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Community Advisory Committee

Meetings

Community Advisory Committee

The Peninsula Clean Energy Board of Directors appoints up to 15 people to serve as members of the Community Advisory Committee. The Community Advisory Committee usually meets two Thursdays in advance of the scheduled Board of Directors meeting at 6:30 PM.

Seeking New Members for the Community Advisory Committee

Be a part of bringing the benefits of clean energy to your community! Peninsula Clean Energy is recruiting Community Advisory Committee members. To qualify, you must live or work in San Mateo County or in the City of Los Banos. 

The committee meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. This is a volunteer position with a time commitment of approximately 3-4 hours per month. Meetings are held in-person in Redwood City, and Los Banos representatives may join remotely on Zoom from a public location convenient to them.

Apply to be considered for the Community Advisory Committee by March 1, 2025, and submit your application online.

We encourage you to read over the Community Advisory Committee documents on the bottom of this page before applying. We also encourage you to attend a meeting of this committee (see information below) or the Peninsula Clean Energy Board of Directors

Candidates will be screened by Peninsula Clean Energy staff. Top candidates will be interviewed by a committee of Peninsula Clean Energy’s Board of Directors, which will make nominations to the full Board.

For questions, email Vanessa Shin at vshin@peninsulacleanenergy.com.

Objectives for the Community Advisory Committee

The goal of Peninsula Clean Energy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing cleaner power to residents and businesses at competitive rates. We also develop new renewable energy sources and partner with our community to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To further this mission, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will:

  • Advise on substantial public-facing program initiatives before they are presented to the Board for approval depending on practicality, timeliness, as well as staff and CAC capacity

  • Engage in outreach to the community and advocate for Peninsula Clean Energy’s mission, goals, and programs

  • Advise on high-level legislative and regulatory direction of the organization

  • Provide a forum for community discussions on a wide variety of strategies in conjunction with staff and board

  • Form working groups, as recommended by the CAC membership, to assist Peninsula Clean Energy’s staff and Board with projects of importance to the organization

A group of professionals wearing lanyards sit at a table and discuss something displayed on a laptop screen

Participation

Join the conversation

Our meetings are currently hybrid with options to join remotely or in person. Whether in person or online, your voice is important to us. Each public meeting includes a public comment period, and all are welcome to share feedback and their perspectives.

Details and instructions for attending meetings, submitting questions, or offering public comments are included at the top of each meeting agenda.

Meetings

The Community Advisory Committee usually meets on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM. Please check the posted meeting schedule for specifics. Please note that the meeting location address or teleconference options will be announced in the agenda. All meeting agendas will be posted at least 72 hours prior to each meeting.

Community Advisory Committee roster

Jurisdiction

Name

Selected Background

Term Ends

Belmont

Diane Bailey

Former Executive Director of Menlo Spark. Deep professional experience in environmental advocacy, environmental justice, and climate policy. Committed Peninsula Clean Energy champion from formation.

2027

Half Moon Bay

Steven Booker

Political Director and Community Affairs Liaison with IBEW 617. Has experience working with SMC city councils. Also helps young people in high school and Adult continuation schools find construction industry opportunities. Was an electrician for 20+ years and worked with Building Management Systems to reduce energy consumption.

2025

San Bruno

Joseph Chen

Whole-home electrification alumnus and certified Home Energy Score Assessor & Energy Efficiency Coach. Actively supports other homeowners pursuing electrification and conducts outreach about its benefits, accessibility, and affordability via rebates and incentive programs.

2027

Menlo Park

Michael Closson

Former CAC Chair. Advocated for CCA in San Mateo County through Sierra Club, San Mateo Community Choice, and Menlo Spark. Served on original Peninsula Clean Energy formation committee. Former ED of Acterra, developed Green@Home residential energy efficiency program.

2026

San Carlos

Kathleen Goforth

Current CAC Vice Chair. Brings experience from a career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and volunteer work with local environmental organizations. Actively engaged in generating public support for building electrification. Co-led successful grassroots campaign for all-electric reach codes in San Carlos and retrofitted own home to be all-electric.

2025

East Palo Alto

Mele Heimuli

Community affordable housing advocate and former office manager for a local family construction business. Eager to contribute to neighborhood and community as a member of the CAC.

2026

Burlingame

Aurelio Huizar

Program Coordinator for El Concilio conducting outreach across San Mateo County and helping customers understand their PG&E bill, usually in Spanish. Experienced in enrolling customers in utility bill discounts and other energy programs to address their needs.

2026

San Bruno

Gail Lee

Sustainability Director for UCSF and former Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Mills-Penisula Health Services. Brings deep experience in sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon emissions reduction in academic and health care settings.

2026

Menlo Park

John McKenna

Active community member serving as Vice Chair of Menlo Park’s Environmental Quality Commission, Co-Lead of 350 Silicon Valley’s Menlo Park Climate Team, and Co-Lead of Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter’s Climate Action Leadership Team. Regular volunteer with SunWork.org, having assisted with the installation of 10+ heat pump water heaters. Commercial real estate agent for 25+ years.

2027

Redwood City

Jason Mendelson

Current CAC Chair. Active in developing Woodside’s Climate Action plan and city sustainability ordinances, organizing Earth Day celebrations in Portola Valley/Woodside, owns TV and film production studio.

2025

Los Banos

Damanpreet Sarai

Science teacher at Pacheco High School passionate about promoting renewable energy and sustainability initiatives in the Los Banos community. Has raised awareness about clean energy for over 1200 students annually through organizing science fairs.

2027

Menlo Park

Cheryl Oliver Schaff

Former CAC Chair. Dedicated activist as a Climate Reality Project Leader, Bay Area Chapter, and member of Extinction Rebellion San Mateo; working on Menlo Park City Team, in conjunction with 350 Silicon Valley; deep experience in marketing communications, PR. 30-year resident of Menlo Park.

2027

Pacifica

Remi Tan

Experienced architect with 35 years experience on complex large scale multifamily, institutional/infrastructure, and commercial projects. License architect and real estate broker and LEED AP BD+C. Special interest in sustainability, net zero energy and carbon, and electrification of residential and commercial projects. Former Pacifica Planning commissioner; Climate Action Task Force member; and Green Building Task Force member. Current Pacifica Open Space and Parklands Committee Vice Chair; Pacifica School District Parcel Tax Citizens Oversight Committee Member; Chinese American Democratic Club board member.

2027

Burlingame

Desiree Thayer

Former CAC Chair. Active in Burlingame Citizens Environmental Council youth leadership programs with San Mateo County Department of Education. Volunteered on Peninsula Clean Energy business outreach. Extensive outreach and legislative volunteer experience through Oxfam.

2026

San Mateo

Robert Whitehair

Co-leader of the San Mateo Climate Action Team. Active community champion and spokesperson for building electrification, with significant infrastructure management experience. Recipient of the PeninsulaClean Energy All-Electric Leader Award for Outstanding Residential Modernization.

2026