Clean Energy > Community Choice Energy

Community Choice Energy

For more than a decade, the Community Environmental Council has advocated for Community Choice Energy because it is the single most effective tool to rapidly move our region to 100% carbon-free electricity.

With the help of CEC’s and our partners’ advocacy efforts, Community Choice Energy programs now serve approximately 1.4 million residents across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. About half of those residents currently receive 100% renewable and clean electricity, and the other half are on an accelerating path to 100% renewable by 2030.

What is Community Choice Energy?

Community Choice Energy is a new way to get cleaner electricity to local homes and businesses and provide greater local control over how that electricity is sourced. Community Choice Energy programs procure cleaner power and work in partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE), which are still responsible for billing, transmission, and distribution of energy.

Get clear on how Community Choice Energy works and why it benefits our community. Read our FAQ.

Watch this short video to learn the basics of how Community Choice Energy works

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION

Get Educated

Learn more about Community Choice Energy Programs in your area:

Visit the Community Choice Energy FAQs page or the Clean Energy Resources page to learn more about Community Choice Energy and subscribe to our email list to stay updated on the latest news, events, and opportunities to engage.

Stay Opted In

When a Community Choice Energy program launches, all customers are automatically enrolled in the new program, allowing them to get the benefits of more renewable energy and access to new rebates and programs to make clean energy technologies more affordable. If you want these benefits, no action is needed on your part. By staying in the program and supporting Community Choice Energy, you are helping the Central Coast get closer to our zero carbon goals.

Staying opted in provides a host of benefits already proven by 26 Community Choice Energy organizations in California:

  • Cleaner electricity with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

  • Competitive electricity rates

  • Local control and local accountability of our energy provider

  • New opportunities for local renewable energy projects and high paying, union jobs

  • Opportunities for greater local resilience

  • Faster progress toward local climate goals

WHAT CEC IS DOING

CEC is advocating for more funding for programs that help residents and businesses switch to clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and all-electric buildings, and encouraging four additional cities to join Community Choice Energy programs or move quickly toward 100% renewable electricity.

Subscribe to our email list to stay updated on our progress – and to be alerted when a Community Choice Energy program launches in your area.