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Counties and other local agencies are partners in the fight against
global warming and are willing and able to lead in the development
of innovative and effective programs to meet AB 32 objectives. 
Many local governments have experience with providing energy
efficiency programs to our communities, utilizing existing ties
with both residential and business interests.  Most recently, two
different Regional Energy Networks (RENs) have been formally
recognized.  These are geographically-significant coalitions of
local governments that demonstrated exceptional design, management,
cost-effectiveness, and performance during the State’s ARRA-funded
State Energy Program, and whose purpose is to accelerate the path
to attainment of the State’s emissions reductions and energy
efficiency goals.  Additionally, local government-managed energy
programs are well suited to access public-private funding and
partnerships, and create jobs by leveraging local and regional
employment programs and relationships with organized labor and
other groups.  Many local agencies, including the County of Santa
Clara, are already aggressively pursuing such projects, but the
lack of financing represents a significant problem for cities and
counties throughout the state.  

For your additional consideration, our Board has adopted a set of
principles to guide the spending of the cap-and-trade auction. 
These principles are attached.  

We appreciate your consideration of our views.