Direct staff to request PG&E to transfer the County’s remaining unused PG&E Rule 20A Program credits evenly between the City of West Sacramento and the City of Woodland. (No general fund impact)(Lindbo/Riddiough)

Direct staff to request PG&E to transfer the County’s remaining unused PG&E Rule 20A Program credits evenly between the City of West Sacramento and the City of Woodland.

The PG&E Rule 20A Program has provided a mechanism to assist cities and counties in the high costs of undergrounding overhead utilities. PG&E provided yearly program credit allocations. However, those concluded in 2022.

Yolo County has participated in using Rule 20A Program credits in the past. For the County Road 98 Bike and Safety Improvement Project Phase 1, the overhead utilities were undergrounded at the County Road 98 and County Road 27 intersection. The County utilized this program to fund the undergrounding work portion of the project.

Since that time, the County has not identified another potential project for use of this program. In fact, in 2020, the County transferred $300,000 of its remaining credits to the City of Winters for an undergrounding project they were pursuing.

PG&E has notified agencies that the Rule 20A Program will be sunsetting, and all unused program credits will be allocated to existing, proposed undergrounding projects already submitted in the program as of December 8, 2024. The County was made aware that there is an ability to transfer its existing $1,925,129 program credits to municipalities with active Rule 20A projects within Yolo County before they are reallocated. At a current estimated cost of $1,500 per linear foot to underground utilities, the County did not have a potential project that could be covered by its allotted credits. County staff contacted each city within the County to inquire if each had active Rule 20A Projects, and if they would be interested in a portion of the County’s remaining $1,925,129 program credits. Two cities responded with current Rule 20A Projects that need additional funding:

The City of West Sacramento has a proposed project to establish the Washington Underground Utility District along E Street between Fifth Street west to the railroad tracks, and along F Street from Fifth Street to Third Street. These sections are located in the heart of the Washington District and the City believes undergrounding would aid in transforming that district into a vibrant urban neighborhood (see Attachment A).

The City of Woodland has proposed to establish the East Street Underground Utility District along East Street between Armfield Avenue and East Gum Avenue (near the Yolo County Fairgrounds).  This district would be located along a major thoroughfare in Woodland, increasing visibility at intersections, and improving the visual effects along an established business corridor of the City (see Attachment B).

With approval of the recommended action, Yolo County would request PG&E to distribute its Rule 20A credits as follows:

City of Davis
City of West Sacramento
City of Winters
City of Woodland
County Administrator’s Office
PG&E