HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 14461City of Palo Alto (ID # 14461)
Utilities Advisory Commission Staff Report
Meeting Date: 8/3/2022 Report Type: INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Utilities' Quarterly Report Update for Q3 of FY2022
From: Director of Utilities
Lead Department: Utilities
Executive Summary
Linked below for the Utilities Advisory Commission’s information is an update on water, gas,
electric, wastewater collection and fiber utilities, efficiency programs, legislative/regulatory
issues, utility-related capital improvement programs, operations reliability impact measures
and a utility financial summary. This updated report (Linked Document) has been prepared to
keep the Council and Utilities Advisory Commission apprised of the major issues that are facing
the water, gas, electric, wastewater collection and fiber utilities. A separate quarterly report on
the financial position is prepared consistent with when the City closes its books.
Items of special interest in this report are summarized below:
COVID-19 Impacts: Behavior changes resulting from COVID-19 continue to impact loads in FY
2022:
•FY 2022 actual electric sales through March 2022 were about 2.8% lower than projections,
and revenues were about 4.8 % below projections. Decreased loads are mostly attributed to
the commercial sector. (Section 1.5.1)
•Gas utility demand for through March 2022 was 0.8% lower than forecasted in the FY 2022
Financial Plan. But actual sales revenue was 16.5% higher than forecasted. The higher
revenue was due to increases in the market price of gas commodity which is passed through
to customers. (Section 2.5.1)
•Water demand and revenue through the end of March 2022 was 3.7% lower than
forecasted in the FY 2022 financial plan, mostly due to customer water conservation from
responding to the drought. Increased water conservation may further impact revenue and
reserve levels. (Section 3.5.1)
•Wastewater revenues have not been significantly affected by the pandemic.
Vacancies and Staffing – Appendix B
•The Utilities Department has 45 vacant positions out of 248 authorized positions or a 18%
vacancy rate at the end of March 2022
Staff: Eric Wong• CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
City of Palo Alto Page 2
• CPAU will continue to seek third party contracts for some of the difficult-to-fill positions
until the positions are filled and staff is trained.
Electric Utility:
• Output from the City’s hydroelectric resources is low. Total forecasted hydropower for FY
2022 is 244 GWh, which is 234 GWh (51%) below the long-term average. (Section 1.1.2)
• REC sales for CY 2022 are expected to result in $0.8M in net revenue. (Section 1.1.3)
• A number of construction projects are in the design phase with construction due to begin in
2022. (Section 1.2)
• Electric sales for the first two quarters of FY22 were about 3% lower than projected, and
revenue was about 5% lower. (Section 1.5)
Gas Utility:
• Gas prices remain high, but customer bills will be less impacted over the warmer months.
(Section 2.5.2)
• A gas main replacement project is currently in progress (GS-13001) and the City is in the
midst of a two year inspection project to find “cross bores.” (Section 2.2)
Water Utility:
• January through March 2022 was the driest on record for the Hetch Hetchy gauge. System
storage is below normal but in better shape than most reservoirs in the state. (Section 3.1)
• In August 2021, the state curtailed diversions on the Tuolumne River. In response, the
SFPUC filed a lawsuit and is applying for a health and safety exemption because per capita
use on the system is extremely low. From October 2021 through May 2022, the State Board
suspended the curtailments and reinstated them on June 8, 2022.
• .
• On May 24, 2022, Palo Alto’s water supplier, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
adopted a systemwide voluntary water use reduction of 11% compared to baseline water
use during FY 2019-2020. Staff expects this to increase Palo Alto’s voluntary water purchase
cutback level from about 8% to 10% beginning in July. (Section 4.1)
• In June, staff will recommend to City Council restricting potable irrigation of ornamental
landscapes and lawns to 2 days per week, except to ensure the health of trees and other
perennial non-turf plantings. (Section 3.1)
• Water sales are 3.7% lower due to drought-related conservation. Staff projects that with
expected revenues and expenses together with transfers from the CIP Reserve, the
Operations Reserve will remain at the maximum guideline level at the beginning of FY 2022
and will reach approximately target levels by the end of FY 2023. (Section 3.5)
• A rebuild of the City’s Corte Madera Reservoir is complete. Construction started on a water
main replacement project in April. (Section 3.2)
Wastewater Utility:
City of Palo Alto Page 3
• An overview of the status of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP)
rehabilitation projects is provided, including an overview of the financing plan for the
projects. The first project to begin construction will be the primary sedimentation tank
rehabilitation. (Section 4.1)
• A sewer system rehabilitation project (SSR 30) was approved by Council on December 31,
2021. Construction started in March 2022 and is expected to be complete in November
2022. (Section 4.2)
• Wastewater Utility revenue for Q3 FY22 was 2.4% lower than budget. (Section 4.4)
Fiber Utility:
• Magellan Advisors has completed 80% of the engineering design for the fiber backbone and
fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) which includes designs for running overhead and underground
lines and route optimization. Staff is identifying potential sites for three fiber huts which
will be strategically located (i.e., north, south, west). The City launched the Palo Alto Fiber
Community Engagement Hub. The goal of the online platform is to inform the community
about the Palo Alto Fiber initiative and increase awareness of the benefits of City-provided
internet service. (Section 5.1)
• Fiber revenues for FY 2022 are projected to be $3.8 million, which is $0.5 million or 12%
below the revenue forecast of $4.3 million. Compared to pre-pandemic revenues, FY 2022
fiber sales are anticipated to be $0.7 million or 15% below FY 2020 fiber sales of $4.5
million. Staff projects annual fiber revenues will return to pre-pandemic level of $4.5 million
by FY 2024. (Section 5.4)
• Projected ending FY 2022 Fiber Optic Reserve is $34.0 million. (Section 5.4.2)
Customer Programs (Section 6):
• The City launched its Business Advantage Program in March 2021 to help local businesses
tune their HVAC units for efficiency. Businesses also got an HVAC inspection, a new MERV
13 filter, and advice on tuning the HVAC to increase indoor air flow in line with ASHRAE
recommendations for reducing airborne infectious aerosol exposure. As of May 24, 2022, 68
systems have been installed. (Section 6.1.1)
• The City continues to promote its multi-family and workplace EV charger programs. See
Section 6.1.2 for more detail.
Communications: A digest of major outreach efforts is provided in Section 7, including outreach
related to drought, the public safety power shutoff program in the Foothills, and utility scams.
Legislative and Regulatory: Major legislative and regulatory items are summarized in Section 8.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Utilities Quarterly Report FY22-Q3
Utilities Quarterly Update
Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
1Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Table of Contents
1 ELECTRIC UTILITY 4
1.1 ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND TRANSMISSION 4
1.1.1 Forecasted Supply Costs 4
1.1.2 Hydroelectric Conditions 5
1.1.3 REC Exchange Program 6
1.2 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN STATUS 6
1.3 RATE AND BILL COMPARISONS 7
1.4 RELIABILITY 8
1.5 FINANCIAL HEALTH 8
1.5.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals 8
1.5.2 Financial Position 9
2 GAS UTILITY 10
2.1 GAS SUPPLY AND TRANSMISSION 10
2.1.1 Actual and Forecasted Supply Costs 11
2.1.2 Carbon Neutral Gas Program 11
2.1.3 Cap and Trade Program 12
2.1.4 Gas Transmission Line Capacity Valuation 13
2.1.5 Gas Prepay Valuation 14
2.2 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN STATUS 14
2.3 RATE AND BILL COMPARISONS 14
2.4 RELIABILITY 15
2.5 FINANCIAL HEALTH 15
2.5.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals 15
2.5.2 Financial Position 16
3 WATER UTILITY 17
3.1 WATER SUPPLY AND TRANSMISSION 17
3.2 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN STATUS 19
3.3 RATE AND BILL COMPARISONS 20
3.4 RELIABILITY 20
3.5 FINANCIAL HEALTH 20
3.5.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals 20
3.5.2 Financial Position 21
4 WASTEWATER UTILITY 23
4.1 WASTEWATER TREATMENT UPDATES AND CAPITAL PLANNING STATUS 23
4.1.1 Treatment Cost Trends 23
4.1.2 Regional Water Quality Control Plant Capital Planning Status 24
4.2 COLLECTION SYSTEM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN STATUS 25
4.3 RATE AND BILL COMPARISONS 25
4.4 FINANCIAL HEALTH 26
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2Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
4.4.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals 26
4.4.2 Financial Position 26
5 FIBER UTILITY 27
5.1 FIBER UTILITY STRATEGIC PLANNING 27
5.2 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN STATUS 27
5.3 RELIABILITY 28
5.4 FINANCIAL HEALTH 28
5.4.1 Fiber Sales 28
5.4.2 Financial Position 28
6 CUSTOMER PROGRAMS (EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY)29
6.1 CUSTOMER PROGRAMS UPDATES 29
6.1.1 Energy and Water Efficiency 29
6.1.2 Electric Vehicles 31
6.1.3 Building Electrification 35
6.2 FUNDING SOURCES FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS 36
6.2.1 Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program 36
6.2.2 Cap and Trade Program, Revenue from Allocated Allowances 37
6.2.3 Electric Public Benefit Funds 37
6.3 INNOVATION AND PILOT PROGRAMS 37
6.3.1 Academic Collaborations 38
6.3.2 Completed Projects 38
7 COMMUNICATIONS 39
8 LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY ACTIVITY 40
8.1 STATE LEGISLATION 40
8.2 STATE REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS 42
8.2.1 Energy Commission 42
8.2.2 State Water Resources Control Board 42
8.2.3 Air Resources Board 42
8.2.4 Natural Resources Agency 42
9 APPENDIX A: ENERGY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 44
9.1 OVERVIEW OF HEDGING PROGRAMS 44
9.2 OVERVIEW OF ENERGY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 44
9.3 FORWARD CONTRACT PURCHASES 44
9.4 MARKET EXPOSURE 45
9.5 TRANSACTION COMPLIANCE 45
10 APPENDIX B: STAFFING AND VACANCIES 46
11 APPENDIX C: ELECTRIC UTILITY ANNUAL INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT REPORT 47
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3Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figures
FIGURE 1:FY2022 FINANCIAL PLAN SUPPLY COST FORECAST VS. ACTUALS................................................................................................5
FIGURE 2:FY2021 AND FY2022HYDROPOWER FORECAST....................................................................................................................6
FIGURE 3:RESIDENTIAL MONTHLY ELECTRIC BILL COMPARISON (EFFECTIVE 6/1/2022,$/MO.).....................................................................7
FIGURE 4:ELECTRIC OUTAGE RELIABILITY,FY2022................................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 5:ELECTRIC SALES VOLUME (KWH),FY 2022-Q3.......................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 6:ELECTRIC SALES REVENUE ($),FY2022-Q3...........................................................................................................................9
FIGURE 7:GAS SUPPLY COMMODITY RATES ($/THERM),ACTUAL VS FORECAST,FY 2018-22......................................................................10
FIGURE 8:GAS SUPPLY COSTS ($),ACTUAL VS BUDGET,FY 2022-Q3.....................................................................................................11
FIGURE 9:OFFSET PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION ......................................................................................................................................11
FIGURE 10:OFFSET PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS........................................................................................................................................12
FIGURE 11:ESTIMATED CAP AND TRADE COSTS ...................................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 12:RESIDENTIAL NATURAL GAS BILL COMPARISON ($/MONTH)...................................................................................................14
FIGURE 13:GAS SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS,FY 2022.............................................................................................................................15
FIGURE 14:GAS SALES VOLUME (THERMS),FY 2022-Q3.....................................................................................................................15
FIGURE 15:GAS SALES REVENUE ($),FY 2022-Q3 .............................................................................................................................16
FIGURE 16:UPCOUNTRY TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TRENDS ......................................................................................................17
FIGURE 17:REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM STORAGE .................................................................................................................................18
FIGURE 18:SFPUC WATER DELIVERIES..............................................................................................................................................19
FIGURE 19:RESIDENTIAL WATER BILL COMPARISON ($/MONTH)............................................................................................................20
FIGURE 20:WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS,FY2022.........................................................................................................................20
FIGURE 21:WATER SALES VOLUME (CCF),FY2022-Q3......................................................................................................................21
FIGURE 22:WATER SALES REVENUE ($),FY2022-Q3.........................................................................................................................21
FIGURE 23:PALO ALTO’S SHARE OF ESTIMATED WASTEWATER TREATMENT EXPENSES (PROJECTION AND PLANNED CIP)..................................24
FIGURE 24:CURRENT RWQCP CAPITAL WORK IN-PROGRESS (INFORMATION FROM RWQCP JUNE 2022 PARTNERS MEETING).......................25
FIGURE 25:RESIDENTIAL WASTEWATER BILL COMPARISON ($/MONTH)...................................................................................................25
FIGURE 26:WASTEWATER SALES REVENUE ($),FY2022-Q3................................................................................................................26
FIGURE 27:EVTECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EVTAP),CUMULATIVE PROGRESS REPORT (JAN-MAY 2022)...........................................33
FIGURE 28:SCHEDULE OF CPAU WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS, JAN – MAY 2022.........................................................................................35
FIGURE 29:STATUS TO DATE OF ALL APPLICATIONS TO THE PROGRAM FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES............................................................38
FIGURE 30:ELECTRIC LOAD RESOURCE BALANCE, APRIL 2022 - MARCH 2025..........................................................................................45
FIGURE 32:UTILITIES VACANCIES AND POSITION MOVEMENTS BY DIVISION,UP TO Q3 FY 2022..................................................................46
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4Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
1 Electric Utility
The City’s electric utility serves all residential and non-residential gas demands in Palo Alto at a lower cost than
PG&E in surrounding communities. Its electric supply portfolio is 100% carbon neutral. The City maintains and
operates an electric distribution system and one small natural gas generator but does not operate any
transmission lines or any significant generating capacity on its own. Instead, the City belongs to Northern
California Power Agency (NCPA) which operates its Calaveras hydroelectric generating plant and provides power
scheduling services for its other generating resources. This carbon free power is supplied through power purchase
agreements with various generation operators.
