San Luis Obispo to start ‘Community Choice Energy Program’
“The goal of a CCE program is to promote greater use and development of renewable energy such as solar and wind – at potentially more cost-effective rates – while driving local economic development,” said San Luis Obispo Sustainability Manager Chris Read.
—After extensive groundwork, and a new partnership with the City of Morro Bay, the City of San Luis Obispo is now accepting proposals for an energy and technical services provider to launch a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program.
The City Council voted at its May 15 meeting to officially seek bids with the goal of having its CCE program up and running by 2020.
The San Luis Obispo City Council agreed to pursue a CCE program last December, in a process stemming from studies that began in 2015. The Council started reviewing CCE’s in 2013 and last year adopted climate action as a major city goal, with a target of becoming a net-zero carbon city.
“The goal of a CCE program is to promote greater use and development of renewable energy such as solar and wind – at potentially more cost-effective rates – while driving local economic development,” said San Luis Obispo Sustainability Manager Chris Read.
State law created CCE programs to allow cities and counties to buy and generate electricity while maintaining the existing provider for transmission and distribution.
Early this year San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon reached out to the county and local cities inviting their participation, and the Morro Bay City Council committed to the program in April.
The program will continue to be open to local jurisdictions in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara counties.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with San Luis Obispo to bring our residents a greener and potentially more affordable energy option. By conducting a study together, we will ensure our City Councils have sufficient information to make a decision that benefits our community members,” said Morro Bay City Manager Scott Collins.
Proposals are now being accepted from providers who will develop and administer the CCE. The cities intend to submit an implementation plan to the California Public Utilities Commission by the end of 2018, with design completed in 2019 and operation beginning in 2020.
Proposals are due by June 4, to be opened publicly at San Luis Obispo City Hall. A review committee will evaluate the proposals.
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