LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors and the Clearlake and Lakeport city councils will convene for a special meeting next week to discuss a proposal for public power generation.

The public is invited to learn more about how Lake County could offer an alternative to Pacific Gas and Electric’s electric power sources, cut emissions and potentially trim rates while maintaining PG&E for grid maintenance. 

Attendees will learn how Mendocino and Sonoma counties have successfully replaced PG&E’s power sources with their own, and how Lake County is considering a similar action through Sonoma Clean Power.

The joint workshop of the supervisors and the two councils will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the board chambers at 255 N Forbes St.

Sonoma Clean Power will make a presentation on its power sources and services. The organization will then answer questions from Lake County, Lakeport and Clearlake elected officials, as well as the public.

Earlier this year, the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake sent requests to Sonoma Clean Power to consider extending service into Lake County. This meeting will continue to explore that option in detail. 

The expectation is then that the Board of Supervisors will vote on the decision on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with the Clearlake City Council to vote on Thursday, Oct. 2, and the Lakeport City Council to make its decision on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Sonoma Clean Power is a community-owned organization fighting for lower rates and more renewable energy. 

Starting in 2014, Sonoma Clean Power began replacing PG&E’s power sources for customers across Mendocino and Sonoma counties. 

Sonoma Clean Power is not a full municipal utility as it still relies on PG&E to maintain all of the poles and wires in the power grid.

The organization has trimmed power bills for its customers by over $100 million over the past decade, and built large solar, wind, and battery systems. 

Sonoma Clean Power is also leading an effort to build 600 megawatts of new geothermal power to secure affordable rates and improve our region’s energy independence. 

Today, Sonoma Clean Power generates the power for 87% of all electric customers across Sonoma and Mendocino counties