City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 17, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration for the City Membership in the PJM Cities Coalition.
BODY
ISSUE: Consideration for the City membership in the PJM Cities Coalition.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council: (1) Adopt the PJM Cities Charter (Attached), and (2) authorize the City Manager to sign a letter joining the PJM Cities Coalition as a member in the Participating Cities Tier.
DISCUSSION: The PJM Cities Coalition has been launched to coordinate the efforts of cities in the PJM territory that are interested in pursuing solutions to climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and removing and preventing barriers to decarbonization solutions in their regional wholesale electricity markets. PJM is the Regional Transmission Operator (RTO)/Independent System Operator (ISO) responsible for the operation and coordination of wholesale electricity markets and electricity transmission in 13 states, including the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The PJM Cities Coalition provides a platform for cities, like the City of Alexandria, to educate and build capacity on these issues, form partnerships to collaborate with similarly aligned organizations, and create opportunities for member cities to work collectively to drive decarbonization within the PJM region.
The PJM Cities Coalition supports a multi-city collaboration effort to advocate for PJM policies and regulation that support low-carbon energy sources, organizational and governance reforms so that cities and other end users can equitably weigh in on key decisions affecting their constituencies; and for PJM to provide and maintain access, transparency, and accountability in their governance and operations.
Moreover, the PJM Cities Coalition further supports cities working together collaboratively to pursue solutions to climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and removing barriers to decarbonization solutions in the regional wholesale electricity market. As many cities in the PJM service territory, including the City of Alexandria, have set individual climate goals and are taking steps to reduce local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the PJM Cities Coalition support efforts to align decarbonization goals with the various levels of electricity planning within the PJM region, including actions at the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), state and utility level. The PJM Cities Coalition supports decarbonization solutions which may include, but are not limited to:
● Renewable Energy;
● Demand Side Management;
● Energy Efficiency;
● Energy Storage Applications;
● Beneficial Electrification such as Electric Vehicles; and
● Carbon Pricing
The PJM Cities Coalition includes a charter (Attached) that reflects its mission statement, scope, membership standards and processes, governance and decision making, and communication guidelines. Membership in the PJM Cities Coalition is non-binding and does not require the City to agree to support any specific policy or issue unless it explicitly chooses to do so.
The City’s Environmental Action Plan 2040 (EAP2040) includes legislative priorities to support policy and regulatory activities relevant to identifying and creating opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with community energy use. Moreover, EAP2040 Action 2.3.5 recommends to “implement policies and programs to support a full suite of community energy efficiency, building electrification, transition from fossil fuels, and community renewable energy supply.” Participating in the PJM Cities Coalition supports implementation of EAP2040 policy action items that are relevant to wholesale electricity markets in partnership with similarly aligned cities located in the PJM territory.
A short list of cities in PJM territory currently undertaking similar processes to join the PJM Cities Coalition, include: Charlottesville, VA; Falls Church, VA; Richmond, VA; Roanoke, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA; Newark, NJ; Pittsburgh, PA; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; and Chicago, IL. Other cities in the PJM territory may also be considering joining the PJM Cities Coalition.
To join the PJM Cities Coalition, the City needs to submit a letter signed by the City Manager which acknowledges agreement and adoption of the coalition’s charter and signifies the City’s desired membership level to the Coalition Steering Committee. The Participating Cities Tier is the recommended membership level for the City’s participation.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost to join the PJM Cities Coalition.
ATTACHMENT: PJM Cities Coalition Charter
STAFF:
Joanna Anderson, City Attorney
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
Jeremy McPike, Director, Department of General Services
Bill Eger, Energy Manager, Department of General Services