Regional Energy Authority Projects Start
Twenty years ago more than 100 local governments in California
had energy staff or programs in operation. When the energy crisis
of the late 1970s and early 1980s subsided, so too did most of those
programs.
San Diego, Santa Monica, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco
are among the few cities that kept their programs going. As a result,
they were poised to respond when two years ago energy prices went
through the roof and the state experienced rolling blackouts.
Inspired by the effectiveness of local energy programs and two
decades of work to increase local capacity, the Local Government
Commission is now funded to help create long lasting energy programs
in Humboldt and Ventura Counties. LGC embarked on these pilot projects
to develop regional energy authorities to implement sustainable
energy programs in September. The project, funded by ratepayers
under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission,
is one of the public good charge programs selected for 2002 and
2003 funding.
Humboldt and Ventura were chosen based on the work they had already
been doing and the commitment of local leaders. Hum-boldt’s
Energy Task Force has been investigating the creation of a regional
structure to provide energy information and services locally. Arcata
Councilmember Connie Stewart and Humboldt Supervisor John Woolley
have been instrumental task force members.
In Ventura County, the Preservation of Our Widely-used Energy Resources
(POWER) Task Force has recommended exploring establishment of a
regional energy authority. The task force is co-chaired by Ventura
County Supervisor Kathy Long and Rockwell Scientific Vice President
and CFO Wayne Davey.
POWER members are drawn from both the public and private arenas,
and include two economic development associations and an energy-focused
nonprofit housed at the new CSU-Channel Islands campus.
Once community participants agree on a legal structure and then
establish the regional authority, this project will provide startup
funding to cover costs for staffing, office space, equipment, training
and other necessities. Not needing to worry about core funding for
their inaugural year, the authorities can focus on servicing their
communities, building local capacity and expertise, and developing
funding for the future.
These regional energy authorities should initially help communities
to increase participation in, and capture the benefits of, the broad
array of programs already provided by the investor-owned utilities,
other public good charge program implementers, and the California
Energy Commission and the California Power Authority. They may eventually
identify local needs not covered by existing programs and create
programs to fill that gap.
Watch for updates in future issues of Currents. Contact Pat Stoner
(pstoner@lgc.org)
or Josh Meyer (jmeyer@lgc.org)
for details, or call them at (916) 448-1198.
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