The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 9 to commit up to $3 million in matching funds toward a proposed Pescadero Community Microgrid, a solar‑plus‑battery system Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) and local partners say would maintain power for the town’s critical facilities during frequent outages.

"We are asking the board to commit $3 million in match funding to Peninsula Clean Energy for the Pescadero Community Microgrid Project," Supervisor Ray Mueller said when he introduced the item. He said the microgrid aims to protect the whole town — schools, the fire station, Puente’s community health center and local food distribution sites — from long outages. The board approved the commitment on a roll‑call vote.

PCE’s presentation to the board estimated the project development and 10‑year operating cost at roughly $16.5 million; PCE’s board recently approved $10 million in funding. Project design presented to the county forecast three days of continuous backup power in winter months (longer in summer), coverage for about 100 local customers and the ability for neighboring residents to come to town for essential services during outages.

Community organizers and school leaders described the on‑the‑ground impacts: Pescadero Elementary has closed or kept students in coats during outages, and parents sometimes keep children home rather than send them to a cold building. Dr. Michelle Ross, superintendent of La Honda‑Pescadero Unified School District, told the board the requested funding is about equity: small districts can’t always afford the resilient infrastructure that others take for granted.

Peninsula Clean Energy staff and community partners said the county funds would be contingent on a successful award from Pacific Gas & Electric’s Microgrid Incentive Program. Board members who spoke in favor called the proposal a pragmatic investment in rural resilience; some supervisors noted the project’s potential to reduce reliance on diesel generators and provide renewable, long‑term backup.

Motion and vote: Supervisor Mueller moved the resolution and Supervisor Corso seconded; the board’s roll call recorded unanimous approval for the $3,000,000 commitment.

Next steps: PCE and county staff will continue project development, apply to PG&E’s incentive program and return to the board with agreements and implementation details as the grants and contracts are finalized.