Low-income residents choose lower-cost, cleaner power with MCE Local Sol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2023
Press Contact:
Jenna Tenney, Manager of Communications and Community Engagement
(925) 378-6747 | communications@mceCleanEnergy.org
SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. — MCE recently invited over 140 low-income residents in underserved areas of Antioch, Richmond, and Vallejo to save on their energy bills with its Local Sol 100% solar service.
The addition of these residents brings MCE’s Local Sol subscription up to 340 users. In total, MCE has 48 megawatts of local, renewable energy projects serving just under 20,000 homes in its service area. Local Sol:
- Has generated enough clean energy to power up to 400 homes per year, reducing 723 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to over 81,000 gallons of gasoline,
- Was built on a remediated brownfield site with 50% local labor paid by family-sustaining wages, and
- Helps renters and homeowners who are not positioned for solar access its benefits.
MCE’s 1.1 megawatt Cooley Quarry Solar Farm is supplying lower-cost 100% renewable solar power to low-income residents in several of the most environmentally-impacted communities in the Bay Area. Historically, disadvantaged communities experience more negative environmental impacts resulting from policy decisions that failed to protect these areas from resulting environmental harms.
“When Local Sol became the most affordable electricity option earlier this year, it was the obvious choice to provide lower-income residents living in the area’s most disadvantaged communities with the cost savings and environmental benefits of solar,” said Jamie Tuckey, MCE Chief of Staff. “We know costs are a concern, which is why MCE is committed to expanding renewable energy access to those who need it most.”
Since launching in 2017, Local Sol has transitioned from MCE’s most expensive service to its lowest-cost option. Stable rates offered by long-term energy contracts and the thoughtful purchase of renewable energy help MCE advance toward an equitable clean energy future.
Those who choose Local Sol are saving about $100 a year on average compared to PG&E’s service.
While the Local Sol service option is fully subscribed for now, MCE offers a 100% renewable Deep Green, and 60% renewable Light Green service option.
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About MCE: MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 580,000 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 100% renewable power at stable rates, delivering a 1200 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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