[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6608158,"mediaKeyId","2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f","parentId",2941132,"title","SVCE CEO highlights staff promotions, grant matches and flags federal tariffs risk to future PPAs","audioSeconds",254,"startMs",325000,"endMs",579000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f&start=325&end=579","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f/thumbnail_325000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608158/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/SVCE-CEO-highlights-staff-promotions-grant-matches-and-flags-federal-tariffs-risk-to-future-PPAs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608158-b5a8663fe757731b24992af0b6c30062/orig.mp4?Expires=1775729624&Signature=jB6hXXfQeWwhafG3ydE5Hkva7id9jjWcPsThm~xabJiDuqQehJSQ-QIyidMzdvBoEyPu9mGG1QowxuWU9fZTWKO8X6Sw7g7jn67TUBFTy6CgoQMs6xo1jx7v49VciCnEdyRArkSyH7ppB2SpeRvTYFDHRBgfbgG8vPHWa4wweWK0YhbTdxcA91h~hw--dEUxoIJKCALCqtavXaWAhlgfcD0d0eiz9o09so7OX0VhUT9S0~NQxDSulTQ9FqwPb-xI6YO8i~7aZpJ8d78MLn4hD3Ma889UMM5~7EZlTsD-D01lhSGivsKD~KHdkoicHUsPY-FwXmB9NYcYNZQWfSQxMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cupertino","date","2025-04-10T04:56:29.397Z","article","SVCE’s CEO opened the meeting with staffing announcements, local grant‑match details and an overview of federal tariff developments that could affect future power procurement.

Staff changes and local grants: The CEO announced that a Climate Corps fellow, Kayla Keifer, accepted a permanent position as an energy services specialist and that Adam Pierce was promoted to senior regulatory analyst and associate general counsel to support legal work. The CEO also congratulated the cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy for receiving Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) capital program grants for EV charging infrastructure; SVCE had agreed to match member awards and staff said SVCE planned to provide $136,266 to Morgan Hill and $68,302 to Gilroy. Staff noted the county’s awarded projects were outside SVCE’s service territory and would not receive matching funds.

Federal tariff risk: Bennett Chang, SVCE’s director of government and legislative affairs, updated the board on a recent federal announcement regarding tariffs on imports of parts for renewable and transmission projects. Chang said the White House initially announced a baseline 10% tariff with higher rates for some countries and that an announced 90‑day pause, and an exception for China, had been part of rapidly evolving federal action. \"It's too early at this point to understand the full impacts of these tariffs on SVCE's future clean energy procurement efforts,\" Chang said. SVCE staff told the board they are closely monitoring the situation and that immediate effects are most likely to show up in future contracts rather than existing signed PPAs.

Board discussion: Directors asked how tariffs might affect municipal bond tax status, prepayment deals and contract terms. Staff said SVCE uses municipal bonding in prepay deals and acknowledged the importance of preserving tax‑exempt treatment for municipal bonds and of ongoing advocacy in Washington, D.C. Directors also asked whether SVCE projects currently source goods from China; staff said solar and battery components for projects under development often contain components sourced from China and cautioned that future pricing and developer risk premiums could be affected.

No board action was taken; staff will continue to monitor federal policy and advise the board as impacts become clearer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SVCEA Board of Directors Meeting - April 9 , 2025 (Live Streamed Version)","oneSentenceSummary","SVCE’s CEO reported staff promotions and hiring, announced local grant matches for charging infrastructure, and staff warned that newly announced federal tariffs could increase costs or risk in future power purchase agreements.","taxTitle","Cupertino, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",3985,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608163,"SVCE updates cities on existing‑building electrification; staff urges AC‑to‑heat‑pump and prewiring requirements",365,6570000,6935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f&start=6570&end=6935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f/thumbnail_6570000.jpg","/articles/6608163/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/SVCE-updates-cities-on-existingbuilding-electrification-staff-urges-ACtoheatpump-and-prewiring-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608163-bcd8d859ff84cb4f0bd77adf832fc8b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775729624&Signature=XL88xBdciYFGvyOJbpfXCgrJWbI~x7ADG9IC-p7bZLz68NBzgEAq1Sp0jbs~gOQ2Ilc13lL4BgFu6PbR6LMe1C5EJG1W58H1oqVumd~1ziccqyc7hux0yyh3rul4~DbMw9xj0AGbicP0SShPd7XPY8gnl-2xDJkI10L-tn26lZFKkSr5kgNoA~9t6N6iNvEj-x6r9RrqrfKmFAA~-~FsRy7c2KmKjcyUBX20iA-UzCH08h8ADbdBc~JEuMNPUTs1Ui--8QD5SFZG3rfHD3cRHPJuA~xVccOcNvuKMbGKdlAjYgQX9RG-i6190v6XfKsS0R8g-jJz8~bPRA9VyDT8qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SVCE staff gave an update on local agency action planning and urged member jurisdictions to consider a set of existing‑building measures aimed at accelerating electrification and preventing redundant investments in fossil‑fuel equipment.

