East Bay Community Energy Awards Two Local Community-Based Organizations to Help Alameda County Residents Enroll in CARE and FERA Programs

The purpose of the Community Outreach Grant is to help residents enroll in programs that provide discounts on electric bills while also increasing EBCE awareness.

Oakland, CA (November 15, 2019) – East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) is Alameda County’s local community choice energy program and currently provides electricity services to 1.5 million people across the county. EBCE launched the Community Outreach Grant in August 2019 and invited service-oriented organizations to apply. The grant program is unique in that the primary focus of the pilot is to increase enrollment in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and/or the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs within EBCE service territory. EBCE’s CEO, Nick Chaset, said “Providing lower costs and energy choice have been essential to the mission and purpose of our work. The Community Outreach Grant provides funds to support local organizations already deeply connected with our low-income communities.”

EBCE awarded $10,000 each to two organizations based on a competitive solicitation. The application process requested information such as the organization’s history working with residents in Alameda County, quantitative measures of outreach capacity, and proposed outreach methodology. The two organizations awarded are Spectrum Community Services, Inc based in Hayward and California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) based in Oakland.

Spectrum Community Services, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and safety of seniors and low-income residents by enhancing their quality of life. Spectrum is deeply connected with senior and low-income communities through programs such as the Fall Prevention Program and Meals on Wheels. Executive Director of Spectrum, Lara Calvert notes that “Spectrum is committed to bringing more resources to our low-income families and seniors. This partnership with EBCE will allow us to extend the breadth of benefits we offer.” To learn more about Spectrum visit their website here.

California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) works closely with faith communities from all major religions to address climate change issues. CIPL will leverage their relationships with faith institutions to enroll eligible members in the CARE and/or FERA program. CIPL’s Northern California Director, Liore Milgrom-Gartner highlights that “California Interfaith Power and Light believes in community-based climate change solutions while uplifting all of our communities. We’re honored to engage our community on EBCE’s programs that will not only save people money, but help protect the climate as well.” To learn more about CIPL visit their website here.

The solicitation can be found on EBCE’s solicitation webpage.

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About EBCE

EBCE is the local electricity provider created as a Joint Powers Authority by the 11 participating City Councils and the County of Alameda Board of Supervisors to provide low cost, cleaner power to our community. Launching to residential customers in November 2018, EBCE joined 19 other Community Choice Energy programs operating across California.
For more information about East Bay Community Energy, please visit ebce.org.

CONTACT

Annie Henderson
ahenderson@ebce.org
C: 510-640-9681