REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclamation of the First Full Week of October 6-12, 2024, as Public Power Week
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Public Power Week is an annual national celebration that recognizes the economic, social and environmental contributions of hometown electric utilities. Public Power Week is organized by the American Public Power Association. Silicon Valley Power (SVP), along with approximately 2,000 other public power utilities across the United States, celebrate Public Power Week for the first full week of October every year to help customers and stakeholders understand the benefits that a public power utility brings to the community.
DISCUSSION
During the first full week in October, SVP engages in communication campaigns to educate the public on the benefits of a locally owned and City Council governed not-for-profit utility. SVP maintains high reliability at a price lower than other California utilities. Having local control gives SVP the flexibility to deliver community programs tailored to the City of Santa Clara’s specific needs. Throughout the past 20 years, SVP has held various public power education events during the first full week of October, from customer tours of generation plants to informational tables at community buildings. This year SVP is planning similar events.
The City Council would like to recognize the first full week of October as “Public Power Week” to increase public awareness to the benefits and importance of our own locally owned community power organization, Silicon Valley Power.
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(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
There is no fiscal impact.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, and the Mayor and Council 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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Chief Electric Utility Officer
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Public Power Week 2024 Proclamation