Locally Controlled Electricity Service Begins with Central Coast Community Energy this October!
Beginning in October 2021, Central Coast Community Energy (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) will be sourcing electricity from clean and renewable sources on behalf of all electricity customers in Goleta, as well as the communities of Carpinteria and southern Unincorporated Santa Barbra County. The City of Buellton will also enroll in early 2022.
Who is Central Coast Community Energy?
Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) is a community-owned public agency known as a Community Choice Aggregator or CCA, that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. Central Coast Community Energy is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. CCCE serves more than 400,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties.
What is Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)?
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) was established back in 2002 through the California Assembly as an opportunity to give residents and businesses an ability to purchase electricity from local government agencies, and gives local governments the authority to manage energy resources on behalf of their communities and customers. CCAs provide many environmental, social, and economic benefits to California communities. Central to the concept of CCA is local choice. It gives the communities themselves the power to make choices about energy resource portfolios and investments, both within and from outside their local service area. It also empowers communities to reinvest locally with programs that address economic, social, and environmental goals.
How did Goleta decide to participate in Central Coast Community Energy?
The City of Goleta went through a comprehensive and public process in 2019 to evaluate 3CE (formerly Monterey Bay Community Power) as an opportunity to provide choice, local control, competitive rates and access to community reinvestment for our residents and businesses. The City of Goleta City Council passed the required resolution and conducted two readings of the ordinance in accordance with California Public Utilities Code to request membership in 3CE as well as codify the City of Goleta’s participation in the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.
What does this mean for you?
Revenue generated by Central Coast Community Energy stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. That means some of the money you spend on electricity bills will come back to you in the form of economic and environmental benefits for your home or business – and for your own community.
How does it work?
Central Coast Community Energy replaces your utility’s (PG&E or SCE) role in deciding how and where your electricity is generated. Your utility (PG&E or SCE) will continue delivering electricity and maintaining electric infrastructure along with billing. Customers still receive only one bill which will include Central Coast Community Energy Electric Generation Charges.
Electricity customers have always paid for electric generation, but prior to Central Coast Community Energy service these costs were part of your utility’s Bundled Service charges. Now generation charges will be broken out on a separate Central Coast Community Energy page for more transparency.
Share Your Feedback About CCCE Energy Programs for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year
Community members are encouraged to share comments and feedback about 3CE’s proposed FY 21-22 Energy Programs by emailing programs@3ce.org before July 14, 2021. Staff will review and post formal responses to questions and concerns via CCCE’s website. Review Proposed CCCE FY 21-22 Energy Programs on the City website here.
Stay Informed
Learn more at https://3cenergy.org/2021-enrollment/ and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @3Cenergy.
Community members are also encouraged to join the Central Coast Community Energy e-newsletter and board meeting notification list here.