X. Nonprofit and Low Income Business Set Asides

The Interfaith Environmental Council and The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life of Southern California (IEC/CEJLSC) submitted comments on the proposed decision of the Assigned Commissioner and ALJ. The IEC/CEJLSC proposes that the Commission set aside 5% of total program funds for low income businesses, specifically nonprofit organizations. We are interested in this idea. However, because it was proposed after the record of the proceeding was closed - and because we have little information at this point about the need for this type of funding and how it might be allocated - we are unable to adopt the proposal at this time. We will direct our staff to explore this issue for our future consideration in workshops this year.