1.1 Electricity Supply and Transmission
Below is an update on electricity supply and transmission services.
1.1.1 Forecasted Supply Costs
The current forecast supply budget for FY 2022 is $89.3 M. This represents a $6.0 M (7.2%) increase over FY 2021
actuals (and $7.6 M over the FY 2022 Budget estimate provided a year ago during FY 2021 Budget process), which
is primarily driven by higher than historical forward energy prices, increasing resource adequacy costs, and lower
than historical average hydro forecasts.
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5Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 1: FY 2022 Financial Plan Supply Cost Forecast vs. Actuals
1.1.2 Hydroelectric Conditions
The City takes power from two hydroelectric projects, the Calaveras project and the Western Base Resource
contract for Federal hydropower from the Central Valley Project.1 The watershed for Western hydropower is
primarily in the northern end of California, while the watershed for the Calaveras project is in the Central Sierras.
For water year 2020 to 2021 (October 2020 to September 2021), total precipitation was just below 50% of average
in both watersheds. For water year 2021 to 2022, total precipitation is currently about 63% of average for the year
to-date in the two watersheds. Total actual hydropower for FY 2021 was 295 GWh, which is 183 GWh (38%) below
the long-term average.Total forecasted hydropower for FY 2022 is 244 GWh, which is 234 GWh (51%) below the
long-term average.2
1 The Calaveras project is a hydropower project located in Calaveras County that is maintained and operated by the Northern
California Power Agency on behalf of the City and other project participants. The City is also one of several public entities
with contracts with the Western Area Power Administration for “Base Resource” electricity, which is the hydroelectric power
available from the Federal Government’s Central Valley Project (operated by the Bureau of Reclamation) after accounting for
power used for Central Valley Project operations and power delivered to certain “preference” customers.
2The long-term average forecast levels for both Western and Calaveras have been revised downward (about 10% each) in
recent years to reflect the impact of climate change. These values may need to be revisited again in the coming years.
V,
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$9,000
$8,000
$7,000
$6,000
$5,000
$4,000
$3,000
$2,000
$1,000
$-
Electric Supply Budget vs Actuals
$100,000
$90,000
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$-
Jul-21 Aug-21 Sep-21 Oct-21 Nov-21 Dec-21 Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22
-Budget Forecast -Actuals/Projected -cumulative Budget Forecast Cumulative Actuals/Projection
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6Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 2:FY 2021 and FY 2022 Hydropower Forecast
FY 2021 FY 2022
Calaveras Actuals/Forecast (GWh)49 47
Western Actuals/Forecast (GWh)246 197
Total Hydro Actuals/Forecast (GWh)295 244
% of Long-term Average Total 62%49%
1.1.3 REC Exchange Program
Under the REC Exchange Program, which was approved by Council in August 2020 (Staff Report #11556), staff has
so far sold a total of 120 GWh worth of in-state renewable energy (for $1.5M), and purchased 180 GWh worth of
out-of-state renewable energy credits (RECs) (costing $1.0M) for CY 2022. Of the resulting $0.5M in net revenue,
at least one-third will be directed towards the funding of local decarbonization efforts, with the remainder to be
used to lower the City’s supply costs (and therefore electric rates).
For the remainder of CY 2022, staff expects to sell a total of approximately 72 GWh worth of in-state renewable
energy (for $0.9M) and purchase 95 GWh worth of out-of-state RECs (costing $0.6M),resulting in $0.3M in net
revenue.Net revenue for the REC Exchange program is projected to be significantly lower in 2022 than in prior
years due to a number of factors: (a) the poor hydro outlook, which will lead to large out-of-state REC purchase
volumes, (b) the continued narrowing of the in-state versus out-of-state REC price spread, and (c) lower in-state
REC volumes in 2022 due to the recent expiration of the Shiloh wind contract.
1.2 Capital Improvement Plan Status
The following capital projects are currently in progress or have been recently completed:
EL-17001 (East Meadow Circles 4/12kV Conversion):This project is scheduled to be completed in several
phases. Phase 1 design is complete and released for construction. Phase 2 (of 6) engineering design is
currently in progress.
EL-11003 (Rebuild Underground 15):This project is in the preliminary stages of engineering design.Project .
is delayed due to staffing shortage.
EL-10006 (Rebuild Underground 24):This project is in construction phase and scheduled to be completed in
2022.
EL-16000 (Rebuild Underground 26):This project is in the design phase and to be completed in multiple
phases. First phase is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
EL-19004 (Wood Pole Replacement):This project is in the design phase with expected completion in
September 2022 and construction starting 2023. The project is delayed this year because of staffing
shortages.CPAU is in the final phase of establishing contract with working to bring on a consultant to work on
the design phase of this project.
EL-16003 (Substation Physical Security): This project is scheduled to be completed in several phases.
Substation Security lighting is going out to bid Spring 2022
EL-17002 (Substation 60kV Breaker Replacement):Currently working on solicitation to procure a contractor
for the next phases.
EL-21001 (Foothills Rebuild):This project will rebuild the approximately 11 miles of overhead line in Foothills
Park, as necessary to mitigate the possibility of wildfire due to overhead electric lines. Staff has completed
7000 feet of substructure work and design to eliminate the corresponding 26 poles and install new
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7Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
underground equipment will be completed by June 2022.Staff has started the design for next phase of the
substructure work. Construction is expected to start in July 2022 for the next phase.
EL-14005 (Reconfigure Quarry Feeders):Staff completed the design phase this year. Construction has been
delayed due to shortage of staff.
EL-02011 (Electric Utility Geographic Information System (GIS)):The project scope includes
maintenance/technical support of the existing GIS system and implementation of the new GIS platform (ESRI).
Staff has completed the ESRI ArcGIS Portal, which is a web service for staff to view data and are currently
working on final phase of the electric data migration to ESRI’s Utility Network model.
EL-16002 (Capacitor Bank Installation):This project is a multi-year effort for the procurement, design and
installation of capacitor banks at several substation. Hanson Way and Park Blvd substation work is complete;
Hanover and Maybell substations will be completed in 2022.
1.3 Rate and Bill Comparisons
For the median consumption level,the annual residential electric bill for FY 2022 was $744, about 45% lower than
the annual bill for a PG&E customer with the same consumption and approximately 16% higher than the annual
bill for a City of Santa Clara customer. The bill calculations for PG&E customers are based on PG&E Climate Zone
X, which includes most surrounding comparison communities.
The figure below presents sample median residential bills for Palo Alto, PG&E, and the City of Santa Clara (Silicon
Valley Power) for several usage levels. Rates used to calculate the monthly bills shown below were in effect as of
June 1, 2022.
Over the next several years low usage customers in PG&E territory are expected to continue to see higher
percentage rate increases than high usage customers as PG&E compresses its tiers from the highly exaggerated
levels that have been in place since the energy crisis. This is likely to make the bill for the median Palo Alto
consumer look even more favorable compared to most PG&E customers. Even with the compressed tiers, bills for
high usage Palo Alto consumers are projected to remain substantially lower than the bills for high usage PG&E
customers.
Figure 3: Residential Monthly Electric Bill Comparison (Effective 6/1/2022, $/mo.)
Season Usage (kwh)Palo Alto PG&E Santa Clara
Winter
300 45.17 94.55 39.22
(Median)453 75.11 143.96 59.95
650 115.82 221.71 86.65
1200 229.49 438.79 161.17
Summer
300 45.17 98.13 39.22
(Median) 365 56.92 123.78 48.03
650 115.82 236.26 86.65
1200 229.49 453.34 161.17
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8Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
1.4 Reliability
CPAU tracks electric outages. A summary chart of these outages can be found below.
Figure 4: Electric Outage Reliability, FY 2022
Outage Reliability Q1 Q2 Q3
System Average Interruption Duration
Index (SAIDI)1.71 7.32 6.72
System Average Interruption
Frequency Index (SAIFI).01 .02 .16
Customer Average Interruption
Duration Index (CAIDI)180.18 323.65 41.48
1.5 Financial Health
Below is a summary of the financial position for the electric utility.
1.5.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals
Electric actual sales volumes through Q3 of FY 2022 were about 2.8% lower and sales revenues were about 4.8%
lower than budgeted. The commercial sector continues to have lower sales in Q3 of FY 2022 due to the impacts
from COVID-19,and it is uncertain when sales will recover .
Figure 5: Electric Sales Volume (kWh), FY 2022-Q3
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FY 2022 +, Budget Actual Variance Variance % --+ 80M Jul 1,294,302 67,858,593 -3,435,709 -4.8%
Aug 73,110,059 70,960,642 -2,149,417 -2.9%
60M Sep 73,505,295 70,405,931 -3,099,364 -4.2%
Oct 68,906,003 69,942,873 1,036,870 1.5%
.r: Nov 70,961,128 66,495,066 -4,466,062 -6.3% s 40M .,,
Dec 67,436,095 62,318,607 -5,117,488 -7.6%
Jan 71,387,185 76,274,241 4,887,056 6.8%
20M Feb 66,565,068 61,673,065 -4,892,003 -7.3%
Feb Mar Apr May Jun I
Mar 64,582,031 64,395,716 -186,315 -0.3%
OM i Apr 62,922,662
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan May 58,315,414
■ Electric, Actual ■ Elec ric, Budget Jun 63,804,789
9Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 6: Electric Sales Revenue ($), FY 2022-Q3
1.5.2 Financial Position
The Electric Supply and Distribution Reserves were within guideline ranges at the end of FY 2021 and are projected
to be within guideline ranges through FY 2022. Council approved, via its approval of the FY 2022 Electric Utility
Financial plan,the temporary suspension of a $1 million repayment towards an outstanding $5 million loan from
the Electric Special Projects (ESP) reserve done in FY 2018 (originally $10 million). If needed, funds are available in
the Hydroelectric Stabilization Reserve to mitigate the impact of dry-year conditions.
Through the third quarter of FY 2022, sales and revenues were about 3% and 5% lower, respectively, compared
to budget. Drier hydro conditions as well as overall higher market prices for electricity have resulted in increased
cost, estimated at about $10 to 12 million more for FY 2022. In response,the Hydro Rate Adjuster was activated
at the maximum level starting in April.In addition to a 5% increase for FY 2023 and 6% beyond, staff will utilize
Hydro Stabilization Reserve funds as well as possible additional withdrawals from the ESP Reserve to help stabilize
rates.
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FY2022 t ~udget Actual Variance Variance% I
Jul 12,892,388 12,566,340 -326,048 -2.5%
Aug 13,507,721 12,695,033 -812,688 -6.0%
Sep 13,778,433 12,838,340 -940,093 -6.8%
lOM -Oct 12,999,564 12,652,955 -346,609 -2_7%
~ Nov 12,739,201 1.1,558,259 -1,180,942 -9.3% ro
0 Dec 9,400,826 8,473,034 -927,792 -9.9%
0 SM Jan 9,837,644 10,252,270 414,626 4.2%
Feb 9,096,333 8,395,866 -700,467 -7.7%
Mar 8,954,277 8,772,136 -182,141 -2.0%
OM Apr 8,617,007
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun May 8,449,300
■ Elec ric, Actual Electric, Budget Jun 11,743,695
10Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
2 Gas Utility
The City’s gas utility serves all residential and non-residential gas demand in Palo Alto. The City maintains and
operates a system of low-pressure gas lines for delivering gas but does not operate any transmission lines. Costs
for the gas utility are split approximately two thirds for the operation, maintenance and one third for the cost of
the gas commodity,PG&E gas transmission, compliance with the State’s Cap and Trade Program and the City’s
Carbon Neutral Gas Program.
