►
Description
Cupertino Mayor Rod Sinks speaks with Cupertino Sustainability Manger, Erin Cooke, about Silicon Valley Community Choice Energy for the community. Recorded October 8, 2015 at the De Anza College Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies.
A
Hey
everybody
hi
y'all
do
it.
My
name
is
rod,
sinks,
I'm,
mayor
of
the
city
of
Cupertino,
not
Mountain,
View,
not
sunny
Val,
but
we're
working
with
those
two
cities,
as
well
as
our
County
here
in
Santa,
Clara
we're
in
the
heart
of
Silicon
Valley,
and
we
are
working
together
on
a
particular
project
and
that
is
putting
our
communities
on
a
carbon
diet.
So
if
you
think
about
all
the
things
that
we
do
to
contribute
to
global
warming
on
the
planet,
certainly
transportations
a
big
one.
A
A
That's
fifty
percent,
or
even
a
hundred
percent
green
and
today
we're
going
to
talk
about
how
they've
come
to
do
that
and
the
efforts
we
have
going
on
here
in
our
county,
in
fact,
in
other
counties
in
the
Bay
Area,
to
follow
the
lead
that
Marin
and
and
then
Sonoma
have
that
so
again,
if
you're
just
tuning
in
my
name,
is
rod,
sinks
and
I'm
the
mayor
of
Cupertino.
So
how
are
they
able
to
achieve
fifty
percent
green
electricity?
A
Only
a
small
fraction
of
our
total
electricity
load
can
go
direct
access,
so
these
are
very
sophisticated,
sophisticated
customers,
some
over
our
biggest
corporations
that
are
purchasing
electricity
directly
normal
homeowners
and
small
and
medium-sized
businesses.
Don't
have
this
access,
so
that's
what
we're
working
on
and
we're
excited,
because
in
January
of
this
year
our
City
Council
unanimously
adopted
our
climate
action
plan
and
the
city
of
sunnyvale
did
so.
The
city
of
Mountain
View
did
so
a
little
earlier,
more
or
less
last
year
too.
A
So
all
of
us,
in
studying
climate
action
plan,
what
we
could
do
to
impact
climate
change,
looked
at
all
potential
ways
to
do
that,
and
if
you
added
up
every
single
thing,
we
could
do
short
of
community
choice.
Energy.
We
found
that
community
choice
energy
actually
is
bigger
than
all
the
rescue
mode.
A
So,
if
you
think
about
going
from
23%
green
sixty
seventy
percent
green
depending
on
which
customers
choose
1507,
you
can
imagine
making
a
big
change
in
a
hurry
and
really
generating
some
demand
for
alternatives.
Like
solar
and
you'll
see
the
solar
behind
me.
We
happen
to
be
here
at
the
care
center
that
community
college
called
deanza
in
our
community
and
a
prior
to
periscope
session.
We
looked
over
at
at
deanza
college
and
we're
here
roughly
at
the
junction
of
two
80
and
85.
A
B
B
So
I
think
those
two
things
are
really
competing
to
play.
Also,
the
organization
is
a
nonprofit
that
we're
looking
to
form
our
joint
powers
authority
that
you
mentioned
earlier.
So
a
jpa
would
also
just
be
a
very
lean
organization,
with
all
revenues
coming
back
to
the
organization
to
go
either
into
the
pockets
of
ratepayers
or
also
towards
developing
new
additional
programs.
New
rebates,
new
incentives
to
really
incentivize
her
and
tyce
people
to
do
things
like
install
rooftop
solar,
like
we
have
here
behind
us,
so.
A
I
have
a
frustration
today,
I
own
a
house
not
far
away
from
and
I
have
this
beautiful
250r
country
and
shading
I'm,
particularly
the
Sun
facing
so
I
effectively.
Although
I'd
love
to
put
solar
on
my
house
I
understand,
the
payback
is
coming
down,
the
technology
is
getting
better,
but
I
really
can't
do
that.
I
would
love
to
toss
an
extension
cord
people
over
my
good
neighbor
fence,
a
couple
doors
down
where
my
neighbor
has
plenty
of
rooftop
space.
I
could
provide
this
to
you.
That
seems
like
a
pretty
funding
solution.
