Oversight chair and community members press MDUSD on energy‑savings contract and rising PG&E usage
May 14, 2026 | Mt. Diablo Unified, School Districts, California
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Several public commenters on May 13 urged the Mount Diablo Unified School District board to investigate whether an energy‑savings contract and related projects under Measure J delivered the promised reductions in PG&E consumption.
Gina Hayes, outgoing chair of the Measure J citizen bond oversight committee, said the committee’s fiscal year 2023–24 annual report showed a 68% increase in districtwide PG&E consumption between 2022 and 2024 for the period when ESCO contracts were carrying out work. Hayes asked the district to present its own analysis districtwide and to restore transparency, noting she had been told solar generation data had been removed from the district’s website.
Jim Walsh relayed concerns from former Measure J vice‑chair John Ferrante that raw PG&E billing data, obtained through an MDUSD employee, show no energy savings and that solar data previously hosted on the district site had been taken down. Walsh read a list of perceived deficiencies in ESCO project oversight and urged the board to verify numbers with district finance staff.
Trustee McDougall and Trustee Lawrence later referenced these public comments during board reports and asked staff to pursue a study session and further review; Lawrence said he expected the superintendent to bring a study session on the subject. Trustee McDougall suggested adding a qualified project manager to future bond contracts to improve contract oversight.
District staff at the meeting did not provide a full districtwide verification of the PG&E billing analysis. Commenters said they based their conclusions on PG&E records and internal review; they asked the board to either confirm or rebut the committee’s findings publicly.
No formal board motion to open an inquiry or audit was recorded during the meeting. Trustees indicated interest in further review and a possible study session to examine the ESCO contracts and energy consumption data.
The matter remains open; the board may schedule follow‑up at a future meeting or study session once staff prepare a district analysis or an independent review is requested.
Gina Hayes, outgoing chair of the Measure J citizen bond oversight committee, said the committee’s fiscal year 2023–24 annual report showed a 68% increase in districtwide PG&E consumption between 2022 and 2024 for the period when ESCO contracts were carrying out work. Hayes asked the district to present its own analysis districtwide and to restore transparency, noting she had been told solar generation data had been removed from the district’s website.
Jim Walsh relayed concerns from former Measure J vice‑chair John Ferrante that raw PG&E billing data, obtained through an MDUSD employee, show no energy savings and that solar data previously hosted on the district site had been taken down. Walsh read a list of perceived deficiencies in ESCO project oversight and urged the board to verify numbers with district finance staff.
Trustee McDougall and Trustee Lawrence later referenced these public comments during board reports and asked staff to pursue a study session and further review; Lawrence said he expected the superintendent to bring a study session on the subject. Trustee McDougall suggested adding a qualified project manager to future bond contracts to improve contract oversight.
District staff at the meeting did not provide a full districtwide verification of the PG&E billing analysis. Commenters said they based their conclusions on PG&E records and internal review; they asked the board to either confirm or rebut the committee’s findings publicly.
No formal board motion to open an inquiry or audit was recorded during the meeting. Trustees indicated interest in further review and a possible study session to examine the ESCO contracts and energy consumption data.
The matter remains open; the board may schedule follow‑up at a future meeting or study session once staff prepare a district analysis or an independent review is requested.
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