Marin Clean Energy

            We interviewed Jamie Tuckey, the communications director for Marin Clean Energy. Marin Clean Energy is a new energy efficiency program that was enabled by the passage of Community Choice aggregation through the California legislature.  This act essentially allows different regions to provide an alternative, renewable energy source for PG&E’s energy. Although it was enacted in 2002, Marin was the first region in California to successfully take action when it began Marin Clean Energy in May of 2010. Upon establishing Marin Clean Energy, everyone in Marin’s energy source was automatically switched from PG&E’s to Marin Clean Energy. While PG&E’s energy is 20% renewable, MCE’s automatic option “light green” is 50% renewable and second option (that requires opting-in to) is 100% renewable. Marin Clean Energy receives its energy from solar wind and hydroelectric sources within California. According to Tuckey, the switch from PG&E to MCE’s power source was smooth and the only difference in monthly PG&E bills were a matter of several dollars.

            The switch from PG&E’s energy to MCE’s was a rather turbulent one initially, Tuckey explained. Upon the introduction of community choice aggregation, PG&E launched an enormous marketing campaign in which they spent $44 in propaganda in attempts to scare customers away from the switch and into passing a new measure that would have made these sort of programs impossible. However, the government forced PG&E into compliance with the act and since then, they have established a good working relationship in which they collaborate to continue to please their mutual customers.

            Looking towards the future, Marin Clean Energy is pursuing several innovative ways of seeking more renewable energy sources and for less expensive ways to offer 100% renewable energy for all Marin clients. For example, they are currently working on what is to be the largest solar project in Marin, at the San Rafael airport. They have also been avidly promoting awareness of Marin Clean Energy and the “deep green” option. This has yielded successful results thus far; the transference from light to dark green has been increasing steadily and over 50% of MCE’s current receivers are provided with the “deep green” option. Tuckey is hopeful and envisions renewable energy gradually dominating our society’s energy sources. She explains that not only does our environment reap the benefits of this switch, but that a movement towards energy efficiency programs, with new projects and innovations will also create a new job industry.

The benefits of transferring to renewable energy sources is invaluable. While transportation is a primary cause of non-renewable energy usage, buildings and the required electricity to fuel them is the second largest source. Due to this, moving towards the “deep green” option and continuing to champion this means of acquiring energy and setting the model for not only other regions in California, but the entire nation, is a goal of Marin Clean Energy that we can all take part in as Marin citizens.

For more information regarding Marin Clean Energy, visit their website at https://mcecleanenergy.com/.

-Rachael Ferm