Investment supports small, micro, woman–, minority–, LGBTQ+–, and disabled–veteran–owned businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2024

Press Contact:
Jackie Nuñez, Bilingual Communications Manager
(925) 695-2124 | communications@mceCleanEnergy.org

SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. — As MCE, California’s first community choice energy provider, makes progress on its mission to fight climate change, small, and diverse businesses are winning too.

MCE issued its 2024 Supplier Diversity Report, highlighting a $44 million investment in diverse, small, and local businesses.

“When we advance efforts to confront climate change, our diverse local economy gets a boost too,” said Gabriel Quinto, MCE Board Vice Chair and City of El Cerrito Councilmember. “The clean energy transition creates opportunities to benefit small businesses, and we’re seeing that play out in our communities.”

Of the $44 million total, MCE invested over $3.7 million in diverse businesses, almost $600,000 in CPUC certified small businesses, and more than $40 million in nearly 80 local businesses.

“Our women-owned certification helps foster a culture of inclusion and drives success, growth and stronger partnerships for my business,” said Karen MacLean, Founder of Print2Assist, a Marin-based printing, promotional and communication company.

To recruit more diverse suppliers, MCE:

  • Hosts annual workshops to educate businesses on the California Public Utility Commission’s (CPUC) Supplier Diversity Clearinghouse,
  • Works with diverse Chambers of Commerce and community-based organizations,
  • Encourages submissions from diverse suppliers to its competitive solicitations, and
  • Supports existing eligible vendors in getting certified with the CPUC.

MCE has supported the CPUC Supplier Diversity Program since 2018.

Access the 2024 Supplier Diversity Report or sign up for alerts about future opportunities to contract with MCE at mceCleanEnergy.org/opportunities/.

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About MCE: MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 585,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties. Setting the standard for clean energy in California since 2010, MCE leads with 60-100% renewable power at stable rates, delivering a 1,400 MW peak load and significantly reducing greenhouse emissions and reinvesting millions in local programs. For more information about MCE, visit mceCleanEnergy.org, or follow us on your preferred social platform @mceCleanEnergy.

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