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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board establish a Tahoe Basin Pioneer Community Choice Aggregate Ad Hoc Committee comprised of the District V Supervisor and the Supervisor representative appointed to the Pioneer Energy Community Choice Aggregate (CCA) Board to work with staff and the Pioneer Community Energy CCA Joint Powers Authority, in collaboration with the City of South Lake Tahoe, to pursue implementation of a CCA program for the Tahoe Basin area.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is an alternative to an investor-owned utility (IOU) energy supply system. A local CCA purchases electricity, and the IOU transmits the electricity for individual customers within a defined jurisdiction. The CCA chooses the power generation source on behalf of the customers. By aggregating purchasing power, a CCA is able to create large contracts with power generators on behalf of the individual customers within their jurisdiction. The goals of CCAs are to lower costs for consumers and/or allow local entities greater control of their energy mix, including offering “greener” generation portfolios than investor-owned utilities. Currently, two CCA Joint Powers Authorities exist in the Sacramento region, one of which is Pioneer Energy, operating in most of the communities in unincorporated Placer and El Dorado counties, the Town of Loomis, and the cities of Auburn, Colfax, Grass Valley, Lincoln, Nevada City, Placerville, and Rocklin.
The County pursued membership in the CCA for the West slope of the County in 2020, appointing Supervisor Parlin and Supervisor Hidahl to serve on an ad hoc committee (July 14, 2020, Legistar file 20-0853). Subsequently, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to sign form 79-1030, which was a declaration by the Chief Administrative Officer regarding investigation, pursuit, or implementation of Community Choice Aggregation that was submitted to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to sign form 79-1031, a Community Choice Aggregator Non-Disclosure Agreement that was also forwarded to PG&E, and provided conceptual approval to prepare an Ordinance to join the Pioneer Energy Joint Powers Authority (September 1, 2020, Legistar file 20-1148). On September 29, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance No. 5129 conditionally authorizing the implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program within the areas currently served by PG&E in the unincorporated west slope of the County through participation in the Community Choice Aggregation Program of the Pioneer Community Energy Joint Powers Authority (Legistar file 20-1198). Supervisor Parlin represents the County as a member of the JPA Board of Directors.
The City of South Lake Tahoe receives energy services from Liberty Utilities and is currently interested in partnering with the County in efforts to also join Pioneer Community Energy. As a result, staff is recommending that the Board direct staff to work with the City of South Lake Tahoe and Pioneer Energy to explore the possibility of the unincorporated area of the Tahoe basin joining the CCA, and that the Board appoint two members to work in an ad hoc capacity in representing the interests of the Tahoe Basin area of El Dorado County.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to appoint an ad-hoc committee and direct staff to continue discussions, or the Board could choose to discontinue exploring CCA options for the unincorporated Tahoe Basin all together.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 20-0853 - July 14, 2020 - The Board appointed Supervisor Parlin and Supervisor Hidahl to serve on the CCA ad hoc committee.
Legistar file 20-1198 - September 29, 2020 - Board approved the implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program in the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County that are serviced by PG&E.
Legistar file 20-1485 - November 10, 2020 - Board approved Resolution requesting membership in Pioneer Community Energy and approving the amended and restated joint exercise of powers agreement.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
City of South Lake Tahoe
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this recommendation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
The 2019 Strategic Plan included the exploration of CCA as an investment in infrastructure needs to improve and maintain competitiveness with our neighboring jurisdictions by ideally realizing lower energy costs. Although an effort to include the Tahoe Basin area is not included in the current strategic plan, it would potentially lower costs for citizens access to a “greener” energy mix for utilities.
CONTACT
Jennifer Franich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer