California passed CCA legislation in 2002. In May 2010, the nation’s first CCA committed to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased use of renewables launched in Marin County.

CCA efforts are under way in San Francisco and Sonoma and in other California cities and counties. The City of Richmond is considering joining the Marin Energy Authority, and Monterey and Santa Cruz have formed a CCA task force. Community leaders committed to launching the first southern California CCA have formed the San Diego Energy District, and public discussions of CCA are occurring  from Yolo County to San Luis Obispo and from Palmdale to Berkeley. Utility opposition from PG&E was fierce, well-funded, and in the case of the suspended San Joaquin Valley Power Authority’s CCA, devastating. But after a tough year in public relations (2010) and a setback at the polls (Prop 16), the utility fired its CEO and stated its commitment to detente with CCA. Local governments across California with a wide range of reasons for pursuing CCA are moving forward, now that Marin’s model is proving its economic viability.

CALIFORNIA CCA FAST FACTS

• Minimum and maximum percentage of electricity from renewable power available to all Marin County residents and businesses from the Marin Energy Authority CCA: 27%, 100%
• Percentage of renewable power planned for San Francisco’s CleanPowerSF program in 2012: 100%
• Percentage of power generated locally in one of Sonoma County’s four CCA feasibility scenarios: 59%
• Price per kWh offered to net solar generators under Marin’s net energy metering tariff: Full retail + 1 penny

• Amount of new solar development under contract in response to Marin CCA demand: 31MW
• The last year PG&E had a rate drop comparable to the drop instituted one month after Marin’s CCA launched: 2003

CALIFORNIA CCA LINKS:

CCA Regulatory Alliance’s Comments on Rulemaking Pursuant to SB 790

03-26-12 CCAA Opening Comments – FINALFurosemide Over the Counter

MARIN CLEAN ENERGY CCA

CLEAN POWER SAN FRANCISCO CCA

CLEAN POWER SONOMA CCA

SAN DIEGO ENERGY DISTRICT SUPPORTING CCA

SONOMA CLEAN POWER RFI

Please feel free to send CCA news, corrections, or updates to LEANupdates@leanenergyus.org