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C. 40

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	November 15, 2016

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Contract with Energy Council to Support East Bay Energy Watch Activities

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/15/2016

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Demian Hardman (925) 674-7826

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 15, 2016
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute a contract with the Energy Council, a joint powers agency, to accept funding in an amount not to exceed $45,000 to assist Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) with its East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW) Local Government Partnership Program for the period May 10 through December 31, 2016.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There will be no impact to the General Fund. The cost of Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) staff time spent assisting PG&E and the Energy Council with its EBEW Local Government Partnership Program for calendar year 2016 will be funded through this contract.

BACKGROUND:

East Bay Energy Watch (EBEW) is a Local Government Partnership (LGP) collaboration between PG&E, local governments, non-profit and for-profit service providers in the East Bay providing energy efficiency solutions for residents and businesses in communities throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. EBEW is one of twenty-one (21) Energy Watch LGPs administered by PG&E and funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). EBEW consists of city and county staff members of both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties that work together to support energy efficiency programs to meet the needs of local customers and communities.

Since 2010, the County has been actively participating in EBEW and receiving funding to assist with marketing and outreach on the various energy efficiency incentive (rebate) programs being offered to businesses throughout Contra Costa. (EBEW primarily focuses on programs for businesses but it does have one relatively small program for residents. The County has not participated in this aspect because it would require start-up funding from the County, is not seen as cost-effective, and the County is able to provide rebates to residents through a different program called the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN)).

In early 2016, the County was allocated funding to act as Co-Administrator in partnership with the Energy Council joint powers agency formed by Alameda County and its cities) to (1), support EBEW administrative functions on behalf of EBEW programs in Contra Costa County and (2), implement a marketing and outreach campaign targeting small/medium businesses within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County.

Due to the new Co-Administrator partnership role and the unique nature of the required contract language and funding source, both agencies needed a substantial amount of time to craft mutually agreeable contract provisions. Under the contract, the County will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Energy Council only to the extent that a claim arises from the County's negligence and willful misconduct while performing its obligations under the contract. The proposed effective date of this contract will provide for cost reimbursement for eligible work completed by DCD staff, in accordance with the contract requirements.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this contract is not approved, the County would not be eligible to receive up to $45,000 in funding to offset the cost of DCD staff time dedicated to supporting EBEW activities on behalf of the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County for 2016.