Unincorporated areas of Solano County will join four other Bay Area counties in 2020 as members of Marin Clean Energy, a joint powers authority, which provides green renewable electrical energy.
The California Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 19 approved Solano County’s choice of MCE as its primary electricity provider. The areas of Allendale, Dixon Ridge, Elmira, Green Valley and the rest of unincorporated Solano County will join Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Contra Costa counties and the city of Benicia in California’s first and longest serving community choice aggregation program.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 28 unanimously approved joining MCE. “Truly one of the best aspects of this program is it gives you a choice,” board chair Erin Hannigan said at the time.
Solano County’s participation broadens MCE’s rural demographics. Eighty percent of the county’s land is dedicated to agriculture and open space.
MCE’s multi-year Energy Efficiency Business Plan includes more than $8 million for agricultural programs through 2025, MCE spokeswoman Kalicia Pivirotto said.
MCE’s new inclusion period through June 30 invites Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville and Vallejo to join MCE this year and receive service in 2021.
MCE, a nonprofit public agency, began service in 2010 with the goal of reducing greenhouse emissions and investing in energy programs that support community needs. It provides electricity to approximately 470,000 customer accounts and more than 1 million residents and businesses in 34 member communities in four Bay Area counties.