Dear Friends:

As Earth Day approaches (April 22), we in Richmond can feel proud of the positive steps our community has taken to support clean, sustainable policies that improve our lives and health.

Among our many achievements was the implementation in 2013 of "Community Choice Aggregation" (CCA), a plan that enabled Richmond residents to choose cleaner sources of electricity through the Marin Clean Energy (MCE) program. I applaud Councilmember Tom Butt's leadership in bringing this program to Richmond, and his ongoing advocacy as the Council's MCE representative.

This important program enables cities like Richmond to promote local decision-making and provide consumer energy choice. Through our CCA, our residents choose renewable energy sources that help achieve local environmental goals and greenhouse gas reduction targets.

One essential element to the CCA plan's success is the "opt-out" feature. This means that all residents are included in the clean energy program unless they specifically choose to "opt out." Every other CCA state in the country uses an opt-out process for electricity aggregation.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2145, the "Monopoly Protection Bill," will severely limit CCAs in CA. If passed, it will require individuals within an area to "opt-in" vs. "opt-out" of the program. AB 2145 is pro-monopoly and protects the status quo by returning market power to shareholder-controlled utilities.

AB 2145 is being considered in Sacramento on Monday, April 28, by the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee. Please join me, the Richmond City Council  and many others* in voicing your opposition to AB 2145.  Contact Committee Chair Steven Bradford (c/o his staffer davina.flemings@asm.ca.gov, phone 916-319-2062) and let him know that you support consumer choice, local decision-making, and clean energy.

The positive transformation of Richmond has been built on collaborative efforts among City officials, community-based organizations, and individuals to define our own destiny, to make healthy choices that serve our community, not the needs of utility monopolies.

On Earth Day, April 22, let us celebrate the advances we've achieved together, defend our progress, and recommit ourselves to building not only a Better Richmond, but a cleaner state and a healthy planet.

Sincerely,

Tom Butt

*Organizations opposing AB 2145 include the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, Sierra Club CA, World Wildlife Fund US, Greenlining Institute, California Solar Energy Industries Association, the Center for Climate Protection, Local Clean Energy Alliance, and Green Cities CA