2.1 Gas Supply and Transmission
Gas Commodity prices were relatively high throughout the winter and spring of FY 2022. A combination of flat
U.S. natural gas production, below-average U.S. natural gas storage levels, high levels of US liquefied natural gas
exports, inflation, supply chain issues, and global geopolitical events have put upward pressure on prices for U.S.
natural gas. The communications team published an article and posted in social media during the winter to warn
customers regarding high gas prices and potential ways to conserve gas usage.Staff anticipated natural gas prices
to drop in the Spring of FY 2022, but gas prices rebounded and will likely stay at a relatively high level for the
foreseeable future.
Figure 7: Gas Supply Commodity Rates ($/Therm), Actual vs Forecast, FY 2018-22
$1.20
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$0.80
E ... QJ t $0.60 --
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$020
$0.00
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=y 2019 =y 2020 FY 202'.:. F 2or
11Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
2.1.1 Actual and Forecasted Supply Costs
Due to the anticipated supply cost increases, a mid-year budget adjustment was made to increase the gas supply
budget by about $7 million in FY 2022. The actual supply cost is $1.8M, or 10.3% below budget after the mid-year
adjustment, through Q3 of FY 2022. Gas demand was similar to the forecast used in the budget, through Q3 of
FY 2022.
Figure 8: Gas Supply Costs ($), Actual vs Budget, FY 2022-Q3
2.1.2 Carbon Neutral Gas Program
In December 2020, Council adopted Resolution #9930 maintaining the Carbon Neutral Natural Gas Plan to achieve
carbon neutrality for the gas supply portfolio using high-quality carbon offsets with a cost cap of $19 per ton CO2e.
Offsets are purchased to neutralize emissions equal to those caused by natural gas usage in Palo Alto. Staff
purchased 60,000 carbon offsets for FY 2022 in January 2022 from a mixture of forestry and livestock projects at
an average purchase price of $12.26 per metric ton, nearly double the price of historical average transaction
prices. Staff will execute additional purchases for FY 2022 in June 2022 and expects prices to remain above
historical averages.The average purchase price of offsets purchased for the program is $7.60 per ton CO2e. The
figure below shows the composition of offset purchases.
Figure 9: Offset Portfolio Composition
-
FY2O22 Budget Actual Variance Variance %
3.5M Jul 723,058 634,700 (88,358) -12.2%
Aug 719,156 676,417 (42,739) -5.9% 3.0M (44,833) Sep 792,711. 747,878 -5.7%
2.5M Oct 1,407,410 1,348,527 (58,883) -4.2%
Nov 2,328,423 2,029,268 (299,155) -12.8%
~2.0M Dec 3,319,505 2,780,314 (539,191) -16.2% ~ V, 0 Jan 3,380,277 3,464,789 84,512 2.5% u 1.SM
Feb 2,598,572 2,090,006 (508,567) -19.6%
1.0M Mar 2,018,928 1,736,084 (282,844) -14.0%
0.5M
Apr 1,153,3.t
May 891,538
O.OM Jun 703,430
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Offsets Purchased by Project Type
■ Livestock
■ Mexican Forest
■ Mine Methane Capture
■ Ozone Depleting Substance
■ U.S. Forest
■ AgMethane
■ Carbon Sequestration
12Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
The following table provides a description of the projects.
Figure 10: Offset Project Descriptions
2.1.3 Cap and Trade Program
The gas utility has been regulated under California’s greenhouse house (GHG) regulations since January 2015 with
a GHG emissions cap that declines over time. The gas utility receives carbon allowances equal to the emissions
allowed under the cap and is required to auction off a portion of the allowances (55% in 2022, increasing by 5%
annually) through the state Cap and Trade Program. To meet its annual GHG compliance obligation, the City must
purchase allowances based on actual gas use.
The auction floor price to either purchase or sell allowances increases annually by 5% plus inflation. Historically,
allowances have traded at or near the floor price, but the clearing prices for allowances in the auction have
Project Name Project Type Description
Grotegut Dairy Livestock Grotegut Dairy is a 3,900 milk-cow operation in Newton, Wisconsin with a methane capture system.
Green Trees U.S. Forest
GreenTrees AdvancedCarbon Restored Ecosystem is reforestation of agricultural lands into native
hardwood forest in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Illinois
San Juan Lachao Mexican Forest
Protection of forests located in High BiologicalValue Zones which contain flora and fauna listed in the
Mexican Endangered Species List and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of
Threatened Species. Project in San juan Lachao near Palo Alto's Sister City of Oaxaca.
Blandin Forest U.S. Forest Blandin NativeAmerican Hardwoods Conservation and Carbon Sequestration project in Minnesota.
Pocosin+U.S. Forest
These projects are all forested land that will not be disturbed by human development. Without this
protection, the forests would be converted to grow wheat or corn. Forest conservation plays a vital
role in protecting freshwater systems like lakes. The forests around the lakes act as naturalwater
filters and purify the water for all who use it. The projects also support healthy populations of red
wolf, bald eagle,black bear,and various bird species.
Refex ODS Ozone Depleting Substance
The RemTec facility in Bowling Green, Ohio uses an argon arc plasma destruction device to achieve
99.99 percent removal. The majority of refrigerants originated in California, and all were sourced
within the United States.
The RemTec facility uses an argon arc plasma destruction device to achieve the required destruction
and removal efficiency of 99.99 percent. Themajority of ODS refrigerants originated in California, and
all were sourcedwithin the United States.
Methane Capture Mine MethaneCapture
Thisproject is the first of its kind. Peabody Natural Gas, LLC removed methanefrom the North
Antelope Rochelle Coal Mine before mining. The methane was compressed and transported to a
natural gas pipeline and distributed to a national gas grid for use as fuel. Before implementation of
the project,all the methane was vented to the atmosphere.
Virginia
Conservation
Forestry Program U.S. Forest
The VirginiaConservation Forestry Program - Clifton Farm and Rich Mountain is a 9000+ acre
improved forest management project in which the timber and carbon ownership and
management rights have been transferred to TheNature Conservancy's Conservation Forestry
Program. The program manages for multiple goals to include: Water quality protection,
habitat diversity, high value forest products, and carbon sequestration.
Co-benefits: Biodiversity, Watershed Protection, Climate Resilience, and Connectivity
Riverview Farm
Anaerobic Digester Livestock
Riverview is a carbon offset project generating emission reductions thought the capture and
destruction of methane at a dairy farm in Minnesota. Under the baseline, manure managed in open
lagoons led to the fugitive emission of methane to the atmosphere. In the project scenario, this
methane iscaptured by an anaerobic digester and destroyed on site in the production of electricity.
Co-benefits include job creation and the improvement of local air and water quality.
Big River / Salmon
Creek Forests IFM U.S. Forest
The BigRiverand Salmon Creek Forests arelocated in Mendocino County, CA and cover16,000 acres
of redwood and Douglas-fir forest. This project is a conservation-based forest management project.
Co-benefits include the creation of 140 jobs, protection of 37 miles of streams, and improved water
quality for local fish and bird species.
-
13Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
increased significantly. The cost of compliance is anticipated to increase from $1.5 million in FY 2022 to $5.6
million in FY 2030, about an 18% increase per year on average, as shown in the following table:
Figure 11: Estimated Cap and Trade Costs
Revenues from the auction sale of gas utility allowances (currently about $1.2 million per year) must be used
exclusively for the benefit of the ratepayers in that utility in accordance with California Code of Regulations (CCR
Title 17, section 95893). Approved uses are 1) the funding of certain energy efficiency rebates, retrofits, and
demand reduction programs, 2) funding for programs with demonstrated GHG reductions, 3) non-volumetric
return to ratepayers, either on or off bill, and 4) certain administrative, outreach and educational costs related to
items 1-3 above. Council adopted a policy on the use of allowance proceeds (Resolution #9487), generally
mirroring the regulations and requiring additional Council approval for rebates. Per the current regulations, the
utility must either spend or rebate the funds received in any given year within 10 years (for example, funds
received in 2020 must be spent by 2030, etc.).
As of the end of FY 2021, unspent funds related to Cap and Trade revenues were placed in a Cap and Trade reserve,
until such time as they can be utilized per the dictates of applicable regulations.There was $5.936 million in this
reserve available for use at the end of FY 2021.Amounts for FY 2022 will be calculated based on annual sales less
any program related expense which may occur during the year, to be accounted for at the end of the Fiscal Year.
2.1.4 Gas Transmission Line Capacity Valuation
Palo Alto contracts for capacity on the Redwood pipeline, the path from the California-Oregon border to PG&E’s
mid-pressure transmission system, at a cost lower than the market value. During the summer months, Palo Alto
does not need all of the capacity to serve demand. The excess capacity is monetized by purchasing gas at the
California-Oregon border and selling an equal amount of gas at the terminus of the pipeline. The variable cost of
transporting the gas is much less than the gas price difference between the two points. The net benefit to the Gas
Utility in FY 2022 through FY 2022 Q3 was $208K.
....
111 0 u
'1! u C
(l] 3:
0
<:(
C
0 ..0 .... ra u
1/1 C
0
2.
S7
$6
ss
$4
$3.
$1
Sl
so
Estimated Cap and Trade Cost
$-35
sso
$2.5
$20
$15
$10
ss
so
-E.stmated Carbon Al oiuanceCo.st -E.sti'rlated Market Fbor Price
-
14Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
2.1.5 Gas Prepay Valuation
On September 15, 2014, Council adopted Resolution #9451 authorizing the City’s participation in a natural gas
purchase from Municipal Gas Acquisition and Supply Corporation (MuniGas) for the City’s entire retail gas load
for a period of at least 10 years. The MuniGas transaction includes a mechanism for municipal utilities to utilize
their tax-exempt status to achieve a discount on the market price of gas. The program has cumulatively reduced
gas commodity costs by about $629K through FY 2022 Q3.
2.2 Capital Improvement Plan Status
The following capital projects are currently in progress or have been recently completed:
GS-13001 -GMR 23 (Gas Main Replacement 23): This project is currently under construction to replace
approximately 22,300 linear feet of gas main and 142 gas services. The anticipated completion date is July
2022.
Phase 3 Cross Bore Inspection: This is a two-year project to verify approximately 1,480 sewer laterals by
video inspection, to ensure that natural gas pipelines or other utilities were not unintentionally installed
within the sewer lateral at the time of installation (known as a cross bore). Cross bore inspection under this
project started in March 2021 and the anticipated completion date is March 2023. To date, the contractor
found one gas service cross-bore.This gas service drilled through a private branched-off sewer lateral.The
damage was repaired by WGW Ops on the same day it was found.
2.3 Rate and Bill Comparisons
The figure below presents residential bills for Palo Alto and PG&E customers at several usage levels for commodity
rates in effect as of a March 2022 (a recent winter period) and May 2022 (a recent summer period). The bill
calculations for PG&E customers are based on PG&E Climate Zone X, an area which includes the surrounding
communities of Menlo Park, Redwood City, Mountain View, Los Altos and Santa Clara. The annual gas bill for the
median residential customer for FY 2022 was $689, about 11% lower than the annual bill for a PG&E customer
with the same consumption. PG&E’s distribution rates for gas have increased substantially to collect for system
improvements for pipeline safety and maintenance.
Figure 12: Residential Natural Gas Bill Comparison ($/month)
Season
Usage
(therms)Palo Alto PG&E Zone X
% Difference
Winter
(March 2022)
30 $ 50.03 $ 61.71 -18.9%
(Median) 54 81.34 113.82 -28.5%
80 130.08 179.25 -27.4%
150 279.06 355.41 -21.5%
Summer
(May 2022)
10 26.45 20.70 27.8%
(Median) 18 38.89 38.54 0.9%
30 65.25 68.87 -5.3%
45 100.93 106.77 -5.5%
-
•
•
15Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
2.4 Reliability
The City of Palo Alto tracks all gas service interruptions.A summary chart of these interruptions can be found
below. Gas service interruptions are usually due to repairs of broken or damaged gas services and mains. This kind
of damage is often caused by excavation by outside parties digging in the City.
Figure 13: Gas Service Interruptions, FY 2022
Gas Q1 Q2 Q3
Number of Breaks 3 1 2
Total Minutes 360 60 300
Customers Affected 38 1 22
2.5 Financial Health
Below is a summary of the financial position for the gas utility.
2.5.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals
Actual sales volume for Q3 of FY 2022 were 0.8% lower than forecasted in the FY 2022 Financial Plan. But actual
sales revenue was 16.5% higher than forecasted because gas commodity prices were higher. Much of the revenue
is pass-through in nature and offsets commensurately higher gas commodity purchase costs.
