 provide 100% zero-carbon electricity resources for electricity sold to customers and achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality b. City goals are the same but with a target year of 2040
DISCUSSION
RiversideCA.gov
4 Strategic Priority 4 - Environmental Stewardship
Goal 4.1 - Rapidly decrease Riverside’s carbon footprint by acting urgently to reach a zero- carbon electric grid with the goal of reaching 1 00% zero-carbon electricity production by 2040 while continuing to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy for all residents.
Goal 4.6 - Implement the requisite measures to achieve citywide carbon neutrality no later than 2040.
Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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3 RiversideCA.gov
5 That the City Council:
1. Approve the City’s Membership Agreement with University of California Riverside Southern California Researc h Initiative for a two-year term with Solar Energy (SC-RISE)/Solar Valley Consortium in the annual amount of $5,000 through FY 2024/25;
2. Designate Public Utilities Gener al Manager or their designee as the designee to represent the City of Riverside at meetings of the SC- Rise/Solar Valley Consortium meetings; and
3. Authorize City Manager, or their designee, to sign and execute all necessary membership documents, including making minor and non- substantive changes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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