REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Confirmation No. 0236 Under the NCPA Support Service Program Agreement (Confirmation) to Authorize CLEAResult Consulting, Inc. to Provide Home Electrification Assessments and Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Technical Assistance Services for Silicon Valley Power Through Northern California Power Agency’s (NCPA) Multi-Task Consulting Services Agreement
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) provides energy efficiency programs and customer services in accordance with California Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 385 covering Public Benefits Charge, and with the City’s Public Benefits Program Policy Statement adopted by Council on May 12, 1998. State law requires that the utility charge a non-bypassable usage charge in order to fund cost-effective energy efficiency services and other activities.
Using these funds, staff has developed a wide range of cost-effective energy efficiency and electrification programs for customers. SVP also participates in the California Air Resources Board Low Carbon Fuel Standards Program (LCFS) and receives funding to support electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within the city.
Through customer outreach, SVP has recognized that for many customers, and particularly for existing multi-family residential communities, that the technical requirements and project management to install EV charging infrastructure and other electrification technology is a barrier.
The City of Santa Clara along with several municipal electric utilities in Northern California is a member agency of the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), a California Joint Action Agency. NCPA is a consortium of locally owned electric utilities to make joint investments in energy resources that would ensure an affordable, reliable, and clean supply of electricity for customers in its member communities.
Where needs of customers are a common experience across multiple utilities, the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) periodically issues Requests for Proposals (RFP) for a variety of services on behalf of its member utilities including SVP. Pursuant to City Code Section 2.105.290(b)(3), the City may enter into contracts for direct purchases from vendors on terms obtained pursuant to formal bidding processes that name the City either specifically or categorically as a third party beneficiary of the bidding process or in the case where the vendor agrees to extend such participation to the City.
DISCUSSION
In August 2020, NCPA, on behalf of its members, issued an RFP for Third-Party Electrification Education and Outreach Services. Program providers were asked to design programs that would serve each participating utility’s customer demographics and supplement existing electrification programs. CLEAResult Consulting, Inc. (CLEAResult) was one of the third-party vendors awarded to provide consulting services to NCPA members. NCPA executed a Multi Task Consulting Services Agreement with CLEAResult Consulting. Participating Members such as SVP use these services by executing a Confirmation with NCPA.
The proposed Electrification Home Assessment Program will serve residential customers and provide virtual or in-person home assessments to identify electrification opportunities. CLEAResult will conduct electrification assessments to collect information about the customer’s heating, cooling, hot water, and cooking appliances in order to evaluate and identify electrification measures, the estimated costs of those measures to implement and available SVP rebates and incentives for which the customer can apply. Participating residential customers will receive a home electrification assessment report that identifies electrification opportunities.
In addition, CLEAResult’s proposed EV charging infrastructure technical assistance program will target multi-family and small to medium commercial customers. CLEAResult will provide end-to-end support for customers to install EV charging infrastructure at their home or business. EV charging infrastructure technical assistance includes marketing of the program, outreach & education such as current rebate opportunities, customer site assessment and installation support. This program is designed to assist those customers that request a turn-key solution to see EV projects through from start to finalization.
Participation in these programs are complimentary for SVP customers.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
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(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
This funding comes from restricted LCFS and Public Benefit funds, and does not impact customers’ rates or the General Fund. This technical support services meets the LCFS program mandated requirements for funds to be used to install EV charging infrastructure throughout the Santa Clara community.
The total cost of the Confirmation with NCPA will not exceed $422,368. Funding for this contract was included in the Electric Department’s Electric Operating Grant Trust Fund Budget for FY 2021/22 and 2022/23.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute Confirmation No. 0236 Under the NCPA Support Service Program Agreement (Confirmation) to authorize CLEAResult Consulting, Inc. to provide home electrification assessments and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure technical assistance services for Silicon Valley Power through Northern California Power Agency’s (NCPA) Multi-Task Consulting Services Agreement;
2. Authorize the City Manager to increase maximum compensation during the term of the Multi-Task Consulting Services Agreement if the demand for services exceeds the maximum compensation, subject to the appropriation of funds; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to extend the term of the Confirmation subject to the extension of the underlying agreement with NCPA.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Confirmation No. 0236 Under the NCPA Support Services Program Agreement