Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jasneet W. Sharma, Director, Sustainability Department
Subject: Extending Contract with Peninsula Clean Energy for the San Mateo County Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Support (RICAPS) Climate Collaborative Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Peninsula Clean Energy to provide funding for the San Mateo County Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Support Climate Collaborative Program, extending the term through December 31, 2026, and increasing the amount by $95,000 to an amount not to exceed $380,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Sustainability Department has administered the Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Support (RICAPS) program since 2011 to provide strategic guidance and technical support to the County and 20 local jurisdictions develop and implement climate action plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet countywide reduction goals. Since its establishment, the program through a collective impact model and monthly working groups for sustainability staff has been a unique example of local governments working together to achieve regional synergy in reducing carbon pollution that leads to climate change. The program has also received multiple awards, including a 2015 Institute for Local Government Beacon Award, 2017 Climate Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the 2021-2022 County Stars Award.
Funding to provide technical assistance for the RICAPS program is funded by Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) via the San Mateo County Energy Watch program, a local government partnership with C/CAG funded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. These organizations fund RICAPS because the program advances shared goals and outcomes in the county, to reduce carbon emissions from the building and transportation sectors and facilitate the transition towards clean energy.
On June 3, 2020, the Director of the Sustainability Department authorized an agreement with PCE to accept $95,000 in funding for RICAPS for July 1, 2020 through June 2021.
On August 2, 2021, the Director of the Sustainability Department authorized an agreement with PCE to accept $95,000 in funding for RICAPS for July 1, 2021 through June 2022.
On July 15, 2022, the Director of the Sustainability Department authorized an amendment to the contract to extend the term through December 31, 2022.
On April 11, 2023, this Board authorized a contract with PCE to accept $285,000 to fund the RICAPS program from May 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025 (Resolution No. 079557).
DISCUSSION:
PCE, C/CAG, and the County have developed a strategic partnership to support long-term countywide progress towards carbon neutrality through the RICAPS program. The program catalyzes countywide collaboration to develop and implement climate action plans. RICAPS supports PCE’s goals in deploying electric vehicle charging infrastructure and transitioning existing building stock to clean equipment and appliances. These efforts help ensure that San Mateo County jurisdictions can meet climate action commitments to the community, contribute to the State of California climate goals and ultimately lead on the fight against climate impacts such as wildfire, smoke, and flooding that are impacting those same communities today.
This Amendment adds $95,000 to the agreement to an amount not to exceed $380,000 and extends the contract end date to December 31, 2026.
In the coming months, the County and PCE plan to collaborate on a robust process to solicit input from various stakeholder groups and evolve the RICAPS program to meet climate action implementation needs into the future.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
Number of projects FY 2025-2026 |
Number of projects FY 2026-2027 |
|
Number of emissions reduction implementation projects. Projects could include but aren’t limited to: Ebike programs, policy and/or code adoption, EV infrastructure installation, grant applications, communications campaigns, electric equipment installation. |
5 |
2 |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This program contributes to advancing the County’s progress on the Government Operations Climate Action Plan and Community Climate Action Plan for the unincorporated areas, and facilitates emissions reduction work countywide. By providing support to jurisdictions to develop climate action plans and work collaboratively to implement them, the RICAPS program extends staff capacity, enabling all cities and towns across the county to participate and make meaningful progress toward their climate action goals and collective impact.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Agreement will increase funding by $95,000 for a not to exceed total of $380,000 and extend the contract term to December 31, 2026. Funds in the amount of $47,500 are included in the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget, and $47,500 are included in the FY 2026-27 Projected Budget. There is no additional Net County Cost associated with this action.