Key proposals explained: Tony Gilio, presenting for the staff team, outlined three primary approaches for existing buildings: 1) an “AC‑to‑heat‑pump” requirement that would require replacement air conditioners to be heat pumps (reducing future need to retrofit when furnaces are later phased out); 2) prewiring requirements that would require electrical conduit/circuits when buildings undergo remodels so future electric appliance retrofits are easier and cheaper; and 3) a “flex‑path” ordinance that would score remodel projects against a set of decarbonization criteria.

Potential benefits: Staff presented high‑level estimates showing that adopting AC‑to‑heat‑pump requirements across member jurisdictions could yield thousands of heat‑pump installations over three years, avoid tens of millions of dollars in redundant equipment costs and produce on‑bill savings for customers. Staff also noted that local reach codes enacted in previous cycles (REACH codes in 2019 and 2022) had driven significant heat‑pump water‑heater uptake in the region.

State code interaction and legislation: Staff described the 2025 state building code as largely supportive of electrification for space and water heating and noted that the state code does not currently mandate induction cooking. The presentation also highlighted pending legislation (AB 306) that, as drafted at the time of the meeting, could restrict local reach‑code adoption for a multi‑year period. SVCE and multiple CCAs submitted a concerns letter seeking clarifying amendments that would allow adoption of the 2025 state code and preserve local authority to adopt reach codes for existing buildings while narrowing any moratorium to new construction only.

Board discussion: Directors asked how staff would implement and enforce early‑stage measures and what exemptions would look like. Staff said the preferred approach is to work closely with local building departments and to offer targeted incentives (for example, a $500 per circuit reimbursement for prewiring up to a cap for income‑qualified customers) and training for permit‑office staff. SVCE staff also committed to continuing technical support and training sessions for local development‑services staff.

Next steps: SVCE will continue outreach and training with member jurisdictions around the 2025 state code and proposed reach‑code options, refine model ordinance language for AC‑to‑heat‑pump and prewiring ordinances, and continue advocacy and amendments discussions on AB 306.","Staff briefed the board on local agency action planning for buildings, urging jurisdictions to adopt measures such as ‘AC‑to‑heat‑pump’ retrofit rules, prewiring during remodels and a flex‑path ordinance to accelerate electrification and reduce redundant equipment costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608168,"SVCE briefed on western-grid regionalization and SB 540’s path to create a day‑ahead market",379,5280000,5659000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f&start=5280&end=5659","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f/thumbnail_5280000.jpg","/articles/6608168/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/SVCE-briefed-on-western-grid-regionalization-and-SB-540s-path-to-create-a-dayahead-market","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608168-af5ae96df5dd133074e56337a6e23d58/orig.mp4?Expires=1775729624&Signature=mttSzLilZq5XVo5KB1Y-1LiDXHHncp6gp5iVnxbiahOqN3JdW2fGSaqIxL6Wu~T0R7j1mMBies4jEDovntw4ti0HVjK7XRRSVM1we9jpH~w-lQfgGYNWdxQamCvD5r2TWdGxVeTIosIqImzKTkFwfaoVjhL410SF5iDcHTlkN7yr~AWs2Nxjn8XKklxG11xZHYQFVqbs78JjF82a-su2zpHEvMEV~05fVWUOaqXPwo9lPLxgAwCWaM1X6R9TcFbPsZL1KiCg6c~aH9l987kuGW8r05YA3Jj8WkQ2B0pEiA0eNV8DM5492ECdBATUjxup-fBTAfr6DbswfCswe7PahQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) staff provided directors with an educational briefing on regionalization in western electric markets, the West‑wide Pathways Initiative and pending legislation (SB 540) that would create a path for governance and day‑ahead market functions to transition from CAISO to a new regional organization.

What was presented: SVCE staff and consultants described the history of regional markets in the West and highlighted studies estimating potential benefits from a day‑ahead market: lower system costs, reduced renewable curtailment, and improved reliability. The Brattle/CalCCA analysis cited in the presentation projected potential annual consumer savings in the hundreds of millions and estimated a possible 11.2% reduction in California greenhouse gas emissions and a 31% reduction in gas‑fired generation if regionalization proceeds in the modeled form.

Governance question: Presenters said the principal obstacle to a broader regional market is governance. CAISO’s current board is appointed by California’s governor, and other Western states have been reluctant to join a market where California controls governance. SB 540 would create a path under the Pathways Initiative to move specific market functions (notably day‑ahead and related coordination) to a regional organization with a governance model acceptable to multiple states.

