DATE: November 10, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
East Bay Community Energy: Provide East Bay Community Energy with a Ranking of Preferred Default Electricity Products
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II) identifying: 1) a ranking of preferred electricity options for the default product for Hayward customers; and 2) Renewable 100 as the electricity product for the City's municipal accounts.
SUMMARY
When East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) launched in 2018, Council chose Brilliant 100 (100% carbon free electricity) as the default product for Hayward. Brilliant 100, if retained as a product offering, may have an increase in rates effective February 1, 2021, which will place it above the rates charged by PG&E. In addition to Brilliant 100, the EBCE Board may offer additional product options, including a carbon free product that includes nuclear energy. Each option has unique considerations including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and rates. This report presents options for a new default product and the impacts of each for Council to consider. It also includes summaries of recent actions taken by the EBCE Board of Directors as well as those taken by other member jurisdictions.
Review by Council Sustainability Committee - The Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) most recently considered Hayward's electricity options on October 15, 2020. The CSC unanimously agreed that the first choice should be Brilliant 100 if EBCE would subsidize it. After much discussion, it was agreed that as a second choice, a 100% carbon free product with nuclear energy may be acceptable if it is for a limited term (no more than two years) and if it is supported by the EBCE Board. The CSC unanimously supported Hayward's municipal accounts being switched to Renewable 100.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution
Attachment III EBCE Power Content Options 8/26/20
Attac...
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