(From Press Release) – On June 1, 2018 local leaders and community members will celebrate the launch of Valley Clean Energy (VCE). Thanks to VCE, over 60,000 electricity customers in Woodland, Davis, and unincorporated Yolo County will have the power to choose cleaner, more cost effective electricity when VCE launches.
VCE is the new locally governed not for profit electricity program that is committed to delivering cost-competitive, clean and reliable electricity. Valley Clean Energy is set to deliver on this commitment with a 2.5% lower generation rate than PG&E while providing higher levels of renewable energy. In total, based on current PG&E rates, VCE will save its customers approximately $1.8 million dollars in the first full year of operation. This is possible because as a not for profit entity, VCE is designed to put its revenue back into the local economy to keep its rates competitive and invest in local projects that benefit the communities served by the program.
Customers in Woodland, Davis, and unincorporated Yolo County will be automatically enrolled in VCE’s standard program. They will see their electricity generation rates reduced by 2.5% and know that 42% of their electricity came from renewable sources. Customers can also choose to upgrade to VCE’s UltraGreen 100% renewables program for 1.5 cents/kWh more than the standard VCE rate. As a community choice program, customers can also choose to opt out at any time and remain a full customer of PG&E.
VCE is governed by elected leaders from the City of Woodland, the City of Davis and Yolo County. VCE partnered with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) to procure energy and provide customer and technical support. PG&E will continue to manage the power delivery infrastructure and customer billing.
“Local control and accountability is one of the many benefits of Valley Clean Energy,” said Davis City Council Member Lucas Frerichs, Chair of the Valley Clean Energy Board. “Our board is in tune with our communities and can be responsive to their priorities and needs.”
For financial services, Valley Clean Energy partnered with River City Bank, the largest, independent, locally-owned bank in the Sacramento region. River City Bank has a track record of successfully supporting other community choice energy programs, like Monterey Bay Community Power.
“Lower rates and strong partnerships with respected regional partners gives Valley Clean Energy a foundation for success,” added Woodland City Council Member Tom Stallard, Vice Chair of the Valley Clean Energy Board. “SMUD and River City Bank are top players in their respective fields and we’re fortunate to have their experience and expertise backing our program.”
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the launch of Valley Clean Energy,” said Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor, a founding Board Member of VCE. “By partnering in this effort we can better achieve our goals of greener energy sources, cost reduction for users, and potentially offer better and predictable rates for specific groups, such as agriculture customers.”
Community members, businesses, and organizations from Woodland, Davis, and Yolo County are invited to join the celebratory launch party on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM at the Dresbach-Hunt Boyer Mansion, 604 Second Street, Davis.
