Title
a. Receive a presentation on the Monterey Bay Community Power Project.
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a presentation on the Monterey Bay Community Power Project.
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
The Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) project is a collaborative effort established through a Resolution among Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, and San Benito County (a total of 21 jurisdictions including 18 cities). For the past three years, the MBCP has been investigating the formation of a Community Choice Energy (CCE) agency to serve the Monterey Bay Region. In 2002, the State Legislature adopted AB 117, which amended various provisions of the Public Utilities Code and allows for local governments to create a CCE agency which would aggregate utility customer's electricity loads within their jurisdictions and to procure energy supplies on their behalf, while maintaining the existing electricity transmission and distribution service provider.
In 2013, organizers of the MBCP formed the Project Development Advisory Committee (PDAC). With Gine Johnson from the Office of Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce McPherson acting as Team Manager, the PDAC is comprised of representatives from across the tri-county area, including a Monterey County staff member. The PDAC meets regularly to conduct the investigation into a local CCE and to lead project activities. A Technical Study was conducted to analyze the potential costs, benefits, and risks of a CCE formation, as well as, to compare these projected costs with the current electric utility provider, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Moreover, the Technical Study, performed by Pacific Energy Advisors (PEA), outlines how a local CCE can provide competitive utility rates, offer complementary programs, enhance the use of carbon-free energy sources, increase local distributed energy gener...
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