Title
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding Community Choice Energy (CCE) New Feasibility Study Results, as follows: (EST. TIME: 1 HR. 30 MIN.)
a) Receive and file a Community Choice Aggregation Technical Study;
b) Provide staff with direction regarding CCE options, as follows:
i) Option 1. Form a joint powers authority (JPA) to create and administer a new CCE program with interested cities;
ii) Option 2. Create a new CCE program to be administered by the County of Santa Barbara (“County”) for the unincorporated parts of Santa Barbara County only;
iii) Option 3. Join two existing CCE programs for the unincorporated parts of Santa Barbara County only; or
iv) Option 4. Not implement a CCE program at this time;
c) If Option 1 is selected, adopt a Resolution of Intent to Form a CCE JPA affirming your Board’s intent to participate in governance and financing discussions with interested cities to form a JPA to jointly create and administer a CCE program;
d) Determine that the above recommended actions do not constitute a project subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262, as the actions involve only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the Board has not approved, adopted, or funded and does not have a legally binding effect on later activities; CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), finding that the actions are the creation of a governmental funding mechanism or other government fiscal activity, which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment; and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), finding that the actions are the organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment; or
e) Provide other direction to staff.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY