The City Councils of both Gridley and Biggs announced the adoption of similar resolutions to oppose Proposition 7; the Solar & Clean Energy Act of 2008. The initiative, on the November 2008 ballot, establishes a 50% renewable portfolio standard requirement by 2025, and extends state authority over locally-controlled public power systems.
Gridley and Biggs are already leaders in promoting sound energy policies that include a strong commitment to the development of renewable energy and provision of energy for customers at the lowest possible prices. Gridley and Biggs today exceed their locally set targets for renewable energy and are well ahead of the state average for electric power providers. Including power coming from large and small hydroelectric facilities, geothermal steam fields and wind resources, over 64% of Biggs and Gridley current power purchases are from renewable sources; compare to 34% for the average of other utilities statewide. Both cities also have efforts underway to invest further in renewable sources.
Local voters are urged and encouraged by their city councils to consider voting “No” on Proposition 7 in order to preserve local accountability for electric power and to better control costs and rates locally.
Gridley and Biggs are both long time members of NCPA (Northern California Power Agency), where local accountability is a core value. NCPA has a solid tradition of leadership and environmental stewardship, and its members have a longstanding commitment to the generation of electricity from environmentally-responsible sources. NCPA’s sustainability efforts began more than 20 years ago by responding to customer-owners’ core values of environmental responsibility and energy security. Through acquisition of the Geysers Geothermal Project, construction of the North Fork Stanislaus River Hydroelectric Development Project and a new solar plant scheduled to go online in Lake County by the end of the year, NCPA members’ resource base is 64 percent renewable and growing.
About Northern California Power Agency (NCPA)
NCPA, located in Roseville, California, is a joint powers agency providing clean renewable energy to its 17 member communities and districts in Northern and Central California. Founded in 1968, NCPA owns and operates several power plants that together comprise a 96% emission-free generation portfolio. NCPA has owned and operated four geothermal power plants of 55 MWe each at The Geysers, 252 MWe hydroelectric plants, 125 MWe Simple Combustion Turbine plants and 49.9 MWe Steam Injected Combustion Turbine plants for over 25 years.