Figure 14: Gas Sales Volume (Therms), FY 2022-Q3
-
•M l
FY 2022 t Budget Actual Variance Variance%j
Jul 1,207,233 1,242,510 35,277 2.9%
Aug 1,200,877 1,233,913 33,036 2.8%
3M Sep 1,197,511 1,194,813 -2,698 -0.2%
Oct 1,338,177 1,508,106 169,929 12.7% "' .E Nov 1,936,983 1,771,500 -165,483 -8.5%
"' 2M ..c Dec 3,060,132 2,522,101 -538,031 -17.6% l-
Jan 3,710,057 4,070,296 360,239 9.7%
Feb 3,186,115 3,105,984 -80,131 -2_5%
Mar 2,914,792 2,951,946 37,154 1.3%
OM Apr 2,566,042
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun May 1,687,411
■ Gas, Actual Gas, Budget Jun 1,415,467
16Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 15: Gas Sales Revenue ($), FY 2022-Q3
2.5.2 Financial Position
Through FY 2022Q3, while therm sales have been slightly lower than budget by about 1%, sales revenues were
almost 17% higher than budget. Because the gas commodity charge is a pass-through of market costs, increased
revenue offsets the increased cost. Now that the winter heating season is over CPAU gas customer bills will not
be will not be impacted as much by the higher gas prices.
6M
§:
~ 4M ro
D 0
FY2022 +
■ Gas, Actual Gas, Budget
+ Budget
Jul 1,939,909
Aug 1,924,970
Sep 1,919,795
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
2,175,442
3,029,321
4,604,290
5,608,826
4,669,115
4,271,222
3,861,283
2,681,775
2,376,414
Actual
2,079,978
2,173,387
2,191,993
2,756,432
3,412,087
4,611,387
7,317,624
5,654,337
4,917,650
Variance Variance%
140,069 7.2%
248,417 12.9%
272,198 14.2%
580,990
382,766
7,097
1,708,798
985,222
646,428
26.7%
12.6%
0.2%
30.5%
21.1%
15.1%
-
17Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
3 Water Utility
The Water Utility serves water to virtually all Palo Alto residential and non-residential customers.Nearly all of the
water delivered All potable water in the City is from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Hetch
Hetchy Water System. This system delivers high quality water from the Sierra Nevada and uses no pumping to
deliver water to Palo Alto. Palo Alto uses a small amount of recycled water for irrigation of the Municipal Golf
Course and a few other sites near the Regional Water Quality Control Plant. The City also maintains a system of
reservoirs and wells that enable Palo Alto to serve water during an interruption of the Hetch Hetchy system. Costs
for the Water Utility are split approximately half for the operation, maintenance and periodic replacement of Palo
Alto’s water system and half for the costs of the water purchased.
3.1 Water Supply and Transmission
January through March 2022 was the driest on record for the Hetch Hetchy gauge. Despite the dry January,
atmospheric rivers in October and December generated significant snowpack. Hetch Hetchy System precipitation
was 64% of median annual total. The figure below shows the trend toward dryer and hotter conditions at an
upcountry weather station.
Figure 16: Upcountry Temperature and Precipitation Trends
Six station index 2-year precipitation and mean air temperature (1958 -present) 140,-----,-------,------r-------;:::==========:::::;-,
0 Al I 2-year periods since 1958
120
j 100 ..c: u ~
C:
0 80 .:: ~ Cl. ·;:;
~ 60 a.
40
0
0
0
•
@ 0-1991
@ 1960-1961
I
I
I
e o •o
0
@1987-1988
@ 1976-1977
I I
I
• Recent 2-year periods (2001-2021)
• 10 driest 2-ear eriods
•
0 0 -----------------------------•
@ 1991-1992 2013-2014
2020-2021 2014-2015
20~-----~-----~-----~-----~-----~-----~ 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
Mean air temperature (degrees FJ
-
18Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Storage in the San Francisco Regional Water System is below normal while in better shape than many reservoirs
across California. As of May 31, 2022, the Regional Water System total storage operated by the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) was 73.7% full (normal system storage for this time of year is 84.7%). In the
figure below, the solid black line shows storage in the Regional Water System for the past 12 months (color bands
show contributions to total system storage)and the dashed black line shows total system storage for the previous
12 months.
Figure 17: Regional Water System Storage
On August 20, 2021 the SFPUC received curtailment orders for Tuolumne River diversions. The
curtailments eliminate access to the Water Bank which, as shown in the figure above, provides much of
the system storage. From October 2021 through May 2022, the State Board suspended the curtailments
and reinstated them on June 8, 2022.
The SFPUC declared a local water shortage emergency by Resolution No. 21-0177 on November 23, 2021 calling
for voluntary systemwide 10% water use reductions from FY 2019-2020 levels. Each Wholesale Customer has its
own requested cutback level and for January through June 2022, Palo Alto’s voluntary water purchase cutback
level was 7.96%.For January –May 2022,Palo Alto’s cumulative monthly water budgets were 1,537,884 CCF while
actual total purchases were 1,611,651 CCF or 5% above the budget.This is in part because of the exceptionally
dry conditions in January through March 2022. However, for the period July 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022,
compared with the same period from July 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020, the Palo Alto community reduced water usage
by 2%.On May 24, 2022, SFPUC adopted Resolution No. 22-0098 adopting a systemwide voluntary water use
reduction of 11% compared to baseline water use during FY 2019-2020. Staff expects this to increase Palo Alto’s
voluntary water purchase cutback level by approximately 2% beginning in July.SFPUC’s cutbacks are currently
voluntary, however they could become mandatory in the fall if insufficient water conservation is observed
systemwide.
1400
1200
U:-1000 ~ & 800
I'll ,.. .s (fl 600
400
200
----------... -
-Tota.I Storage Jun 1 2021 to May 1 2022
- -Total Storage Jun 1 2020 to May 1 2021
Local Reservoirs
Cherry Reservoir -t Lake Eleanor
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Water Bank OL..J..._ ______________ ..._ _______________ ___.
Jun Jul Aug Se.p Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
-
19Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
The figure below shows water usage for the South Bay/East Bay (including Palo Alto)compared to several
benchmarks including 2019.
Figure 18: SFPUC Water Deliveries
Valley Water, the groundwater manager in Santa Clara county, declared a water shortage emergency and
adopted a 15% mandatory water use reduction for water retailers its agency serves. Valley Water called for the
County, water retailers and cities to restrict ornamental landscape and lawn irrigation with potable water within
their service or jurisdictional areas to no more than two days per week. In June, staff will recommend to City
Council restricting potable irrigation of ornamental landscapes and lawns to 2 days per week, except to ensure
the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings.Palo Alto is working with Valley Water on messaging
to customers in the county to avoid confusion as much as possible. As such, the wise use of water rather than
specific targets will continue to be emphasized.
3.2 Capital Improvement Plan Status
The following capital projects are currently in progress or have been recently completed:
WS-09000 (Corte Madera Reservoir Seismic Upgrade): This is a design-build project. A new concreate tank
replaced the old steel tank. The construction of the new reservoir was completed in April 2022.
WS-14001 -WMR 28 (Water Main Replacement 28): The project is to replace approximately 18,763 linear
feet of water main and 256 water services. Construction of this project started on 4/18/22 and the anticipated
completion date is in November 2023.
'"'
140
1JO
120
110
B ,!. 100
j
50
60
70
60
50
•
•
SFPUC Regionar W3ter System -._,~er Oelweries
South Bay/East Bay Custome:rs
Source: SF PUC Regional Wate.r Sys?em Co-unty Meters
i --Avg. OfCY 2:017•2021 Oe«enei;
2019 r.te::Ef O~ei;;
...... 2020 Me::er Oe'JVerte&
2021 Mf-:Ef' Oellveflei. .
....... 2022 Me::er Oellverte& .. -!-:-~ ..,.r bal.'\ ;;,,, .... ·-,
,Al I ,..., ·• . -,~ -I ,. l,ll;~J.r
\.. ,-,._ ..
' "I -~ -I
' 1...-t''ji',il ~ ~ . ' -~ ,,.-,_ 1\..-: .-i-. ~I°" '~ : /I Ji J, I
•-LJf1~ ,,. .. ',{
.. f.li'I --' .... , r·~ •
I I I I
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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
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I I I I I I I I I
-
--... . -~ A ---J:: . •• "II ,.°11.
• .-..-~----4,
---
.,.,
'~ ·-'\
l'I --,. 1..-~
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20Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
3.3 Rate and Bill Comparisons
The figure below shows the water bills for single-family residential customers compared to what they would be
under surrounding communities’ rate schedules as of October 2021. CPAU is among the highest monthly bills of
the group. Palo Alto’s water bills at 9 CCF per month are 16% higher than the comparison group average.
Figure 19: Residential Water Bill Comparison ($/month)
As of April 2022
Usage CCF/month Palo Alto Menlo Park
Redwood
City
Mountain
View Santa Clara Hayward
4 $46.89 $54.03 $54.04 $38.80 $26.76 $39.80
(Winter median) 7 70.28 77.71 76.09 60.07 46.83 61.34
(Annual median) 9 90.42 93.50 90.79 74.25 60.21 75.70
(Summer median) 14 140.77 136.35 138.94 109.70 93.66 119.80
25 251.54 241.76 267.39 230.19 167.25 216.82
3.4 Reliability
The City of Palo Alto tracks all water service interruptions. A summary chart of these interruptions can be found
below. Water service interruptions are usually due to repairs of broken or damaged water services and mains.
Figure 20: Water Service Interruptions, FY 2022
Water Q1 Q2 Q3
Number of Breaks 7 15 3
Combined Minutes 345 1395 1705
Customers Affected 76 335 39
3.5 Financial Health
Below is a summary of the financial position for the water utility.
3.5.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals
Actual water sales volumes through Q3 of FY 2022 were 3.7% lower than forecasted in the FY 2022 financial plan.
Actual water sales revenues were 2.7% lower than forecasted during the same period. Water usages during Spring
increased due to dry weather conditions, offsetting water conservations made during the Winter season.
However, staff expects lower water usages through the summer due to increased water use restrictions.
-
21Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 21: Water Sales Volume (CCF), FY 2022-Q3
Figure 22: Water Sales Revenue ($), FY 2022-Q3
3.5.2 Financial Position
The Water Operations Reserve was filled to the maximum guideline level at the end of FY 2021 as higher bid costs
and delays in project schedules resulted in deferred main replacement projects over the past few years. There are
additional funds in the Operations Reserve above the maximum guideline level that will be used to cover water
utility operational and capital costs in FY 2022 and FY 2023. At year end FY 2021 there was approximately $10.4
million in Water CIP Reappropriations and Commitments reserves.The adopted water capital budget for FY 2022
included an additional $14.4 million. The FY 2022 Water Utility CIP includes a main replacement (WMR 28) as well
as one-time seismic reservoir upgrades (one upgrade is complete and a second and third are planned in FY 2023
and FY 2026). At year end FY 2021, there was also $10.7 million in the CIP Reserve and $9.07 million in the Rate
Stabilization Reserve. Staff projects that with expected revenues and expenses together with transfers from the
CIP Reserve, the Operations Reserve will remain at the maximum guideline level at year end FY 2022 and will reach
approximately target levels by the end of FY 2023. Staff will continue to monitor drought conditions and respond
to calls for voluntary or mandatory conservation. Staff will evaluate and propose reserve transfers between the
-
FY 2022 Budget Actual Variance Variance%J
Jul 503,035 526,847 23,812 4.7%
SOOK Aug 533,215 475,456 -57,759 -10.8%
400K Sep 538,081 488,437 -49,644 -9 .2%
Oct 428,834 445,797 16,963 40%
LL 300K Nov 399,004 310,615 -88,389 -22.2% u u
Dec 281,984 248,056 -33,928 -12.0%
200K Jan 251,444 257,600 6,156 2.4%
Feb 233,171 238,588 5,417 2.3% 100K
Mar 270,892 320,363 49,471 18.3%
OK Apr 259,466 -----t Jul
-
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun May 363,935
■ w a-er, Actual ■ wa-er, Budget Jun 442,021
FY 2022 Budget Actual Variance Variance Gt ----
Jul 5,002,963 5,165,223 162,260 3.2%
5M Aug 5,303,120 4,659,705 -643,415 -12.1%
4M Sep 5,351,515 4,788,126 -563,389 -10.5%
~ Oct 4,264,993 4,408,659 143,666 3.4%
~ 3M Nov 3,968,317 3,152,725 -815,592 -20.6%
.!!!
0 Dec 2,804,488 2,590,017 -214,471 -7.6%
0 2M Jan 2,500,750 2,728,552 227,802 9.1%
Feb 2,319,015 2,499,821 180,806 7.8% lM
Mar 2,694,172 3,292,007 597,835 22.2%
OM Apr 2,580,534 --
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun May 3,619,536
■ Water, Actual ■ w a~er, Budget Jun 4,396,145
22Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Rate Stabilization Reserve, CIP Reserve, and Operations Reserve in the annual Financial Plans, and the need for
those reserve transfers will be re-evaluated at the end of FY 2022 when the reserve balances are known.
