Agenda

Return

C.141

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Jason Crapo, County Building Official
Date:	August 18, 2015

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Community Choice Aggregation

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 08/18/2015

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

ABSENT:

Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Jason Crapo,

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: August 18, 2015
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

REFER the topic of Community Choice Aggregation to the Internal Operations Committee, as recommended by the Conservation and Development Director.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.

BACKGROUND:

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is the practice of aggregating consumer electricity demand for purposes of procuring energy. The most common reason for a community to pursue CCA is to promote electricity generation from renewable energy sources. In the form of CCA authorized by California state law, the existing energy utility remains responsible for power transmission and distribution.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

CCA agencies exist in several states, including Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and California. CCA in California was authorized by AB 117 in 2002, which allows cities and counties to become electricity providers, or form a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for this purpose. AB 117 does not give this authority to any public agencies other than cities and counties.

CCA agencies are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and require certification by the CPUC.

In 2010, Marin Clean Energy became the first CCA agency certified in California. Sonoma Clean Power was the second, in 2014. Both Marin Clean Energy and Sonoma Clean Power are JPA's comprised of the host county and various cities. During 2013 and 2014, the cities of Richmond, San Pablo and El Cerrito took actions to join Marin Clean Energy.

A significant number of cities and counties in California are currently in the process of implementing or studying the formation of CCA agencies, including the counties of Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles and the City and County of San Francisco. San Francisco has received certification of its CCA Implementation Plan from the CPUC.

Formation of a CCA agency that includes Contra Costa County may involve the creation of a JPA between the County and other counties and/or cities that are interested in participating. Under such a scenario, the CCA agency would be a separate entity from the County, with an independent governing board.

Implementation of a CCA agency within Contra Costa County would require a technical feasibility study to identify the projected customer base for the CCA agency, and the projected electricity rates for CCA customers. Other implementation steps would include consultation with other jurisdictions concerning the possible formation of a CCA JPA, submission of an Implementation Plan and other required filings to the CPUC, negotiation and execution of a joint powers agreement among participating jurisdictions, appointment of a CCA Board of Directors, and hiring of JPA staff.

The purpose of the referral is study the CCA concept further, explore merits and disadvantages and return to the full Board with background information and a recommendation. If the Board subsequently made a decision to seek to initiate CCA for the County, next steps would involve assignment of County staff to support the start-up effort and establishment of a budget to fund staffing, consulting and legal expenses necessary for implementation.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the recommended action is not approved, the Internal Operations Committee will not be able to consider this subject.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

N/A.