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Supervisors direct microgrid feasibility to start with smaller boundary but aim to expand to include Lucerne
Summary
Board gave staff authority to proceed with PG&E grant paperwork for the smaller microgrid boundary (B5) while directing the feasibility team to optimize options to expand the service area to include Lucerne if technically and financially feasible.
County staff and partner Train presented two microgrid boundary options to the board: B4 (larger, includes Lucerne; ~20–25% lower projected net cash flow) and B5 (more compact and financially stronger). After public comment and questions about community benefits, emergency service resilience, financing and workforce agreements, the board reached a consensus.
The board’s direction: proceed for grant purposes using the smaller boundary (B5) to meet PG&E requirements but give staff explicit policy direction to "pull every lever" to make Lucerne and as many residents as possible part of the final system if feasibility and finance work can be made to support expansion. Staff said the grant and PG&E paperwork can be started with B5 and that PG&E has some flexibility for later revisions.
Supervisors stressed clarity on community benefits, potential developer structures and workforce participation; staff agreed to pursue more detailed financial modeling and to return with options as the feasibility study develops.