Timeline and advocacy: Staff noted that SVCE had taken a support position on SB 540 under its legislative policy platform and that CalCCA is leading education and advocacy work. Presenters said continued stakeholder engagement would be needed if the bill advances; they described the legislature timetable and said proponents hoped to send a bill to the governor in September for signature in October if passage proceeds on schedule.

Board questions and context: Directors asked about the risks of other parties joining or leaving a regional market and how transmission and scheduling would be optimized. Staff said participation is optional for some entities and that a larger, well‑constructed market generally yields better optimization of resources (reducing curtailment and improving reliability). Staff highlighted that SVCE and California entities are already participants in an Energy Imbalance Market but that a day‑ahead market would offer additional scheduling and transmission‑allocation advantages.

No board action was required; the item was informational.","Staff presented an overview of regionalization and the West‑wide pathways initiative, describing potential cost, reliability and emissions benefits from a regional day‑ahead market and explaining governance questions tied to CAISO.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608171,"SVCE delegates $1.5 million in Hanford mitigation funds for weatherization and electrification",1655,3557000,5212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f&start=3557&end=5212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f/thumbnail_3557000.jpg","/articles/6608171/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/SVCE-delegates-15-million-in-Hanford-mitigation-funds-for-weatherization-and-electrification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608171-ebac698210fa9fe170a0f3bf37e53394/orig.mp4?Expires=1775729624&Signature=NKGL39-Wjd5S6T5nOg5RB4obcCAUtDbj2IKMB7AvnNaUbhdUq7zATgQsNVr0xyaXs3hyKzBgpj0V7OJ0nL0e8vwgJTDbO3VkJk0w9fotEjcpd23OR4q-~GArA0rFuuVsSIHcBBLyiMfbtVq4U78Q9mEnsUiYfRP-l3WQRyFmlYUN69rSnUpjatQCEBQJbQp1PQaN7mDKhXyZ9HFWl8~Yp8LUsfIWGHKzu90sOEuKwlXXvpqiEu77-sQzw7BFYTcCGM~d1Tjxfhoa4923U4g1c-wgFXzKG9bwtL1NkLIlAKXzaeL-bJWM6QJ~aprLwIpNRVMq5Hfqa827JovT342A8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Board on Thursday delegated authority to the CEO to execute contracts totaling $1,500,000 from the Hanford Mitigation Fund to support local programs in Kings County focused on weatherization and electrification outreach.

Background and purpose: The Hanford project is an existing natural‑gas “peaker” plant in Kings County where SVCE contracted to add a battery energy storage system. As part of that PPA, the board adopted mitigation guidelines to direct funds toward local programs that reduce emissions and support disadvantaged communities near the facility. SVCE staff said the mitigation fund is $1,800,000 in total; the board authorized committing $1,500,000 now and leaving the remainder available for future use.

What was approved: Staff recommended contracts with two local organizations: Kings Community Action Organization (KCAC) to expand weatherization and utility‑bill assistance (priority: reach approximately 100 households), and Self Help Enterprises for a suite of electrification activities — community energy navigators, electrifying community centers, and electrification for planned affordable housing — proposed as a five‑year engagement. Staff said the proposals were chosen after outreach to multiple local organizations and that both proposers have long experience in the county.

Board discussion and oversight: Directors praised the community focus and multi‑year approach. Several directors asked about contract oversight and metrics; staff said that contracts will require monthly invoicing, milestones and reporting and that SVCE will negotiate performance metrics and evaluation criteria (for example, pre‑/post‑event surveys and counts of households served) as part of contract terms.

Vote: Vice Chair Klein moved the staff recommendation to delegate contracting authority to the CEO; the motion was seconded and carried with a roll‑call vote of 12–1 (one “no”). Staff recorded that the Hanford Mitigation Fund balance is $1,800,000 and that $1,500,000 was being committed at this time.

Why it matters: The contracts are intended to provide targeted benefits in a region designated largely as disadvantaged by the state and to support local outreach, workforce and energy‑savings measures that reduce utility bills and local emissions. SVCE staff emphasized that the work complements SVCE’s own energy‑efficiency and electrification programs and that annual reports will be provided to the board as required by the mitigation guidelines.

