On November 21, 2019, MCE’s Board of Directors approved membership for the Cities of Vallejo and Pleasant Hill, setting the stage for MCE to offer a choice of electricity providers and clean electricity service to these communities. Vallejo and Pleasant Hill join MCE’s existing 34 member communities in Solano, Marin, Napa, and Contra Costa Counties who are already participating in California’s first and longest-serving community choice aggregation (CCA) program.

“Partnering with MCE gives residents and businesses in Vallejo a choice they didn’t have previously,” said vice mayor of Vallejo, Pippin Dew. “Cost-competitive energy choice is important to our community and it’s exciting to have an alternative energy provider that not only allows residents to be part of the clean energy revolution, but supports community efforts in local job creation and workforce and economic development.”

The Cities of Vallejo and Pleasant Hill have been considering community choice energy for the past two years, inviting MCE to speak in several public forums. Both cities voted unanimously to request membership in MCE earlier this year in publicly-held city council discussions, where members of the public were encouraged to participate. Pending the California Public Utilities Commission’s approval of MCE’s revised Implementation Plan in early 2020, Vallejo and Pleasant Hill electricity customers will receive service from MCE in 2021.

“Pleasant Hill is looking forward to joining MCE and providing our community with the ability to choose where they get their energy and how it is produced,” said mayor of Pleasant Hill, Ken Carlson.

Vallejo and Pleasant Hill’s combined 150,000 community members represent approximately 64,000 electric service accounts. By joining MCE, their residents and businesses will not only have a choice of energy providers, but also be able to participate in local clean energy programs, receive electric vehicle and charging incentives, and benefit from local workforce opportunities.

The City of Vallejo is the largest community in Solano County with 122,000 residents. MCE has served Solano County since 2015, with the inclusion of the City of Benicia, and will be providing service to unincorporated Solano County in the spring of 2020. Pleasant Hill has a population of approximately 35,000 and is the 15th community in Contra Costa County to join MCE. MCE has been serving Contra Costa County since 2013, beginning with the City of Richmond. El Cerrito and San Pablo joined in 2015, Lafayette and Walnut Creek in 2016, and the communities of Concord, Danville, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Ramon and unincorporated Contra Costa County in 2018.

“MCE is honored to welcome Pleasant Hill and Vallejo into our service area, and to help bring the benefits of choice and clean energy to its residents and businesses,” said Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE. “Our shared goal is to empower electricity customers to invest in a more sustainable future.”

Other Solano and Contra Costa communities interested in joining MCE may reach out to receive additional information by contacting engagement@mceCleanEnergy.org.

News item from MCE