10-18-2013 BPU RPT 08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES WON Board Memorandum P U B L I C U T I L I T I E S BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: October 18, 2013 ITEM NO: 8 SUBJECT: MASTER INTER-UTILITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY ISSUE: The item for Board of Public Utilities consideration is the creation of a Master Inter-Utility Agreement between Riverside Public Utilities(RPU) and Southern California Gas Company(SoCal Gas)to enable staff to jointly provide comprehensive electric, gas and water efficiency programs to customers. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council approve a Master Inter-Utility Agreement between Riverside Public Utilities and Southern California Gas Company for the joint coordination and implementation of electric, gas and water efficiency programs. BACKGROUND: In 2012,the City executed the first Inter-Utility Agreement between SoCal Gas and RPU to jointly administer the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP)to qualified low-income customers.This program used local contractors to provide attic and wall insulation and faucet aerators to customers.Through the RPU and SoCal Gas partnership, the co-branded program provides additional electric saving measures such as compact fluorescent lights (CFL), air conditioner tune-ups, and torchiere lighting replacements. The successes of this low-income assistance program lead to subsequent discussions between RPU and SoCal Gas in an effort to explore additional opportunities for expanded partnerships. Working together, SoCal Gas and RPU have identified multiple existing programs administered by both agencies in which electric, gas and water efficiency measures may be combined to create more comprehensive savings and higher value to joint service territory customers. The initial programs targeted for partnership include RPU's popular and successful Small Business Direct Installation(SBDI)program. Furthermore,staff hopes to reach additional customer segments through future Multi-Family Direct Installation and Restaurant, Hospitality and Food Service Direct Installation programs. The Master Inter-Utility Agreement serves as an umbrella agreement that sets forth general terms and conditions under which plans or programs for electric, gas and water efficiency and resource savings are implemented by RPU and SoCal Gas for joint service territory customers. The umbrella agreement allows for individual program elements to be entered into through program orders. These program orders are individual detailed program agreements governed by the Master Inter-Utility Agreement and administered by staff. Through the Master Inter-Utility Agreement, RPU staff will have the ability to partner with SoCal Gas on multiple programs that will benefit different types of electric and water customers.The goals of the agreement are to: 1. Establish a method to collectively address energy, water and gas efficiency savings programs for customers residing in areas where RPU and SoCal Gas overlap and who take utility service from both parties (joint service territory customers).