-
23Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
4 Wastewater Utility
The Wastewater Utility includes the system of sewer pipes that collect and transport wastewater to the Regional
Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) operated by the City of Palo Alto under a partnership agreement with
several surrounding communities, as well as Palo Alto’s share of the cost of operating the RWQCP. The RWQCP
provides treatment and disposal of wastewater for Palo Alto. Costs for the Wastewater Utility are split
approximately half for the operation,maintenance and periodic replacement of Palo Alto’s sewer collection
system and half for the costs of wastewater treatment at the RWQCP.
4.1 Wastewater Treatment Updates and Capital Planning Status
The Regional Water Quality Control Plant is operated by Palo Alto’s Public Works Department and provides
wastewater treatment to Palo Alto, Mountain View, Stanford, Los Altos, East Palo Alto and Los Altos Hills. The Palo
Alto Wastewater Collection Utility pays its share (approximately 35% projected in FY 2023) of the costs for
wastewater treatment and disposal. Capital costs for wastewater treatment are a major driver for cost increases
for the Wastewater Treatment Utility and by extension for the Wastewater Collection Utility. These costs are
projected to increase at approximately 13% per year on average through FY 2032. The RWQCP is facing the need
for major upgrades in coming years, due to aging equipment and changing environmental regulations.
Rehabilitation and replacement of plant equipment that has been in use for over 40 years is necessary to ensure
the city can continue to provide wastewater treatment operations safely and in compliance with regulatory
requirements for the discharge of treated wastewater 24 hours a day.
4.1.1 Treatment Cost Trends
RWQCP staff project treatment costs paid for by Palo Alto’s Wastewater utility to increase by approximately 5%
annually on average from FY 2023 through FY 2032. A key driver of the increases are capital projects, parts,
materials and debt. The treatment debt service costs are increasing at an average of about 13% per year from FY
2023 through FY 2032 to keep up with ongoing replacement of aging equipment. Larger increases to capital
expenses are expected to begin in FY 2024 in the form of new debt service for major projects to implement the
Plant’s capital program. The figure below shows Palo Alto’s share of each component of estimated treatment
costs. Major upcoming capital projects and estimated years for debt service to begin are reflected in the “Planned
Debt Service” bar in the figure below and include:
Joint Interceptor Sewer Rehabilitation and 1900 Embarcadero Road Purchase (FY 2024)
Primary Sedimentation Tank Rehabilitation (FY 2025)
Outfall Line Construction (FY 2027)
Operation Center and Laboratory (FY 2028)
Secondary Treatment Upgrades (FY 2028)
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24Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Headworks (FY 2029)
Figure 23: Palo Alto’s Share of Estimated Wastewater Treatment Expenses (Projection and Planned CIP)
The figure shows the ongoing annual CIP reinvestment (“Recurring/Minor CIP” and “Existing Debt Service”) as
well as treatment operations costs, which make up the majority of the treatment costs but are not growing as
quickly as the planned debt service. Factors that are contributing to cost increases for treatment operations are
rising salary and benefits costs, allocated charges for centralized city services needed to support wastewater
treatment fund operations, increased water and air permitting fees from the Regional Water Quality Control
Board and Bay Area Air Quality Management District, commodity rates to operate the facility, and chemical
expenses.
4.1.2 Regional Water Quality Control Plant Capital Planning Status
The Long-Range Facilities Plan, completed in 2012, guides the capital plans for the RWQCP. The RWQCP’s current
capital work in-progress includes an estimated $359 million in projects. The following table summarizes these
ongoing projects and provides their status and costs.
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$20,000,000
$18,000,000
$16,000,000
$14,000,000
$12,000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000
$-
FY 2023 FY 2024
-Treatment Operations
-Planned Debt Service
Palo Alto Estimated Expenses FY 2023-2032
Projection + Planned CIP
FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 FY 2030
-Recurring/MinorCIP -Existing Debt Service
-+-Treatment Operations & Planned CIPs
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FY 2031 FY 2032
25Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 24: Current RWQCP Capital Work In-Progress (information from RWQCP June 2022 Partners Meeting)
Project Status Expense (million $)
Primary Sedimentation Tanks Rehabilitation and
Equipment Room Electrical Upgrade
Construction $19.4
New Outfall Pipeline 90% Redesign $17.4
Secondary Treatment Upgrades 100% Design $150.1
Advanced Water Purification System 60% Design $52.5
Technical Services Building/Lab Building, Ops
Building Remodel
Advanced Planning $41.4
Buy 1900 Embarcadero Road Planning $7.1
Headworks Facility Replacement Budgeted $48.6
Joint Interceptor Sewer Rehabilitation Design $14.2
Projects in Progress Various $8.3
Subtotal $359
The largest projects listed above include the Headworks Facility Replacement which involves replacement or
rehabilitation of the parts of the facility that pump raw sewage to the main treatment works (the headworks), and
rehabilitation of primary sedimentation tanks that separate out primary sludge. Additionally, the RWQCP
anticipates regulations to limit nutrient discharges (on total nitrogen) into the San Francisco Bay. The current
secondary treatment design cannot remove nitrogen and the Secondary Treatment Upgrades will address this
regulatory change as well as address aging mechanical and electrical equipment that must be replaced.
The RWQCP plans to fund these capital projects through a combination of mechanisms including State Revolving
Fund loans, and revenue bonds. In addition,Valley Water will be providing $16 million of funding for the Advanced
Water Purification System.
4.2 Collection System Capital Improvement Plan Status
The following capital projects are currently in progress or have been recently completed:
WC-17001 -SSR 30 (Sanitary Sewer Replacement 30): This project is to replace approximately 10,120 linear
feet of wastewater main and 156 sewer laterals. The construction started on 3/28/22 and the project is
anticipated to be completed in November 2022.
4.3 Rate and Bill Comparisons
The figure below shows the wastewater monthly bill for residential customers in Palo Alto compared to what they
would be under surrounding communities’ rate schedules as of April 2022. Palo Alto’s monthly sewer bill is lower
than four of the six neighboring communities. Menlo Park in this table refers to the West Bay Sanitary District.
Staff will report on future rate increases once they are adopted by the wastewater utilities.
Figure 25: Residential Wastewater Bill Comparison ($/month)
As of April 2022
Palo Alto Menlo Park Redwood City Mountain View Los Altos Santa Clara Hayward
$43.32 $104.58 $89.28 $46.40 $40.83 $44.53 $37.17
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26Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
4.4 Financial Health
Below is a summary of the financial position for the wastewater utility.
4.4.1 Sales Forecasts vs. Actuals
Actual wastewater sales revenues for Q3 of FY 2022 were 2.4% below forecasted levels from the FY 2022 Financial
Plan. This lower revenue was in part due to lower non-residential customer class water usage during the months
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Non-residential revenue is expected to recover over the next
few years.
Figure 26: Wastewater Sales Revenue ($), FY 2022-Q3
4.4.2 Financial Position
The Wastewater Collection Operations Reserve was within the guideline range at year end FY 2021 and staff
projects it will remain within the guideline range at year end FY 2022; the CIP Reserve had a balance of
approximately $3.2 million at year end FY 2021 and staff will seek Council approval in the FY 2023 Wastewater
Collection Financial Plan to access funds in the CIP Reserve if they are needed for CIP projects. The Wastewater
Collection Utility CIP Reappropriation and Commitment Reserves totaled $0.83 million at the end of FY 2021. In
addition to these funds, the adopted FY 2022 budget included over $6 million in the CIP program primarily for the
Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project 30.
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FY2022 Budget Actual Variance Variance%
Jul 1,677,792 1,649,037 -28,755 -1.7%
1500K
Au g 1,672,082 1,562,706 -109,376 -6.5%
Sep 1,682,138 1,629,855 -52,283 -3.1%
e Oct 1,673,581 1,669,190 -4,391 -0.3%
~ lOOOK Nov 1,667,438 1,616,828 -50,610 -3.0% n,
D Dec 1,708,549 1,577,556 -130,993 -7.7%
0
Jan 1,708,257 1,808,564 100,307 5.9%
SOOK Feb 1,610,283 1,565,673 --44,610 -2.8%
Mar 1,746,219 1,704,436 --41,783 -2.4%
OK Apr 1,636,888
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun May 1,606,636
■ Wastewater, Actual ■ Wastewater, Budget Jun 1,625,483
27Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
5 Fiber Utility
The City offers a "Dark" fiber service providing a fiber connection from Palo Alto businesses to the downtown
Internet Exchange. At the exchange businesses select an internet service provider (ISP) for bandwidth and
connection speed.
5.1 Fiber Utility Strategic Planning
Magellan Advisors has completed 80% of the engineering design for the fiber backbone and fiber-to-the-home
(FTTH) which includes designs for running overhead and underground lines and route optimization. Staff is
identifying potential sites for three fiber huts which will be strategically located (i.e. north, south, west) to serve
the entire city. The huts are either prefabricated or customized building designed for broadband. It centralizes all
fiber for connections to neighbors and provides electronic and interconnection. It can serve between 10,000 to
15,000 customers. In addition, the City will need about 130 fiber cabinets throughout the City. A cabinet is a
manufactured steel structure that houses fiber connections. A cabinet connects each neighbor back to the fiber
hut. Each cabinet can serve between 250 to 500 customers and can be mounted below or above ground. The City
will reuse existing cabinet locations where feasible to reduce the number of new cabinets.
The City launched the Palo Alto Fiber Engagement Portal.The goal of the online platform is to inform the
community about the Palo Alto Fiber initiative and encourage engagement around the community. The website
explains what fiber is, the benefits of fiber, how to get involved, resources that may be useful to the community,
and how to contact the City for more information. The platform contains a map where residents can list their
neighborhood and share their ideas and uses of Palo Alto Fiber. Residents and businesses can also register to
receive updates of Palo Alto Fiber. The City will also be embarking on a social media campaign, drafting a video
series about fiber, and recruiting public ambassadors to host small group meetings to discuss fiber.
After the awareness and community engagement campaign, the City and Magellan will be launching residential
and commercial surveys in June 2022.The surveys will assess community interest and build support for the Palo
Alto Fiber project. The purpose of the surveys is to measure demand for broadband services and to better
understand what value residents and businesses place on different aspects of their broadband services.
5.2 Capital Improvement Plan Status
The Fiber Network Rebuild CIP project is temporarily on hold pending the results of the fiber backbone expansion
and FTTH project. As part of the City’s wildfire mitigation plan, CPAU will underground approximately 11 miles of
electric line in the Foothills area by 2025. CPAU have already completed 1.5 miles of substructure work and have
started working on the next 1.5 miles. By the end of 2023, CPAU anticipate the actual undergrounding of lines will
begin.
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28Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
5.3 Reliability
There were no unplanned fiber outages or events to report in Q3 of FY 2022.
5.4 Financial Health
Below is a summary of the financial position for the fiber utility.
5.4.1 Fiber Sales
As of March 2022, fiber revenues for FY 2022 are projected to be $3.8 million, which is $0.5 million or 12% below
FY 2022 revenue forecast of $4.3 million. Based on the number of new dark fiber applications, staff projects
annual fiber revenues will return to pre-pandemic level of $4.5 million by FY 2024. To expand the dark fiber
business, CPAU is recruiting for a dedicated Fiber Engineer and Fiber Market Analyst to reduce fulfillment time for
new applications.
Since March of 2022 the Dark Fiber Utility has seen an upturn of interest in obtaining Dark Fiber connections.
Interested customers include large corporations in the Stanford Research Park, the Downtown area and the
Embarcadero corridor.The Dark Fiber utility does not publicly disclose individual customer company names. By
industry sector the two largest Dark Fiber Projects have been for the medical and transportation sectors. Note
that these companies have requested fully redundant, high fiber count connections suggesting that these
companies are trusting City Dark Fiber for their primary connections for all of their communications needs, as
opposed to using City Dark Fiber as a backup or supplemental service. In addition, two national fiber long haul
carriers with railway easements are working with our Project management and Fiber Operations teams to bring
their high-volume fiber to the internet exchange. This again illustrates the fiber industry’s trust in, and reliance on
Palo Alto’s Fiber Utility.
Fiber expenses are projected to be $3.7 million which includes the $2.4 million contract amendment with Magellan
for engineering design of the fiber backbone and FTTH networks, community engagement, FTTH business plan,
and grant funding analysis. Funding is shared between Fiber ($2.0M) and Electric ($0.4M). As of Q3 2022, $1.2
million is still remaining under the Magellan contract.
