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

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.