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History | The Team | Membership | Ongoing Goals History The Agricultural Energy Consumers Association is a not-for-profit coalition of agricultural producers and related industry associations that works to ensure fair treatment of agriculture in California's energy markets. AECA was formed in 1991 in response to rapidly escalating energy rates. It had become apparent to several San Joaquin Valley producers that agriculture had been significantly underrepresented in the Legislature and in the California Public Utilities Commission, and these set out to give farmers a voice in energy policy. In recent years, there has been a great deal of talk about energy deregulation, but this wasn't always the case. For decades California's energy markets have been dominated by a very small handful of investor-owned utilities (IOUs), which provided every level of energy production and distribution. Two utilities in particular, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, owned the facilities that generated the power, huge transmission lines that made up the grid, as well as all the home meters and other small-scale distribution facilities. Skyrocketing energy prices in the late 80s and early 90s were just one indicator that these monopolies lacked efficiency, and it had become clear that agricultural users needed more representation. Almost immediately upon formation of AECA, energy rates for agricultural users could be seen to stabilize. This halt came at a most important time for agricultural users, particularly in areas where increased groundwater pumping was required to stave off a major drought. The Team Jim Crettol - President AECA's president has been active in agricultural energy issues since the mid-1980s, and he played a key role in the establishment of the present organization. A Kern County producer of tomatoes, cotton and almonds, Crettol is a past president of the Kern County Farm Bureau and a champion of agricultural issues throughout the state. Michael Boccadoro - Executive Director Touting an extensive background of legislative experience, AECA's Executive Director is an important factor in ensuring Capitol representation of agricultural energy users. Mr. Boccadoro has experience working for the Assembly Speaker and serving as Capitol Dffice Director for San Joaquin Valley Assemblyman Bruce Bronza. Actively lobbying agricultural energy issues for more than a decade, Mr. Boccadoro has ensured smooth operation of AECA since 1991. Dan Geis - Assistant Executive Director Responsible for monitoring agricultural energy issues in the Legislature and various regulatory agencies is Assistant Executive Director Dan Geis. Charged with coordinating AECA's public affairs and management of key issues, Geis plays an important role in AECA's advocacy efforts. Peter Hanschen - Legal Counsel Representing AECA in PUC litigation, Mr. Hansen is an attorney with Morrison & Foerester. As a former general counsel for Pacific Gas and Electric, he is a vital resource to AECA with extensive experience in utility and regulatory law. Steven Moss - Economics Counsel Partner of M-Cubed, a leading California economic policy and analysis firm, Steven Moss has performed crucial economic research and assessment for AECA for over a decade. A generally recognized expert on utility cost-recovery and billing schemes, Moss plays a key role in developing AECA's economic strategy. Board of Directors & Executive Committee (*indicates Executive Committee) GROWER REPRESENTATIVES Jim Crettol (President) Kern County Farm Bureau Steven Danna, Jr. Danna & Danna Jim Gomes California Dairies, Inc. Jeff Fabbri* Fabbri Farms Bill Harp Harp and Associates Richard Zacky Zacky Farms Bill Phillimore* Paramount Farming Co. Eugene Nebeker* Nebeker Ranch, Inc./Scientific Associates Robert LoBue* LoBue Brothers Mike Chase Rain for Rent Ken Groefsema Tenincom Ranch Elizabeth Meyer E. & J. Gallo Winery Ted Sheeley Sheeley Farms Philip Greene* Foster Farms Edwin Camp Camp, D.M. & Sons Dennis Atkinson Tejon Ranch John Toscano Cantua Cooperative Gin, Inc. Matt Efird Double E Farms Carl Voss Grimmway Farms WATER DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Scott Edwards Lindsay Strathmore Irrigation District Wil Boschman* Semitropic WSD Greg Hammett Belridge Water Storage District Rick Iger Kern County Water Agency Joe Lutje Henry Miller Water District John Mallyon James Irrigation District Harry Starkey* Berrenda-Mesa Water District Bill Taube* Wheeler-Ridge Maricopa WSD Dale Brogan Delano-Earlimart ID Garith Krause Merced Irrigation District ASSOCIATION/COOPERATIVE REPRESENTATIVES Kevin Andrew* Vice Chairman CA Assoc. of Winegrape Growers, c/o Sunworld Richard Matteis Vice President California Grain & Feed Association Shirley Batchman Director, Industry Relations California Citrus Mutual Mike Wootten Government Affairs Specialist Sunkist Growers, Inc. Jim Tillison Executive Director/CEO Alliance of Western Milk Producers Dave Puglia Vice President, State Government Affairs Western Growers Association Roger Isom* California Cotton Growers Membership 22 Major Agricultural Associations, including Western Growers California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association California Association of Winegrape Growers California Grape & Tree Fruit League CALCOT, Ltd. California Poultry Federation 48 Water and Irrigation Districts Over 1,000 individual growers statewide Collectively, AECA represents the interests of over 45,000 growers statewide Ongoing Goals Ensuring the structure of California's energy markets fulfill the promise of competition, including lower rates and better service Encouraging the development of competitive distribution systems as a check on future distribution rate increases Representing the unique and growing needs of California's agricultural industry as it relates to energy before a variety of regulatory agencies Educating the farm community on energy options to ensure growers and ranchers can make informed choices Continuing to educate state regulators and elected officials on agricultural energy issues About AECA | Legislation | CPUC Cases | Newsletter | About Ag Energy | Energy Links | Glossary | HOME Contact the AECA by E-Mail Agricultural Energy Consumers Assocation 925 L Street, Suite 800 / Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 447-6206 Content and graphics copyright ©2000, Agricultural Energy Consumers Association . 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