Fremont transitioning to 100% renewable energy

By April Ramos. Source.

On June 18, the Fremont City Council voted unanimously to request that Ava Community Energy (Ava) change Fremont’s default electricity service plan to their Renewable 100 plan. According to their website, Ava —Ava Community Energy— was launched in Alameda County in 2018. Ava is Fremont’s electricity provider, and their Renewable 100 plan includes 100 percent solar and wind energy from California. A few cities that Ava is currently serving in our area include Hayward, Newark, San Leandro and Union City along with the unincorporated areas of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, San Lorenzo and Sunol.

The decision to make Ava the City of Fremont’s default service provider aligns with the City Council’s priority of environmental sustainability. “In October 2023 council adopted an updated climate action plan that aims to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2018 levels by the year 2030. The adopted plan included what we call the Game Plan, a list of the highest priority actions to be completed in the first three years of the plan and tonight we are bringing forward one of those actions,” stated Dan Schoenholz, Community Development Director for the City of Fremont.

By establishing Renewable 100 as the default service plan for Fremont, the City aims to provide cleaner energy to residents and businesses and achieve the goals outlined in Fremont’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). This action is identified in the CAP as a high priority action for helping to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

On July 17, the Ava Board of Directors unanimously approved Fremont’s request to change the default service plan. Fremont will become the ninth city in Alameda County to transition to Renewable 100. Fremont customers will have the same service plan options as they do now—Renewable 100, Bright Choice, or PG&E—but they will be enrolled in Renewable 100 unless they select another plan.

The Renewable 100 plan, as the name suggests, is made of 100% renewable energy content and costs 1.6% more than PG&E, while the Bright Choice option is made up of nearly 50% renewable content and costs 5% less than PG&E, explained Environmental Specialist, Allyn McAuley. “The Renewable 100 plan CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline, Direct Access, and customers who have opted out of Ava service to PG&E will not be transitioned to Renewable 100,” noted Geneva Bosques, City of Fremont Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs.

Fremont’s transition to the Renewable 100 service plan is anticipated to take place in 2025 for residential customers and 2026 for business customers. Customer enrollment is anticipated by March 31, 2025. “But before that time there is an extensive outreach campaign that will be developed closely between Ava and the City of Fremont. This would include digital outreach events, webinars, email and print notices, etcetera,” noted Dan Schoenholz. At that time, customers who wish to select a plan other than Renewable 100 will be able to do so by visiting the Ava website or by calling Ava directly.

www.avaenergy.org