Sonoma Clean Power presents feasibility study for Lake County expansion; supervisors ask for legal review and public outreach

Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) presented an updated feasibility study to the Lake County Board of Supervisors on a possible expansion of SCP service to unincorporated Lake County and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport. SCP staff said their analysis shows “total bill savings for customers under most market conditions,” but warned those savings cannot be guaranteed because of frequent regulatory changes and energy-market volatility.

The feasibility study and presentation laid out how a CCA works, potential local benefits including investment in geothermal and other local renewable resources, outreach and enrollment procedures, and risks the board should weigh before deciding whether to accept an offer of service. Ben Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer, introduced the item and noted the county’s predecessor board adopted Ordinance 3,026 on June 23, 2015, authorizing the county to consider Community Choice Aggregation.

Jeff Cyphers, representing Sonoma Clean Power, and Ryan Tracy, SCP director of planning and analytics, described SCP’s model, governance and fiscal safeguards. Cyphers said SCP runs generation and contracts for power while PG&E continues to operate and maintain distribution and billing. He noted SCP is organized as a joint powers authority with 11 board directors and a staff of about 55. Cyphers said…