A
B
Percent
solar
option
or
that
hundred
percent
local
solar
option,
it's
a
really
incentivize
the
marketplace
and
hopefully
entice
people
to
really
install
additional
solar
capacity.
If
they
have
it
in
Rin,
you
know
you
can
go
and
actually
peace,
unity,
territory
as
well
up
to
a
hundred
and
ten
percent
of
the
capacity
or
demand
of
your
house,
you
can
install
so
that's,
hopefully,
motivation
for
homeowners
to
install
additional
capacity
that
you
then
would
be
able
to
leverage
by
through
the
local
soul
program.
B
A
B
B
A
B
B
So
we
were
able
to
build
out
the
site
a
little
bit
more,
but
it
has
to
be
an
adjacent
property,
so
that
was
the
only
way
that
we
could
work
it
or
an
adjacent
meter.
So
ya
know:
we've
really
long
wanted
to
put
solar
out
at
the
Civic
Center.
We
just
don't
necessarily
have
the
ground
space
to
make
that
work.
B
A
So
what
you're
saying
is
if
we
had
a
program,
if
we
adopted
the
same
kind
of
program
as
marin
has
or
sonoma
has,
we
could
be
offsetting,
building
more
solar
one
location,
offset
power
in
another
location.
Is
that
correct,
yep
yep?
That
would
be
the
goal.
Well,
that
all
sounds
like
we
could
bring
up
the
sitting
pretty
quickly
because.
B
B
Now
our
program
is
really
geared
toward
Silicon,
Valley
or
Santa
Clara
County,
so
we
have
reached
out
to
other
communities
within
santa
clara
county
that
don't
currently
have
their
own
municipal
utilities.
Those
municipal
utilities
already
have
their
own
infrastructure
distribution
generation,
so
they're
not
necessarily
or
excuse
me
just
distribution
and
transmission
lines,
not
looking
to
get
into
the
renewable
energy
space
beyond
what
they're
already
accomplished.
So
a
lot
of
cities
have
already
decided
that
they
wanted
to
partner
how
I,
with
the
city,
in
our
technical
study.
B
B
The
majority
of
them
have
decided
that
they
want
us
to
research,
a
review,
what
opportunities
they
have
to
partner
with
us
a
little
bit
more,
and
hopefully
we
have
a
very
positive
out,
we'll
study
showing
that
you
know
rates
are
aligned
with
what
our
hopes
are
and
that
we
have.
You
know,
opportunities
in
the
programmatic
space
and
slip
incentives
and
rebates,
and
things
like
that.
So.
B
What
we're
looking
to
do
is,
after
we
find
the
results
of
our
technical
study
if
they
are
positive.
Take
this,
as
well
as
a
jpa
agreement
back
to
our
City
Council,
for
authorization
to
proceed
with
the
formation
of
this
nonprofit
organization.
That
would
ultimately
be
the
oversight
entity
and
the
you
know,
precursor
to
a
program.
A
community
choice.
Energy
program
in
our
community
can.
B
That
would
be
January
for
the
cities
that
are
basically
from
footing
the
bill
for
the
technical
study
so
setting
the
amount
tioga
bertino
on
the
county
would
be
going
to
our
city
councils
in
january.
So
if
viewers
out
there
are
interested
in
renewable
energy
looking
to
save
a
little
bit
of
money
by
amplifying
the
renewable
energy
that
they
have
powering
their
homes,
we
would
really
invite
you
and
encourage
you
to
go
to
your
council
meetings
in
January.
The
other
communities
that
we're
hoping
will
ally
and
partner
with
us.
B
A
A
B
Yeah,
so
you
know
certainly
there's
an
opportunity
to
study
those
a
little
bit
further,
but
the
way
that
it's
worked
in
Marin
and
Sonoma
is
you
know
the
the
elected
electric
representatives
have
helped
define
and
set
the
pace
and
stage
really
for
what
the
incentives,
what
the
rebates,
what
the
programs
will
look
like
when
the
rates
are
for
the
organization
and
if
we
would
look
to
parallel
that
here
in
our
community.
Okay,.
A
B
Way
that
it's
working
actually
in
Marin
is,
if
you
are
currently
and
the
energy
meter
customer
your
PG&E,
you
automatically
get
enrolled
within
the
cct
program,
so
there
really
is
no
need
to
delay
or
hesitate.
