Join us in supporting Community Choice Energy
 
On July 17 the Board of Supervisors will be receiving an updated report on the efficacy of Community Choice Energy (CCE) participation for Santa Barbara County (and participating cities). 
 
The report states that all scenarios will be cost competitive with the Independent Owned Utilities, and that the participation of North County entities, particularly the City of Santa Maria, will improve the overall prospectus for all potential participants. This is a significantly different finding than the earlier study that evaluated CCE for a tri-county area. 
 
The item will also be considered the same day by the Santa Barbara and Goleta city councils.
 
Below is today's action alert from the Community Environmental Council, which contains information on these three meetings and asks you to sign a letter to local decision makers.
 
If you live in District 5, it would be really helpful if you would contact Supervisor Steve Lavagnino at (805) 346-8400 or [email protected] and encourage his support. He supported the study the first time, but didn't the second time, noting that he hadn't heard from his constituents. The action we support on the 17th is to get started with unincorporated County, Goleta and Santa Barbara. Other cities can be added later.
 

ACTION ALERT FROM COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL:

Sign a letter today to support
a clean energy future for
Santa Barbara.
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Support Clean Energy for Santa Barbara County.

ACT NOW! Support Community Choice Energy for Santa Barbara.
Click here! Sign a letter to local decisionmakers in support of Community Choice Energy.

On Tuesday, July 17, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Santa Barbara City Council, and Goleta City Council will each independently vote on moving forward with a local Community Choice Energy program. This program is a powerful tool that would provide county residents with cleaner electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind, at prices competitive with our current utility.

Voice your support for decisionmakers to work with other local governments to create a Santa Barbara Community Choice Energy program.

Similar programs in Marin, Sonoma, Lancaster and 14 other regions of California have all demonstrated that Community Choice Energy provides:

  • Cleaner electricity with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • Competitive electricity rates.
  • Local control and local accountability of our energy provider.
  • New opportunities for local renewable energy projects and local jobs.

Sign this letter now to urge local governments to work together to launch a local Community Choice Energy program.

Want to take more action? Attend a hearing!

1) Speak at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing

Date: Tuesday, July 17
Location: Santa Barbara County Admin Building – 4th Floor, Board Hearing Room – 105 E Anapamu St.
Time: Community Choice Energy is scheduled to be heard at the beginning of the meeting, which starts at 9 a.m.

2) Speak at the Santa Barbara City Council Hearing

Date: Tuesday, July 17
Location: Santa Barbara City Hall – 2nd Floor, City Council Chambers – 735 Anacapa St.
Time: Community Choice Energy is scheduled to be heard at the beginning of the meeting, which starts at 2 p.m.

3) Speak at the Goleta City Council Hearing

Date: Tuesday, July 17
Location: Goleta City Hall – City Council Chambers – 130 Cremona Dr. Suite B.
Time: Community Choice Energy is scheduled to be heard as the second or third agenda item of the meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.
 
Our commitment to excellence has made CEC one of only five nonprofits in Santa Barbara County to earn the highest possible ratings from both Guidestar and Charity Navigator. Investing in CEC directly supports advocacy to protect the climate, including programs that lead to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic. Click below to donate today, or contact us at (805)963-0583 Ext.116 to discuss options for planned giving.