PREPARED BY: AMANDA BOOTH DATE OF MEETING: 04/06/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
GENERAL UPDATE TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO ON MCE PROGRAMS
CEQA: With respect to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, this update on MCE services and enrolment rates and does not require CEQA review. However, the original project, joining Marin Clean Energy Community Choice Aggregation, was determined to be exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(b)(3) and Section 15378(b)(5).
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
For Informational Purposes Only
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2025-2027 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statements:
Item 202: Identify and implement Long-Term Environmental Stewardship Goals, is a major policy goal contained in the FY 2025-27 City Council Priority Workplan, adopted April 7, 2025.
BACKGROUND
In September 2006, the State of California adopted Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), establishing a requirement to reduce statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) subsequently adopted a Scoping Plan in December 2008 to outline strategies to achieve these reductions. The plan encourages local jurisdictions to reduce emissions to 1990 levels, or approximately 15% below baseline levels, by 2020.
In alignment with AB 32, the City of San Pablo adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2012. The CAP established targets to reduce GHG emissions to 15% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 30% below 2005 levels by 2035.
To support implementation of the CAP and achieve state-mandated GHG reduction targets, the City Council approved joining Marin Clean Energy (now known as MCE) in 2014. MCE is a not-for-profit Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that provides residents and businesses with cleaner electricity options. MCE procures the electricity for customers, and PG&E delivers the electricity via its established infrastructure.
By March 2015, all San Pablo residents and businesses were automatically enrolled in MCE service unless they chose to opt out, consistent with State law under AB 117 (2002). Since that time, MCE has expanded significantly and now serves four Bay Area counties, encompassing over 600,000 accounts and approximately 1.8 million customers.
MCE offers multiple service options to customers, including:
• Light Green Service: Approximately 60% renewable energy (default option)
• Deep Green Service: 100% renewable energy sourced from solar and wind
For comparison, traditional PG&E service includes approximately 23% renewable energy.
Within the City of San Pablo:
• Approximately 88% of customers are enrolled in MCE
• 5% participate in Deep Green service
• 5% are enrolled in solar programs
• 37% receive CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) discounts
• 2% participate in the Medical Baseline program
MCE has also made direct investments in the San Pablo community, including:
• $229,000 in electric vehicle (EV) rebates
• Installation of 21 EV charging ports
• $66,000 in EV charging infrastructure rebates
• $296,000 in energy efficiency rebates
In addition, MCE is actively engaged in local community initiatives and partnerships, including:
• Sponsorship of community events such as Fiestas Patrias, the Small Business of the Year Mixer, and Contra Costa College Earth Day
• A $12,500 investment in partnership with the San Pablo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to support local small businesses
• Participation in a Clean Transportation Focus Group, engaging 24 residents through a bilingual outreach effort to expand access to clean transportation options
City staff is also participating in a newly formed Contra Costa County sustainability working group led by MCE. This quarterly collaboration brings together staff from member jurisdictions to coordinate regional sustainability efforts and share best practices.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with the requested action.
ATTACHMENTS:
ATT A - Presentation