02.04.10 VIEW Partnership Meeting Summary Notes

San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW)

PARTNERS MEETING SUMMARY NOTES February 4, 2010 Attendees: Lou Camara, City of Hanford Barbara Marty, City of Hanford Valerie Williams, City of Lindsay Jim Perrine, City of Porterville Leslie Caviglia, City of Visalia Kim Loeb, City of Visalia Harry Verheul, County of Kings Gail Henry, County of Tulare

Chris Coronel, SCE Jesse Langley, SCE Bill DeLain, SCE Brian Thoburn, SCE Cal Rossi, SCE John King, SCE Paulo Morais, So Cal Gas

Cynthia Downing, SJVCEO Courtney Kalashian, SJVCEO

Location: County of Tulare RMA, RMA Main Conference Room, 5961 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 4, 2010 Location: County of Tulare RMA, RMA Main Conference Room, 5961 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277 Agenda Topics on February 4, 2010 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Strategic Plan Support 3. Energy Savings Goals for 2010 4. Marketing and Outreach 5. SJVCEO Funding Opportunities Update 6. New Business 7. Old Business 8. Next Steps Summary of Discussions: •

In Lew Nelson’s absence Jim Perrine stepped in and called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m.

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The Strategic Plan menu was reviewed, in detail by Jesse Langley and Cynthia Downing.

Jesse explained a brief background and that the goals come direct from the Strategic Plan.

The California Public Utilities Commission has made public goods charges funds available 1

San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) imbedded in the partnership budget and in a competitive award. The current discussion is for the embedded $81,000 in the VIEW partnership budget.

Cynthia reported that there was a conference call last week to identify what jurisdictions have done and what they would/could do. Many of our jurisdictions are in budgets and just do not having the time right now. It was determined that we need to be looking at specific tasks, so we identified seven areas and now we need to narrow those down to three. Paulo Morias explained that the utilities are required to file an advice letter at the end of this month so they are under pressure for time—whatever the group can do to help out and provide feedback on is greatly appreciated by the utilities.

The first goal that the group discussed on the conference call was, Goal #1: addressing reach codes. The group consensus was that it would be a great challenge for the Valley to adopt this, for many reasons.

Cynthia took a moment to explain that there is a great difference between having an interest and having the resources to implement. So the question had to be, is there an interest, or an interest with an actual ability to implement. Jesse wanted to make sure it was clear that the utilities were not asking to take resources away—i.e. voluntary green building in Visalia, there’s going to be a consulting company out there to write the proposal…Jim interjected that without staff resources? In a vacuum? No, it’s not going to happen. Kim Loeb explained that in local government that’s a recipe for failure. We must focus on, “bang for the buck” with what we have.

Paulo warned against any partner taking the attitude that we just can’t do anything. He explained that if VIEW takes that attitude it’s only going to bring down a reaction from the State saying, “Hey—you have to do something!”

Cynthia assured the utilities that the jurisdictions have been considering the plan and the goals, but what is being expressed was best summed up by Lew nelson at the City of Tulare when he said, “if I’m choosing between whether my wastewater treatment plant is going to work or looking at the list I’m going to choose my wastewater treatment plant.” Gail Henry commented that it just seems like too much too fast, and that there’s a pressure that everything ahs to be decided right away. She explained the local governments can’t vet such things so fast, and that they have to be run by other people. Cynthia explained that in the role of implementing partner the SJVCEO is trying to assist jurisdictions with what is available.

Jesse was interested in what John King had to say, because in addition to his job with SCE, he is also a City Council member with the City of Covina. John said it’s just a messy time for all government bodies across the state! The Covina Council had a discussion at their last meeting about the determination for making these infrastructure changes right now makes sense: labor is relatively cheap, the opportunity for long term savings is really viable. To the extent that a local government can put effort into these long term savings now makes sense, and the concept was better received than expected. He said that in Covina they are

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San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) utilizing a consultant, who will use staff time, but far less than if the City’s own staff was doing it.

Continuing the applicable goals discussion, Cynthia had a sense from the jurisdictions that option two was not feasible.

Goal number three, benchmarking own facilities, the group though that 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 are areas that the partnership could focus on is everyone agreed.

