The Power of Community Advocacy-Updates on East Bay Community Energy (EBCE)

(01/2022) Grants for Debt Relief

Back in 2015, East Bay Clean Power Alliance and the initial East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) Steering Committee was dreaming up a Community Choice program that addresses and invests in the needs of the community it serves. The big question was how do we create a program that prevents disconnections for households struggling with utility debt?  Community Choice doesn’t own or run the mechanism to shut off power, PG&E does. But what Community Choice programs can do is prevent or help those who might be behind on their bills.  By offering resources to 501(c)3 non-profits who work directly with impacted communities within Alameda County and Tracy.

East Bay Community Energy invites community-based organizations in Alameda County and City of Tracy to apply for grants of up to $30,000 to assist with marketing, education, outreach, and customer enrollment for several programs designed to serve low-income customers.  The grant applications are due February 25, 2022.

 
For more information; process, timeline and application go to the EBCE 2022 Outreach Grants website here.
 
EBCE Cities Vote to Enroll Residents into their Renewable 100 product
East Bay City Councils have voted to “opt up” residential accounts to “Renewable 100” (which costs more than PG&E rates) in order to meet their city’s climate targets. Some exceptions were made for accounts under CARE/FERA and Medical baseline programs. To learn more check out EBCE’s website here.  If you want to revert back to EBCE’s “Bright Choice” option (undercuts PG&E rates) you can do so by “opting down” on EBCE’s Change My Plan website here.
 
Please note that LCEA emphasizes that remote utility scale renewables are not like local clean energy projects which actually create local jobs and local clean energy benefits at home. This is why we continue to push EBCE to make these local investments.  Of course, we recommend residents stay with East Bay Community Energy as their electricity provider, because why would anyone want to go back to PG&E?
 
For more information contact Jessica Tovar, Coordinator of the East Bay Clean Power Alliance: jessica@localcleanenergy.org