Operational Planning Meeting Notes June 5, 2008 Joseph Gallo Farms Atwater, CA
1. The Group identified the following major accomplishments to date for the SJVCEO: • • • • • • • • • • •
Set up of Organization- including Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, operating procedures and IRS Filing n Development of 25 x 25 Baseline – at the National Conference Communities – identify market and value added services and initiate pilot projects in up to 5 cities Biofuels – categorized market and identified areas where we can assist project development. development Renewable Power Production-categorized market and identified areas we can asst in project development Website – set up and interactive website and began to add substantive content. Education/Advocacy- offered written comments and support for energy block grants and tax credit legislation and participated in efforts to redesign the state low income energy efficiency program. December Conference – cosponsored this conference attended by almost 300. Ag Conference Planning – obtained funding and began planning process for this conference Fundraising – defined funding sources, developed sponsorship strategy and initiated efforts Relationships & Partnerships – forged numerous key partnerships/MOUS.
2. The Group identified the following activities that still need to be tackled: • • • • •
Achieve fully sustainable funding Accelerate efforts to develop regional clean energy plan Increase project development – particularly in the areas of additional communities, the business sector, schools/workforce development, biomass/biogas/biofuels, and renewable power generation Refine and market list of Value added services. Expand efforts to document Best Practices and post on website
3. Customer Perspectives on Value-Added Role SJVCEO Can Play : •
Carl Morris, Gallo Farms Gallo Farms is looking for continued opportunities to make a difference economically and environmentally. Including more digesters, algae growth, and solar. Grants assist making these kinds of projects happen. The farm received California Energy Commission Grant and PG&E grants for their digester. The permitting process causes ‘bureaucratic fatigue’. The Water Board has been the biggest challenge. Carbon Credit trading revenue has helped make the project viable. The Farm was certified under Chicago Climate Change which was fairly easy to administer. The CA Climate Registry protocol is much more onerous (theoretical protocol vs. real world implementation). SJVCERO could help Gallo Farms and similar operations by o o o o o
Helping streamline regulations Serving as an advocate for projects Proving technical support and assistance Identifying grant funding opportunities Serving as a catalyst to get government agencies to work together. At the Valley level there is potential for bringing ‘siloed’ agencies together around real problems being encountered by clean energy projects
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o •
Serve as a clearinghouse of information on projects
Christine Tien, City of Stockton Christine serves as the Deputy City Manager City of Stockton and head of green projects for the city. The City joined ICLEI to measure carbon footprint. The city has 14 master & specific plans in the pipeline. General plan calls for village development similar to LEED Neighborhood Development. Several developers have agreed to Build it Green Standards – new development of 10,000 units to be built by BiG standards. Biodeisel is being used in City vehicles. All new non-public safety vehicles are hybrid. The city has a 67% landfill diversion (recycled). Green purchase agreement to restrict things like Styrofoam. Initiated by Mayor – began in 2007 with inventory. Stockton Chamber of Commerce very active as well. Committee formed with representation from each department. Christine identified the following ways that the SJVCEO could help support the City’s interests: o Prepare clean energy case studies o Develop/share Best Practice information o Support Cleantech workforce development o Help design a Green Resource Center in the city clearinghouse of information on projects
4. Vision, Mission, Goals Review
Steve Miller led the Group in a review and discussion of the Organization’s Vision, Mission, and Goals. • Vision By 2017, the San Joaquin Valley is a healthier, more economically robust and sustainable region that is becoming more carbon neutral by increasing the efficiency with which its homes, businesses, farms, and vehicles use energy and other resources, and the region is producing more electricity and fuel from renewable energy sources. • Mission Through partnering and collaboration, the SJVCEO builds upon existing efforts and serves as a trusted resource on clean energy for San Joaquin Valley businesses, consumers, nonprofits, and local governments, by providing: o A planning resource to help bring together the many independent clean energy activities in the region under a coherent, well-integrated plan o A one-stop shop of information and expertise on current clean energy programs and activities under way, viable funding sources, business drivers, barriers to greater use of clean energy, and links to capital markets; o An independent source of advocacy and education to remove barriers to greater clean energy use; and, o A valued source of technical assistance and support to implement clean energy projects. • Goals o o o o o
Develop and maintain a regional clean energy plan. Establish and support a broad network of partners. Become a valued source of information and expertise. Work to ensure that the Valley is getting maximum value from available state/federal/utility programs. Demonstrate and showcase ways that the San Joaquin Valley can lead efforts to carry out state clean energy initiatives and utilize clean energy to carry out state greenhouse gas emission reduction, air quality, and economic and workforce development initiatives.
