Marin Energy Freedom

What Next?

What could make more sense than redirecting the money you're already paying PG&E to burn fossil fuels (the key cause of climate change) into MCE's program to buy and create renewable energy (the key solution to climate change)?

This May, Marin Clean Energy will start providing 25% renewable electricity to its first customers--at no additional cost. Or for a few dollars more, those eligible in unincorporated Novato can get 100% renewable "deep green" energy.

Sadly, City of Novato residents do not have a choice at this time as the City Council has not joined MEA for Phase 1. (See action items below).

Next year, that same green mix of electricity will begin flowing to all MCE customers. By the end of the decade, all customers will receive 100% renewable energy as MCE invests your ratepayer dollars in securing more solar, wind and other renewable energy generation from area businesses and homes--again, at no additional cost.

In fact, MCE could SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS and private expenditures by moving Marin most of the way towards meeting the State's 2020 climate goals, which otherwise are estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

And by creating a green grid to power the new generation of electric cars now becoming available, MCE puts us on the road toward the 2050 goal of 80% carbon reduction that is needed to finally reverse climate change.

Marin Clean Energy is a brilliant plan--and Marin is now leading the way toward toward energy independence and climate stability. THE ONLY RISK is the risk posed by PG&E. It is counting on its expensive barrage of misinformation and scare tactics to so confuse people that they abandon MCE and vote in favor or PG&E's "Monopoly Protection Act" (Prop. 16)--a constitutional amendment on the June ballot that would prohibit any competition among electricity providers in California. This Proposition is opposed by AARP, League of Women Voters, League of California Cities, Sierra Club and many others as it is a self-serving ploy to lock in PG&E's high rates with no risk of competition. (Seewww.powegrab.info for more)

Here's What You Can Do

To Protect MCE from PG&E's Self-Serving Tactics:

1) CONTACT NOVATO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

Ask them to join Marin Energy Authority for phase 2 now, so we are not locked out of an alternative option to PG&E's dirty mix of energy and 30% rate hikes planned for next 3 years.

Send an Email today to all councilmembers atnovatocouncil@ci.novato.ca.us

To send a powerful message:

Call council members directly:

Pat Eklund- 415-883-9116 (Pat made the motion to take MCE off the agenda even before public comment was heard)

Jeanne Macleamy- 415-883-8182 (Voted no)

Madeleine Kellner- 415-897-9440 (Voted no)

Denise Athas 415-899-8900 (has made comments in support of MCE- wasn't on Council for vote)

Carole D. Knutson 415-897-4459 (voted yes)

2) WRITE TO THE IJ AND NOVATO ADVANCE. Complain about PG&E's heavy-handed tactics and say why you support MCE and oppose Prop 16. For point-by-point responses to the PG&E nonsense, see MCE's March Newsletter posted atwww.MarinEnergyFreedom.org . This site also contains contact information for all local newspapers.

3) VOTE NO ON PROP 16 IN JUNE--PG&E'S MONOPOLY PROTECTION ACT. And ask Novato City Council to adopt a resolution opposing the proposition, which would enshrine the PG&E monopoly in our state Constitution, threaten MCE and kill other clean energy efforts statewide. (San Rafael, Tiburon and the County already have adopted such a resolution. Larkspur is pending in April.) More information and NO ON 16 actions at www.powergrab.info

4) IF YOU LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED NOVATO, congratulations, you are eligible for Marin Clean Energy. If you do nothing at all, you will receive twice the renewable content of energy for the same price as PG&E and won't notice any difference on your bill which is still supplied by PG&E. To do even more, you can also step up to "DEEP GREEN"--AND WHEREVER YOU LIVE, ASK YOUR EMPLOYER TO DO THE SAME. Many of MCE's first round of customers are businesses. If you work for one of them, tell them why you think they should stay with MCE and set an example by choosing 100% renewable "Deep Green" energy. More information at www.marincleanenergy.info .

5) SPREAD THE WORD. PG&E is spending 35 million of your ratepayer dollars to fill our mailboxes, computers and voicemails with glossy designer propaganda. The best way we can combat such an onslaught is to reach out personally to everyone we know--by word-of-mouth, phone and email--conveying the facts about MCE and our passion to see Marin do its share on energy and climate change and offer us protection from PG&E's planned significant rate hikes. Cut and paste the information above into your own email and send away .

Here is some background reading on Marin Clean Energy:

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 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.

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:

Investor-owned Power:

PG&E $0.12

So Cal Edison $0.12

Public Power:

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/