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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 Approval of a Phase II MOU with Cliamte Transformation Alliance io"'TRUCKEE DONNE - AGENDA ITEM #15 i Public MEETING DATE: April 5, 2023 TO: Board of Directors FROM: Brian Wright, General Manager SUBJECT: Consideration of Authorizing the General Manager to Execute Phase II of the Climate Transformation Alliance Memorandum of Understanding APPROVED BY Brian C. Wright, General Manager RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the General Manager to execute Phase II of the Climate Transformation Alliance Memorandum of Understanding between the District, the Town of Truckee, Truckee-Tahoe Airport District and Sierra Business Council in substantially the form presented, contingent upon legal counsel review and minor administrative edits as determined necessary. BACKGROUND: Environmental stewardship has been an integral part of the District's mission for many years, as evident by our mission statement and in the continuous efforts by the Board of Directors and staff to expand our investments in clean renewable energy resources for our community. The District's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) has grown over the past decade and expected to expand further with the Red Mesa Solar project coming online later this spring. On May 19, 2021 the TDPUD Board of Directors formally adopted the District's 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. One of the five goals identified by the Board in the Strategic Plan includes the pursuit of opportunities to further environmental stewardship. Environmental Stewardship: Create a sustainable, resilient environment for all of our communities. One of the primary drivers and larger, long term goals of the District's efforts in expanding renewable energy resources in our local power portfolio is the reduction of greenhouse gas Page 1 of 2 (GHG) emissions and mitigating the net impact of energy generation on climate. In 2021, elected representatives from the Town of Truckee (Town), Truckee-Tahoe Airport District (TTAD) and the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD) collaborated with the Sierra Business Council (SBC) in an effort to explore opportunities for GHG reduction in the Tahoe-Truckee basin. In August, 2021 the District entered into an MOU with the Town and TTAD to provide initial funding and governance for a collaborative with the common goal of supporting carbon neutrality goals in the region. The Town, TTAD and TDPUD were established as governing partners with SBC serving as project manager and facilitator. ANALYSIS: The collaborative evolved quickly into the Climate Transformation Alliance (CTA), developing a formal charter and strategic plan in early 2022. The strategic plan has identified the CTA's core mission and vision to facilitate innovative ideas and resources in a regional collaboration to reduce GHG production and reach carbon neutrality. In 2022, the CTA began hosting quarterly public meetings to engage with regional partnerships, expand charter membership, identify opportunities and serve as a forum for new innovative project ideas. Phase I of the collaborative was primarily focused on establishing governance and development of a strategic plan. For Phase 11 of the MOU, SBC has expanded its scope of work to include managing a communications plan, serve as facilitator of a "Project Accelerator" program, and managing grant writing and fundraising programs. _ SBC Scope of Work Task e Develop meeting agendas, prepare presentation Project Management & materials, coordinate internally with governing Coordination partners and externally with founding members and potential members, and complete monthly invoicing and quarterly reporting. Plan and facilitate quarterly meetings for CTA Meeting Convening & members, monthly meetings for the governing Facilitation partners, and subcommittee meetings when necessary. Establish & Manage Establish a CTA Communications Plan and manage Communications Plan communications, including the website, social media, and other methods of outreach. Facilitate Project Facilitate and oversee "Climate Transformation Accelerator Process Accelerator" process for members. Track Fundraising Track local, state, and federal funding opportunities. Opportunities & Grant Develop grant proposals for applicable projects or Writing programs. {)Page 2 of 2 Program Development & Aid in the development of collaborative CTA programs Management and provide program management. Member Recruitment Support the ongoing recruitment for new members in the Truckee and North Tahoe regions. CTA has significantly expanded its charter membership to sixteen founding members and has recorded early successes in attracting major funding opportunities, including a charitable grant in the amount of $500K to fund the Truckee Tahoe Building Decarbonization Pilot Program. Additionally, the CTA, in partnership with Nevada County and the Town of Truckee, has submitted an application for the California Adaptation Planning Grant Program (APGP), "Expanding Climate Collaboratives in the Central Sierra". If awarded, the APGP grant shall serve as a significant funding source for CTA administrative and program implementation costs. With approval, Phase II Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) shall be effective July 1, 2022 until December 31, 2023. A substantially completed copy of the MOU has been included as Attachment 1 to this staff report. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Environmental Stewardship: Create a sustainable, resilient environment for all of our communities. FISCAL IMPACT: The Phase I MOU served as an initial "seed"funding for the collaborative with the District's contribution not to exceed $17,000 (approx.1/3 share of$50,000). In Phase II of the MOU, SBC has expanded the scope of work as project manager with a "not to exceed" budget of $150,000 for the term of July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. As previously indicated, SBC staff and the CTA have submitted an application for APGP grants to fund the CTA moving forward. The long term financial plan for CTA is to leverage grant and program contributions to fund the alliance. The financial commitments for the District as a governing partner for Phase 11 of the MOU is not to exceed $50,000. Sufficient funds exist in the District's Board Approved FY2023 Budget for strategic initiatives. ATTACHMENTS: Attachments 1 Phase II Memorandum of Understanding {)Page 3 of 2