University of California, Merced
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

1. Tom Hothem, a member of the Chancellors Advisory Committee on Sustainability Chairs the City of Merced Bicycle Advisory Committee which serves to advocate and advise the City Council on issues and matters relating to improving conditions for bicyclists, with a responsibility for reviewing the City Municipal Code as it relates to bicycling and improving conditions. 1.https://www.cityofmerced.org/depts/cityclerk/boards_n_commissions/bicycle_advisory_commission/default.asp

The UC State Government Relations (SGR) serves as the primary representative to state elected officials and agencies, providing advocacy on legislation and public policies that provide for, extend, and enhance the University’s authority to conduct its business operations in a manner that is efficient and sustainable, as well as advocating against measures that would limit this authority. • The UC Office of the President’s Wholesale Power Program (“WPP”) Public Policy Involvement: The University of California Wholesale Power Program is in regular communication with UC’s state government relations and policy teams review and track proposed energy-related legislation at the state level. As a regulated load serving entity (“LSE”, a.k.a. an Electric Service Provider or “ESP”) UC often participates in the implementation phase of legislation within state regulatory proceedings. UC, in its role as an ESP is regulated by the CPUC and CEC (California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”), the California Energy Commission (“CEC”).) We also have to transact through/via the California Independent System Operator (“CAISO”) for our energy needs. We also report the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”). Highlights of WPP activity at the state level include: • UC became a party to two CPUC proceedings related to the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (“PCIA”), which is an exit fee borne by customers who do not take full service from an Investor Owned Utility (“IOU). UC has approximately 300,000 MWh of load in this category. In the consolidated ERRA proceeding we are seeking PCIA credits that have been withheld by PG&E. In the PCIA Reform/Replacement proceeding, we are advocating for revisions to the PCIA that are transparent, predictable, and prevent cost shifting to departed customers, as well as establishing a PCIA “sunset” timeline and creating a buy-out option for future PCIA charges. • UC also filed comments regarding: o Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) penalty/waiver reforms, o Implementation of mandatory Integrated Resource Plans (“IRPs”) for all LSEs, pursuant to SB350, and o The CEC’s proposal to implement Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Accounting methodology as part of the required annual power source disclosure process, pursuant to AB1110 As a regulated LSE, we also routinely file progress reports with all the aforementioned agencies related to capacity obligations, RPS compliance, power supply sources, and retail sales.

UC Federal Government Relations is the liaison to the federal government, working with Congress, the administration, federal agencies and national organizations to advocate for the UC System and the University missions in education, research and public service. Examples include: -- Convening UC faculty and staff to host Congressional briefings. Congressional briefings that highlight the impact of the University’s sustainability efforts on campus operations and showcase UC as a model for other institutions are a part of the University’s effort to demonstrate the value of investing in UC and advocate for the federal funding that supports the University’s energy and sustainability goals. -- Participating in DC lobby days, including the annual Coalition for National Science Funding Day on Capitol Hill. Representatives from UC campuses attend meetings with members of Congress and their staff and contribute to the National Science Foundation (NSF) project exhibit. --On February 6, 2018, the University of California announced that it had assembled an international coalition of 13 research universities across the United States, Canada and Mexico – called the University Climate Change Coalition, or UC3 – who were committing to work together to galvanize local and regional action on climate change. Member institutions represent more than 1.5 million students across North America. The coalition will release a report in fall 2018 that will serve as a roadmap for how local, state, and federal lawmakers, higher education institutions, businesses and community leaders can work together to achieve ambitious, research-tested climate goals.

--On February 6, 2018, the University of California announced that it had assembled an international coalition of 13 research universities across the United States, Canada and Mexico – called the University Climate Change Coalition, or UC3 – who were committing to work together to galvanize local and regional action on climate change. Member institutions represent more than 1.5 million students across North America. The coalition will release a report in fall 2018 that will serve as a roadmap for how local, state, and federal lawmakers, higher education institutions, businesses and community leaders can work together to achieve ambitious, research-tested climate goals.

https://www.cityofmerced.org/depts/cityclerk/boards_n_commissions/bicycle_advisory_commission/default.asp