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In the coming months Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) will be having discussions and making decisions about the utility's renewable energy portfolio. The decisions made will have an impact on customer's rates, how the utility carries out its mission, and Alameda's leadership position in the area of renewable energy.

In 2008 the City of Alameda adopted a Local Action Plan for Climate Protection. The goal of this plan is to reduce Alameda's carbon emissions to 25 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. One major initiative called for in the plan is to "encourage the Alameda PUB to require that AMP maintain and expand it source mix to 100 percent carbon-free energy." We believe that how and in what timeframe Alameda implements this important initiative should be a part of the discussions happening at the PUB in the coming months.

One business opportunity being explored is to sell off some of Alameda's Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) in order to raise funds that would then be invested in infrastructure upgrades. The practical implication of this tactic is that Alameda will be selling off some of its renewably generated electricity (green power) and in its place purchasing electricity generated from natural gas or coal (brown power). While a business case can be made to support this action, it also moves us in the opposite direction of the goals of the local action plan.

We believe that the community should be part of the discussion of the merits of pursuing this tactic. Some questions we would like to see discussed:

■ If RECs are to be sold should those funds be used for infrastructure upgrades or for another priority such as purchasing additional renewable power contracts?

■ What are other options for funding necessary infrastructure upgrades?

■ Can we build community

support for modest rate increases that will allow Alameda to invest in infrastructure and pursue a 100 percent carbon-free energy portfolio? We are asking Alameda residents to come out and voice their support for 100 percent carbonfree power, and for modest rate increases that will allow us to make investments that help us reach that goal, at the PUB's Dec. 19 meeting at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

AMP takes very seriously its two highest priorities, providing reliable power to Alameda and providing that power at rates lower than that of other electrical utilities; they are to be commended for their successes in both of these areas. We believe that Alameda can continue to have reliable power, comparatively lower rates, and continue to be the leader in providing green power. Please come out to the PUB meetings and be part the discussion about how we best move forward. David Burton chairs Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda