Gordon Samuel

This report summarizes the activities of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) across three dates. The June 26, 2025 session included a regular meeting where Task Group and Staff updates were provided, followed by a Strategic Plan (SP) Update Workshop. During the workshop, staff presented an overview of Community Choice Aggregations (CCA's), VCE, and the SP, focusing feedback on Goals 1 (Financial Strength) and 2 (Procurement and Power Supply). The July 24, 2025 meeting did not achieve a quorum, resulting in the postponement of actionable items. The August 28, 2025 meeting featured the CAC providing feedback and recommending the Board adopt the Major update to VCE's Strategic Plan for 2026-2029. Additionally, staff introduced a draft Large Electric Load Policy, which the CAC requested be revisited at a subsequent meeting.

The Board meeting involved the approval of most Consent Agenda items (3 through 12, and 14 through 16), which included receiving the 2023 Long Range Calendar, receiving financial and regulatory updates, approving contract amendments for Automate Mailing and Keyes & Fox agreements, and appointing various officers. Item 13, regarding the ratification of Greenhouse gas (GHG) Free Attributes for 2024 (accepting large hydro and rejecting nuclear), was pulled for discussion. The Board decided to reject nuclear attributes while accepting large hydro attributes, and directed staff to gather more information on nuclear attributes for future discussion. Additionally, the Board approved the 2024 Operating Budget, 2024 Customer Rates (including setting Standard Green Rates to match PG&E generation rates and Base Green Rate 2.5% lower than PG&E rates, with automatic application of the lowest rate for CARE/FERA customers), and authorized a prepayment for a term loan. Finally, the Board approved an amendment to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) concerning Director Compensation and adopted a Board Compensation and Expense Reimbursement Policy.

The Board meeting agenda was approved, and there were no public comments. The consent agenda was approved, which included the minutes from the February 11, 2021 Board meeting, the 2021 Long Range Calendar, an unaudited financial statement for January 30, 2021, regulatory and enrollment updates, a summary of the Community Advisory Committee meeting from February 25, 2021, and support for legislative bills SB 612 and AB 843. The Board adopted a statement supporting and encouraging the electrification of new buildings, and voted to join the Building Decarbonization Coalition. Following discussions regarding rate competitiveness, the Board adopted customer rates commencing March 2021 to match PG&E's generation rates. Announcements covered staff engagement with member jurisdictions on energy assistance programs and follow-up required regarding Senate Bill 612. The meeting concluded with a Closed Session to discuss anticipated litigation.

The Board of Directors held concurrent regular and special meetings. Key agenda items included the approval of both meeting agendas. Public comment included an invitation to the Board to attend future Community Advisory Committee meetings. The consent agenda, which included updates on financial statements, legislative and regulatory reports, customer enrollment, and committee summaries, was approved as amended. Specific resolutions approved involved an amendment to the CC Power JPA membership, extension of consulting services, modification of regular Board meeting times, amendments to the Westlands Solar Park Power Purchase Agreement, and joining the California Community Power Agency Joint Powers Authority. The Board also discussed the introduction of the preliminary draft Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021/2022, covering load forecasts, reserve monies, and retirement costs. Announcements included preparation for a response to a letter to the Davis Enterprise editor, an upcoming LAFCO review of operations, staff participation in discussions regarding heat storms and Peak Day Pricing, and the advertisement for a request for proposal for general counsel.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The Board renewed the authorization to continue remote public meetings under Assembly Bill 361, citing ongoing health and safety concerns for in-person gatherings. The Consent Agenda covered receiving the 2022 Long Range Calendar, receiving financial updates (unaudited as of May 31, 2022), receiving regulatory updates, and approving various contract amendments and the adoption of the VCE Debt Policy. Action items in the Regular Agenda included approving an Amendment to the Power Purchase Agreement with Resurgence Solar I, LLC, considering participation in CC Power geothermal projects, considering a proposed three-tiered Customer Rate Structure, and approving an Amendment to VCE's Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA). Key informational items included an update on Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0, a presentation on electricity load and financial forecasting, and a report on updated draft Customer Rate/Product options. Board members announced updates on solar tariff actions and the Provider of Last Resort (POLR) framework.