Memorandum
Date: April 7, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Benjamin Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of an Update from the Energy Policy Ad Hoc Committee
Executive Summary:
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, your Board affirmed your interest in continued exploration of opportunities for energy generation and development of a County Energy Policy. Discussion culminated in establishment of an Energy Policy Ad Hoc Committee. This Committee is comprised: of Supervisors Jessica Pyska (District 5) and Helen Owen (District 1); Community Development Director, Mireya Turner; Public Works Director, Lars Ewing; Treasurer-Tax Collector, Patrick Sullivan; and Benjamin Rickelman and Matthew Rothstein of the County Administrative Office.
The Committee has met on three occasions. Discussions have included reports of preliminary meetings with multiple Community Choice Aggregators, and overview of proposed energy projects, including brief presentations by companies with interest in developing energy projects in Lake County. Additionally, participants weighed the need to establish a standard process for prospective projects, to ensure a uniform approach is taken; while that conversation will continue when the Committee next meets (toward a later recommendation to be presented to your Board), there was round agreement Ben Rickelman, Deputy County Administrative Officer, as lead staff to this Committee and Economic Development, would serve as the initial point of contact for entities looking to develop energy projects. Your Board’s concurrence on this point would have value.
This update will include summary of topics addressed by the Committee thus far, by Mr. Rickelman, as well as opportunity for members of your Board to discuss preliminary conversations had with energy service providers. Staff invites your Board’s discussion, and concurrence that proposed energy projects will initially be routed through Mr. Rickelman.
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: Informational report. Recommend Board concurrence that proposed energy projects will initially be routed to DCAO Rickelman. Consider further Direction to Staff, as appropriate.