REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Public Benefits Program of the Electric Utility Through Fiscal Year 2023
Report
BACKGROUND
In accordance with Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 385 covering the Public Benefits Charge (PBC), and the City of Santa Clara's Public Benefits Program Policy Statement adopted by Council on May 12, 1998, staff has developed a variety of programs to help residents and businesses in Santa Clara. These programs have been of benefit to customers by helping them become more energy efficient through paying a portion of the costs to upgrade systems and equipment, demonstrate new energy technologies, develop new renewable resources, and pay their bills.
DISCUSSION
On June 6, 2017, Council approved a ten year forecast of energy efficiency goals and approved current programs through June 30, 2022, subject to budget appropriations. Energy efficiency goals are based on feasibility studies and are updated every four years.
Staff is proposing modifications to the current programs as follows:
* Extend the term of the project cap of $750,000 through June 30, 2019 for both the Data Center Efficiency Program and the Customer Directed Rebate program. This increase from $500,000 to $750,000 was put into place last year to encourage completion of multiple large energy efficiency projects which will assist the utility in meeting its energy efficiency goals.
* Increase the commercial lighting rebate from $0.15 per kWh to $0.25 per kWh for retrofit projects that include advanced network lighting controls. This increased incentive will assist customers in covering the costs of increased measurement and verification required to validate the energy savings.
* End the City Revolving Energy Efficiency Loan Program and close the capital budget item that funded this program. Over the course of the program, two projects were completed using the loan program and none since fiscal year 2012. Energy efficiency projects at City facilities will stil...
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