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NOPOC was formed in February 2014 to formally organize local opposition to PG&E's destructive plans for many of our rural Santa Cruz County neighborhoods. NOPOC grew from a small, loosely organized predecessor group, which mustered hundreds of letters of protest and persuaded the CPUC to determine that a full Environmental Impact Report should be prepared for PG&E’s proposed project.
NOPOC’s early vision included increasing public awareness and neighborhood support, reaching out for political support, fund raising, and producing a powerful response to PG&E’s proposal.
In only six months NOPOC has accomplished much!
We are excited and energized by our successes so far, and believe we have accomplished the goals NOPOC first imagined, including raising the necessary funds for the initial legal and engineering reviews.
However, we have also become aware of the course of action that will be necessary to prepare for the next, more difficult and costly, steps. We have re-assessed our needs and updated the budget that will be required to continue a vigorous defense during the upcoming CPUC hearings.
We have estimated these next steps to cost approximately $45,000. It is our goal to have complete financial transparency. For a detailed account on how we have spent money thus far and budgeted spending for the next six months, can be found on 'where your contributions go'.
NOPOC’s early vision included increasing public awareness and neighborhood support, reaching out for political support, fund raising, and producing a powerful response to PG&E’s proposal.
In only six months NOPOC has accomplished much!
- More than 1,200 in-kind volunteer hours have been donated, valued at more than $60,000.
- We have raised nearly $30,000 for the first phase of our activities.
- We have been featured on TV, radio, and in many newspapers and other publications.
- We have published and distributed three newsletters to more than 2000 households.
- We have more than 500 supporters of record.
- We email regular project updates to supporters.
- We regularly communicate with elected and appointed officials, and CPUC and PG&E staff.
- We have retained a well-known local environmental attorney who will review the project Draft EIR and submit a formal response on our behalf.
- We have hired a qualified, experienced power engineer who is reviewing PG&E’s data and will submit recommendations for an engineering solution that is environmentally superior and less costly than PG&E’s proposal.
- We have been recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit organization under tax code 501(c)(4).
- We have been granted CPUC "Party" status, allowing us to fully participate in CPUC proceedings.
We are excited and energized by our successes so far, and believe we have accomplished the goals NOPOC first imagined, including raising the necessary funds for the initial legal and engineering reviews.
However, we have also become aware of the course of action that will be necessary to prepare for the next, more difficult and costly, steps. We have re-assessed our needs and updated the budget that will be required to continue a vigorous defense during the upcoming CPUC hearings.
We have estimated these next steps to cost approximately $45,000. It is our goal to have complete financial transparency. For a detailed account on how we have spent money thus far and budgeted spending for the next six months, can be found on 'where your contributions go'.