5.4.2 Financial Position
The projected ending FY 2022 Fiber Optic Utility Rate Stabilization Reserve is $34.0 million.
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29Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
6 Customer Programs (Efficiency and Sustainability)
The City’s Utilities Department maintains a number of programs to help customers save money, use energy and
water efficiently, and reduce carbon emissions. These programs are funded through a variety of funding sources,
some of which are summarized below.
6.1 Customer Programs Updates
Below is a summary of the City’s energy and water efficiency programs, as well as programs to encourage building
electrification and adoption of electric vehicles.
6.1.1 Energy and Water Efficiency
Energy & Water Efficiency Workshops
While many public events and workshops were canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s
partners at the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) have been offering virtual landscape
workshops since Spring 2020 for residents to learn how to save water and improve the sustainability of their
landscape from the comfort of home.
Upcoming Events and Workshops from Partner Agencies
Tree Care During Times of Drought Tuesday, June 14, 5:30 PM -7:00 PM (Webinar)
Lawn Conversion Wednesday June 22, 6:00 PM -7:30 PM (Webinar)Please visit the BAWSCA website for
a complete list of available classes and events at: https://bawsca.org/conserve/programs/classes. All past
Landscape Class Videos are available online at: https://bawsca.org/conserve/landscaping/videos/. Please
visit the South Bay Green Gardens website to learn more about conserving water, preventing pollution,
promoting healthy soils, and events in the Bay Area at: https://www.southbaygreengardens.org/. Palo
Alto residents and businesses can take advantage of landscaping programs through the City’s cost-sharing
partnership with Valley Water at https://www.valleywater.org/saving-water/rebates-surveys .
For updates on future events and workshops, please visit http://cityofpaloalto.org/workshops
Residential Energy and Water Programs
As post-COVID utility programs begin to regain momentum after the extended period with no in-person visits, we
are gradually seeing increasing participation in our residential efficiency and electrification programs. The Home
Efficiency Genie program continues to provide residents with professional advice and information to improve their
home’s efficiency and comfort, lower their energy and water usage and get guidance on home electrification
options. Even with the Genie returning to in-home comprehensive and diagnostic assessments in the fall of 2021,
the virtual option developed during COVID continues to be a service that residents are interested in. The Home
Electrification Readiness Assessment (HERA) was also amended to include a virtual version during COVID. Both
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30Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
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the in-home and virtual versions continue to help residents assess home electrification upgrades that their home
can accommodate and provide actionable next steps. Between January and May of 2022, the Genie performed 7
comprehensive in-home assessments, 7 HERAs and one virtual assessment.
CPAU’s Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP) for income-qualified customers continuesto reach our most
vulnerable population offering energy and water efficiency improvements at no cost to the customer. Residents
who are newly qualified for CPAU’s Rate Assistance Program (RAP) are notified each month of their eligibility for
these free upgrades installed by CPAU’s vendor,Synergy. Between January and May of 2022, 10 new REAP
customers have taken advantage of the free efficiency upgrades.
For our multifamily (MF) property owners, CPAU continues to offer the Multi Family Plus (MF+) program which
offers free energy efficiency upgrades installed by our vendor,Synergy. These upgrades include lighting upgrades
to LEDs and whole building envelope upgrades. Between January and May of 2022, there have been upgrades to
3 MF properties,and one significant LED lighting upgrade for a 50-unit apartment complex is scheduled but waiting
due to supply chain issues for the new lights.
Bay Area SunShares Program
The 2021 Bay Area SunShares solar and battery storage group-buy-discount program administered by Building
Council for Climate Change (BC3) was offered to Palo Alto residents from September 1, 2021 to January 14, 2022.
SunShares had a record-setting year with the most residents served and most solar capacity contracted in the
program’s six-year history. As of June 9, 2022, 10 of 32 contracts (31%) have been installed and one contract has
been cancelled. Staff continue to coordinate with Planning and Development Services to support project
permitting and installation. The 2022 SunShares program will launch in late Q4 2022.
Business Advantage Program
As of May 24,2022, the Business Advantage Program (BAP) has enrolled 68 customers into the GridPoint Energy
Management program (GEM). Of the 68 customers, only two decided to withdraw and return equipment. One
customer preferred their old thermostat (NEST)and the other was frustrated using the system and had multiple
overrides. The two returned units will be redeployed. The majority of program sign ups have come from direct
customer contact through face-to-face engagement/sales. GridPoint currently acquires six customers per month
(i.e.,installed units). In May 2022, GridPoint held its first 30-minute customer training session to educate current
users on how to properly program and operate the GEM system. The training session had nine customers
participate. The goal of this outreach is to offer end users practical hands-on training on how to efficiently and
effectively operate their GridPoint system. This will be a monthly training opportunity with dedicated outreach
via email. Additionally, GridPoint and City of Palo Alto would like to re-engage the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce
to discuss the benefits of the GEM system free energy management system.
Large Commercial Energy Efficiency Program
As of May 25,2022,Enovity has completed two projects with about 100,000 kWh savings. They have an additional
4 projects in the pipeline and anticipate finishing these projectsbefore the end of the fiscal year with an additional
1,500,000 kWh or a total of 1,600,000 kWh for FY 2022. Key Account Managers have been actively reaching out
to engage customers with direct email contacts as well as through the Questline Key Account Newsletter. Lighting
continues to be the most popular energy conservation measure. Some companies, however,are reluctant to
allocate resources to efficiency upgrades until staffing levels at their sites return to pre-pandemic levels.
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31Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Business Customer Rebates, formerly Commercial Advantage Program
On May 11, 2022 the City of Palo Alto Utilities “soft” launched the Business Customer Rebate (BCR) program as
an updated version of the previous rebate program for business customers, which was called the Commercial
Advantage Program. The rebrand was designed to emphasize new rebates that are being introduced for building
electrification measures, including rebates for space and water heating equipment as well as cooking equipment.
These electrification rebates support the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP)goal of emissions
reduction by incentivizing the reduction of natural gas use in the non-residential sector. In addition to the
introduction of new rebates for electrification, rebates for gas equipment were discontinued, and electric
efficiency rebates increased for most measures. The program is still designed for E2, E4 , E7 electric customers, as
well as G3 gas customers.
Business Energy Advisor
On June 6, 2022, the CPAU launched a new Business Energy Advisor program to assist business customers with
the implementation of energy efficiency and water-savings measures. This program aims to help businesses lower
their energy and water bill while improving the health and comfort of the building occupants.Business customers
(excluding Key Account customers) can get a free phone consultation with an Energy Advisor, plus an in-person
or virtual site walk-through to evaluate the onsite energy systems such lighting, HVAC, water heating, and
refrigeration to identify efficiency upgrade potential at no cost to the customer.The Business Energy Advisor will
provide support throughout the contractor selection, measure installation and rebate submission process.
6.1.2 Electric Vehicles
Palo Alto continues to facilitate the installation of EV charging infrastructure throughout the City to support mass
EV adoption, with equitable access for multifamily and lower income residents, as well as workplaces, public
parking lots and retail areas. Correspondingly, cross-departmental work is progressing on proposals for curbside
charging, fleet electrification and permit streamlining.
Financial Overview
FY2021 actual expenses were $1.15M, of which $0.89M was contribution to the CFR program and $0.15M in
rebate payments. Revenues for FY21 was $1.75M, resulting in the cash reserve increasing by $0.6M for a reserve
balance of $6.93M at the end of FY 2021.
FY2022 expenses to date is $0.54M, of which $0.465 is for the first installment of CALeVIP program. No direct
customer rebates have been paid to date. Revenues for the year is $1.59M,lower than anticipated a year ago due
to declining market prices for LCFS credits.Total LCFS revenues received to date is $10.1 million.
Overview of Programs Focused on Increasing EV Charging Accessibility at Multi-family Properties and
Workplaces
Mission:The EV team’s mission is to close the multi-family EV access gap. Only 13% of EVs in Palo Alto are
registered in multi-family buildings, while multi-family households make up 42% of households.
Why:This is an equity issue. Most middle-income and low-income residents in Palo Alto live in multi-family
housing. EVs provide significant household savings over their lifetime, and yet those who most need those
savings have the hardest time obtaining charger access due to the challenges of installing chargers in multi-
family housing. Private industry is not adequately serving this market, so the City is well positioned to help,
making this a meaningful use of available City funding sources for EV promotion.
Program Goal:Expand EV charging accessibility to 10% of multi-family households (about 1,100 households)
by 2025. This goal could be increased with additional funding if it could be accommodated by the distribution
system.
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32Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Program Strategy:Facilitate development of some shared Level 2 chargers in multi-family buildings plus as
many Level 1 chargers as can be installed. Size electrical infrastructure to enable the building owner to add
more EVs.
Eligibility:Any multi-family or condo building, nonprofits, some workplace charging is available as well.
Program Results to-Date
Program Commencement:December 2017 (multi-family rebates), October 2019 (multi-family / nonprofit
technical assistance), December 2019 (workplace charging rebates)
Leads:Over 130 sites have enrolled in the programs, of which 86 are multi-family properties representing
over 3400 units
Project Status:Of the 133 enrolled sites, 101 have actively proceeding or completed projects:
o 50 in the site evaluation, business case development, and project design phase
o 20 obtaining bids
o 6 ready-to-submit permits
o 8 permits submitted/not issued
o 3 under construction
o 14 projects completed
Results:When the active projects listed above are completed, the City will have:
o Facilitated access to EV charging for over 1500 multi-family housing units. Without this charging these
residents are unlikely to consider an EV.
o Supported access to EV charging for employees of several non-profits and workplaces. These chargers
will serve both middle-income and low-income employees who may not have EV charging at home and
may now be able to consider an EV.
Marketing Strategy
Of 803 multi-family buildings in Palo Alto, focus on the top 5% (44 of the largest properties) which includes 32%
of the units (about 3800 households).Also,focus on low-income housing via affordable housing providers. 1600
low-income units exist at 35 sites of which 5 properties have 100 units or more.Outreach consists primarily of
direct outreach to property owners via call campaigns, with marketing done by the 3rd party program provider,
CLEAResult.
Customers:Landlord, condo association, or nonprofit building owner
Customer Needs
o Trusted, neutral advisory services (rather than vendor sales services) with a direct connection to internal
City staff to facilitate problems.
o Technical assistance (site evaluation, including electrical capacity, business case development, project
design, obtaining bids, preparing permit packages)
o Incentives (both for charging equipment and any distribution upgrades needed)
Updates by Program
EV Technical Assistance Program (EVTAP)
Goal: Facilitate the installation of 180-360 ports @ 60-90 sites (By 2024)
Offer technical assistance for the installation of EV chargers at Non-Profit and MF properties, involving a series
of site visits, technical evaluations and engineering reviews, that culminate in the landlord receiving contractor
bids and then assistance submitting a building permit, applying for incentives and project management of the
installation. Projects expected to take up to 2 years or more to reach completion.
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33Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
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As of the end of May 2022:
o 0 installations complete
o 7 Permit Applications Submitted
o 56 sites enrolled and working through the program
o Potential for 319 Level 2 ports and 56 Level 1 ports
Figure 27: EV Technical Assistance Program (EVTAP), Cumulative Progress Report (Jan-May 2022)
EV Charger Rebate Program
Goal: Incentivize the installation of EV chargers at Non-Profits and Multifamily properties. CPAU currently
offers up to $8000 per port for up to 10 ports.
As of the end of May 2022:
o 32 ports installed
o Since the launch of this program in 2017, UTL has facilitated the installations of 94 new EV charging
ports/connectors at 14 sites. The breakdown of the installation sites: 6 MF and 8 non-profits (including
3 schools). Avg. cost of each port: $10k and projects have averaged 12 months to complete.
CALeVIP (California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project)
Goal: Facilitate and Incentivize the installation of EV chargers at commercial sites.
As of the end of May 2022, A total of $1.54M has been reserved by 8 site owners through CALeVIP, a
commercial EV charging,matching grant program sponsored by the California Energy Commission (CEC) with
a total of $2 million in funding over two years.The proposed installations could lead to the installation of 115
Level 2 ports and 14 DC Fast Chargers.
