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- Pass-through funding - Bulk purchasing, master RFP for services, countywide tools And StopWaste.Org could benefit as well, by: - Formally addressing any concern about"mission creep" - Diversifying our revenue mix - Spreading our overhead over a larger revenue stream,thereby reducing burden on solid waste fee payers Possible Governing Structures The Board may wish to consider a different governing structure for seeking and implementing a broader range of energy efficiency programs. Staff has identified three possible mechanisms for doing so: (1) forming a new joint powers agency(JPA)specifically focused on energy issues, (2)forming a Community Energy Authority under the Community Energy Authority Ad,Government Code section 52000 et seq., and (3)entering into an MOU with member agencies. For your information, all the legal analysis for this report was grant funded by the California Energy Commission, as part of creating model public policies. New Joint Powers Authority for Selected Energy Issues The Board may want to consider creating a separate legal entity that would be expressiy authorized to seek and expend energy-related funds.Jurisdictions within several counties in both northern and southern California have formed regional JPAs pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, Government Code Section 6500 et seq, for the specific purpose of promoting energy efficiency, conservation, and increased local energy self-reliance. These include the Redwood Coast Energy Authority(in Humboldt County) and the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance. The biggest advantage of forming an Energy Authority JPA is that it would provide a clear signal to funders that our region prioritizes energy management and has established a dedicated governance structure for this purpose. Although a new JPA and our existing JPA would be legally distinct entities, they could operate in such a manner as to effectively appear to individual residents and business (and to potential funders)as a single source of guidance, information, and other resources. If some or all of our member agencies decided to create a new Energy Authority JPA,they could take advantage of the existing WMA's structure,facilities, and staffing to create a number of administrative efficiencies. For instance, if the governing boards of the member agencies appointed the same individual to serve on both the WMA and the Energy Authority JPA,the two agencies could coordinate the scheduling of meetings to reduce travel and related expenses. The Energy Authority JPA could meet only a few times a year initially, and increase the number of meetings if necessary. The Energy Authority JPA could contract with the WMA to provide staffing and administrative functions. The WMA's existing memorandum of understanding ("MOU")with the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board provides a precedent and template for such cooperative use of staffing and facilities. Such an MOU would be possible regardless of whether all WMA member agencies joined in any Energy Authority JPA. An Area Energy Authority for Selected Energy Issues Another possible mechanism for creating a JPA-type agency to promote energy efficiency would be to create an "Area Energy Authority," pursuant to the Community Energy Authority Act, Gov't Code section 5200 et seq. ("Act"). However,the governing structure for such Area Energy Authorities is more cumbersome than the governing structure for traditional JPAs. For instance,the governing board for such an authority must include two members from each participating city or county,with an additional 2