In an effort to encourage more people to use solar energy, Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is offering rebates to those who purchase backup batteries. Launched this summer, the rebate program leverages solar tax credits to offer SVP residential customers money back. The battery backup rebate program is the latest in a slew of rebate programs … Read more
A massive mixed-use development that came to the Santa Clara City Council nearly seven years ago has come back — with substantial changes. At its Nov. 19 meeting, the council unanimously approved the complex that adds 2,600 apartments to the city’s housing stock, but the development also includes office and retail space. Amenities featured at … Read more
Concerns over the health effects of electromagnetic fields caused the Santa Clara City Council to delay approving a power transmission project. At its meeting Oct. 7, the Council opted to continue an item that would have added 2.4 miles of power lines between the city’s receiving stations on Kifer Street and Scott Boulevard. The 115-kilovolt … Read more
Who gets to sign off on ceremonial designations has shifted in Santa Clara. At its Tuesday night meeting, the Santa Clara City Council changed how it designates proclamations and commendations. These designations are ceremonial, but a recommendation from the Governance and Ethics Commission saw the council changing the procedure relating to how it hands out … Read more
An agreement securing additional energy for an Amazon data center could chart a path for other energy customers to do the same. At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Manuel Pineda, chief electric utility officer, detailed a power purchase agreement with Bloom Energy. That agreement — essentially two agreements: one with Bloom and another with Amazon … Read more
Most every resident in Santa Clara enjoys the amazing benefits of ridiculously low electric rates. In fact, even with the recent surge of rate increases, Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is cheap and sits as a thistle in the butt of PG&E a few blocks away. This is not the doing of the current staff that … Read more
Silicon Valley Power is a $775 million company. It is an autonomous entity owned by the City of Santa Clara and in turn, Santa Clara residents. Being independent has proven to make SVP a super low-cost entity, supplying competitive power right next door to that powerhouse giant, PG&E. The majority of the power generated by … Read more
The Santa Clara City Council heard a grim update on the status of the International Swim Center (ISC). It also received its bi-annual report from Silicon Valley Power (SVP), which outlined how the utility would manage load growth and storm communication. City staff brought back details on the possibility of placing a tax measure on … Read more
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) or its employees get a much needed reprieve from the rain after today. Crews have worked around the clock to restore power to the thousands of people impacted by downed power lines and blown transformers. On Wednesday morning, the utility happily declared that power was restored to all customers. Crews worked … Read more
The Santa Clara City Council told homeowners and City planners to take another look at the redesign plans for a home in Santa Clara’s Old Quad neighborhood. Plus, plans to bring renewable wind energy to the area hit a snag, leading to a huge cost increase. And, the Council appoints its vice mayor and chaplain … Read more