NCPA members operate within a complex political and economic environment.  For our small and mid-sized public utilities, the issues themselves vary over time, but fundamentally, our work to preserve local decisionmaking in the energy policy debate consistently produces highly beneficial outcomes for the communities and districts we represent – as well as for the State of California. 

Aligning with the guiding principle of local control has proven to be a sure way of creating policy that is both responsible and forward looking.  Moreover, our connection and accountability to the communities and citizens we serve has placed NCPA member utilities on the cutting edge of environmental issues. 

Like public power nationally, NCPA has long been committed to environmental stewardship within the energy industry. The recent approval of legislation making California the first state in the country to enact mandatory greenhouse gas emissions standards is welcomed by NCPA members as an indication that the rest of the state is turning its attention to issues which have always been of the highest priority for NCPA .

In addressing key energy issues, NCPA’s Roseville, California–based Legislative and Regulatory Affairs team works hand in hand with the California Municipal Utilities Association, the Southern California Public Power Authority, the American Public Power Association, the Transmission Agency of Northern California, and the Transmission Access Policy Study Group.  

CO2/Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Global Climate Change

NCPA participates in state and national initiatives to help reduce CO2/greenhouse gas emissions through advocating best practices, promoting research and development, and developing joint action projects to provide the benefits of scale to our smaller utility members. The global consequences of environmental impacts constitute a challenge for utilities in the energy business. Publicly owned utilities, like NCPA's members, have asserted responsible energy production for decades - and have made it happen. The tension between meeting demands for electricity (resource adequacy) while achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, is not new for NCPA leadership, and our experience has provided important policy direction for California as a whole.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency includes policy and programs that promote efficiencies in the production and use of electricity--beginning at the generation sites and continuing all the way through to our members' local businesses and homes. NCPA actively works with leaders from the regulatory and legislative branches to assure optimal autonomy for NCPA members, enabling them to design policy which makes every kilowatt count.

Renewables

NCPA has, since its creation, recognized the importance of renewable energy sources--they are a perfect fit for its core values of environmental responsibility and energy security. Currently, NCPA's resource base is 64% renewable, and, when large hydro facilities are included, (they were excluded under AB 1890's definition because of environmental impacts of large dams) NCPA's percentage comes up to 96%. NCPA has fought hard to assure that its members continue to retain the right to design and implement their own Renewable Portfolio Standards.

Solar

Renewable energy has been a priority for NCPA for decades, yet solar is not the end-all and be-all of the optimal energy portfolio. To mandate a one-size-fits all solution, when that solution has its own inherent design and materials flaws is a policy rejected by NCPA and its members. Individual members of NCPA craft their portfolio by policy determined at the local level to optimize unique climate conditions and local needs.

Public Benefit Programs

Under AB1890 (1996), utilities set aside approximately 3% of their gross revenues for programs that fall into categories that were expected to be jeopardized in what was thought would be a competitive electricity market. Consequently, NCPA members use these funds for 1) low income customers, 2) research and development, 3) renewables, and 4) energy efficiency. Historically, NCPA members in general have used the majority of these funds for environmental efficiency programs, programs that are just now gaining attention of the legislature as an essential plank of a comprehensive state energy policy.

ISO Reform

Again, under AB1890, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) was designated to provide transmission management services to support the reliability of California's electricity grids. Fair rules, policies that protect public utility customers, and the allocation of the enormous costs of CAISO are issues demanding NCPA's constant leadership.

Exit Fees

Growth and expansion adjacent to publicly owned utilities [and into mostly undeveloped land technically within investor owned utility (IOU) franchise areas] has triggered issues that call for a fair treatment of customers that are in the growth zones. NCPA asserts equitable policy and legislation supportive of both growth and appropriate compensation for IOUs.

Central Valley Project

NCPA promotes fair costs for water and power customers of California's Central Valley Project, while asserting generous environmental remediation and restoration efforts.