CPUC Approves $1.9-Billion San Diego Powerline

California Public Utilities Commissioners voted 4-1 today to allow a $1.9-billion transmission power line in San Diego to go forward. 

The CPUC agreed that the line is needed to move renewable power from inland deserts to the power-hungry cities along the coasts, while environmental advocates challenged that characterization.  Environmentalists argued against allowing towers to be built through environmentally sensitive areas of San Diego County and through Cleveland National Forest, and further argued that the new line would allow SDG&E to bring over power from south of the border, where power could be produced using more lenient environmental standards. 

On the other hand, some environmentalists have argued that the new power line will allow large scale solar power plants in the desert and further east to reach the population centers that need that clean energy. 

A detailed drawing of the power line shows that the line will run east-west across northern San Diego County to Imperial county, and then down towards the U.S.-Mexico Border. 

The decision will allow San Diego Gas & Electric Co. to use ratepayer funds to erect over 120 miles of new high-voltage lines. 

In the midst of budget chaos, Blagojevich madness, and Paris Hilton escapades, this is one of those policy decisions that may land deep on page A17 in the remaining papers delivered to remaining doorsteps, but it may also have lasting environmental impact.  As I've argued before, the era of long-distance energy should come to an end, and the CPUC should be encouraging more local development of renewables rather than supporting energy policies that encourage energy generated in one location which then travels across long distances to reach its destination.  We would be better off if local communities built and controlled local renewable power, which can be delivered efficiently. 

Why do I think local communities should make these decisions?  Does anyone think it's a good idea that the decision about what is good for San Diego was made in San Francisco?  

Marin County Board of Supervisors Approve Marin Energy Authority

I was very pleased yesterday that the Marin County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the Marin Energy Authority, a project we at Omni Law Group have been working on for the County of Marin. I was quoted in the article reproduced below.

SUPES APPROVE FORMATION OF AUTHORITY TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISISONS

The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday morning to approve the formation of the Marin Energy Authority, a countywide Joint Powers Authority that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the provisions of the state's 2006 global warming law.

The vote means Marin County is the first government entity in the county to join the Marin Energy Authority which will launch a clean energy program next year.

If established by one other municipality joining, the Marin Energy Authority would become the first Joint Powers Authority in the state formed to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reductions under Assembly Bill 32, said John Corcoran, communications coordinator with Marin Clean Energy.

The law requires a 25-30 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 and a reduction 80 percent below 1990 levels before 2050, Corcoran said.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted in August 2003 to strive to reduce greenhouse gases emissions 15 percent below 1990 levels countywide and by 15-20 percent below 1990 levels for internal government functions by 2020.

Town and city councils in Marin are also considering joining the Marin Energy Authority. The Tiburon and Fairfax town councils will vote on the issue tonight and the approval of only one of them is required to legally establish the Marin Energy Authority, Corcoran said.

Corcoran said it is hoped the county's other big energy users, San Rafael and Novato, also will agree to join the Marin Energy Authority. The San Rafael council is scheduled to vote on the second reading of the ordinance Dec. 15 and the Novato council is expected to vote on it in January.

"We're thrilled we are the first of hopefully many municipalities to join the Authority and we're looking forward to other cities making their own decision," Corcoran said after today's vote.

The Marin Energy Authority can proceed with its plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without the membership of Novato and San Rafael but those efforts would be scaled back, Corcoran said.

The final decision on whether to launch the authority's Marin Clean Energy (MCE) program will occur in mid-2009 after each town and city in Marin County weighs all responses from the energy market, discusses the proposed contract, receives public input and then votes whether to proceed, Corcoran said.

"Even without MCE, the Marin Energy Authority may proceed with other initiatives that will allow all Marin's jurisdictions to work collectively to address the challenges posed by AB 32's mandated greenhouse gas reductions," Corcoran said.

The Marin Energy Authority will hold its first meeting in January to develop by-laws and operating guidelines. In February, the Authority will request bids on proposals from energy service providers, including Pacific Gas & Electric, to serve Marin County's electric supply and carry out technical functions for a Community Choice Aggregation clean energy program.

