RESOLUTION
NO. 2011-07
A
Resolution of the Board of Directors
of the
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Suspending
Receipt of Lawn Removal Rebate Applications
WHEREAS, Rebates for removal of established
Lawn and replacement with low water use plants or permeable surfaces were added
to the Rebate Program on January 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Lawn removal Rebate has
been successful in removing almost three acres of irrigated Lawn in the Monterey
Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD or District), which will result in
water savings of approximately 4 acre-feet per year for a minimum of 15 years;
and
. WHEREAS, the
Lawn Rebate results in measurable and immediate reductions in water use, it has
one of the highest cost/benefit ratios in the Rebate program and one of the
highest Rebate levels; and
WHEREAS, funding for the Rebate Program
approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in the Monterey
Conservation Budget for years 2009- 2011 is limited and nearing conclusion; and
WHEREAS, the existing application
process for Lawn removal Rebates is lengthy and confusing and has resulted in
the Board’s adoption of Guidelines in Resolution 2011-04 to clarify the
process. However, these provisions must
be codified in the Rules and Regulations by ordinance before they can be
implemented; and
WHEREAS, Rebates issued by the District
are on a first-come, first-serve basis, as long as funds remain available. Staff estimates that if the District
continues to accept Lawn removal Rebate applications for the California
American Water system, the District will exhaust the Rebate Account within two
months and will be required to retire the program until future funding is
available; and
WHEREAS, the Lawn Rebate, if continued,
will significantly reduce the number of participants for the remainder of the
Rebate Program; and
WHEREAS, it is in the District’s
interest to provide the largest number of Rebates possible to customers of
California American Water Company for the remainder of the program so as to
maintain interest until additional funding becomes available; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Ratepayer
Advocates of the CPUC has indicated that funds collected from future California
American Water General Rate Cases may not be applied to Rebates for retrofits
that occurred in prior rate cases.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND
ORDERED THAT THE Monterey
Peninsula Water Management District hereby suspends the receipt and processing
of Lawn removal Rebate applications in the California
American Water system pending renewed availability of Rebate funds for Lawn
removal Rebates.
On
a motion by Director _____________________ and second by Director
___________________ the foregoing resolution is duly adopted this 21st day of
March 2011 by the following votes.
Ayes:
Nays:
Absent:
I,
Witness my hand and seal of the
Board of Directors this 21st day of March 2011.
___________________________________
Darby
Fuerst, Secretary to the Board
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