Monterey County reviews proposal for “publicly-run” energy plan

UPDATE 2/15/17 10:30AM: A new plan to offer residents and businesses access to publicly-managed energy was addressed by Monterey County officials Tuesday. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to direct staff to write up language to come back for board action regarding voting options for the Tri-County initiative and city of Salinas.

The people behind Monterey Bay Community Power say they want residents and businesses to have an alternative to Pacific Gas and Electric with the hope of bringing renewable energy to Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

Project managers say it will work to bring energy to people at the same rate, customers would get if they used PG&E.

Supporters say reports on the project show that it would double the renewable energy to the Tri-County Area.

“It shows that we would be able to double the amount of renewable energy that our region could utilize so it would go from 27 percent which is currently being offered by the investor owned utility to 59 percent renewable energy.” said Brennen Jensen, Co-Chair Monterey Bay Regional Climate Action Compact.

The project also has residents that do not support the move. Some saying that the decision should go before voters.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors will bring the issue up again March 7th. As it looks to determine how policies on the project would be decided.

PREVIOUS STORY: A new effort is underway to give Monterey County residents and businesses access to renewable energy through a publicly-run alternative to Pacific Gas and Electric, according to Greenpower based in Santa Cruz.

A proposal called Monterey Bay Community Power is being discussed Tuesday afternoon, citing opportunities to reverse climate change and protect the local environment.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors plans to review the proposal. KION’s Zach Fuentes will have more on this story at 6.