TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: David Morrison, Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Deborah Elliott, Planner III - Sustainability
SUBJECT: Approval of a Funding and Implementation Agreement with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
RECOMMENDATION
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Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services requests approval of and authorization for the Chair to sign Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 200309B with the Association of Bay Area Governments for a maximum of $686,584 for the term January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2023 to deliver services related to the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Program.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In November of 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued Final Decision D.12-11-015 approving the 2013-2014 Energy Efficiency Programs and Budgets. The 2012 CPUC Final Decision created the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and approved over $26 million for various programs. A number of other CPUC decisions have extended the program annually. On October 28, 2016 the CPUC issued Final Decision D.15-10-028 approving, among other things, budget to fund implementation of BayREN activities through 2025. The budget for Napa County and the other BayREN counties have not been finalized beyond 2023.
Napa County has been participating in the BayREN program since 2013. This amendment updates the grant funding to a total of $686,584 available to Napa County for the years 2020-2023. The funds support marketing and implementation of rebates and other energy efficiency education across the following programs: Single Family, Multi-Family, Codes and Standards, Commercial, Water Bill Savings, and Green Labeling.
Napa County serves as the local representative to BayREN and is responsible for coordinating the scope of work across all BayREN subprograms in Napa County. Scopes of work were developed by consensus of the ten participating agencies, with administration provided by ABAG. Participation in BayREN is key to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to energy use in the County and Bay Area region.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Fund 1000, Subdivision 1704000 Natural Resources |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Participation in the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) provides Napa County access to California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) funding through the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The funds support implementation of rebates and other energy efficiency incentives across the following programs: Single Family, Multi-Family, Codes and Standards, Commercial, Water Bill Savings Program, and Green Labeling. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Since the agreement is based on a calendar year, not a fiscal year (FY), reimbursement for grant funded staff costs will occur for the first six months of FY 23-24 (through December 31, 2023). The revenue and expenses related to this grant funding will be budgeted accordingly in future fiscal years. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, the County will not be able to participate in the BayREN Energy Efficiency Program and would not be able to market these programs to property owners, residents, jurisdictions and building departments. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Vibrant and Sustainable Environment |
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Additional Information |
Click or tap here to enter text. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In November 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued Final Decision D.12-11-015 approving 2013-2014 Energy Efficiency Programs and Budgets. The Decision created the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) and approved funding for programs including Single Family, Mulitfamily, Commercial, Financing and Codes and Standards.
Subsequent Decisions extended the program and on October 28, 2016 the CPUC issued Final Decision D.15-10-028 approving a BayREN Program Implementation Plan for 2016 (2016 PIP) and budget to fund implementation of the 2016 PIP including, among other things, budget to fund implementation of activities through 2025. The budget was reaffirmed by the CPUC in D.18-05-041, issued on June 5, 2018. This Decision also directed Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to enter into contract with ABAG to provide funding for the activities identified in the existing and revised BayREN PIP. Final budgets for the years beyond 2023 have not been determined.
A single jurisdiction in each of the nine counties in the Bay Area region is responsible for local coordination of the regional programs. Administration of the BayREN program is provided by ABAG. Napa County is serving as the jurisdictional representative to BayREN, and will be responsible for implementing the scopes of work for all BayREN subprograms in the County. The Napa County funding amount for 2022 and 2023 in the proposed amendment is $199,121 per year. This is an increase of $62,200 per year over 2021 related to increases in marketing and implementation of the BayREN programs in Napa. Participation in BayREN aids in reducing GHG emissions related to energy use in existing buildings in the County. The proposed amendment also updates the attachments describing the subprograms with updated budget amounts.
The scope of work requires Napa County to be responsible for the local delivery of services for all BayREN programs. The range of services required under the BayRen program are as follows;
Administration/Governance
*Participate in the BayREN coordination and steering committees
*Coordinate with local governments in Napa County on the implementation of energy efficiency programs by providing access to and information about BayREN programs
*Provide monitoring, tracking, and reporting necessary to comply with grant requirements
Single Family Program
*Coordinate with BayREN members
*Coordinate with other local energy efficiency programs
*Conduct Napa County contractor recruitment, education, and training
*Support regional marketing strategy development and deliver local marketing campaigns
*Conduct outreach to homeowners including: workshops, tabling events, mail and emails, and presentations
Multi-Family Program
*Recruit multifamily property owners to the program through local activities and events
*Coordinate with other local energy efficiency and water programs
*Assist with data collection and reporting
*Host technical workshops and trainings
Codes and Standards Program
*Coordinate with local Chief Building Officials and building department staff
*Host local and regional trainings
*Support outreach related to code policy issues
*Lead efforts to organize one of the Codes & Standards forums and promote quarterly forum events
Water Bill Savings Program (WBSP)
*Support WBSP partner utilities in outreach to officials, staff, customers and other stakeholders
*Analyze the Water Bill Savings program performance to identify gaps and provide recommendations
Commercial Program
*Aid in the development of marketing strategies and messaging for the Commercial Program
*Recruit property owners, contractors and business decision-makers through local activities and events
Green Labeling Program
*Promote Home Energy Score and real estate education trainings to local stakeholders
*Maintain and develop relationships with local real estate associations and present at meetings