CCMIN 07202021 - Laserfiche WebLink

The new default will take effect January 1, 2022. Moving to Renewable 100 for residential and commercial accounts will lower citywide emissions by 8% according and bring the City closer to achieving its 2030 GHG emissions reduction goals. The monthly premium of Renewable 100 is approximately $5 for residents, $15 for small businesses, $160 for medium-sized businesses, and $2500 for most large businesses. Staff will partner with EBCE to tailor outreach to customers who may be disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs and develop outreach strategies focused on helping residents and businesses opt down to Bright Choice. In response to Councilmember Balch, Management Analyst Reda confirmed this does not alter the ability to provide residents uninterrupted power as it is being delivered by PG&E. If there is a transmission problem from Oregon to California it will still affect Pleasanton no matter what option is chosen. He advised the 100% renewable option would mean Pleasanton is injecting 100% renewable onto the grid for all its customers. It does not necessarily mean what is going through the power lines is all 100% renewable energy for Pleasanton but is counted for greenhouse gas emission purposes. In response to Councilmember Balch, Alex Digiorgio of EBCE, advised there is no limit to the number of times customers can change among EBCE options and noted it usually takes two billing cycles to implement the request. The only caveat is when people opt-out from PG&E's terms and conditions; after the first 60 days of service there is a one-year waiting period before returning to EBCE. In response to Councilmember Arkin, Management Analyst Reda reported all EBCE customers generate credits for their solar, and if they generate more than they use they receive a check in April if their credit is over $100; if it is under $100 it is usually carried over. Solar customers are paying one cent more per kilowatt-hour for their electricity to be on Renewable 100 but are also selling their electricity at one cent more per kilowatt-hour back to the grid. Mr. Digiorgio explained the Resilient Home program is for residential customers that comprises a solar plus battery storage on individual homes that allow customers to operate off the grid. The solar panels charge the battery and if the grid goes down they have a fully charged battery to deploy. In response to Mayor Brown, Mr. Digiorgio confirmed there is a substantial price tag with solar but the rebate for participating in the program is a little more than $1200. He also advised there is the Self- Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) run by the State and the goal of this program is to make solar as affordable as possible. Mayor Brown expressed concern that residents are being asked again to select a new renewable option but has not heard the reasoning why the City cannot maintain Brilliant 100. Mr. Digiorgio explained there is a resource constraint and is not a cost-effective option. Brilliant 100 relies heavily on large hydroelectricity and noted it does not qualify as a renewable resource by California law but is considered carbon-free. However, he advised in the era of a mega drought and the effects of climate change, those hydroelectric facilities are producing a lot less energy. He advised another factor on the resource side is nuclear power; EBCE's Board decided not to accept that option. Mayor Brown opened public comment. Becky Dennis expressed support for Option 1 and noted the Renewable 100 program as a cost- effective way to meet the City's climate action goals. She inquired as to how many solar panel systems exist on Pleasanton's rooftops and if the City should credit its carbon account with the power generated by these systems as permitted land use as these privately owned systems also reduce Pleasanton's carbon footprint. Mr. Digiorgio reported there are slightly over 4000 solar panel systems in Pleasanton. City Council Minutes Page 12 of 14 July 20. 2021