You
have
the
ability
to
take
advantage
of
the
benefits
the
CCA
would
offer
in
the
future.
The
only
thing
I
would
mention
is
that
they
have
looked
at
other
incentives
and
rebates
that
go
above
and
beyond
the
current
utility.
A
B
Mean
those
are
valid
and
very
great
questions.
You
know
the
way
that
the
program
is
structured
again,
it's
a
non-profit.
It's
a
separate
legal
entities,
though
none
of
the
no
taxpayer
dollars
are
going
to
fund
this
program.
It's
exclusively
run
through
the
revenues
that
are
generated
through
selling
electricity
to
current
customers
in
terms
of
pge
they'll
remain
an
absolute
essential
partner.
A
A
B
We
still
need
that
infrastructure
that
transmission
and
distribution
still
remains
the
same,
so
those
jobs
are,
you
know,
are
absolutely
still
essential
in
order
to
provide
the
service
member.
Looking
for,
as
you
mentioned,
this
is
this
program
is
really
working
to
amplify
and
accelerate
renewable
energy
for
in
and
Sonoma
both
have
local
solar
programs
so
we're
well.
B
They
would
assume
that
we
would
work
to
identify
opportunities
to
generate
jobs
and
create
types
of
projects
here
in
Silicon
Valley,
so
in
Marin
they
were
able
to
actually
I
think
it's
been
about
five
hundred
million
dollars
in
local
economic
benefits.
They
have
created
about
1,800
jobs
just
through
the
siting
of
renewable
energy
projects
and
over
225
megawatts
project.
So
we
look
to
do
the
same
here
and
and
possibly
even
exceed
that,
because
we
have
a
stronger
customer
demand.
We
have
a
bigger
population.
A
B
A
I'm
we're
here
at
DeAnza
College,
as
we
said,
I'm,
not
sinks,
I'm,
the
mayor
of
Cupertino,
for
any
of
you
who
turned
in
after
we
started,
and
this
is
aaron
cook
who
is
manager
of
sustainability,
programs
and
assistant
city
manager,
in
the
city
and
on
this
college.
I
know
some
time
ago,
folks,
managing
this.
The
foothill-de
Anza
board
led
the
way
and
put
up
a
lot
of
solar
that
tracks
the
center
back.
This
is
an
example
of
one
of
those
yep.
A
B
A
They've
been
invested
a
lot
in
solar
in
an
effort
to
try
to
reduce
their
put
some
money
in
the
capital
which
is
easier
for
them
to
raise
in
order
to
get
off
set
on
operating
costs.
Can
you
comment
on
how
this
might
impact
these
institutions
of
ours,
as
well
as
our
major
employers?
Could
they
become
our
suppliers?
In
effect,
to
the
extent
they
have
excess
energy
I?
Think.
B
It
they're
certainly
the
potential
there,
but
specifically
if
they
want
to
build
out
a
little
bit
further
I
mean
all
of
these.
Electrons
are
basically
going
directly
into
our
grid.
So
if
there's
additional
capacity
and
they
like
to
oversize
their
system
or
expand
I
think
certainly
the
potential
would
be
there.
You
know
these
are
institutional
customers,
so
they're
part
of
a
different
class,
but
I
think
they
would
still
have
the
ability
to
participate
in
community
choice,
energy,
as
would
any
of
our
large
commercial
customers.
B
So
we
have
had
some
cumbers
conversations
with
barber
larger
corporations.
Some
of
their
properties
are
not
actually
on
direct
access
and
or
the
ones
that
are
you
know
if
we
were
to
present,
provide
or
present
a
new
incentive
program,
a
new
rebate
program,
a
different
rate
structure.
That
would
be,
you
know
more
compelling
to
them.
They've
talked
about
really
partnering
with
us
and
potentially
becoming
a
customer
as
well.
So
the
options
definitely
there
so.
A
Some
of
our
larger
companies,
just
like
the
city
facilities
all
over
town
yep,
so
they
may
be
direct
access.
