Clean Energy Alliance board OKs Encina MOU to study biogas pilot; staff note rate-relief credits, webinars

Council member Nunez briefed the council on recent Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) activity, saying the CEA board approved a memorandum of understanding with Encina Wastewater Authority to evaluate a possible local biogas-to-energy pilot.

"The MOU establishes a collaborative framework for evaluating the project's technical design, interconnection requirements, and financial feasibility with a goal of delivering nearly 4 megawatts of locally generated renewable electricity to CA customers," Nunez said.

Nunez described roles in early planning: CEA would lead interconnection and grid analysis, funding strategy and public outreach, while Encina would oversee preliminary engineering, environmental review and procurement planning. Staff said detailed project design and implementation could begin as early as January 2029, with subsequent procurement and power-purchase arrangements to be developed.

Nunez also reminded residents that CEA has implemented a temporary rate-relief credit to reduce near-term bill impacts and reported that one commercial and 213 residential customers in San Marcos have used the program. She noted CEA will host educational webinars on May 21, 2026, in English and Spanish to explain options and contact information for assistance.

Council members asked for outreach details and thanked staff for providing customer-assistance options; no formal city action on the project occurred at the meeting, which was an informational report from a council-appointed board member.