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EVTAP KPl's (Total Sites)
140
120 117
100
BO
60 56 55
48
40
20
28
I i
26
I 14
I ■ • 1. TAP Interested 2. Nuni>er of 3. Number of 4. Nurrtier of 5. Number of Sa. Number of Sb. Number of 6. Number of 7. Number of 8. Number of 9. Nlllroerof 10. Number of 11. Number of
Sites/Customers Sites w/ Signed Completed Site Completed fllal reports S"tes wrth sites with Permit Permits Issued Sites w/ New Poru Sites Delayed Sites Not
Program Qua! Visits Technical Site delivered to Comraaor Bids contractor Appications Completed 2021 Installed Proceeding
Participation Visits customer with selected Submtted Installations
Agreements load Calculations
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34Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
o 0 installations complete
o 8 sites enrolled and working through the program (2 hotels, 5 office sites and 1 Midtown retailer)
o 8 Permit Applications Submitted
o 6 Permits Issued
o Potential for 115 Level 2 ports and 14 DC Fast Chargers
CCFR (California Clean Fuel Rewards)
Goal: Incentivize the purchase of new EVs
In the past 18 months. since the launch of the CCFR program in November 2020, Palo Alto residents have
earned 1,336 rebates valued at $1.6M.This translates to, 6% of Palo Alto households purchasing an EV,taking
advantage of this program, compared to approximately 1.4% of customers in PG&E territory and 2.5% of
Silicon Valley Power customers. To date, Palo Alto has contributed $1.3M towards this state program. The
most popular EV continues to be the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 and the most popular plug-in hybrid continues
to be the Toyota Prius Prime.
In November 2021, due to higher than expected participation levels statewide, CCFR rebates were reduced
from $1,500 to $750.However,it is likely that these rebate levels will be decreased again in the near future,
due to lower than expected Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits prices, which today are less than half of
what they were a year ago. California LCFS credit prices have hovered around $200 per metric ton of CO2e
for several years but today are at around $100. This is significant,as the funds generated from LCFS,not only
fund the CCFR program, but is CPAU’s main source of funding for all EV programs.
November 2020 -May 2022:
o 1,336 Rebates paid to Palo Alto residents for EV Purchases
Curbside Charger Pilot
Goal: Install 10 EV charging ports in front of 10 single family homes, to expand the types and locations of EV
charging infrastructure throughout Palo Alto, for residents who cannot or do not want to install charging
infrastructure and visitors in need of a charge while in Palo Alto. If the 10 charger, 5-year pilot proves
successful, staff may consider large scale deployment of curbside charging.Residential champions of this
program are ready to re-energize this pilot in the coming months.
As of the end of May 2022:
o 0 Installations
o 1 Permit Submitted
o 4 Interested Households
EV Awareness and Outreach
Goal: Raise awareness, answer questions and encourage residents to consider transitioning to electrified
modes of transportation, including electric cars, e-Bikes and other modes of clean transportation.After
contracting with multiple vendors, CPAU is offering a wide array of EV classes and events. Through the end of
May 2022,CPAU has been involved in 15 EV education and outreach events and expects to offer over 2 dozen
workshops and events during calendar year 2022. There is a high level on interest and many of the online
webinars regularly attract over 100 highly engaged participants. We have actively incorporated e-Bikes into
class content and hosted the City’s first ever e-Bike test ride event on Earth Day.
January -May 2022:
o 15 EV education and outreach events completed
o 800 attendees
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35Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Figure 28: Schedule of CPAU Workshops and Events, Jan –May 2022
Event #Day Date Event
1 Thursday 1/27/2022
EV Workshop: New Models and Insider Tips for Purchasing an EV (New
Attractions and Insider Tips)
2 Thursday 2/17/2022 EV 101
3 Tuesday 3/1/2022 EV 101
4 Thursday 3/10/2022 EV Financial Incentives Clinic (with optional follow-up consultations)
5 Sunday 3/13/2022 Congregation Beth Am Sustainability Team -Webinar on Electrification
6 Saturday 3/26/2022 EV 101 – 1
7 Sunday 3/27/2022 Neighborhood EV Expo 1 of 9 -First Congregational Church
8 Sunday 4/10/2022 Earth Month EV 101 Workshops w/ EV Showcase
9 Wednesday 4/20/2022 EV 101 – 2
10 Friday 4/22/2022 Stanford Healthcare Earth Day Event
11 Friday 4/22/2022 Earth Day March and Rally for Earth
12 Saturday 4/23/2022 e-Bike Test Ride -Earth Day Event
13 Wednesday 5/4/2022 EV101 – 3
14 Saturday 5/7/2022 Neighborhood EV Expo 2 of 9 @ May Fete Parade
15 Thursday 5/12/2022 EV Charging Workshop
16 Tuesday 5/17/2022 EV 101 – 4
Visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/workshops for information on upcoming classes.
City-Owned EV Chargers
Goal: Install EV Charging Infrastructure for the public as well as City-fleet.
As of the End of May 2022:
o 124 -City-Owned Ports
o 120 - Publicly accessible EV Charging ports
o Newest chargers: 6 ports at renovated Junior Museum on 1451 Middlefield Rd.
Transformer Upgrade Rebate Program
Goal: Provide discounts to defray the cost of utility distribution system upgrades triggered by EV
applications, costs that would otherwise be borne by the customers. With this program we are offering up
to $100K for MF & non-profits and up to $10K for SFH
As the End of May 2022:
Through EVTAP we are learning that many older properties in Palo Alto, especially multifamily buildings, have
limited electric capacity to accommodate EV chargers and building electrification. The EV team is working
closely with Engineering, looking into methodologies for pre-screening of transformer loading when looking
at potential electrification.
6.1.3 Building Electrification
With sustainability continuing to be a Council priority, staff recognizes the need to promote the importance and
benefits of building electrification (BE) while removing barriers to voluntary electrification efforts in existing
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•
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36Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
buildings. Current work covers three areas of activities: public outreach, customer program development and
implementation, and strategy and policy development.
For public outreach, staff continues to participate in meetings with Working Group teams developed through the
Council’s Ad Hoc Committee. These working groups hold periodic updates with the public, including one on June
14, 2022.
For nonresidential customer programs, staff is currently working with CLEAResult to launch a Business
Electrification Technical Assistance Program (BE TAP)by mid-2022.Program services under BE TAP will include
education and marketing to building owners and property managers, free technical assistance to support
customers’ building electrification journey, and post-installation quality control.Near-term priorities for BE TAP
include replacement of mixed-fuel rooftop HVAC units and gas water heaters with efficient heat pump. The
program will also address other gas equipment in commercial kitchens, pools and spas.All commercial customers
are eligible to participate in the BE TAP program and receive electrification rebates.
For residential customer programs, staff issued a comprehensive RFP in June 2021 for residential building
electrification, energy and water efficiency programs which includes single family and multifamily homes as well
as income and medically qualified residents. As part of the community engagement process, an Ad Hoc committee
of Council members was formed in April 2021, and staff was asked to pause activities related to contract
negotiations for the residential programs RFP until the Council Ad Hoc committee and related working groups had
the opportunity to provide input on program design and direction. Staff was also asked to wait to proceed with
contract negotiations while concerns raised by the Utility’s Engineering and Operations Division about potential
additional electric load resulting from building and transportation electrification were addressed. These
community and staff collaborative efforts resulted in suggested initial programming focused on a turnkey heat
pump water heater installation program.Other programs planned include building electrification phone advisory
and technical assistance services for both single family and multifamily property owners, and self-service online
tools to help residents assess the economics of electrifying their homes. Staff will begin contract negotiations with
the selected vendors in June 2022 and plans to bring the contracts to City Council for approval in the fall of 2022.
Utilities completed a pilot project with Mid-Pen Housing, a non-profit housing developer, to convert the gas
furnaces at Page Mill Court, a 24-unit apartment complex for low-income adults, to all-electric air source heat
pump equipment. The pilot was funded with a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the
City’s Public Benefit funds. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the pilot was put on hold in 2020. Construction
commenced in late September 2021 and was completed in December 2021. The final report of the pilot
documents the lessons learned to inform future retrofits of gas furnaces in multifamily properties.
For strategy and policy development, staff was collaborating with Planning & Development Services to propose
the adoption of all-electric reach code for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in spring 2022. However, this work has
been put on hold due to capacity issues with the electric distribution grid.
6.2 Funding Sources for Emissions Reductions
Energy efficiency and water efficiency programs have traditionally been funded by electric, gas, and water rate
revenues. To fund emissions reduction programs, the City has developed multiple alternative funding sources
6.2.1 Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program
LCFS base credits are allocated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)to CPAU, based on the number EVs
registered in Palo Alto, the estimated miles travelled and the difference in carbon intensity of transportation fuels
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37Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
and electricity. Credits are also allocated based on CNG dispensed and electricity dispensed at city owned EV
chargers. The sales proceeds of these credits are the source of funds for CPAU’s customer programs related to
EVs.
6.2.2 Cap and Trade Program, Revenue from Allocated Allowances
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, also known as Assembly Bill (AB) 32, authorized CARB to develop
regulations to lower the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. CARB developed a cap-
and-trade program as one of the strategies to achieve the 2020 goal. Under the cap-and-trade program, an overall
limit on GHG emissions from capped sectors is established and facilities subject to the cap are able to trade permits
(allowances) to emit GHGs. Senate Bill 32 (2016) expanded upon AB 32 by requiring a 40% reduction in GHG
emissions below the 1990 levels by 2030.
In 2012, CARB’s cap-and-trade program commenced and certain covered entities, such as electricity generators
and other stationary sources of GHGs, had a compliance obligation under the new program. The City of Palo Alto
Utilities’ (CPAU’s) electric utility does not own or operate fossil fuel-based electricity generation covered by the
cap-and-trade regulations. CPAU also received free allowances from CARB to mitigate the costs of reducing its
GHG emissions. Since CPAU’s electric utility is carbon neutral and typically has no need to use the allowances for
compliance, it must sell them into the cap-and-trade auction.
Allowance revenues, estimated to be at around $3 million per year in 2022 and onward, can be used for several
approved purposes, including: a) purchases or investment in renewable resources (outside Palo Alto or locally) for
the electric portfolio; b) investment in energy efficiency programs for the electric portfolio and retail customers;
c) investment in other carbon reduction activities, including those required to achieve a carbon-neutral electric
portfolio; and d) rebates to electric retail ratepayers.
As of 2020, all allowances have been utilized to purchase renewable resources. Staff is investigating using some
of these funds for investments in emissions reduction programs.
6.2.3 Electric Public Benefit Funds
Locally owned municipal utilities like CPAU must collect Public Benefit funds from their electric utility customers
as required by section 385 of the Public Utilities Code, to be used on cost-effective energy efficiency and
conservation, low income programs, investments in renewable energy resources and technologies, and research
and development.CPAU currently has an Electric Public Benefit surcharge of 2.85% of the electric utility bill for all
customers. A portion of this fund can be used for building electrification pilot programs and projects.
6.3 Innovation and Pilot Programs
CPAU’s Program for Emerging Technologies, or PET, (www.cityofpaloalto.org/UTLInnovation) provides the
opportunity for local businesses and organizations to submit proposals for innovative and impactful products to
CPAU for review as a prospective partner. The goal is to find and nurture creative products and services that will
improve customer value, save natural resources, or reduce carbon emissions. From the program’s inception in
June 2012 through today, the program has received a total of 101 applications. The figure below summarizes the
status of all applications through to date in FY 2022.
So far this year, only a single academic collaboration has reached the threshold of value, quality, and relevance to
be considered good fits for a pilot project. CPAU is currently in discussions with some applicants about revising
their projects and is also evaluating potential regional collaborations with promising early-stage companies. In
order to provide more clarity for applicants and better focus the applications on CPAU’s priorities, staff is also
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38Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
revised the program’s guidelines to highlight what makes a compelling project pitch for CPAU. These updated
program priorities and guidelines were released this year and presented to the UAC. Pending other priorities and
sufficient resources, staff will work with local universities and accelerators to solicit high-quality applications
closely aligned with CPAU’s highest priorities in calendar year 2022.
6.3.1 Academic Collaborations
CPAU staff collaborated with Stanford University through a summer fellowship endowed by Karl Knapp’s family
to have Stanford Graduate student Shoja Jahangard to work on a project focused on resiliency and decarbonizing
single-family homes. The final report can be found in the November UAC records: Discussion and Presentation on
the Impact of Decarbonization on the Resiliency of Single-Family Homes in Palo Alto.CPAU has recently been
approached by researchers at the University of London, and are in preliminary discussions.
6.3.2 Completed Projects
In FY 2022 CPAU has received five applications, declined two and is reviewing three others. Staff is also in
discussions with a few start-ups and will consider asking them to apply for collaborations.
Figure 29: Status to date of all applications to the Program for Emerging Technologies
Deadline Total Received Under Review Declined/Closed Active Completed
FY 2013 13 0 11 0 2
FY 2014 15 0 11 0 4
FY 2015 15 0 11 0 4
FY 2016 14 0 9 0 5
FY 2017 10 0 7 0 3
FY 2018 10 0 9 0 1
FY 2019 9 0 5 0 4
FY 2020 8 0 3 0 5
FY 2021 2 0 1 0 1
FY 2022 5 3 2 0 0
TOTAL 101 3 69 0 29
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39Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
7 Communications
This section summarizes communications highlights, updates on major campaigns and noteworthy events. Copies
of ads and bill inserts are available online at http://cityofpaloalto.org/UTLbillinsert.