Paulo informed the partners that SCG was already set up a program with EnergyStar Portfolio Manager. John said that SCE was headed the same way, but that they had to negotiate with PG&E and SDG&E, so it’s taking a little longer. There is a scheduled training on the program on the 25th and March 10th from SCG. Leslie Caviglia asked if the funds could be used to provide training locally. Paulo thought it might be possible. The SJVCEO would be able to help identify contract support, model approaches, and draft and finalize procedures for a budget of $11,000. On 3.1.2 the SJVCEO could help by setting up a program, adding Utility and other data for $20,000. This would set up an account for each jurisdictions buildings.

In the conference call the group decided that 3.2 is a good goal, but the resources are not available.

Goal number four appears to fall in line with what AB32 and SB375 set out to accomplish.

4.1.1, a regional template for climate action plan was something that the jurisdictions thought they could get behind. A quick survey of the jurisdictions was held with the following results: Lindsay is behind, they do not have a climate action plan; Kings and Tulare counties and the City of Visalia are already underway with their plans. 4.1.3 seemed a better task to support. Jesse reminded everyone to not get too caught up in the details; this is just an opportunity to comment back to the CPUC. Paulo explained that the genesis of the Strategic Plan came about because local governments felt the utilities did not implement energy programs in a strategic way, so they went to the CPUC and asked for it.

While all this was going on there were districts that lobbied heavily on what they wanted to see happen while there were districts who said, “hey! We don’t have the resources for this!”. Nevertheless, Paulo said, there were enough districts to say go forward. He cautioned the partners to identify what is reasonably doable, because if the partnership doesn’t put something down then we allow others to speak for us.

Leslie asked about 4.1.4, and Cynthia explained that the group had steered clear of it because they didn’t see any other funding coming available, and the $81,000 didn’t seem like it would be enough for everyone.

Cynthia explained that 4.1.5 was left open for innovative programs for energy efficiency with a footnote that says strategic planning funds can be used for an AB811 program. An idea that came up was using $50,000 of the funds to pay for Tulare and Kings county to opt in to the California First program. The next acceptance phase is in late May, early June and

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San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) as Kim explained, the cost is a sliding scale based on population. The group consensus on this was a resounding YES. Jesse moved on to explain that upcoming is a $27.5 million solicitation where jurisdictions can submit a proposal based on these exact same menu items. The proposal needs to come from a jurisdiction and the lead needs to come from a jurisdiction. There can be private/public relations, but the jurisdictions have to take the lead. A discussion followed on the type of application to submit—regional, single city, multi-jurisdictional? The applications are due March 22, 2010. Questions about the program can be directed to the PEPMA website, and the webinar can be accessed there too. The group was reminded that this is not money for doing, but for the planning and processes.

Jim asked if we could build on what was just discussed for the imbedded funds. Jesse explained, not as VIEW, a jurisdiction has to take the lead, and the SJVCEO can’t be paid out of VIEW funds. Cynthia said that the SJVCEO could write the proposals and not necessarily be paid by anyone—the SJVCEO doesn’t always get paid, and part of the mission is to do this kind of work, which we have unrestricted funds to do the work with.

Jesse noted that he is managing the competitive solicitation process for SCE, so if there are any questions partners should call or email him. He also encouraged jurisdictions to log in to the PEPMA site.

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Chris Coronel reviewed the Energy Savings goals. Chris announced that he has the new forms for energy efficiency programs, and that he already has meetings set up to review the audits and link them to the appropriate incentive program. He noted that Tulare County and City of Lindsay need to get back to him. The Energy Saving Goal sheet did not change since the last meeting, as there needs to be some clean up based on what the County of Tulare wants to do. In the meantime, Chris said he continues to fill in the list with projects as they come in outside of ARRA funding.

There’s a lot of zeros now because as the partnership got traction we wanted to have items on the list. Jesse announced that SCE has the data back on the tier levels, and that he will be emailing out the levels to the jurisdictions. He did note that Visalia is at the Silver Level and only 4% away from reaching the Gold Level. He also reported that the municipal level for Tulare County is 63%, perhaps the leader of any jurisdiction!

Jim asked about Porterville’s meeting, and Chris acknowledged that they do have a meeting coming up.

