August 15, 2023
Subject: Title 28 to the San Jose Municipal Code to establish a Municipal Utility for Electric Service
To: Honorable Mayor Matt Mahan and Members of the City Council
Via email to: mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov, city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov
The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter advocates for land use issues related to energy, waste, and water. The Sierra Club has long advocated for efficiency, resilience, and pollution reduction as the least-cost, least environmentally damaging way to deliver services to our residents and businesses.
The Sierra Club offers strong but conditional support for Article 28 to create San José Power, to provide electric service for selected new loads in the City, and to submit an application for access to a forthcoming underground transmission line. Our support is conditional on not expanding destruction of habitat in Coyote Valley, particularly not south of the Metcalf Substation.
PG&E currently has a significant backlog for interconnection of new loads to the electric grid. Their Power Safety Public Shutdowns affect all residents. Wildfires caused by downed power lines continue to dominate the news, create climate refugees and cost cities budgets and lives. The new transmission lines will allow San Jose Power to enable larger microgrids that increase clean energy and resiliency of new developments. As the LA Times reported, MUNI’s provide 50% or more cheaper power to customers.
Please support Title 28 and acquire new transmission lines and ensure the clear call from City residents to preserve Coyote Valley.
Respectfully,
James Eggers, Senior Director
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter