100% RENEWABLE ENERGY STUDY FOR 7 CITIES SERVED BY EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY

This study was prepared as a result of work sponsored by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, in collaboration with KyotoUSA, Fosterra, and the Sequoia Foundation. The 100% Renewable Energy Study for Seven Cities in the East Bay Community Energy Program study describes how cities can accelerate the transformation to carbon free renewable energy and meet their Climate Action Plan goals, while strengthening the local, regional, and state economies.  Specifically, this study evaluates the implications for self-selected member cities of the East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) program that are interested in a 100% renewable energy default product for all of their electric accounts (municipal, commercial, and residential).

In general, the EBCE member cities that are a part of this study are seeking solutions that can be provided by EBCE to address their climate action plan goals for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from their community-wide electricity consumption.  This study was prepared to help them understand the options in the context of their clean energy goals, the related impacts to customer bills, and EBCE financial stability.  This study was also intended to provide lessons learned to the remaining EBCE jurisdictions and newly forming CCEs that may be interested in pursuing similar climate and clean energy goals.

Study Goal and Primary Tasks

Project Goal: Evaluate the potential impact for seven self-selected communities within EBCE to procure 100% renewable energy as a default for residents, businesses, and municipal accounts.  This report uses the State’s definition of renewable energy, which does not include large hydroelectric power stations.

Task 1: Research and evaluate current CCE renewable energy products and rates as a basis for comparison with the product offerings from EBCE.  This includes reviewing energy mix options, related costs, and product pricing.

Task 2: Investigate and analyze the options, GHG impact, and costs for selecting a 100% renewable energy product as the default for all customer categories in the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Piedmont, Hayward, Emeryville, San Leandro, and Oakland. 

Task 3: Develop an analysis of the findings from Tasks 1 and 2 to provide recommendations with rationale to the cities and EBCE to encourage faster achievement of GHG-reduction goals.