EBCE Launches Clean Electricity to Residential Customers

Source: Independent News

Alameda County residents living in the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Piedmont, Oakland, San Leandro, Union City as well as unincorporated areas of the county, such as Sunol, have a new electricity provider as East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) launches its clean energy services throughout November. EBCE serves more than 500,000 accounts across the county, which represents a population of nearly 1.4 million people. EBCE is committed to providing electricity generated from a high percentage of renewable sources such as solar and wind.

Customers are automatically enrolled in the service based on their local city council or board of supervisors’ decision to join the EBCE program. Tri-Valley residents in the cities of Dublin, Livermore, and Sunol will be automatically enrolled in EBCE’s services. Residents in these cities may also elect to opt-out and remain with PG&E. Pleasanton residents are not eligible for EBCE service because the city declined to participate in the program.

The residential launch marks a major milestone for Alameda County, as customers may now select a greener, lower cost choice for electricity. As one of the state’s newest and largest Community Choice Energy providers, EBCE is governed by a board of local elected officials and its meetings are open to the public. EBCE’s mission is to provide higher percentages of renewable and carbon-free energy compared to PG&E at competitive rates. EBCE will also invest in local energy-related programs within its participating communities.

“Residents of Alameda County and our 11 partner cities can now power their homes with cleaner energy. We are committed to building a sustainable East Bay for years to come,” says Nick Chaset, Chief Executive Officer of EBCE.

Residents have a choice between three EBCE services: Bright Choice, Brilliant 100, and Renewable 100. The standard service, Bright Choice, offers customers a 1.5% discount compared to their PG&E rate while receiving 5% more renewable energy. Customers can also choose Brilliant 100, which provides 100% carbon-free service for the same cost compared to PG&E, or opt up to Renewable 100, which provides 100% renewable and carbon-free energy sourced by solar and wind sources from within California.

A not-for-profit government agency, East Bay Community Energy will keep its rates competitive and reinvest earnings back into the community to create local green energy and clean power projects that benefit the Alameda County economy within the program’s area. For more information about EBCE, visit www.ebce.org.