Local Clean Energy Alliance of the Bay Area

This summer, East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), Alameda County’s new Community Choice energy program, continued progress towards providing electricity to residents and businesses in the spring of 2018. Most relevant for community-minded advocates, the major activities since May have been the seating of a Community Advisory Committee, drafting of an Implementation Plan, progress on the local development business plan, and hiring of a CEO. 

Come hear Rosana Francescato from MyDomino discuss the nuts and bolts of rooftop solar, including:

• Rooftop solar basics
• How to prepare
• Steps in the process
• Maintenance and monitoring

In April, the Oakland-based East Bay Shared Solar Collaborative was awarded a $10 thousand technical assistance grant by the U.S. Department of Energy.  Local Clean Energy Alliance convened the East Bay Shared Solar Collaborative in partnership with other community organizations and advocates* to advance the development of community owned and controlled shared solar energy projects to further grassroots economic empowerment, advance social equity, and promote community resilience.

In April, progress continued toward the launch of East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), Alameda County’s new Community Choice energy program. Most relevant for community-minded advocates, the governing board is soon to seat a Community Advisory Committee and a contractor has begun work on creating a local development business plan.

January 30th marked the first meeting of the governing board of East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), Alameda County’s brand new Community Choice energy program. The governing board is made up of elected officials from the eleven cities* in Alameda County that joined the program and one County Supervisor representing the unincorporated areas. EBCE is expected to begin providing power to County residents and businesses in the spring of 2018.

Martha Kuhl, First Vice-President of the Alameda Labor Council and leader of the California Nurses Association, speaks in favor of community/labor Unity Proposal at press conference, October 4, 2016 outside County administration building.

October 4^th marked a victory for East Bay communities and the East Bay Clean Power Alliance’s Clean Power to the People efforts. The Board of Supervisors voted to approve establishing a Community Choice energy program with a commitment to maximizing community benefits and including community input in the governance of the program.

The County approved a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agreement, the foundation document for establishing the Community Choice program. The agreement represents a commitment to the goals advocated for by the East Bay Clean Power Alliance. It also incorporates a groundbreaking Unity Proposal released two weeks earlier by the East Bay Clean Power Alliance and the Alameda Labor Council.