Exploring Public Power Generation Part Two

SCP, a community-owned organization, has fought for lower rates and more renewable energy. Starting in 2014, SCP began replacing PG&E’s power sources for customers across Mendocino and Sonoma counties. SCP is not a full municipal utility and does not replace PG&E as it still relies on the latter to maintain all the poles and wires in the power grid.SCP does not take on PG&E’s wildfire risk or infrastructure responsibilities.

Over the past decade, SCP has trimmed power bills by more than $100 million and built large solar, wind, and battery systems. Today, SCP generates electricity for 87% of customers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. SCP serves one-third of California homes and businesses.

SCP was featured in our August 2025 edition.

SCP CEO Geof Syphers explained that SCP operates as a Joint Powers Authority, signing long-term contracts while member cities and counties carry no financial liability. “This firewall is critical,” Syphers said, noting SCP holds over $1 billion in contracts that cannot transfer to local governments. If Lake County joins, the SCP Board would expand from 11 to 13 members, including one County supervisor representative and a shared representative from Clearlake and Lakeport.

As a Community Choice Aggregation, SCP allows local governments control over generation while relying on PG&E’s grid. Syphers explains benefits of joining SCP for Lake County: local financial oversight, support for large renewable projects, protections for residents and businesses, customer advocacy and local investment. SCP engages in community giving, even donating to Lake County for the 2015 Valley Fire, and provides trade supports and partners with schools youth programs, including Letitia Hanke’s LIME Foundation, which received a grant to purchase an electric vehicle.

Erica Torgerson, SCP Managing Director of Customer Service, described how residents would be engaged in advance of launch. From May to October 2026, SCP will hold events, meetings, and outreach, particularly in low-income, English-as-a-second-language, solar and Tribal communities, preparing for a May 2027 launch. For the first time, residents and businesses will be automatically enrolled with options, but with the power of choice:

1. Remain with PG&E

2. Join SCP’s default 51% renewable service

3. Choose 100% locally generated renewable power

She stressed, “We were not formed to make a profit. SCP does not have shareholders. We fully prioritize customer service, with bilingual staff, bill guidance, energy-saving tips, and rates tailored to local needs.”

Looking ahead, SCP is exploring geothermal energy as a reliable, year-round source that can reduce emissions and support the local economy. Ryan Tracey, SCP Director of Planning & Analytics, highlighted geothermal’s role in Northern California, offsetting emissions from over 400,000 cars, supporting jobs and tax revenue, and lowering long-term energy costs. California has ordered 2,000 MW of new geothermal construction, and SCP’s GeoZone across Sonoma and Mendocino counties aims to build 600 MW of local clean power, giving SCP customers priority access while helping guide state development to preferred sites. Tracey said, “We’ve continually collected community input. Lake County has the chance to get involved early and help shape projects.”

Neal Reardon SCP Director of Regulatory Affair shared his role in making sure customer voices are heard in statewide decisions. Customers’ top concern is high rates, so SCP focuses on advocating for lower rates and holding PG&E accountable for its calculations. He explained that the for-profit utility model incentivizes higher spending, making oversight critical. SCP champions customers’ rights and engages in legislative advocacy. Reardon highlighted the passage of AB 1359, which brings local control to permitting geothermal exploration projects, alongside two other bills supporting community input and oversight.

Mendocino County Chair and District 3 Supervisor John Haschak commended SCP’s professionalism, transparency, and community engagement, noting that SCP provides clean energy at lower costs. District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier discussed the planned geothermal zones, Assembly Bill 531, the County’s withdrawal process if needed, and emphasized the importance of Tribal engagement and community input with SCP.

District 5 Board Supervisor Jessica Pyska thanked everyone for attending. “The GeoZone is simply an opportunity to explore local power generation, while all land use and permitting decisions remain under our control. This is about giving residents and businesses a choice—energy costs are crushing families and small businesses, and this provides an option.”

The Board of Supervisors agreed to postpone the decision on joining SCP.