Local governments agree to join Community Power group

Local governments in 20 communities have taken formal actions signaling their interest to join Monterey Bay Community Power, a regional project among local government agencies to provide electricity to residents and businesses throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties by 2018
Monterey Bay Community Power aims to provide consumer choice, increase renewable energy and stimulate the regional economy.
The actions followed approximately 100 community meetings and presentations, as well as in-depth discussions with elected officials and staff.
Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz County have joined these other participating local governments: Monterey County, San Benito County; the cities of Capitola, Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, Hollister, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, San Juan Bautista, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Soledad and Watsonville
The new power agency is also inviting interested parties to respond to a Request for Proposals for credit and banking services. Responses are due no later than February 1, 2017.    
Here is a timeline for next steps for Monterey Bay Community Power
December 2016: Additional planning and due diligence by staff representatives of participating local governments.
January/February 2017: Ordinances to be passed by local government boards and councils, resulting in formation of a joint powers authority to launch and govern Monterey Bay Community Power.
Spring 2018: Begin serving customers throughout the Monterey Bay area.
The Monterey Bay Community Power is a regional project among local government agencies to provide electricity to residents and businesses throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties through the Community Choice Energy model.
Established in 2002 by a state law, the model enables communities to choose clean-source power at a cost equivalent to PG&E while retaining PG&E’s role in maintaining power lines and providing customer service. The CCE model helps ensure local economic vitality because money from rates paid by local customers stays local, which helps to fund renewable energy projects, create jobs and stimulate the economy. For more information, visit www.mbcommunity power.org.