Your
sang
on
some
of
the
bigger
facilities,
but
in
some
of
their
pockets
today,
where
they
have
office
lease
space
or
whatever
they
may
not
have
the
incentive,
but
they
could
build
out
solar
elsewhere
in
order
our
buildings
locally
or
do
some
other
things.
Yep.
B
B
You
know
at
this
point
we're
really
just
looking
to
help
spread
the
word
a
little
bit
more
about
community
choice.
Energy,
give
some
context
of
what's
been
happening
here
in
Silicon
Valley,
we're
very
proud
of
the
progress
that
we've
been
able
to
make
towards
achieving
this
very
major
milestone
in
our
climate
action
plan.
You
know,
we
know
that
accelerating
renewable
energy
is
the
greatest
way
to
reduce
greenhouse
gases
in
our
community,
above
and
beyond.
B
Some
of
the
transportation
work
that
mayor
sinks
is
really
leading
here
in
our
city,
and
so
we've
been
great,
really
excited
to
partner
with
other
cities
in
Santa
and
Silicon
Valley,
as
we
do
for
other
projects
and
programs.
We
know
we
can't
go
it
alone
and
we
know
that
partnership
is
really
the
best
way
forward
and
we
feel
like
it's
going
to
be
the
best
way
forward
for
all
residents
and
all
businesses
in
cupertino
that
opt
to
remain
in
our
program,
so
I
would
say,
stay
tuned.
B
Make
sure
that
you
take
advantage
of
the
community
meetings
that
are
happening.
You
can
learn
more
about
those
at
sv
clean
energy
org,
and
you
can
also
learn
a
little
bit
more
about
community
choice,
energy.
We
have
a
frequently
asked
question
sheet
there.
Our
initial
study
is
available.
We'll
have
all
upcoming
meeting
dates
if
you
want
to
help
spread.
The
word
talk
to
neighbors
about
the
program.
B
And/Or
get
folks
to
come
to
our
city
council
meeting,
so
stay
tuned,
we'll
have
another
community
meeting
actually
the
first
week
of
December
to
release
the
results
of
our
technical
study.
So
we
hope
we'll
hear
from
more
of
you
then,
and
in
the
interim
I
would
say,
make
sure
you
you
send
your
ideas
and
feedback
to
mayor
sinks
or
myself,
Aaron
see
at
cupertino,
org
or
or.
A
Our
sinks,
our
sinks
at
Cupertino
gorg,
and
I
will
tell
you
last
night:
we
had
a
good
audience
at
our
very
first
outreach
meeting
in
cupertino
community
hall
tonight
at
six-thirty.
If
you're
in
the
area,
you
can
go
to
Mount
new
city
hall,
right,
630
and
yeah.
If
you
go
to
silicon
sv,
clean
energy
org
and
go
to
events,
you
will
see
a
list
of
where
these
meetings
are
taking
place.
A
There
will
be
a
total
of
six
in
the
county
this
month
to
introduce
the
concept
to
you
further,
you
get
more
information
and
get
questions
answered
and
part
of
the
feedback
part
of
what
we're
looking
for
is
what
you're
you
know
what
you
would
have
us
do.
Would
you
like,
cheaper
electricity?
Would
you
like,
greener
electricity?
Would
you
be
willing
to
pay
a
small
premium
for
electricity?
That
say:
seventy
percent
are
a
hundred
percent
green.
A
All
these
are
good
questions
as
we
think
about
what
we
want
our
operating
rules
to
be
our
operating
conditions
for
the
electricity
options
we
offer,
so
that
will
do
it
for
this
periscope
session
on
Community
Choice
energy,
and
we
really
appreciate
your
tuning
in
this-
is
going
to
be
a
big
topic.
I'll
tell
you.
A
San
mateo
county
is
on
about
the
same
schedule
as
we
are
maybe
a
little
ahead
of
us
san
francisco,
Alameda
County,
Contra,
Costa
County,
so
we're
all
working
on
this,
because
we
recognize
that
we
all
have
a
role
to
play
in
in
going
on
a
carbon
footprint
and
helping
the
world
mitigate
climate
change,
I'm
rod,
sinks,
I'm
the
mayor
of
Cupertino
happy
to
have
Aaron,
Cook
and
they'll
sign
on
foot
today.
Thank
you
very
much
for
watching.
Thank.