Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Support and agree to the County of Monterey participating in the Pre-Development and Feasibility Phase of Community Choice Aggregation for the Monterey Bay Region, without financial obligation;
b. Authorize the Planning Director, or his designated representative, to serve on the Project Development Advisory Committee; and
c. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or his designee, to request on the behalf of Monterey County, the Planning Development Advisory Committee, and Planning Development Advisory Committee consultants, energy usage load data from Pacific Gas & Electric Company for use in the feasibility study.
(REF130023/Community Choice Aggregation - Feasibility Study)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Support and agree to the County of Monterey participating in the Pre-Development and Feasibility Phase of Community Choice Aggregation for the Monterey Bay Region, without financial obligation;
b. Authorize the Planning Director, or his designated representative, to serve on the Project Development Advisory Committee; and
c. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or his designee, to request on the behalf of Monterey County, the Planning Development Advisory Committee, and Planning Development Advisory Committee consultants, energy usage load data from Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for use in the feasibility study.
SUMMARY:
In February 2012, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to join the Monterey Bay Regional Climate Action Compact, which includes jurisdictions from Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties. In the ensuing months, a Planning Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) was formed under the auspices of the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County to undertake the preparation of a feasibility study on potentially implementing Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) in the Monterey Bay Region. The PDAC is asking that jurisdictions support and participate in the feasibility study, designate a representative to serve on the PDAC, and acquire Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) data in support of the feasibility study. The proposed feasibility study is to be funded through grant funds raised by the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. The PDAC will serve in an advisory capacity to assist in the development of the feasibility study. All fiduciary responsibility for the project lies with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.
DISCUSSION:
Community Choice Aggregation
Established by State law in 2002 (AB117), CCA allows cities and counties in California to pool their residential, business and municipal electricity loads, and to purchase power (and/or generate it) on their behalf. Energy transmission, distribution, repair and customer service functions remain with the incumbent utility. A summary of the major advantages of CCA are described below:
Economics
· Revenue based; not taxpayer supported
· Value of redirected revenue to the local economy
· Creates local jobs and has an economic multiplier effect
· Increases market competition, which drives down costs
Environment
· Supply autonomy allows for greater use of renewable energy supplies, including supplies from local generators like the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, and private wind and solar energy generators;
· Helps achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets;
· Saves money for the consumer
Consumer Choice, Local Control
· Local control, accountability, tailored programs
Community Choice Aggregation for the Monterey Bay Region
Community Choice Aggregation for the Monterey Bay Region is an initiative started by jurisdictions in Santa Cruz County interested in exploring the feasibility of CCA in the region. To promote the initiative, the cities located in Santa Cruz County and the county of Santa Cruz formed a Planning Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) charged with investigating and guiding the potential formation of CCA in Monterey Bay Region. The PDAC has invited the County of Monterey to join in studying the feasibility of CCA for the Monterey Bay Region, including both Santa Cruz and Monterey County jurisdictions.
Proposed Feasibility Study
The PDAC is undertaking a study to determine the feasibility of, and support for, CCA in the Monterey Bay Region. The feasibility study will be independently financed by as-yet-to-be-determined grant funds and donations; no request will be made of County of Monterey funds to undertake the feasibility study. Participation in the effort requires obtaining data from PG&E, and the acquisition of this data is included in the cost of the independently financed feasibility study.
Environmental Review
The participation in the PDAC by the County has been determined to be Statutorily Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15262 of the CEQA Guidelines as an activity involving only feasibility or planning studies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
On February 28, 2013, the Alternative Energy and Environment Committee of the Board of Supervisors received a presentation on the recommended participation by the County of Monterey in the CCA feasibility study and supported it.
FINANCING
The feasibility study will be funded by grant funds and donations. Additionally the existing Resource Management Agency staff will need to attend quarterly meetings of the PDAC and to undertake minor coordinating activities between meetings. This type of activity is already covered by the adopted budget for the Planning Department. Otherwise, no other demands on County of Monterey resources are expected to complete the feasibility study. Participation in the effort does require obtaining data from PG&E, and the acquisition of this data is included in the cost of the independently financed feasibility study.
Prepared by: Martin Carver, AICP, Management Specialist, Ext. 6049
Approved by: Mike Novo, Director, RMA-Planning, ext. 5192
<mailto:> Benny Young, Director Resource Management Agency
This report was reviewed by Jacqueline R. Onciano, Planning Services Manager
cc: Front Counter Copy; Jacqueline Onciano, Planning Services Manager; Gine Johnson, Community Choice Aggregation for the Monterey Bay Region; The Open Monterey Project; LandWatch; Project File REF130023
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A: Draft Board Resolution