Politics & Government

How Much Will Marin Clean Energy Cost You?

The average MCE residential customer can expect to pay approximately $2.50 more per month than with PG&E, according to Marin Clean Energy authorities.

New cost comparison data shows that Marin Clean Energy customers can expect to pay slightly more than if they stayed with Pacific Gas and Electric.

The average MCE residential customer can expect to pay approximately $2.50 more per month than with PG&E, according to Marin Clean Energy authorities. Commercial customers can expect to pay approximately $3.31 less in a summer month and $4.67 more in a winter month.

“We are extremely pleased to offer Marin electric customers an affordable choice of 50 percent renewable energy” said Damon Connolly, MEA Chairman and San Rafael Councilman. “We strive to keep our rates stable and affordable while providing a superior product to our customers and look forward to helping shape a more sustainable future here in Marin County.”

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MCE, which offers 50 percent renewable energy compared with PG&E’s 20 percent, will be offering enrollment in their energy program to all Marin residents and businesses in July 2012 unless customers decide to opt out.

The cost of electricity for all Marin County customers includes charges for generation, transmission, distribution, and a variety of other taxes and fees like Public Purpose Programs and Nuclear Decommissioning. Marin Clean Energy charges customers for electric generation services while PG&E continues to charge for all of the other non-generation electricity related services at the same rates that would otherwise apply.

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The following chart compares average PG&E and MCE generation rates for residential and commercial customers effective July 1, 2012.  PG&E generation rates are based on PG&E Advice Filing 4044-E.

 


MCE 50% Renewable Energy

PG&E 20% Renewable Energy

Residential Generation (MCE RES-1, PG&E E-1)

$0.069/kWh

$0.073/kWh

Commercial Generation

(MCE COM-1, PG&E A-1)

$0.083/kWh (summer)

$0.09278/kWh (summer)

$0.055/kWh (winter)

$0.05870/kWh (winter)

Although PG&E’s average generation rates for both commercial and residential customers are more costly than MCE’s generation rates, PG&E also imposes an exit fee on MCE customers which is intended to account for PG&E’s above market energy costs. This exit fee can result in a slightly higher overall cost for MCE customers.

Credits to be issued in this fall

Due to actions at the California Public Utilities Commission and regulatory efforts of MEA and other parties, PG&E will be reducing the exit fee for all customers beginning on July 1, 2012.  A credit for overpayment of the fee will be applied retroactively to April, 2011. Existing MCE customers can expect to receive a refund on their PG&E bill in the fall for overpayment of the PCIA between April, 2011 and July, 2012.

Calculator to be announced

Marin Clean Energy will soon be announcing the release of an on-line rate calculator to help customers determine what the cost differential will be to switch from PG&E’s 20 percent renewable energy to MCE’s 50 percent renewable energy in July 2012.

More information is available at: www.marincleanenergy.com


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