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Politics & Government

Supervisors Take Big Step Toward Community Power Agency

Sonoma Clean Power residential rates comparable to PG&E; Rabbitt casts No vote, Zane supports

Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to move forward with a proposal to provide electric power to residents in the county's unincorporated areas starting in January 2014.

Supervisor Shirlee Zane said she supported the recommendation to proceed.

"This is not about 'the big guy vs the little guy.' It's about being innovators and providing service. It's about local control," Zane said.

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Cities in the county are to decide by June 30 whether thy want to participate in the Sonoma County Clean Power Community Choice Aggregation Program. Customers will have the option of opting out and keeping PG&E as their power provider.

PG&E, however, will continue to provide transmission, grid infrastructure upkeep and repair, efficiency programs, new service requests and billing under Sonoma Clean Power.

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The board voted 4-1 to approve the implementation of the program by the Sonoma County Water Agency and begin start-up financing of the project with First Community Bank.

Board Chair David Rabbitt voted against launching the program until more information, including electricity rates, is known.

"I want to send a message that we are doing are due diligence," Rabbitt said.

The rates Sonoma Clean Power residential users will pay for 33 percent renewable power in 2014 are estimated between $94.83 and $97.58 per month compared to $96.56 a month for 20 percent renewable power from PG&E, according to the Sonoma County Water Agency.

Monthly commercial rates for Sonoma Clean Power are estimated between $2,462 and $2,555, compared to PG&E's $2,542 rate.

The actual rates are unknown and will be subject to negotiations before county officials commit to proceeding with Sonoma Clean Power. A final decision is expected in September.

The county has received 13 responses to its request to provide Sonoma Clean Power with delivery of electric power and other services. That list is expected to be reduced to two or three providers.

Supporters say Sonoma Clean Power will give customers a choice of power providers, stabilize electricity costs, allow power generation revenue to be used for local investment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give the county local control of rates and electricity generation programs.

Several speakers during today's lengthy discussion about proceeding with Sonoma Clean Power urged the Board of Supervisors to take its time committing to Sonoma Clean Power, and some said the issue should be decided by voters.

Respondents to a questionnaire by the Sonoma County Water Agency said the county should fix its roads and reduce its pension obligations first and not get involved in the power business.

Others said the venture is too risky, and PG&E is already is a "green" energy provider.

Supervisor Susan Gorin said she also has some concerns and questions, but she urged the board to "be bold and move forward."

"The clear message is local choice," she said.

Supervisor Mike McGuire said there is time to have questions answered before the final vote in September.

"We still have the bones of the initiative in place, but we still need that final rate number. We need to see good rates coming back," he said.

Supervisor Efren Carrillo said the county must negotiate the rates Sonoma County Power users will pay from a position of strength.

"We have to send a message that we are serious and ready to play, ready to launch," Carrillo said.

If Sonoma County Power's electricity rates are not competitive with PG&E's rates, the county can "pull the plug" on proceeding, Carrillo said.

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