Memorandum
Date: September 30, 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
Subject: 5:00 P.M. - Joint Workshop of County of Lake and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport on the Option of Public Power Generation in Lake County with Sonoma Clean Power
Executive Summary:
As you are aware, the public is invited to a special 5pm Joint Workshop of the County of Lake and Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport on the option of Public Power Generation in Lake County with Sonoma Clean Power (SCP).
Earlier this year, the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the Cities of Lakeport and Clearlake sent requests to SCP to consider extending service into Lake County, and an offer of service has been extended (PDF Pages 83-95 are relevant to Lake County):
<https://sonomacleanpower.org/uploads/documents/SCPA-BOD-2025.08.07-Meeting-Agenda-Packet-with-Teleconference-Instructions.pdf>
This September 30, 2025, evening meeting offers an opportunity for members of your Board and the City Councils to get answers to any questions, to inform the best possible policy direction from each governing body, in support of all Lake County residents. It is currently anticipated the Board of Supervisors (Tuesday, October 21, 2025) and City Councils will vote on whether to join Sonoma Clean Power in October (Clearlake, Thursday, October 2, 2025; Lakeport, Tuesday October 21, 2025).
The Joint Workshop is informational, only; no decision-making will be undertaken by any of the three governing bodies represented.
Topics covered will include at least the following: general background on Community Choice Aggregation; information on Sonoma Clean Power, and why Lake County Jurisdictions may consider joining; SCP’s Offer for Service, and what it would mean for Lake County residents; the process to join SCP; customer supports available through SCP; Geothermal Power Development (e.g., 2,000 MW of new geothermal construction has been ordered by the State, and SCP’s own efforts); and Sonoma Clean Power’s recent history of work to inform State-level policy.
Staff look forward to hearing perspectives from your Board, the City Councils and members of the public, and sincerely hope this session will valuably inform your Board’s effective policy direction and decision-making in October 2025.
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 Workshop, only. No action