What is Community Choice Energy?

Community Choice Energy, sometimes referred to as “Community Choice Aggregation,” brings local control, freedom of choice, and competition into the electricity marketplace. It does so by allowing local governments to pool the electricity demand of their communities, purchasing power with higher renewable content and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Community Choice Energy programs offer a number of benefits, including:

  • Sustainability — Directly invests in renewable energy generation and supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Economics —  Competitive and stable rates. Community Choice Energy providers also help support the local economy through jobs creation and local power development.
  • Customer Choice —  Competition and choice in the local electricity market, providing ratepayers with options about their power supplier and level of clean energy they wish to support. 
  • Community Control —  Community Choice Energy providers are community-run, mission-driven, and accountable to the people and businesses they serve.

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)

In October of 2018, the City Council committed to join 3CE, formerly known as Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP). 3CE is an existing community choice energy program that serves the counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey with a rate savings relative to PG&E, and is working to provide 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2030.

In December of 2018, 3CE accepted the City of San Luis Obispo and the City of Morro Bay into its program. The community began receiving service in January of 2020. Information about 3CE is available at: https://3cenergy.org/

The City of San Luis Obispo currently holds voting seats on 3CE's Policy Board and Operations Board. In addition, the community is represented on 3CE's Community Advisory Council.

Important Documents