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Other Projects: <br />EBCE has a long list of ongoing projects ranging from community solar, solar loan <br />buydowns for low income solar users, to local energy generation. EBCE is investing <br />small amounts in many projects to gauge each project's impact and to guide future <br />investment. <br />CCAs are required to reinvest in their community, and EBCE is beginning to do this <br />through initiatives laid out in the LDBP. EBCE's $625,000 for LDBP implementation in <br />FY19 was a relatively small amount, but it is important to factor in that EBCE was just <br />beginning during this time. FY20, on the other hand, has $4,540,000 allocated for <br />reinvestment in the local community. These investments in the local community are <br />designed to lower GHG emission levels in innovative ways and create new jobs. <br />Pleasanton is potentially missing out on these opportunities by not participating in <br />EBCE. <br />EBCE's decision-making board is comprised of elected officials from all participating <br />jurisdictions, who ultimately approve where the LDBP funding goes. If Pleasanton joins <br />EBCE, they will get a seat and voice at the decision-making table and ensure that local <br />development funding is used appropriately and to help Pleasanton meet its CAP goals <br />where feasible. <br />3. Financial Viability, Risks, and Uncertainties <br />Anther objective of staff's investigation is to assess EBCE's financial viability, its ability <br />to keep rates from fluctuating, and whether or not Pleasanton will be insulated from <br />EBCE liability. <br />MCE is the first CCA to service California residents, and received a "Baa2" Issuer <br />Rating from Moody's on May 16, 2018. This is an investment grade rating, with Baal <br />being a "medium grade, with some speculative elements and moderate credit risk." <br />Other CCAs do not yet have credit ratings due to their lack of an adequate credit <br />history. EBCE and the other CCAs work around this by using a "lockbox" to sign <br />contracts. CCAs put their revenue into a bank account, and these funds can only be <br />withdrawn to pay for PPAs first. Once the PPA is entirely paid for, then the funds in that <br />account become available for other purposes. The lockbox method has resulted in <br />billions of dollars in contracts so far as energy wholesalers have been willing to enter <br />into such arrangements. Over 60 long-term PPAs have been signed through lockboxes <br />for new development in solar, wind, biogas, and energy storage facilities. Approximately <br />95% of these PPAs are within California, scattered in 16 counties. <br />EBCE currently has the largest customer base of any CCA in California with over <br />550,000 accounts. The opt -out rate is less than 4% and has remained stable, based on <br />monthly trends. Having such a large customer base gives EBCE bargaining power and <br />stability. The size of EBCE enabled them to sign the four long-term energy PPAs <br />mentioned earlier in this document. The four PPAs were signed in June 2019, one year <br />after businesses started their service with EBCE, and six months after residents joined. <br />Page 16 of 20 <br />