EBCE Encourages Customers to Enroll in Energy Bill Discount Program

The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, that provides up to 35% off electric bills, is available for furloughed and laid-off workers

Oakland, Calif. (May 5, 2020) – East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) launched a campaign today aimed at increasing the number of local residents enrolled in energy discount programs. The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program provides low-income customers up to a 35 percent discount on their electric bill and a 20 percent discount on their natural gas bill. Eligibility for the program is based on household income and is open to recently furloughed and laid-off workers. EBCE’s campaign includes print and digital advertising, a web page with original content, social media, targeted email, communications through city newsletters, and more.

This campaign is part of EBCE’s current efforts to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. EBCE has already committed over $1.5 million to the cities they serve and to local charities. Details available at ebce.org/covid-19-response.

“Many customers in the East Bay struggle to pay their bills, and this has only gotten worse during the pandemic, as our economy has slowed and some people have lost their jobs. EBCE wants low-income customers, as well as customers who have recently been laid off or furloughed, to access the significant discounts that are available to them on their energy bills,” said EBCE CEO Nick Chaset.

This is not East Bay Community Energy’s first campaign to enroll customers in income-qualifying discount programs. In 2019, EBCE solicited and funded community outreach efforts by Spectrum Community Services, Inc based in Hayward, and California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) based in Oakland to enroll customers in CARE and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs.

For more information on the CARE program, please visit ebce.org/care/.

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EBCE is a not-for-profit public agency that operates a Community Choice Energy program for Alameda County and eleven incorporated cities, serving more than 550,000 residential and commercial customers throughout the county. EBCE initiated service in June 2018 and will expand to the cities of Pleasanton, Newark, and Tracy in 2021. As one of 19 community choice aggregation (CCA) programs operating in California, EBCE is part of the movement to expedite the climate action goals of their communities and those of California. EBCE is committed to providing clean power at competitive rates while reinvesting in our local communities. For more information about East Bay Community Energy, visit https://ebce.org/.

Dan Lieberman
925-579-1591
dlieberman@ebce.org