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File #: 14-0293    Version: 1
Type: Consent - Staff Report Status: Agenda Ready
In control: City Council Regular Meeting
On agenda: 6/17/2014 Final action: 6/17/2014
Title: Take a Position in Opposition to AB 2145 (Bradford) - Electricity: Community Choice Aggregation (Acting City Manager Moe). OPPOSE
Attachments: 1. Legislative Text of AB 2145, 2. List of Communities and Organizations Opposing, 3. San Diego Energy District Foundation Analysis of AB 2145
TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

FROM:
Bruce Moe, Acting City Manager

SUBJECT:Title
Take a Position in Opposition to AB 2145 (Bradford) - Electricity: Community Choice Aggregation (Acting City Manager Moe).
OPPOSE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Oppose AB 2145 (Bradford) and authorize letters of opposition to members of the State Legislature related to modifications to existing law which would make it more difficult for local communities to pursue Community Choice Aggregation as an alternative to traditional utilities.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None as a result of this action.

BACKGROUND:
Mayor Howorth is requesting that the City Council take a position in opposition to AB 2145.

DISCUSSION:
The Manhattan Beach community has considerable concerns regarding the abilities of SCE to provide a reliable source of power given a significant history of unplanned outages. AB 2145 would effectively prevent Community Choice programs from operating anywhere in California. If this bill passes, it would be much more difficult for local communities to choose a more reliable or environmentally friendly alternative to their existing local utility.

Community Choice energy programs empower local communities to take control of decision-making about the sources and cost of their electrical power. Not-for-profit, democratically controlled Community Choice energy programs enable local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating green jobs and stimulating the local economy. These programs are dedicated to reducing consumer electricity demand, providing competitive electricity rates and maximizing the amount of renewable energy in their mix.

In California, Community Choice was made possible by state legislation enacted in 2002. Marin and Sonoma Counties were the first to establish Community Choice programs in 2010 and 2014 respectively. Other com...

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