"Breaking PG&E's monopoly with cheaper, greener energy is a compelling vision offered by MCE (aka Marin Clean Energy) and other community choice aggregators. However, as Contra Costa County residents are learning, MCE is no longer delivering on the promise of local government-controlled community choice aggregators, or CCAs. In fact, they may be better off with PG&E after all. Although it has Marin in its name, MCE is now largely a Contra Costa County operation."
"The agency's latest financial report shows a $12 million operating loss for the 2025 fiscal year compared to operating income of $144 million the year prior. These operating losses may increase in future years as it appears that MCE has committed to long-term fixed price power purchase contracts at a time when electricity rates are actually falling. Two cases in Southern California illustrate the serious downsides of the CCA model."
MCE shifted from a Marin focus to primarily serving Contra Costa County, with fifteen municipalities and county areas joining. The agency reported a $12 million operating loss for fiscal 2025 after $144 million operating income the prior year. MCE appears to have entered long-term fixed-price power purchase contracts while electricity rates are falling, potentially increasing future losses. Other CCAs have failed or faced serious governance criticisms, including a Chapter 9 bankruptcy and scrutiny over transparency and contractor reliance. CCAs are governed by part-time elected officials who often lack time and expertise for complex energy contracting and risk management.
Read at www.eastbaytimes.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]