In the midst of the energy crisis in 2001, VCEDA launched the “POWER Taskforce” to work with industry leaders and elected officials to play a leadership role in education, public awareness, strategic planning, and advocacy to identify long-term solutions to the energy crises. Subsequently, and with funding from the California Public Utilities Commission, the Local Government Commission worked with POWER Taskforce representatives, elected officials, technology based businesses and interested consumers to establish the Regional Energy Working Group (REWG) for the purposes of determining the ability of the region to sustain long-term support for an organization devoted to energy planning and advocacy.  As a result, the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) was formed in 2003. The VCREA is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) composed of public agencies working in collaboration to approach the availability, reliability, conservation and innovative use of energy resources in the Ventura County region.  For more information about energy resources and programs see: www.vcenergy.org

VCEDA formed the Housing Task Force “HOME” in 1999 to work for the creation of more affordable, well-constructed and appropriately located workforce housing in Ventura County.   The Task Force was built on the premise that local employers should be actively involved in working with government to find innovative solutions to housing issues affecting their firms and employees.  For more information on HOME, see: www.vchome.org.