As the hotter months approach, I wanted to provide you with an update on the latest sizzling news from MCE and some important information about the upcoming solar eclipse!

​Mission Eclipse: Flex Your (Conservation) Power!

As a proud “Do Your Thing for the Sun” partner, MCE is urging all California residents and businesses reduce electricity use during the upcoming eclipse by taking part in at least one action on the “Simple Plan for the Solar Eclipse” (attached). This celestial event will take place on Monday, August 21st from 9:02-11:54am. Help us get the word out by including this notice in your City/Town Manager's update and by tagging @mceCleanEnergy on social media to let us know what you’ve done. Please share the plan with your communities and networks, friends and followers with the following hashtags: #SolarEclipse2017 #Eclipse2017 #CASolarEclipse
 
Some of MCE’s summer successes include:

•  Deep Green increases by more than 66% in 2017: Our sincerest congratulations to Corte Madera, El Cerrito, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Napa, Novato, Richmond, Ross, San Rafael, and the counties of Marin and Napa for all recently voting to opt up their municipal accounts to MCE’s Deep Green 100% renewable energy. With their support, this will bring MCE’s total enrollment in Deep Green to over 100 gigawatt hours in 2017.

·  Contra Costa Community Inclusion: MCE’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to include 9 new communities in Contra Costa, bringing MCE to 33 communities in 2018. We’re excited to begin serving Concord, Danville, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, San Ramon and unincorporated Contra Costa County.

·  Solar Cash-Outs: MCE is completing its sixth annual cash out for our solar customers who generate more energy than they consume. This year, we will offer over $1.37 million to 1,500 customers for excess solar energy generation. The West Contra Costa School District will be receiving over $60,000 and the City of Benicia which will receive over $129,000.

·  California Energy Commission Grant: MCE recently received a $1.7 million grant from the CEC to complete a project through the Local Government Challenge, allowing for MCE and our partners to build a replicable strategy for CCAs to identify the ideal location for distributed energy resources to help alleviate strain on the electric grid.

·  Electric Vehicle (EV) Funding: For commercial and multifamily properties in Richmond wanting to adopt EVs and EV charging infrastructure, please see BAAQMD’s Charge Program, which may cover up to 75% of the project cost, and PG&E’s EV Charge Network Program, which will provide discounts from 25-100% on charging equipment, depending on facility type and location.

·  Unveiling of MCE’s newest project, Redwood Landfill: Please join us on September 20th from 11am-1pm for the Redwood Landfill Ribbon Cutting! MCE’s newest project will generate power for 5,000 homes. This is an invite only event so please RSVP online at redwoodlandfillmcewm.eventbrite.com.

We are also excited to highlight our recent community outreach through a series of online videos. Join our Facebook page to watch us celebrate the 4th of July or learn about the Cooley Quarry solar farm. Practice your Spanish by watching our spotlight on a Lafayette Deep Green Champion Or explore our MCE Latino website.