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Marin Energy Authority cements deal with Shell; cost of energy meets expectations

The Marin Energy Authority this week locked in the wholesale price that it will pay Shell Energy North America over the next five years for the electricity that it will sell to its Marin customers. At the price Shell is charging, the authority will be able to fulfill it promise to offer customers electricity that comes from 25 percent renewable sources for the same amount that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is currently charging, said Dawn Weisz, the authority's interim director

Editorial: Vote no on Prop. 16

To understand what's wrong with California's initiative process, all you need to do is look at Proposition 16 on the June 8 ballot. This outrageous measure is funded by more than $25 million from PG&E, and its sole purpose is to protect PG&E profits.

Supervisors challenge civil grand jury on Marin Clean Energy

Richard Halstead, Marin IJ The Marin Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected most of the findings contained in a civil grand jury report that recommended pulling the plug on the Marin Clean Energy initiative. The initiative, a program of the Marin Energy Authority, aims at reducing greenhouse gases by offering Marin residents the opportunity to purchase electricity generated from a higher percentage of renewable sources than offered by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

California Counties Say “No” to Prop. 16

The CSAC Board of Directors voted today to oppose Prop. 16, the initiative that would limit local government’s ability to expand local energy programs. While the board was presented with both sides of the argument, their decision was relatively quick and easy. CSAC’s Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee and Executive Committee had both already recommended an “oppose” position.

Dan Morain: PG&E flips the switch on a ballot power play

It was an unhappy anniversary that passed without public fanfare. But nine years ago last week, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., ravaged by the energy crisis, plunged into bankruptcy. Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/11/2668460/dan-morain-pge-flips-the-switch.html#ixzz0kttFHqCa

We Are Appalled,' Declared CPUC About 2004 PG&E Executive Bonus Scandal -- 'Give It Back'

The lead sentence in last Friday's San Francisco Chroniclearticle (headline: "PG&E Must Stop Threats To Public Power Agencies") hints at the dilemma Peter Darbee's political recklessness has created for his company and its heretofore guardian angels, the California Public Utilities Commission: California energy regulators delivered a rare rebuke to Pacific Gas and Electric Co. on Thursday, banning some of thehardball tactics the utility has used in its efforts to derail Marin County's new public power agency.

Belvedere Opted In At Deep Green

Sacramento-area voters, responding to a Sacramento Bee-led crusade, voted in 1923 to divorce themselves from On Monday night the Belvedere City Council voted 4-1 in favor of moving the City to 100% Deep Green with Marin Clean Energy. In doing so, the Council made a statement that this is an important issue. Belvedere became the second municipality in Marin to go 100% Deep Green as part of its ratepayer choice.

Facts and FAQ about the SMUD Annexation

On average, SMUD rates are nearly 30% lower than PG&E – in the medium commercial rate structure, SMUD rates are nearly 36% lower SMUD has guaranteed an immediate 2% rate reduction during the time that the acquisition costs are recovered – anticipated to be five to ten years

"Common Sense" Versus Extreme Weather and Climate Disruption

Ed Mainland - I was chatting with a nice Marin lady at Joe Nation's PG&E-funded "Common Sense Coalition" February 27. She doesn't believe all this global warming stuff. "There's always been carbon dioxide in the air," she said. She knows what she knows and doesn't want to know more.

John Geesman Stands and Delivers

Peter Darbee's Dog of an Initiative: 3 Tapeworms Eating Away at the Internal Logic of Prop. 16 On February 25, I had the privilege of testifying on Proposition 16 before the joint hearing of the California Senate Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee and the California Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee. This is what I said:

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Just the Facts

The Facts - talking points

Written by Marla Fields & Staff

Wednesday, 10 March 2010 12:07

Ever wonder why the PG&E campaigns uses broad terms and cliché phrases like "risky", "credible", "pull the plug", "environmental benefits", "leap of faith" and on and on and on, without the truthful data to back up the fear mongering? They used these terms because they don't have the facts on their side.

PG&E intentionally misleads the public, both about their poor performance and the real truth about Marin Clean Energy's benefits to the community.

Don't be fooled, here are the facts.

