MEETING DATE: 3/22/2022
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Ray Espinosa
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Gabriel Orozco
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 119
SUBJECT:
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R.ESPINOSA
Receive Presentation on Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and its available programs in Transportation Electrification, Building Electrification, Agricultural Electrification, and Energy Resiliency.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 119
AGENDA SECTION:
REGULAR AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
Background:
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) 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.
Central Coast Community Energy 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. Central Coast Community Energy promotes long-term electric rate stability and energy security while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and stimulating the local economy.
Programs:
3CE has 4 main areas for program implementation:
- Transportation Electrification
- Building Electrification
- Agricultural Electrification
- Energy Resiliency
Transportation Electrification:
Transportation contributes to 60% of our local Central Coast greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, emitting 4.5 million metric tons of GHG emissions and costing close to $2 billion per year to fuel over 1 million vehicles. Powering cars with electricity instead of gasoline or diesel saves money and improves local air quality. Building more charging stations Improves equitable access for residents and EV chargers add value to businesses. Central Coast Community energy rebates save customers money and help residents and businesses make the switch
Building Electrification:
Next to transportation, the buildings where we work and live are some of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Even though 3CE service supports electricity generated exclusively from carbon-free sources, most buildings rely heavily on natural gas – especially in the commercial and industrial sectors.
Across the Central Coast, homes and businesses are primarily heated and supported by natural gas followed closely by propane. Close to 1 million metric tons of greenhouse gases are emitted from the built environment each year and customers spend almost $450 million dollars heating their homes, water and cooking meals.
Agricultural Electrification:
The agricultural sector accounts for nearly 8% of California’s total GHG emissions. Here on the Central Coast, the Ag community sprawls across much of CCCE’s service area, playing a pivotal role in regional economics as well as our region’s commitment to sustainability.
Electrification, often referred to as “fuel switching,” has a variety of benefits for ag businesses, the surrounding communities as well as the people who work in the fields every day. Some benefits include; cleaner air for the region, more efficient technology, regional GHG reduction, and cost savings.
Energy Resiliency:
Extended power outages such as PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff events threaten the lives of vulnerable 3CE customers, negatively impact economic activity and disrupt operations through out our region.
3CE is accelerating the adoption of reliable backup power, also known as energy resiliency, by providing technical and financial resources to commercial and residential customers.
Not unlike the two-fold benefits of clean energy – economic and environmental – backup power can do more than simply maintain critical operations during prolonged power outages. In some cases, backup power can create new revenue streams and drive down energy costs.
RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
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CONTRACT NEEDED FOR THIS ITEM:
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CONTRACT AND RFP HISTORY:
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LAST CONTRACT AMOUNT OR N/A:
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STATE IF THIS IS A NEW CONTRACT/ HOW MANY PAST AMENDED CONTRACTS/ OR N/A:
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STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
BUDGETED:
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Budget Adjustment Needed: N/A
Unfunded Mandate (Is this a mandate not funded by the State): N/A