3. Energy & Environment

Energy conservation and efficiency can help residents, businesses, and jurisdictions save money, improve air quality, and protect the environment while meeting the demands of the growing population.  WRCOG is committed to conserving natural resources and advancing alternative energy sources to promote the subregion’s ongoing sustainability. 

Action:

  • Support legislation that removes barriers for and provides funding to expand the WRCOG Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs. 
  • Support legislation that protect Community Choice Aggregator’s (CCA) right to develop and administer energy efficiency and integrated distributed energy resources.
  • Support legislation that provides incentives for the private sector and local governments to voluntarily implement energy saving measures. 
  • Support legislation that support increased transparency into existing non-bypassable charges (NBC) and phase out unreasonable new charges.
  • Protect indifference of all ratepayer to load migration between Load Serving entities (e.g. Utilities, CCAs, electric service providers).
  • Support policy to sunset Power Charge Indifference Adjustment
    • Support policies to reform Investor owned utility procurement practices and minimize stranded investment to avoid stranded costs
    • Support reformation of the PCIA calculation process to promote transparency, accountability, and proper valuation of PCIA components.
  • Oppose legislation and policies that threaten Community Choice Aggregation, local control of energy programs and resources, and the independence of the WRCOG and WCE Boards.
  • Support legislation that establishes and preserves the role of local government in energy decisions, particularly for activities pertaining to electricity generation, energy storage, supply, demand, and conservation to ensure adequate supply and reasonable costs for residents and businesses. 
  • Support legislation that encourages or provides incentives for the production and use of clean alternative and renewable energy sources. 
  • Support legislation that encourages or provides incentives to pursue the goals outlined in the WRCOG Subregional Climate Action Plan, Resilient IE Toolkit, or individual member jurisdiction’s climate action plans. 
  • Support legislation that promotes municipal clean, alternative, and renewable energy generation and storage.
  • Support legislation that encourages / promotes local governments to be program administrators for electrification transportation programs.
  • Support legislation that encourages local governments to support / expand smart city infrastructure.
  • Monitor current / future legislation on building electrification, Zero Net Energy (ZNE), Reach Codes and Codes Compliance for the building community.
  • Support legislation that encourages emissions reductions from sources under federal control (e.g., caused by planes, trains, and ships) and increased emissions monitoring methods. 
  • Support the continuation of air quality management at the air basin level rather than at the statewide or individual county level. 
  • Support legislation that extends federal alternative fuel and vehicle tax credits and incentives. 
  • Support legislation that would encourage the development of alternative fuel facilities. 
  • Support legislation that encourages the expansion of solid waste conversion technologies. 
  • Support legislation that increases markets for recyclable or compostable materials. 
  • Support legislation that enables efficient recycling of organic material. 
  • Support legislation that implements programs to reduce litter and illegal dumping. 
  • Support the increase of fines and/or confiscation of vehicles for individuals and companies caught in the act of illegal dumping. 
  • Support State loans, grants, and loan guarantees for businesses implementing source reduction programs and utilizing post-consumer recycled materials in the manufacture of new products. 
  • Support legislation that encourages the proper disposal of hazardous waste. 
  • Support legislation that implements Extended Producer Responsibility principles aimed at removing the cost burden for disposal of products from local jurisdictions and agencies. 
  • Oppose waste management requirements that would put local jurisdictions at risk of not meeting AB 939 requirements, or make local jurisdictions incur excessive costs absent funding.