HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 2011-077 N.C.S. 05/16/2011Resolution No. 2011 -077 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
APPROVING LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR
PUBLIC INTEREST ENERGY RESEARCH (PIER) PROGRAM
WHEREAS, in 1996, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1890, the
Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act; and,
WHEREAS, a provision of AB 1890 allowed the collection of a "public goods charge"
on investor owned utilities in order to fund the Public Interest Energy Research program (PIER);
and,
WHEREAS, the PIER program, under the auspices of the California Energy
Commission, provides grants for research to develop energy technologies that benefit the
environment, lower system costs and provide other benefits to California electric utility
customers; and,
WHEREAS, in January 2012, the authority to collect the "public goods charge" to fund
the PIER program will automatically expire unless extended through legislative action.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Petaluma City Council supports
the reauthorization of the Public Interest Energy Research program and strongly encourages the
State Legislature to continue funding for the program by reauthorizing the electric Public Goods
Charge for a minimum of ten years at current investment levels.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Vfoov as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 16` day of May, 201 1,
by the following vote: 0
AYES: Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Harris, Vice Mayor Healy, Kearney, Renee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: "
City Clerk Mayor
City Attorney
Resolution No. 2011 -077 N.C.S. Page 1
ATTACHMENT
May 16, 2011
Senator Alex Padilla, Chair, and Members of
the Senate Energy Utilities and Communication Committee
State Capitol, Room 4038
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program
Dear Senators,
The City of Petaluma strongly supports the reauthorization of the Public Interest Energy Research
(PIER) program and for reauthorization of the electric Public Goods Charge (PGC) for a
minimum of ten years at current investment levels.
A January 18, 2011 Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) review of the PIER program provided to the
State Senate Energy Committee stated that "there is a role for the state to continue to support
public interest energy research beyond the 2012 sunset date ... to assist the state in meeting its
energy goals." Of the three options for continuing the PIER program listed in the LAO report, we
support Option One: "Continue PIER Program Under CEC With a Tighter Focus." This option fulfills
the historical public interest in funding R&D for which there is an increasing need.
All ratepayers benefit tangibly from the programs funded under the PIER program. Long -term,
independent, sustained and thoughtful public interest research, development and
demonstration efforts are necessary to develop, scale -up, and deploy clean and affordable
energy solutions that tackle California's acute pollution problems and long -term GHG emissions
reduction goals in the most cost - effective manner. The PIER program enhances long -term
energy security and independence, rate stability, and long -term rate lowering and cost -
effective GHG emissions reduction. PIER's Renewable Energy Secure Communities ( RESCO)
program is an excellent example of a strategic use of PIER funds. Sonoma County is proud to be
implementing a three -year RESCO program in partnership with the California Energy
Commission. RESCO has been especially helpful in responding to public interest in local energy
and economic security. We believe that RESCO is critical to meeting this community's aggressive
GHG reduction goal.
Given the exceedingly difficult budgetary realities that the state is grappling with, the Legislature
must look closely at investments made on behalf of Californians. Strategic public investments
that produce long -term benefits for all Californians such as the PIER program deserve to
continue.
Sincerely,
David Glass
Mayor
cc: Senate Energy Utilities and Communication Committee (Senator Jean Fuller (Vice Chair), Senator
Tom Berryhill, Senator Ellen Corbett, Senator Kevin de Leon, Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Senator Fran
Pavley, Senator Michael Rubio, Senator Joe Simitian, Senator Tony Strickland, Senator Roderick
Wright), Senator Noreen Evans, State Capitol, Room 4034, Sacramento, CA 95814, Senator Mark
Leno, State Capitol, Room 5100, Sacramento, CA 95414, Robert B. Weisenmiller, Ph.D., Chair,
California Energy Commission, 1516 Ninth Street, MS -33, Sacramento, CA 95814, Laurie ten Hope,
Deputy Director, Energy Research and Development Division, PIER Program, California Energy
Commission, 1516 9th Street, MS 51, Sacramento, CA 95814 -5512
Resolution No. 2011 -077 N.C.S. Page 2