Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE)

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About CCCE

Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE), formally known as Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP), is a Community Choice Energy agency established by local communities to source clean and renewable electricity for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties and now parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties while retaining your utility provider’s traditional role delivering power and maintaining electric infrastructure as well as billing. 

Community Choice Energy, also referred to as Community Choice Aggregation (CCE/CCA), authorized by Assembly Bill 117, is a state law that allows cities, counties and other authorized entities to aggregate electricity demand within their jurisdictions to purchase and/or generate electricity supplies for residents and businesses within their jurisdiction while maintaining the existing investor owned utility (IOU) provider for billing, physical transmission and distribution services.

Since beginning operations, CCCE has enrolled 33 communities throughout the Central Coast. CCCE is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through local control of utility scale renewable electricity generation provided at competitive rates and the implementation of innovative energy programs that facilitate the electrification of the transportation and built environments. CCCE promotes long-term electric rate stability and energy security while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and stimulating the local economy. 

Background Information

On April 9, 2019, the City Council received a presentation by J.R. Killigrew, MBCP Director of Communications and Energy Programs. Mr. Killigrew introduced the concept of CCE, outlined the necessary steps and timeline for the City to join MBCP, and spoke of the potential for establishing a unified central coast community choice energy agency.

On June 11, 2019 Council held a public hearing and considered the value of participating in community choice aggregation. The Council voted unanimously to introduce an Ordinance, without modification, to begin the process of joining MBCP. 

On June 25, 2019, the Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing the implementation of the community choice aggregation (CCA) program offered by Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP). MBCP required that the City adopt a resolution requesting membership under a JPA. The Public Utilities Code provides that cities authorized to be a community choice aggregator may participate as a group in a community choice aggregation program through a joint powers agency.

On August 13, 2019, the Council voted to adopt a Resolution joining Monterey Bay Community Power Joint Power Authority (MBCPA) under a joint powers agreement (JPA) implementing the community choice aggregation program authorized by Ordinance No. 700. 

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