There will be a 90-day review period once an energy service provider is selected. The Board of Supervisors and towns and cities in the Authority will then decide whether or not to proceed with the contract for a Community Choice Aggregation program.

The Marin County Community Development Agency said the Marin Energy Authority could still pursue other programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strive to comply with AB 32 whether or not a contract is developed or implemented.

(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. In the interest of timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain occasional typographical errors. )

(Picture courtesy of the Marin Independent-Journal)

Moderated Discussion with Mary Nichols, Chair of the Air Resources Board, on AB 32 and MCE

Earlier this month, I was privileged to moderate a discussion with Mary Nichols, Chair of the Air Resources Board. The topic was AB 32, California's Global Warming Solutions Act, and Marin Clean Energy, the proposal which I have been consulting on for the County of Marin.

Speaking at SF Green Festival, November 13

I am scheduled to speak at the SF Green Festival on the topic of Marin Clean Energy on the evening of November 13, from 6:00-9:00pm.  

One of the benefits of this event is that if you attend, you get free attendance to the full Green Festival for the weekend.  The weekend festival includes a number of impressive speakers, including Dr. Cornel West, Van Jones (Founder of Green For All), and rapper/activist Chuck D. 

Here is the information: 

Energy Caucus

(A Green Festival Event)

November 13th, 6-9pm

Freedom Hall at Glide Memorial Church

330 Ellis Street (at Taylor)

San Francisco

(Four blocks from Powell St BART)

Join Bay Area local energy enthusiasts (also known as Locavolts) to discuss what's working in local campaigns for clean energy including Community Choice, Energy Efficiency, Solar Financing, and Green Jobs. This is a participatory event.  The first half will be brief updates on clean energy initiatives in the Bay Area.  The second half will be facilitated topical and regional breakout conversations.

Speakers include

• Ross Mirkirimi of the San Francisco Supervisors (invited)
  
• Paul Fenn of Local Power on Community Choice
  
• Ian Kim of the Ella Baker Center on green-collar Jobs
  
• John Rizzo of the Sierra Club on clean energy in San Francisco
  
• Kirsten Schwind of Bay Localize on local clean energy in the East Bay
  
• John Corcoran of Marin Clean Energy on clean-energy progress in Marin
  

Among many others...

Breakout Topics 7:30-8:00pm

• PG&E's history in fossil fuels and energy efficiency, misinformation, and the media
  
• Collaborating with unions and Redevelopment on workforce development  
  
• Making sustainable energy affordable and accessible
  
• Fighting Power Plants and LNG
  

Breakout Topics 8:00-8:30pm

• Improving Energy Efficiency and Home Performance
  
• Building Power and Raising Money for Clean Energy
  
• CCA implementation steps and strategies
  
• AB32 Compliance for cities 
  

Food/refreshments will be provided.  $5-10 sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.  Every person who attends The Bay Area Clean Energy Caucus will receive FREE admission to the Green Festival!

For more information, visit the Local Clean Energy Alliance website.  Special thanks to good friend Dave Room for organizing this. 

Marin Clean Energy Launches Public Education Phase in Drive to Create Green Power Agency

My most recent project is working on Marin Clean Energy, the effort to set up a green, renewable power agency in Marin County to replace PG&E.

In attendance at the press conference for the kickoff the public education campaign were Supervisors Charles McGlashan and Hal Brown, MMWD Board President Larry Russell, and Sausalito City Councilmember Jonathan Leone.

As the Marin Independent Journal reported, "the plan to create Marin Clean Energy, a power alternative to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., could make Marin the first county in the state to cut greenhouse gases by 15 percent, said Marin Supervisor Charles McGlashan." read more

The S.F. Chronicle also reported that Marin Clean Energy "would pool the energy needs of all residents and businesses, allowing a local board to negotiate not only for energy rates but energy sources." read more