In early February 2018, PG&E announced its intention to form the DCDEP.  PG&E employed a print, radio and social media advertising campaign to make the public aware of the opportunity to submit an application to become a member of the Engagement Panel.  That effort generated 2.8 million digital impressions, over 150,000 print impressions and 240,000 radio impressions.  Participants were selected by a formation committee comprised of representatives from the local community and PG&E. 

After an in-depth review of 105 applicants, a formation committee assisted in the selection of the initial eleven community members of the DCDEP (the twelfth member is a PG&E representative). The formation committee was comprised of the following individuals: 

• Dee Lacey, Co-Owner, Lacey Livestock; Gubernatorial appointee to the State Fair Board; Heritage Oaks Bank Board of Directors; former Paso Robles School Board Member; former Cuesta College Trustee
• Katcho Achadjian, Owner, local gas stations; former San Luis Obispo County Supervisor; former California Coastal Commissioner; former California State Assembly Member
• Ermina Karim, President and CEO, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
• Rochelle Becker, Executive Director, Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility
• Jeff Thomas, Business Manager, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 403
• Ken Thompson, Diablo Canyon Liaison, Avila Valley Advisory Committee 
• Tom Jones, Director of Strategic Initiatives, PG&E 
• Stephanie Isaacson, Director of Community Relations, PG&E 

In conjunction with PG&E, the formation committee developed panel selection criteria, reviewed applications and participated in a facilitated process to reach consensus on a slate of community panel-member recommendations for PG&E’s final decision.  The formation committee was looking for representatives from the local community who broadly reflect the diverse community stakeholder viewpoints in proximity to DCPP.  There are no designated seats for any organization or interest group on the panel.  The community members of the DCDEP are unpaid volunteers.  Elected officials, PG&E employees and their immediate family members were not eligible for the initial community panel membership.