SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Subject: RECEIVE Report on Bay Area Regional Energy Network Programs
Submitted For: SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Department: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Presenter: Demian Hardman-Saldana || Principal Planner | DCD
Contact: Demian Hardman-Saldana | (925) 655-2816
Referral History:
In July 2012, the County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), a collaborative partnership among the nine Bay Area counties and led by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), for the purpose of facilitating the implementation of energy efficiency programs throughout the Bay Area.
In late 2012, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved BayREN as a pilot program (effective January 1, 2013) to implement Energy Efficiency (EE) Programs for the purpose of filling gaps in EE Program activities not being offered by the Investor-Owned Utility’s (IOUs, such as PG&E) or Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs, such as MCE).
Since 2013, all BayREN counties have received CPUC funding each calendar year to provide marketing, education and outreach for various EE Programs offered through BayREN. On July 3, 2023, the CPUC approved, among other things, the BayREN business plan for 2024 through 2031 (Decision 23-06-055). The business plan allowed BayREN to continue operating six existing programs and launch four new programs to fill gaps in energy efficiency services, pilot innovative programs, and serve hard-to-reach customers.
Referral Update:
Staff will present a report on all BayREN Program activities currently being offered.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE UPDATE on Bay Area Regional Energy Network and PROVIDE DIRECTION.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.