Memorandum
Date: August 31, 2021
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Lars Ewing, Public Services Director
Matthew Rothstein, Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: (a) Consideration of a Presentation on PG&E’s Better Together Resilient Communities Grant Program; (b) Consideration of a Resolution of Support for Trane Technologies to Submit an Application on Behalf of the County of Lake to PG&E’s “Better Together Resilient Communities” Grant Program, in Pursuit of Funds for Additional Engineering and Due Diligence in the Evaluation of Potential Advanced Energy Projects
Executive Summary:
On July 13, 2021, the County entered into a zero-cost Energy Savings Performance Contract with Trane US, Inc. (Trane) to investigate a variety of potential energy savings measures to county-owned facilities that may prove beneficial for either financial or reduced power consumption reasons.
An additional component of Trane’s effort is to identify and assess Advanced Energy Projects as a potential means to generate County revenue and further statewide climate goals. These projects are generally unrelated to existing County facilities or infrastructure.
Through their initial analysis, Trane has identified possible Advanced Energy Project opportunities in the Lakeport and Middletown areas that have potential to improve the resilience of both the operation of County governmental services as well as the power production resilience of our communities. However, these projects require analysis that is beyond the scope of the existing no-cost agreement.
Last week, Trane presented to Public Services, Special Districts, and Administration staff a grant opportunity through PG&E that could fund a feasibility study of these projects. PG&E Corporation Foundation’s “Better Together Resilient Communities” grant program will fund four proposals ($100,000 each) that build community resilience and capacity to withstand climate-related hazards.
Priority will be given to those that demonstrate past or projected exposure to climate hazard(s) and those that address needs of disadvantaged and/or vulnerable communities. Trane believes the County is well-situated for an award. Applications are due August 31, 2021 - today.
As members of your Board are aware, multiple other Lake County entities are expected to apply for this program. The Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority (LCCRRA) has committed to support an application from Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC). PG&E expects to receive dozens of applications, including many from the same jurisdictions. There are no rules surrounding the grant process that preclude your Board or County-affiliated entities, such as LCCRRA, voicing support for multiple applications, and there are no rules in the grant process that would specifically preclude both Trane’s application, on behalf of the County, and CLERC’s application, supported by LCCRRA, being funded.
With your Board’s authorization, Trane is prepared to complete the grant application. If awarded the grant, the feasibility analysis for the potential projects will be fully funded and therefore accomplished at no cost to the County and with no commitment for additional funding. The results of the feasibility study may help demonstrate there is an issue that renders the conceived project impractical or otherwise infeasible, or potentially better position the County to receive future grant funding, such as the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better program.
Representatives from Trane and the three aforementioned County departments will present the item, and be available for questions about the projects and grant opportunity. Staff recognizes the challenges associated with consideration of an item on such short notice, but feels it is important to present the opportunity for your Board’s consideration. Should your Board decide to approve Trane’s preparation of an application, staff has prepared the attached resolution authorizing Trane to apply for the grant.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 (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:
(a) Presentation only. (b) If determined appropriate by your Board, Adopt the Resolution of Support for Trane Technologies to Submit an Application on Behalf of the County of Lake to PG&E’s “Better Together Resilient Communities” Grant Program, in Pursuit of Funds for Additional Engineering and Due Diligence in the Evaluation of Potential Advanced Energy Projects