SR 11-14-2017 3D
City Council Report
City Council Meeting: November 14, 2017
Agenda Item: 3.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Susan Cline, Director, Public Works, Office of Sustainability & the
Environment
Subject: Adopt Resolution to Join the West Side Energy Partnership
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to join the West
Side Energy Partnership.
Executive Summary
Santa Monica has long been a leader in sustainability, including energy efficiency. In
1998, Santa Monica joined seven other cities, Southern California Edison and Southern
California Gas in a coalition called the Community Energy Partnership (CEP).
Administered by the Energy Coalition, this partnership is the result of statewide energy
efficiency efforts funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Through
these partnerships, cities are better positioned to take advantage of available incentives
and educate their communities about sustainable energy practices.
Due to a 2016 CPUC mandate, cities must now join regional energy partnerships such
as the West Side Energy Partnership (WSEP). As a result, the existing CEP coalition
consisting of geographically disparate regions in Southern California is being dissolved.
The City seeks to join the WSEP, which requires Council adoption of a resolution. The
City would continue to receive the same technical assistance and incentives in this
partnership as before.
Background
When the Community Energy Partnership (CEP) was first conceived, the intent was for
cities to use their expertise to play a leadership role in their facilities and cities. Through
the hard work of the Partner Cities, the CEP has been very successful in delivering
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energy savings in both municipal facilities and to their constituents. More recently, Local
Government Partnerships have developed in a regional nature. Regional partnerships
allow for greater collaboration with neighboring communities, greater regional
customization and the ability to meet with other partners due to their close proximity.
In 1992, the City of Irvine established the Community Energy Partnership (CEP) with
Southern California Edison (SCE), Southern California Gas, The Energy Coalition and
seven other Southern California cities to create energy efficiency at the local
government scale. Santa Monica joined the CEP in 1998. Other CEP partner cities are
Culver City, Brea, Corona, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino and Santa Clarita.
The CEP provided cities with access to technical assistance, rebates and incentives,
and additional funding for planning and community engagement. The CEP became a
model for what is known broadly as a Local Government Partnership (LGP), which is
now instituted across the state to support other local governments.
LGPs support three broad objectives for the State of California: 1) retrofit of local
government buildings; 2) promotion of utility core programs; and 3) support of qualified
energy efficiency activities included in the Statewide Long Term Energy Efficiency
Strategic Plan.
On April 10, 2007, Council adopted a resolution re-authorizing the City’s participation in
the Community Energy Partnership (Attachment A).
On September 27, 2011, Council adopted a resolution again re-authorizing the City’s
participation in the Community Energy Partnership (Attachment B).
Since local energy partnerships are now more prevalent and formed more regionally
than broader coalitions, in 2016 the CPUC directed cities and utilities to join or form
regional energy partnerships. Investor-owned utilities are required by the CPUC to file
an Advice Letter in order to eliminate or modify energy efficiency programs. In January
2017, SCE filed an advice letter to discontinue the CEP in July 2017 and move cities
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within this partnership to regional partnerships. SCE proposed moving the City of Santa
Monica to the West Side Community Energy Partnership.
In addition, SCE proposed the following changes for previous CEP partner cities: move
the City of San Bernardino to SANBAG, the City of Moreno Valley and the City of
Corona to the Western Riverside Energy Leader Partnership, the City of Irvine to the
Orange County Cities Energy Leader Partnership and the City of Santa Clarita to the
West Side Community Energy Partnership.
Discussion
Santa Monica and Santa Clarita have been directed by SCE to join the West Side
Energy Partnership (WSEP) started by Culver City. Member cities would again work in
collaboration with Southern California Edison, SoCalGas and The Energy Coalition as
partners in implementation.
Within the CEP program, Santa Monica has achieved over 20% in energy savings,
compared to a 2006 baseline. This achievement qualifies the City for Platinum level
status, which will provide increased incentives when the City applies for energy
efficiency rebates. Improving energy efficiency through these energy partnerships
directly ties into the City’s sustainability goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at
least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
In order to join the WSEP, Council must adopt a resolution to reflect the official transfer.
Santa Monica would continue to participate in a similar fashion in the CEP throughout
the transition and would be offered the same advantages, incentives and support as
other energy partnerships. The WSEP will consist of both veteran cities with experience
in energy partnerships, and new cities without such previous experience. It is expected
that the veteran cities will assume an informal mentorship role with the new cities. There
are no formal requirements besides the resolution adoption and monthly membership
meetings. The partnership is a platform for cities to learn from each other and share
best practices.
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Energy Efficiency Highlights
The LGP is structured around achieving energy efficiency milestones and participating
in utility programs and community engagement efforts. Achieving milestones earns the
City a higher level of recognition (from Value, Silver and Gold, to Platinum) and thus a
higher level of incentives when applying for energy efficiency rebates.
With the recent installation of over 1,200 LED streetlights, the City has saved over 4
million kWh, or 20%, compared to its 2006 baseline. This achievement has completed
the energy efficiency requirement (20% savings below baseline) necessary to earn
Platinum status in the LGP.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no financial impact as a result of the City’s transition to the West Side Energy
Partnership.
Prepared By: Garrett Wong, Sustainability Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Council Meeting April 10, 2007
B. Council Meeting Sept 27, 2011
C. Resolution for West Side Energy Partnership
REFERENCE –
RESOLUTION NO.
11088 (CCS)