Why are local governments doing this? What benefits does Community Choice Energy provide?

The City of Santa Barbara has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2035, and many other cities have their own sustainability goals. Getting 100% clean energy into our community is an important first step to get there.

Existing programs in Marin, Sonoma, Lancaster, Los Angeles, and elsewhere show that Community Choice Energy provides a wide range of benefits:

Choice 

Community Choice Energy introduces competition into the marketplace and provides customers with a choice about the energy sources they wish to support.

Community 

Community Choice Energy is typically run by a public agency, meaning that it is accountable to the community, not shareholders. Surplus funds may be reinvested locally in renewable energy, energy efficiency, jobs and programs to encourage residents and businesses to adopt clean energy technologies.

Sustainability 

CCE may help communities achieve their climate action goals by lowering energy-related greenhouse gas emissions through cleaner, renewable energy choices. Central Coast Community Energy and Santa Barbara Clean Energy both have goals of 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Clean Power Alliance offers 100% renewable energy as a default option in many cities in Ventura County and other areas of its service territory.

Economics 

Community Choice Energy may provide customers renewable energy options at rates competitive with Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison. Central Coast Community Energy generated $44 million in surplus revenue in 2019, which funded customer rebates, programs, and reserves.