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Courtney Kalashian provided a report from the earlier Marketing and Outreach task force meeting. The partnership will have a presence with the SCE 2nd unit MEU at the Visalia Home Spring Fest on the weekend of February 12-14 at the Visalia Convention Center.

Jurisdiction volunteers are needed in addition to SCE and SCG staff. Gail and Kim have already volunteered a two hours time block. Courtney said she would send out the volunteer signup sheet through email following the meeting.

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San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) The committee discussed three proposed community event budgets. The group narrowed in on a middle of the road approach and discussed ways to make event participation fair, perhaps basing it on projected attendance. It was suggested to reach out to large religious groups because it is a new way to get the message out from trusted source.

The budgets are a good start, and now need to show staffing costs and get an idea of attendance. The committee is still in an odd limbo without knowing what the M&O dollars are going to be.

The committee had the opportunity to review the full website. Final approval on the placeholder page was received this morning, so that will go up today. The whole site is under review from the utilities.

The staff will focus on detailing out community events and adding in staffing costs from the partnership. Additionally, as soon as final approval comes through for the website a notice will go out to all Partners.

Cynthia mentioned that the last couple of meetings only Tulare County and Visalia have been at the meetings. It would be good for the other jurisdictions to participate. She reminded the group that, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease…”

Bill Delain talked about, “Make an Impact Day”. This was an event in Visalia that shared things that folks in the city and the county can do right now. Coming up, Earth Day in April; Edison Company is putting together an Earth Day event at AgTAC on April 30th. It would be a place where each of partner jurisdictions could bring something about the individual jurisdiction affecting climate change. Lindsay, for example could talk about their police fleet. More information will be available and provided tot eh jurisdictions.

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Can we obtain topics of monthly meetings two or more months in advance so the right municipal staff can be invited? The group considered the question, “How do we make these meetings meaningful and relevant?” One thought was that knowing the topics or guest speakers well enough in advance would allow the jurisdictions the time to get the right municipal staff invited. Jesse said that would be no problem, but that they too would like feedback about what the municipal staff wants to know about. Paulo said the pencil in the Whole House Retrofit conversation for the March meeting.

John said that all the utility people are focused not only on the energy efficiency, but the whole house. He thinks that they need to be better about communicating programs like CARE. John said that getting the partners focused in their jurisdictions puts the jurisdiction in a leadership position.

The Demand Response presentation from Edison is not quite ready; perhaps it will be in the next three months. When information on presentations becomes available it will be sent to Courtney who will send it out to the Partnership, not necessarily as part of the agenda, but as a heads up to the jurisdictions.

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San Joaquin Valley Energy Leader Partnership (VIEW) •

Follow up on December 2009 presentation by Gary Levingston about on-bill financing: When will this start? Edison is looking early April for on bill financing being rolled out.

Leslie Caviglia asked what the application process will be like. John explained that SCE is still looking at how the application process will get rolled out. It’s not a huge pot of money, but is needs to be as fair as possible to access. Chris noted that there is no advance application.

Paulo informed the group that the SCG application is available on their website, that the program is available to the jurisdictions, and that if anyone has questions they should contact either he or Matt Hendrick. It was also mentioned that the two utilities don’t have to be mutually exclusive—HVAC projects could be applicable. Combing the two sources is a stellar way to bring in more “bang for the buck”.

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In respect to time available, attention was called to the Porterville interaction with AgTAC in the community, and that it’s a great example of where the program can go.

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Kim Loeb volunteered to facilitate the next meeting.

Action Items: 1. Get project lists updated and incentive lists to reflect EECBG projects.

2. Update M&O budgets further.

3. The Utilities will submit the opinion of the Partnership that the embedded Strategic Plan monies would best be spent toward getting the counties of Tulare and Kings in the California First program.

4. Cynthia will email the competitive strategic plan application to everyone and they can decide what they want to do with it.

5. Jesse will email individual participation tier levels out to the Partners.

PARTNERSHIP 2010 MEETING SCHEDULE: Thursday, March 4, 2010 Thursday, April 1, 2010 Thursday, May 6, 2010 Thursday, June 3, 2010 Thursday, July 1, 2010 Thursday, August 5, 2010 Thursday, September 2, 2010 Thursday, October 7, 2010 Thursday, November 4, 2010 Thursday, December 2, 2010

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