06-12-2023 BPU RPT 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W A T E R E N E R G Y L I F E RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum P U B L I C U T I L I T I E S BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: JUNE 12, 2023 SUBJECT: RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF AN EXPENDITURE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 FOR THE PROGRAM ORDER OF THE MASTER INTER -UTILITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY AND RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RESOURCE SAVINGS, AND RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY, FROM JULY 1, 2023 UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2023 ISSUE: Consider approving an expenditure amount not to exceed $250,000 for the Program Order of the Master Inter -Utility Agreement between Southern California Gas company and Riverside Public Utilities for Energy Efficiency, Resource Savings, and Related Activities for July 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023. RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council approve an expenditure amount not to exceed $250,000 for the Program Order of the Master Inter -Utility Agreement between Southern California Gas company and Riverside Public Utilities for Energy Efficiency, Resource Savings, and Related Activities for July 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023. BACKGROUND: Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) is the primary energy and water service provider in the City of Riverside, while Southern California Gas Company (SoCal Gas) provides natural gas throughout the City. In January 2012, RPU and SoCal Gas entered into an Inter -Utility Agreement to create the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESAP), an energy and gas efficiency program for qualifying low-income customers. ESAP provides both electric and gas efficiency measures at no - cost to the customers to assist in lowering their monthly utility bills, while making their home more energy efficient. This provision meets the requirements as set out in Public Utilities Code - PUC § 385 (a) (4) which stipulates publicly owned utilities shall fund "Services provided for low-income electricity customers, including, but not limited to, energy efficiency services, education, weatherization, and rate discounts." The Agreement with SoCal Gas allowed RPU to develop a cost-effective program to weatherize low-income homes at a significantly lower cost to the utility, by utilizing economies of scale and combining interests with another utility service provider that is also bound to provide energy efficiencies to customers. As part of SoCal Gas, ESAP local contractors provide the direct installation of both attic and wall insulation, weather-stripping and caulking to lower heating and