Title
a. Receive a status update on a public opinion survey for the Monterey Bay Community Power Project; and
b. Recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a non-binding Resolution of Intent to affirm County's intent to participate in discussions for the proposed Monterey Bay Community Power Joint Powers Authority.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. Receive a status update on a public opinion survey for the Monterey Bay Community Power Project; and
b. Recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a non-binding Resolution of Intent to affirm County's intent to participate in discussions for the proposed Monterey Bay Community Power Joint Powers Authority.
SUMMARY:
The Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) proposal includes the Counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito, and the 18 cities within their boundaries. MBCP is a proposed Community Choice Energy (CCE) initiative for jurisdictions to form a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to purchase electric energy on behalf of customers.
Since receiving direction at the September 22, 2016 Alternative Energy and Environment (AEE) Committee meeting, staff has worked to identify public opinion survey firms and to develop cost estimates and timelines. Staff is also working to identify potential funding sources to offset the County cost of conducting such a survey.
The MBCP project staff has drafted a non-binding resolution of intent to determine interest in the project. In order to meet time frames spelled out by the MBCP, it has been requested that all interested jurisdictions place the resolution of intent on their respective governing board agendas for consideration on or about October 31, 2016.
DISCUSSION:
At the September 22, 2016 AEE meeting, staff was directed to research the process of conducting a public opinion survey and related costs. The survey would need to be in English and Spanish. In order for a public opinion survey to yield accurate results with a margin of error between 3-7%, the County will nee...
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