Memorandum
Date: January 6, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Ben Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee Toward Development of a Lake County Energy Policy
Executive Summary:
As you will recall, during your Board’s discussion connected to consideration of implementation of Community Choice Aggregation, interest was expressed by multiple Supervisors in developing an energy strategy and/or policy for the County of Lake. Toward that end, the concept of forming an Ad Hoc County Energy Policy Committee was raised.
Topics that could be addressed by such a Committee include County policy for intake and management of energy projects, consulting on matters of statewide or federal energy policy that affect Lake County interests, siting of geothermal and other energy projects, initiatives to mitigate high energy costs, and partnerships to analyze possible environmental impacts of energy development.
In connection to this item, Deputy County Administrative Officer, Benjamin Rickelman, will provide a brief update on energy-focused considerations that have arisen since your Board’s discussion of October 2025. This is timely, as rapid increases in electricity demand of the past five years are projected to continue, and additional investment in geothermal technologies is expected to meet Statewide energy goals.
This Ad Hoc Committee would be tasked with providing strategic input and recommendations for your Board to consider in the development of an energy policy.
Staff recommends representatives on this Committee include at least the following:
• Two Supervisors;
• County Administrative Officer (or designee);
• Community Development Director (or designee);
• Public Services Director (or designee);
• Treasurer (or designee); and
• Deputy County Administrative Officer (Economic Development)
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
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☐ 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: Approve Formation of a Lake County Ad Hoc Energy Policy Committee