HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2112 RESOLUTION NO. 2112
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SARATOGA IN SUPPORT OF RELICENSING OF HYDROELECTRIC
PROJECTS TO THE PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
WHEREAS, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company has over the past
100 years developed a safe, reliable, and economic system of
hydroelectric generating facilities dedicated to the use and
benefit of its customers living throughout central and northern
California; and,
WHEREAS, PGandE's 3.5 million customers represent an area
population of almost 10 million people who now utilize and share
the benefits of this power PGandE generates without the use of
fossil fuels; and,
WHEREAS, certain of these hydroelectric facilities, consisting
of projects licensed by the Federal Power Commission, now known
as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), are subject
to consideration for relicense by FERC; and,
WHEREAS, efforts are being made by certain municipal entities to
secure for themselves nine PGandE hydroelectric powerplants in
projects on the Mokelumne, Feather, Stanislaus and Kings Rivers
through applications to FERC; efforts which, if successful, would
transfer ownership and operation of these hydroelectric facilities
away from PGandE and would divert the low cost power away from
PGandE's many customers; and,
WHEREAS, it would be directly contrary to the best interests of
the citizens of Saratoga and to the best interests of the millions
of PGandE customers throughout northern and central California
whose rates have supported PGandE's ownership and operation of these
hydroelectric facilities if the Rock Creek-Cresta Project and
Mokelumne River Project were cut out of the hydroelectric genera-
ting system PGandE uses to serve them; and,
WHEREAS, if these projects were to be transferred to the munici-
palities seeking them, PGandE customers will be forced to pay,
every year, increased costs for electricity from oil or gas fired
generating facilities in amounts over $100,000,000; and,
WHEREAS, the continued ownership, operating and improvement of
its hydroelectric generating facilities by PGandE is essential to
the public interest and to the social and economic well being of
the people of northern and central California; and,
WHEREAS, retention of these projects by PGandE is the only course
consistent with the fullest improvement and utilization of these
resources in the public interest.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Saratoga hereby urges and requests that the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission promptly relicense these hydroelectric
facilities to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and to reject the
applications of the municipally-run utilities seeking to take
these projects away from PGandE and its customers.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held
on the 4th day of Jan~mry , 1984, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Callon, .Clevenger, Fanelli, Mallory and Mayor Foyles
NOES: None
ATTEST: