Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jasneet W. Sharma, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Amendment to Agreement with City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) of San Mateo County for the San Mateo County Energy Watch Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG), providing funding for the San Mateo County Energy Watch program, extending the agreement end date to December 31, 2027, and increasing the amount by $1,210,250 for a new not to exceed total of $3,855,250.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Energy Watch (SMCEW) program is a Local Government Partnership (LGP) between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG). PG&E provides funding for the SMCEW program under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission, funded by ratepayers. The SMCEW program helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change by assisting local governments, special districts, K-12 public school districts, and small businesses in San Mateo County access technical assistance and financing programs to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization projects in their facilities and operations. SMCEW also provides funding for the San Mateo County Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Support (RICAPS) Climate Collaborative. Administered by the County Sustainability Department, RICAPS assists San Mateo County’s 21 local jurisdictions develop and implement climate action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet countywide reduction goals.
Since the beginning of the LGP in 2008, PG&E has contracted with C/CAG, and C/CAG has contracted with the County, to administer the SMCEW program for multiple successive program cycles, typically between one to three years each. On June 13, 2023, the board authorized Resolution No. 079759 for the current program term beginning July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025, in the amount of $1,763,000, for a not-to-exceed amount of $2,645,000. This proposed amendment would extend the agreement end date to December 31, 2027 and add $1,210,250 to the contract for a new not to exceed amount of $3,855,250.
DISCUSSION:
In February 2025, Sustainability Department staff submitted a proposal to C/CAG and PG&E outlining enhancements to the existing scope of work based on input from stakeholders. PG&E gave approval to the County to continue to administer the SMCEW program and refer local governments, special districts, K-12 public school districts, and small businesses to PG&E programs for technical and financing support to implement energy efficiency and decarbonization projects during the 2026-27 extension period. The category of small businesses will be broadened beyond those considered “hard to reach” or in disadvantaged community areas. In addition, the program will provide more comprehensive technical and administrative support to help local government, special district, and K-12 public school district facilities staff plan decarbonization projects.
The SMCEW program will also continue to partially fund the RICAPS climate collaborative program. In addition to comprehensive and tailored technical support to all jurisdictions in the county for developing and implementing climate action plans, RICAPS hosts monthly collaborative meetings for jurisdiction staff as well as working groups meetings dedicated to advancing specific building decarbonization and mobility projects and policies.
On July 30, 2025, the C/CAG Board authorized the Executive Director to execute an amendment to their agreement with PG&E to extend the end date to December 31, 2027 and add $1,330,250. Correspondingly, C/CAG would like to amend the agreement with the County to extend the end date to December 31, 2027 and add $1,210,250 for a new total not to exceed $3,855,250. This funding will reimburse the County for staff time to administer the SMCEW program as well as pay invoices from consultants, contractors, and vendors providing services for the SMCEW program. C/CAG will retain $120,000 from the total program funding to cover C/CAG staff expenses related to program administration.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Annual Target |
|
Number of projects referred for technical assistance and financing programs |
56 |
|
Number of collaborative meetings and workshops to educate and support sustainability and facilities staff about carbon reduction strategies |
16 |
|
Number of informational reports to assist facilities staff in identifying carbon reduction projects |
40 |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
SMCEW serves local governments, special districts, and K-12 public school districts across the county, assisting agencies that historically have not had access to energy efficiency and emissions reduction programs. In particular, the program focuses on reaching small businesses such as restaurants, small health care facilities and childcare facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total funding from C/CAG is $1,210,250. Funding in the amount of $302,562 is included the Sustainability Department’s FY 2025-26 Approved Budget, $605,126 is planned for the FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget, and $302,562 is planned for the FY 2027-28 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.