For the first time in 15 years, MCE is set to slightly increase the premium for its cleanest energy plan, impacting customers seeking sustainable energy solutions.
Effective October 1, residential customers enrolled in MCE’s “deep green” plan will experience a modest rise of $1.11 in their monthly bills, resulting in a new average cost of $182.34. Commercial customers will see their expenses increase by $2.92, bringing their average monthly total to $530.41.
MCE’s deep green plan involves purchasing wind, solar, and geothermal energy to cover 100% of each customer’s usage, with electricity being delivered via Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s infrastructure. This results in monthly electricity bills that include charges from both providers.
Currently, approximately 7% of MCE’s 1.5 million customers participate in the deep green plan, while most others are part of the “light green” program, which uses 60% renewable energy. A small number of customers are involved in a local solar project.
Operating across 38 jurisdictions, including Marin, Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano counties, MCE—previously known as Marin Clean Energy—serves both unincorporated areas and all 11 towns or cities in Marin County.
Since 2010, deep green participants have paid a 1-cent per kilowatt-hour premium. MCE’s management has been considering an increase, as administrative costs for the plan exceeded revenues by $10 million in 2024, according to MCE analyst Johnstone Kipyator.
In July, MCE’s executive board initially rejected a proposed half-cent premium hike. As a result, two options were presented to the full board: a quarter-cent or half-cent increase. Ultimately, the full board, comprising officials from all member jurisdictions, approved the quarter-cent increase with a 17-9 vote.
The majority of Marin representatives voted against the increase, citing financial pressures on households, businesses, and local governments. They argue that MCE’s plans are already slightly more expensive than those of PG&E.
Board member Eli Beckman, from the Corte Madera Town Council, emphasized, “One of my priorities as just one board member is getting and keeping the price of deep green below PG&E. I want to see MCE taking market share from dirty energy.”
Max Perrey, MCE’s executive board chair and a Mill Valley City Council member, stated, “I’m going to vote no. Our mission is to clean the grid, and I think that deep green is one of the simplest ways we can indicate to customers that we can do that.”
The increase is partly intended to support MCE’s local rebates and subsidies for electric vehicles, charging stations, heating systems, and low-income housing.
Kevin Burke, a Belvedere City Council member, commented, “I think we can cover the incremental cost by pulling down what deep green customers are contributing” to these programs.
MCE’s current fiscal year budget projects $10.9 million in income after $50.2 million in operating expenses, with $831 million earmarked for power contracts and $471 million in reserves.
Board members from outside Marin believe the revenue from deep green should align with its costs. “It’s important to me that people pay us for what they are getting,” stated Cindy Darling, a Walnut Creek City Council member. “It’s higher than it used to be.”
In other developments, the board approved a pilot program for municipalities, allowing MCE to monitor deep green energy sources hourly to ensure jurisdictions receive 100% renewable energy constantly.
Currently, 100% renewable plans need intermediaries like MCE to match each customer’s usage with clean energy purchases annually. However, starting in 2028, the state will require hourly tracking and matching of renewables.
The pilot program will be available to 400 municipal accounts, such as firehouses or water plants, and will involve one-thousandth of MCE’s total deep green renewable energy portfolio. Estimated increased monthly costs range from $60 for small accounts to $10,100 for larger ones.
Original Story at www.marinij.com