CPUC Office of the Tribal Advisor | April 2024 | |
CONNECTED:
A monthly newsletter from the Office of the Tribal Advisor at CPUC
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The Office of the Tribal Advisor is a resource to improve government-to-government relationships and communication between Native American Tribes and the CPUC. | |
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Tribal Grants
CPUC has a number of grant opportunities specifically tailored to the needs of California Native American Tribes. To learn more, visit our Tribal Grants page...
CPUC Tribal Grant Information
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Governor Gavin Newsom and Chairwoman Erica Pinto fielding comments from Yurok Tribal Chairperson Joe James during the 2024 Tribal Nations Summit, in Sacramento, CA February 26th, 2024 |
Tribal Nations Summit held in Sacramento
On February 26, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Native American Tribal leaders gathered together for the 5th annual California Tribal Nations Summit, held at the Natural Resources Agency Headquarters in Sacramento. Co-hosted by the Governor’s Office and the California Tribal Chairpersons Association, the Summit convenes California tribal leaders and Newsom Administration officials to discuss a range of issues of mutual importance, with an emphasis on how we can work together to strengthen government-to-government relationships with tribes throughout the state.
The Summit provides a forum for Administration officials to consult directly with California tribal officials to shape and update the policy priorities of the State of California regarding California Native Americans and tribal governments. This year's event was attended by Commissioner Darcie Houck and CPUC Tribal Advisor Kenneth Holbrook. The event was emceed by Jamul Indian Village Chairperson Erica Pinto.
To learn more, visit the Governor's Office of Tribal Affairs.
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US Dept of Energy's Office of Indian Energy staff, led by Director Wahleah Johns, alongside Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Maccaro, at the 2024 US Department of Energy’s Tribal Clean Energy Summit, Temecula, CA February 27th, 2024 | |
Pechanga hosts 2024 Department of Energy's Tribal Clean Energy Summit | |
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Approximately every two years, the US Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy invites Tribal leaders and energy stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore solutions to support tribal energy development. This year's event was place-based and held in California, in Temecula at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, on February 27-28, 2024.
Typically, Tribal leaders—together with decision-makers from DOE, the Administration, representatives from federal agencies, state governments, private industry, utilities, and academia—attend to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore cross-cutting and cost-effective solutions to national energy interests.
The highly attended multi-day event featured addresses by US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Director of the Office of Indian Energy Wahleah Johns, and Chairperson Mark Maccaro of the hosting Tribe Pechanga. An exceptional lineup of speaker panels showcased Tribal participants, leading discussions on a range of energy topics. Emceed by internationally acclaimed Lakota Actor and Writer Jana Schmeiding, the summit was attended by more than 700 Tribal leaders, staff, and partners.
The Summit garnered positive feedback, including how the location was more accessible and the programming was relevant and provided access to DOE program offices. When asked about the future of energy in Indian Country, interviewees used words like “resiliency” and “capacity building,” and described a long but achievable path toward greater energy reliability and sovereignty.
More information can be found on the Office of Indian Energy's event page, including live stream recordings of the highly informative presentations held throughout the two days.
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Secretary Jennifer Granholm delivers keynote address at the 2024 US Department of Energy’s Tribal Clean Energy Summit, Temecula, CA February 27th, 2024. “It’s the legacy we hope we
will leave because the projects we’re investing in are like saplings that we’re
planting across the country,” said Granholm
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CPUC Tribal Advisor Kenneth Holbrook with DOE Office of Indian Energy Deputy Director David Conrad, and DOE Tribal Liaison Matt Dannenberg at the 2024 US Department of Energy’s Tribal Clean Energy Summit, Temecula, CA February 28th, 2024. | |
Staff and Tribal members for California Tribes Linnea Jackson (Hoopa) and Michael Gerace (Yurok) leading panel discussion on a range of matters related to Offshore Wind Development. | |
Get Involved! CPUC Working to Establish Strategic Objectives for its $5.5 Billion EPIC Clean Energy Program | |
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The Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) supports the development of new, emerging, and pre-commercial clean energy innovations in California. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires that EPIC portfolios be designed to ensure ratepayer benefits in the form of equitable access to safe, affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy for electricity ratepayers.
This program is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the CPUC. EPIC funds are currently administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC), which administers 80% of EPIC funds and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), which together administer the remaining 20% of EPIC funds.
The Epic Strategic Objectives Workshop Process is an opportunity for Tribes to provide input at the early stage of setting objectives for the program. CPUC invites you to the next in-person meeting, scheduled for April 30-May 1 in San Diego, will establish strategic objectives for distributed energy resources and climate adaptation. The process can be further informed after the conclusion of these meetings, but the list of objectives for EPIC will be established during these meetings. Your input is critical!
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New CPUC program offers support to Tribes who wish to participate in agency process and events
The Equity and Access Grant Program's Public Participation Grant Account compensates Tribal governments, 501(c)(3) organizations, and all Tribal entities for their involvement in CPUC-initiated events.
Advisory Board members, Focus Group Participants, En Banc Speakers/Panelists, Panelists, Featured Speakers/Presenters, Working Group participants, or any individuals invited by CPUC staff to participate in a CPUC event are eligible for compensation.
Further details, including eligibility requirements and the application process, can be found on our website: Equity and Access Grant Program (ca.gov)
Please keep in mind that only activities occurring after September 8, 2023, will be considered for reimbursement. See the helpful visual aid below, which describes the process. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Office of the Tribal Advisor who can assist.
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CPUC Issues Staff Proposal for its High Distributed Energy Resources Proceeding (R.21-06-017)
The CPUC has issued a Staff Proposal for public comment in its High Distributed Energy Resources (High DER) proceeding regarding electric distribution system planning improvements. The Staff Proposal states that California anticipates entering a period of historic load growth related to ambitious electrification objectives, and current distribution planning may not be adequate to meet this change in load growth, potentially leading to longer energization timelines. The Staff Proposal contends these distribution planning issues can be mitigated through improving methods for forecasting load growth and disaggregating load growth to specific locations on the grid and presents a series of proposals for utility action and changes in regulation.
Links to the Ruling and Staff Proposal.
More information on CPUC distribution planning can be found here: Distribution Planning (ca.gov)
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Office of the Tribal Advisor | |
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Kenneth Holbrook, Tribal Advisor
Phone: (415) 793-8522
Email: Kenneth.Holbrook@cpuc.ca.gov
The CPUC values its commitment to provide excellent outreach and engagement to the Native American Tribes of California, per our Tribal Consultation Policy. We recognize and appreciate the sovereignty of our State’s Tribal governments and our goal is to work together with you to solve your community’s utility challenges.
If you have a general question regarding CPUC process or a public event on our event calendar, please reach out to my office. Additionally, Eric Sawyer in the CPUC Public Advisor’s Office (PAO) can also provide general information on how to participate in CPUC process.
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