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Board approves PG&E‑funded microgrid design‑build application for MCOE campus
Summary
The Mendocino County Office of Education board approved a resolution to pursue a PG&E microgrid grant and to use a design‑build contractor; staff said the application requests up to $9 million and the likely award to MCOE would be $5,095,000, with no cost to the county office if granted.
The Mendocino County Office of Education board voted to authorize staff to file an application for a PG&E‑administered microgrid design‑build grant and to work with a recommended design‑build contractor. Staff described the project as a resiliency‑focused battery energy storage and solar installation intended to keep administrative and neighboring facilities online during prolonged outages.
Heather Rantola, the business and administrative services presenter, said the application request is “up to 9 point something million” and that the amount likely to be awarded to MCOE is “just a little over 5,000,000 — that's 5,095,000.” She told the board the project is 100% grant‑funded if awarded and that the design‑build approach was recommended by PG&E to increase application competitiveness. A Sizer Co. representative described the technical approach as a BESS (battery energy storage system) fed by solar panels to restore service automatically after multi‑day outages. The board approved resolution 26.6.0.5 by voice vote.
Board members asked about a ~ $77,000 discrepancy between contract phase totals and the maximum award; staff said the difference reflected a clerical error and a 2% withhold for staff time that would be covered from awarded funds. Staff also said the project would not generate near‑term utility savings for MCOE but would provide resiliency for critical functions such as payroll and network services during county outages. The motion to approve the resolution passed unanimously.