Water Supply and Drought: Staff have been proactive about communicating the current situation of water
supply conditions and ever-changing water shortage emergency declarations. As a result of the continued dry
conditions, CPAU continues a robust outreach campaign about water supply conditions, water use restrictions,
and resources for water use efficiency. Staff are working with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency
(BAWSCA) and Valley Water to coordinate public education events. Updates are available at
cityofpaloalto.org/water
Hydroelectricity Resources: Drier hydro conditions and higher market prices for electricity have resulted in
increased cost. Council activated the Hydro Rate Adjuster at its March 14 meeting.Staff developed communication
tools to explain the need for this adder to the electric rate charges and value it adds in terms of protecting
customers from wide swings in rate changes for electricity. More information can be found at
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/ratesoverview
Annual Walking and Mobile Gas Leak Survey: CPAU began its annual gas leak detection survey of the City in April.
This routine inspection of our gas distribution system is conducted every year to ensure the safety of all who live
and work in Palo Alto. Staff post information about the survey online and share updates with the community as
part of our gas safety awareness program. Find details and survey area map at cityofpaloalto.org/safeutility
Electric Vehicle Events: In this quarter, CPAU partnered with Acterra and Ride and Drive Clean to host quite a few
EV events, including topics of financial incentives, EVs 101, EV charging, and neighborhood EV expos. The goal of
these events is to raise awareness about electric vehicles, e-Bikes, and other electric modes of transportation. The
climate crisis and record high gas prices are compelling many to switch to electric to drive and ride clean, save
money, improve health, and take advantage of financial assistance and grants such as Clean Cars for All, Drive
Clean Assistance, and county-specific programs in the Bay Area. Event attendees can receive guidance on
identifying programs for which they qualify. Event information and registration is available at
cityofpaloalto.org/workshops
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40Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
8 Legislative and Regulatory Activity
8.1 State legislation
As of the time of this writing in early June, any bills that will move forward must have already passed from their
house of origin to the other house. As a result of this key deadline, some of the bills we are tracking have died for
the year. Additionally, much of the legislative activity is now focused on passing the state budget, then hearing
bills in policy committees before the summer recess.
Below is an overview of key State legislative and regulatory activity that may impact, or is of interest to, CPAU.
AB 847 (Quirk) Electrically conductive balloons. Requires the state to adopt regulations by September 1, 2024
governing the manufacture or sale of foil balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas. All foil balloons filled with lighter-
than-air gas must comply with these regulations on or after September 1, 2026.
AB 1864 (Gipson) Small businesses. Allows a tax credit to a "qualified small business employer" or local
government equal to $434 per qualified employee. Includes cities; but has not moved forward in over a month.
SB 260 (Wiener) Climate Corporate Accountability Act.Requires CARB, by January 1, 2024, to develop and adopt
regulations requiring business entities with total annual revenues in excess of $1,000,000,000 that do business in
California to publicly disclose to the State, and verify annually, their GHG emissions from the prior calendar year,
beginning in 2025. .
SB 379 (Wiener) Residential solar energy systems: permitting.Requires cities and counties to implement an online,
automated rooftop solar permitting platform such as SolarAPP+ that verifies code compliance and issues permits
in real time. For a city the size of Palo Alto, we'd have to implement by September 30, 2023, unless our system is
not configured for SolarAPP+.
SB 396 (Dahle) Forestry: electrical transmission or distribution lines: clearances: notice and opportunity to be
heard. Among other items: Requires a state agency to develop standardized content for use by utilities to notify
landowners when they need to gain access to land and prior access has not been granted, and to develop
standardized content for landowners to request removal of valuable lumber and to request an opportunity to be
heard. *As a result of effective industry advocacy, POUs were removed from this bill*.
SB 833 (Dodd ) Community Energy Resilience Act of 2022. Requires the CEC to develop and implement a grant
program for local governments to develop community energy resilience plans to address power outages. Does
not appear to relate to or impact local governments with electric POUs.
SB 852 (Dodd) Climate resilience districts: formation: funding mechanisms. Allows local governments, either alone
or in combination,to create climate resilience districts and provides these new districts various financing powers.
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41Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
SB 887 (Becker) Electricity: transmission facility planning.This bill adjusts the planning horizon for the annual
electricity transmission plan from 10-years to 15-years and requires CAISO to consider approval for specified
transmission projects as part of the 2022-23 transmission planning process. Currently, this bill is not aligned with
the state’s clean energy timelines. .
SB 892 (Hurtado) Cybersecurity preparedness: food and agriculture sector and water and wastewater systems
sector. Requires the California Office of Emergency Services to develop, propose, and adopt optional reporting
guidelines for companies and cooperatives in the food and agriculture industry and entities in the water and
wastewater systems industry if they identify a significant and verified cyber threat.
SB 936 (Glazer) California Conservation Corps: forestry training center: formerly incarcerated individuals:
reporting. This bill requires, upon an appropriation, the CA Conservation Corps director to establish a forestry
training center on or before December 31, 2024. In part, the center will provide enhanced training, education,
work experience, and job readiness for entry-level forestry and vegetation management jobs. Enrollment is
prioritized for certain formerly incarcerated individuals.
SB 1032 (Becker) . State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: electrical transmission grid
development and expansion: study. In late May,this bill required the CPUC, by January 1, 2024, to submit a study
identifying proposals to accelerate the development of, and reduce the cost to ratepayers of expanding, the
electrical grid as necessary to reduce GHG emissions. CPAU submitted a letter of support.In early June, the bill
was amended to require the CEC to take on “various actions” to further the state’s clean energy goals, including
the study mentioned above.
SB 1112 (Becker) Energy suppliers: notice and recordation of a decarbonization charge. Establishes transparency
for renters and home buyers by requiring that a utility who engages in tariffed on-bill financing notify their county
recorder.
SB 1158 (Becker) Retail electricity suppliers: greenhouse gas emissions: integrated resource plans. Changes the
Power Source Disclosure rules to require electric utilities compare their energy purchases and demand on an
hourly basis and report their energy sources and GHG emissions based on the hourly basis. These new rules will
also give each utility an annual GHG emissions number that can be compared to the their GHG target under the
Integrated Resource Planning process;the governing board of each POU is then required to make an assessment
of progress against the GHG target.
SB 1174 (Hertzberg)Electricity: eligible renewable energy or energy storage resources: transmission and
interconnection. Seeks to enhance planning of the state’s energy transmission and distribution system by
requiring specified reporting related to electric transmission projects and mandating the CPUC identify
interconnection transmission projects and prioritize necessary approvals, as specified.
SB 1197 (Caballero) Water Innovation and Drought Resiliency Act of 2022. Creates an Initiative to Advance Water
Innovation and Drought Resiliency in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for the furtherance of new
technologies and other innovative approaches in the water sector. The bill would require the office to take
specified measures on or before December 31, 2024 to advance innovation in the water sector and ensure a
drought-resilient economy. This bill will not move forward.
SB 1376 (Stern) State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: strategic plan: integrated
energy resources and policies. This bill would require the CEC to adopt a strategic plan on or before November 1,
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42Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
2023, to enable no less than 6 GW annually of zero-carbon resources to be interconnected to the state’s electrical
grid, beginning on January 1, 2025.This bill will not move forward.
8.2 State regulatory Proceedings
Below are issues currently before state regulatory bodies that CPAU is monitoring, primarily through our work
with CMUA and NCPA.
8.2.1 Energy Commission
The CEC and the Department of Transportation held a joint workshop on the California State Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure Deployment Plan. The CEC also launched the Gas Decarbonization Order Instituting Informational
Proceeding related to decarbonization of the gas system in California, held a EV charging infrastructure reliability
workshop.
8.2.2 State Water Resources Control Board
The Water Board adopted emergency drought regulations , held a water quality fee stakeholder meeting, and
continues work on the outdoor residential water use update.
8.2.3 Air Resources Board
CARB is working on Advanced Clean Cars regulations to establish emissions standards and released its Scoping
Plan Update draft.
8.2.4 Natural Resources Agency
The Wildfire Safety Advisory Board released guidelines to the POU Wildfire Mitigation Plans.
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43Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
Appendices
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44Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
9 Appendix A: Energy Risk Management Program
This appendix provides a quarterly update on the City’s Energy Risk Management Program.
9.1 Overview of Hedging Programs
The City’s Utilities Department maintains a hedging program for its Electric and Gas Utilities. In the Gas Utility the
program protects against short-term (intra-month) price spikes caused by weather or major incidents on the
Western gas system. However, the City does not hedge its gas supply more than one month in advance, choosing
instead to protect the Gas Utility’s financial position by passing gas supply costs through to customers via a charge
that varies monthly based on gas market prices. As a result, the Gas Utility’s only market exposure is the amount
by which gas demand deviates from forecasts within the month. This exposure is relatively small and can be
managed using Gas Utility Operating Reserves. A risk assessment is performed each year as part of the Gas Utility
financial planning process to ensure adequate reserves to cover all risks. The most recent Gas Utility Financial Plan
was adopted June 21, 2021 (Staff Report #12240).
The City has entered into long-term contracts for its Electric Utility to ensure that the City has carbon free
electricity supplies equal to 100% of Palo Alto’s annual electric demand. However, the output from these
generating sources does not match Palo Alto’s electric load. In the summer,the City has a surplus of carbon free
energyand it has a deficit in the winter. This exposes the City to market risk, and staff maintains a hedging program
to protect against this risk. In addition,hydroelectric generators make up approximately half the City’s energy
supply. During dry years these resources do not generate as much energy, creating an additional market exposure
that must be hedged. Unlike the gas hedging program, which is operated by City staff, the electric hedging program
is operated by the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA),a joint powers agency the City formed in partnership
with several other California publicly owned electric utilities, with oversight by City staff.
9.2 Overview of Energy Risk Management Program
The hedging programs described above are conducted in accordance with the City’s Energy Risk Management
Program,which includes a set of Program Policies adopted by the City Council, Guidelines adopted by the City’s
Utilities Risk Oversight Coordinating Committee (UROCC), and Procedures approved by the Utilities Director. In
addition, for the electric hedging program, NCPA maintains its own Risk Management Program. The City is able to
provide policy level oversight of this program through its seat on the NCPA Risk Oversight Committee, which is
held by the City’s Risk Manager.
Per the Energy Risk Management Policies, the City Council must receive quarterly reports on the City’s forward
contract purchases, market exposure, credit exposure, counterparty credit ratings, transaction compliance, and
other relevant data.
9.3 Forward Contract Purchases
There were no future forward purchases and sales made in Q3 of FY 2022.
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I
46Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
10 Appendix B: Staffing and Vacancies
As of Q3 FY 2022, the Utilities Department has 45 vacant positions out of 248 authorized positions or a 18%
vacancy rate. Below is a breakdown of the vacancies by division. The Electric and Fiber Engineering and Operations
(E&O) division continues to have the highest number and hardest positions to fill. Electric Engineering and
Operations has a total of 30 vacancies or 33% vacancy percentage. As part of the FY 2022 midyear budget
adjustments, four new positions (Electric Project Engineer (3 FTEs) and Utilities Program Services Manager (1 FTE))
were added to accelerate S/CAP initiatives. These positions are required to increase capacity in project
management, build in-house resources, and design and implement infrastructure upgrades such as increasing
capacity in the electric distribution grid for electrification of single-family residences. Some of the critical and
difficult-to-fill positions include lineperson/cable splicer, compliance technician, engineer, and engineer
estimators. CPAU will continue to seek third party contracts for some of the difficult-to-fill positions until the
positions are filled and staff is trained.
Figure 32: Utilities Vacancies and Position Movements by Division, up to Q3 FY 2022
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Authorized Vacant Adive
Division FTE FTEs Recruitments Vacancy %
Administration 18.5 2 0 11%
Custom er Service & Support 23 0 0 0%
Electric Engineering 21 9 9, 43%
Electric Operations 67 21 9 31%
Res:o,urce Manage ment Division 23.5 2 2 9%
WGW Engineering 25 3 2 12%
WGW Operations 70 8 3 11%
Grand Total 248 45 25 18%
Movement by calendar Year CY2021 CY.2:022
Hires 15, 7
Promotions. 19 8
Retirem ents 8 2
Se parations 11 10
47Utilities Quarterly Update: Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022
August 3, 2022
11 Appendix C: Electric Utility Annual Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement
Report
In each Quarterly Update the Utilities Department will provide a detailed overview of a single utility’s investment
and maintenance activity. An update on the electric utility was scheduled for this report, however, staff resources
are insufficient, and other work is of greater importance. Given the larger context of the City’s S/CAP goals and
the related effort to upgrade the electric distribution system, information regarding the status of electric
infrastructure will be provided to the UAC on a separate timeline and via separate reports.
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