Next steps: Staff will finalize contracts, define measurable performance metrics and report back to the board annually on outcomes. SVCE staff also said it hopes to invite local partners to the Hanford project ribbon cutting and to coordinate evaluation and oversight as the programs roll out.","The SVCE Board authorized staff to let the CEO execute contracts totaling $1.5 million from the Hanford Mitigation Fund to support weatherization and electrification programs delivered by Kings Community Action Organization and Self Help Enterprises in Kings County.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608177,"SVCE board adopts formal PPA project-selection policy with workforce and environmental preferences",2421,1074000,3495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f&start=1074&end=3495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941132-9ee75406fde34f8f30c605402fddc20f/thumbnail_1074000.jpg","/articles/6608177/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/SVCE-board-adopts-formal-PPA-project-selection-policy-with-workforce-and-environmental-preferences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608177-2d86770ae4ef795c1ca138a97a5574d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775729624&Signature=HbJWVpwtYSWbZ-WkJgADnxhPTJboX7u5gjR2hSjCbc8ENL-43Qf2uBEFuYaRZe9Qdpiv0I7D7Suf-J5HQBae6CSLITGBh~SYlI4UIHhBzrqYIQnQJyqli5-no7eLu3Q1fCY5nHxemSsagKF5tp8H6bFunc3-V53RKkNyYktfZ2Oh8Ul6plr08l7v06ZqmHUEcGCJx52rG2Y6ie37BilJsj2nT4lCu1N8P7qlMWPo~Mnp6IhAobBujy5P6hk0Hs3G0qF8EWpypGUWyLnHsOyS~wQ~Y8xfM1felC3JFBE~OVilIl6buuH9qBKOizHf-Q34kTsCgDKZAZiRw1m53PX7nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Board on Thursday adopted a formal Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) project selection policy that adds explicit workforce standards, environmental stewardship and local-hire preferences to guide future renewable procurement.

The policy, proposed by staff and led in presentation by Bennett Chang, SVCE director of government and legislative affairs, establishes aspirational targets — including a 30% local-hire goal and a 5% workforce-pipeline target — and sets preferences for projects that use prevailing wages, project labor agreements and other workforce standards. Staff told the board the policy will apply to future solicitations and is intended to balance SVCE’s policy priorities with the need to remain competitive in a tight, seller’s market for renewable energy.

Why it matters: SVCE buys energy via long-term PPAs and competes with investor-owned utilities and other load-serving entities. Board members and stakeholder groups said the policy signals to developers the agency’s priorities on jobs, community engagement and minimizing environmental impacts while allowing staff discretion to deliver cost-effective projects.

Staff background and changes adopted: Chang told directors that staff refined the policy after stakeholder input and executive committee direction, adding a greenhouse gas evaluation, clarifying workforce standards and creating the local-hire and workforce-pipeline targets based on regional median data. He said the policy “contains a set of aspirational goals and preferences and will go into effect for all future solicitations.”

Stakeholder views at the meeting: Representatives from Working Partnerships and the CCA Workforce & Environmental Justice Alliance praised the policy and urged staff to ensure earlier-stage projects (projects not yet at entitlement) could demonstrate environmental impact assessments and community engagement and, if so, be eligible for preference points. Louise Auerhan of Working Partnerships said the PPA solicitations “offer a tremendous opportunity to create thousands more of those high road construction careers.” Eric Veum of the CCA workforce alliance urged the board to adopt earlier‑stage provisions used by other CCAs and cited examples incorporated elsewhere.

Board questions and staff responses: Directors pressed staff on enforceability and implementation. Staff said certain stakeholder wording about “earlier stage” projects overlaps with staff’s original language — entitlements and pre-entitlement work were intended to be treated consistently — but staff also warned that some suggested language was high-level and could be difficult for staff to enforce in practice without clear, verifiable milestones. On environmental stewardship preferences, staff said projects must generally meet clear, enforceable criteria (such as an enforceable development agreement or a site within a habitat conservation plan area) to receive preference points.

Vote and next steps: Director Brian Makhachuk moved to adopt the policy as recommended by staff; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call, with the board recording an 11–2 outcome. Staff will apply the policy to future solicitations and report back on implementation and GHG evaluation as projects proceed.

What remains unresolved: Stakeholders asked for explicit scoring rules and clearer language for early‑stage projects’ environmental review and community engagement. Staff said it will continue to consult stakeholders and bring implementation details (including how preferences are applied in requests for offers) into procurement processes.

Sources and provenance: The board packet and staff presentation introduced the policy; discussion and the roll-call vote appear in the meeting transcript. Excerpts of the staff presentation and the motion appear in the transcript between the project introduction and the roll call.

Looking ahead: Staff will use the new policy for future PPA solicitations and return to the board with implementation outcomes and reporting as procurement advances.","The Silicon Valley Clean Energy Board voted to adopt a formal Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) project selection policy that adds workforce, environmental stewardship and local-hire preferences for future renewable procurement while preserving staff flexibility to pursue best-value contracts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SVCE CEO highlights staff promotions, grant matches and flags federal tariffs risk to future PPAs

SVCE updates cities on existing‑building electrification; staff urges AC‑to‑heat‑pump and prewiring requirements

SVCE briefed on western-grid regionalization and SB 540’s path to create a day‑ahead market

SVCE delegates $1.5 million in Hanford mitigation funds for weatherization and electrification

SVCE board adopts formal PPA project-selection policy with workforce and environmental preferences