REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Recognition of the Recipients of the Third Annual Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Scholarship Program in Partnership with Santa Clara University
Report
BACKGROUND
The Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program provides scholarships and fellowships to up to 35 future leaders in sustainability, clean energy, climate action and related fields. On May 13, 2025, the City Council will recognize the Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program fellows from Santa Clara University.
DISCUSSION
On June 7, 2022, the City of Santa Clara City Council unanimously approved the Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program, which will provide scholarships and fellowships to up to 35 leaders in sustainability over 5 years, clean energy and related fields. Each year there are four scholarship recipients and three fellows. The goal of the program is to develop a pipeline of strong, diverse future leaders in sustainability and clean energy sectors.
The innovative, five-year program is funds an annual grant of $75,000 per year for a total of $375,000 from Silicon Valley Power (SVP). Selected students will use the funds to attend and receive advanced opportunities at Santa Clara University and its award-winning environmental and sustainability curriculum.
The program is designed to improve students’ skill sets to compete for emerging green jobs. The skill requirements are expanding rapidly, particularly in the Bay Area, where energy, sustainability and climate drivers are leading the way in accelerating this field.
In this inaugural year of the SVP Sustainable Futures Program, the City had the pleasure to collaborate with three exemplary fellows. The fellows have prepared summaries of the projects they have been working on this year to share with the City Council. The City Council will recognize and hear from the following SVP Sustainable Futures Program Santa Clara University fellows:
• Andréa Georgenes is a senior studying Environmental Studies, Dance, Sustainability, and Sustainable Food Systems. As a fellow, she has been conducting research on solar photovoltaic accessibility, specifically using solar permit requests to determine if trends align with socioeconomic vulnerabilities and whether existing policies equitably support solar adoption across different demographics.
• Bianca Isabela "Bea" Ricafort is a junior studying Environmental Studies, Economics, and Spanish. As a fellow, she has been analyzing Santa Clara’s social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities to identify high-vulnerability sites that should be prioritized for future green space development.
• Yasmin Urzua-Gutierrez is a senior studying Political Science, Economics, International Business, and Sustainability. As a fellow, she has been researching established Neighborhood Resilience Hub Programs to determine the feasibility of implementing a hub in Santa Clara by weighing economic costs against expected social benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required. Accordingly, the action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this project was authorized on June 7, 2022 June 7, 2022 under Council item 22-655 and funds are budgeted in SVP's Electric Utility Fund in the advertising and community promotion operating budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Reena Brilliot, Director of Economic Development and Sustainability
Approved by: Jōvan Grogan, City Manager