Memorandum
Date: October 21, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Stephen L. Carter, Jr., Assistant County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Benjamin Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Lloyd Guintivano, County Counsel
Subject: (A) 9:15 A.M. - PUBLIC HEARING - Consideration of an Ordinance Authorizing the Implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program by Participating with the Sonoma Clean Power Authority; (B) Consideration of a Resolution Requesting that the Sonoma Clean Power Authority Act as Community Choice Aggregator on Behalf of the County and Implement the Sonoma Clean Power Community Choice Aggregation Program within the County; (C) Consideration of a Resolution Establishing County Membership in the Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino Geothermal Opportunity Zone
Executive Summary:
As you are aware, earlier this year, the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the Cities of Lakeport and Clearlake sent requests to Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) to consider extending service into Lake County, and an offer of service was approved by the SCP Board August 7, 2025 (PDF Pages 83-95 are relevant to Lake County, and the signed/final version of the offer of service is attached here, for your reference and public inspection):
<https://sonomacleanpower.org/uploads/documents/SCPA-BOD-2025.08.07-Meeting-Agenda-Packet-with-Teleconference-Instructions.pdf>
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, a Joint Workshop was held among County of Lake and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport, to answer questions surrounding the option of Public Power Generation in Lake County with Sonoma Clean Power. Further information and attachments were likewise made accessible in connection to your Board’s October 7, 2025, discussion item:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4jexfZaxn4>
<https://countyoflake.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7689470&GUID=CF0C6ABF-D299-4777-A02A-8AE3DB628DD3>
Attached to this item for your Board’s consideration are enabling documents required to accept Sonoma Clean Power’s offer of service and join the Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino Geothermal Opportunity Zone. These were previously made accessible in draft form for public inspection in connection to your October 7, 2025, discussion. As stated during presentation of that item, on Thursday, October 2, the Clearlake City Council voted 2-3 against implementation, and the existing offer of service envisioned all Lake County jurisdictions moving forward together. Sonoma Clean Power’s Board is currently scheduled to meet next November 6, 2025.
Strong support for participation from your Board could prove pivotal to an alternative offer of service being extended by Sonoma Clean Power’s Board.
Sonoma Clean Power staff have spoken to the long-term nature of the commitment joining represents. Based on the results of their feasibility study, conditions for doing so are more favorable than either of the two previous times the County explored Community Choice Aggregation (2015-16, 2019-20).
Staff truly appreciates your earnest efforts to appropriately weigh this decision.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☒ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: No staff recommendation.