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Over the next five years the SJVCEO shall:
o Strategically begin implementation of “greening” activities in all 62 incorporated cities and eight counties in the Valley (This includes 1) identifying exiting projects; 2) offering consulting services on general plans and project development; o Help develop viable renewable bio-gas industry in which X therms are produced and used; o Help develop one cellulosic ethanol pilot project in the region; o Provide assistance to help ensure that all expanded demand for power in the Valley is met from renewable sources; and, o Help develop a thriving renewable energy in the Valley. 5. How the SJVCEO should Focus in Its Second Year The Group split up into the following breakout groups to identify the Objectives, Strategies and Tactics for its second year of operation. Group Sustainable Communities Bioenergy Development Renewable Power Sourcing/Production Marketing and Outreach Education and Workforce Development Regional Planning and Barrier Removal
Group Focus/ Objective – Identify SJVCEO Actions to: Inform/engage all SJV cities in clean energy activities Support development of Biofuels projects and industry in SJV Support development of projects and industry to acquire SJV power needs from renewable sources. Develop and support initiatives, conferences/ workshops to inform and engage the public. Support projects and activities to develop and train a clean energy force in schools and the trades Support development of a regional clean energy plan and legislative/regulatory reform proposals and report on regional progress
A summary of the work Group recommendations follow: • Sustainable Communities o We need to develop a message, an suite of services to help jurisdictions, and identify resources to support our work o Cities need to know who we are and what we offer o Specific Actions include:: Do outreach through Local Government Commission, COGs, League of Cities Institute for Local Governments and others Define core services we offer Seek/obtain funding for services. Cover our costs to do this as part of core functions of the SJVCEO Continue to find, capture, and publish and Best Practices Identify and support green champions in cities Establish ourselves as the “go to” clean energy resource providers for the Valley SJVCEO Board Meeting Minutes – June 5, 2008
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• Bioenergy Development - including biomass, biogas and Biofuels. Our efforts should focus on: o Regulatory permitting and the economy (Feed-in tariffs, carbon credits) o Finding funding -- grants and loans for project development o Specific Actions include: Support Streamlining of the permitting process Facilitate/support ag access to Fed/state/other funding Facilitate/support ag access to PUC to increased Feed-in incentives Facilitate/support ag access to CARB to qualify bioenergy offsets Support/partner with Biomass Mitigation Fund • Renewable Power Sourcing/Development o The primary goal/focus is to create more renewable power production in the Valley. To accomplish we need to address the following: Solar – cost, land use (siting); and loss of tax credits Wind – cost, geography (Kern Co issues); transmission, and environmental concerns (visual and birds) Biomass – restrictions on open burning, air emission regulations; and lack of incentives. Digesters (dairy waste and food.) - water and air permits; Biofuels – (ethanol and biodiesel) – Air quality, cost and source issues. o SJVCEO needs to 1) addresses regulatory issues portfolio standards, and facilitate streamlining; and 2) provide case studies; 3) provide timely information on funding sources. • Marketing and Outreach. The purpose of this effort is to build awareness and to support and sustain the SJVCEO and its goals. Key ingredients should be: o Make maximum use of our website – best practices and case studies o Supporting and utilizing the Farming Clean Energy Conference o Organizing and hosting the CA Economic Strategies Panel Forum in Fresno in September o Supporting and utilizing the KVPT Be More Green Campaign o Organizing and hosting Sustainable Communities workshops and direct postings to the website by communities. • Education and Workforce Development. SJVCEO activities should include: o Define work force career needs relating to energy. Gather data from businesses and students. Analyze data and create a jobs pyramid o Hold educational conference in Valley o Identify and support projects. o Create an education/workforce development subcommittee of the SJVCEO Board. • Regional Planning and Barrier Removal o Our Goals should be 1) maximum efficiency, 2) 26 GW of renewable; and 3) crafting an optimum partnering network. o We should develop a bottom up approach for regional planning working through the COGs. 6. Staffing the SJVCEO The Group briefly discussed a strategy for staffing the SJVCEO and timetable for hiring a permanent Executive Director. The Executive Committee agreed to take up this matter on an upcoming conference call. SJVCEO Board Meeting Minutes – June 5, 2008
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7. Next Steps • Jeff Briltz will head up the Sustainable Communities Work Group of the Board. • We will create a new Education and Workforce Development Work Group which will be led by Roger McNeil. • The SJVCEO Executive Committee (which currently includes Rollie, Jeff Wright, Jeff Manternach, and Elizabeth Knudsen) will be expanded to include the four Board Work Group Chairs (Jeff Briltz, Mark Stout, Ricardo Amon, Roger McNeil). • Rollie will convene a meeting of the Executive Committee to provide direction on a strategy for staffing the SJVCEO. Rollie will report on this strategy at the next full Board meeting in July.
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