1.Financial Issues

Financial Benefits of MCE over PG&E

* MCE costs the same as PG&E for superior service.
* MCE rates are likely to be lower than PG&E in the future (PG&E is already asking for a 30% rate increase in the next three years).
* MEA's low overhead and not-for-profit structure reduces costs
* MEA is a public agency and unlike PG&E has access to tax-exempt financing for energy assets.
* MEA is a public agency and does not have shareholders to pay whereas PG&E must ensure profit for its shareholders.
* MCE will provide greater rate stability and greater local control of rate setting.
* MEA's public board is motivated solely by the opportunity to provide public benefit, not by private profit.

Current Electricity Costs: MEA's contract with their electricity provider locks in MCE's published rates that will meet or beat PG&E rates.

Medium Term Electricity Costs (1 - 5 years): Since 1998, PG&E generation rates have increased 3.4% per year, and that trend is expected to continue. In 2008, PG&E requested a 10% increase in generation rates from the CPUC. PG&E has plans to raise their rates 20% by 2011, and 30% over the next 3 years.

Long term Electricity Costs (>5 years): History proves that competition in the market place leads to lower prices and better products. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi of SF said at hearing "I'm dismayed by PG&E's shameful arrogance in justifying killing competition to raise rates."

Costs to Comply with AB 32: Costs for Marin County to comply with California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) are estimated at almost $394 million without Marin Clean Energy. That figure drops to just over $131 million with MCE. The cost to general funds in each city is substantial without the benefit of participation in MCE.

2. Flexibility - Safe Exit From MCE at Any Time

Opt-Out from MCE anytime: After the current free opt-out period ends in August 2010, an MCA customer can opt out at any time in the future by paying a small administration charge of $5.00 for a residential customer and $25.00 for a commercial customer.

PG&E doesn't Allow Flexibility: If you opt-out of MCE, and then want to change your mind after the free option period ends, PG&E will not allow you to leave their generation billing for three years. PG&E plans to raise their rates 20% by 2011, and 30% over the next 3 years. (sort of like a Black Widow relationship, once you commit you're dead)

3. Support the Local Economy: The money the business is currently sending to PG&E for the generation component of their energy bill will be redirected to Marin County to be used to employ local people to install energy efficiency and renewable power projects, per MEA Board policy. This will ensure a local supply of green power, and a vibrant community.

1. Energy efficiency businesses will be supported
2. Local business customers of MCE will benefit from "green image" marketing
3. Local businesses will benefit from MCE's stable rates
4. Local governments across California have demonstrated their ability to provide power competitively: Fully 25% of all Californians receive their power from municipal utilities as large as Sacramento and Los Angeles and as small as Healdsburg, led by professional staff and Boards of local elected officials. In most cases, the rates municipal utilities charge are up to 25% lower than the Investor Owned Utilities like PG&E, and the renewable power mix is higher. Here's a comparison of per kWh rates by municipal utilities and investor owned utilities in 2005:

PG&E $0.12
So Cal Edison $0.12

City of Palo Alto $0.07
LA Dept. of Water & Power $0.09
Sacramento MUD $0.09

5. Relationship with PG&E will be maintained: MCE customers will continue their business relationship with PG&E. While MEA will be responsible for the generation portion of the electricity bill, PG&E will continue to profit
from the transmission of power over their power lines at rates set by the regulator. PG&E also remains responsible for the metering and billing of electricity. And PG&E, as required by law, will continue to maintain and repair all power lines and equipment.

6. Energy Independence: Declining supplies will cause prices for fossil fuels to increase accordingly. Ensuring Marin County's energy independence is a long term and necessary strategy to ensure economic stability. With
MCE, the local community ensures that the source of our power comes from renewable sources like the sun, wind, and fuel cells.

7. Environmental Benefits: Starting May 2010, MCE will provide 25% renewable electricity to its customers - almost double the 14% renewable power PG&E provides. PG&E has publicly announced that it will fail to meet the State's minimum legal requirement for the use of renewable energy. By the end of the decade MEA plans to supply all rate payers with 100% renewable energy.

If they are interested in more information, direct them to the following links:

MEA website: http://www.marinenergyauthority.org/

MCE website: http://marincleanenergy.info/