Politics & Government
PG&E Changes Coming Soon: PCE's ECOplus and ECO100
April starts phase 2 of the rollout of Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) to general residents, large businesses and agriculture
Coming to San Mateo County in April residents, large businesses and agriculture will be switched from PG&E 30% renewable energy mix to PCE’s ECOplus 50% renewable energy mix. There is nothing anyone needs to do. PCE stands for Peninsula Clean Energy, San Mateo’s new official electricity provider. Some PG&E customers have already been switched or can switch by visiting PCE’s website as part of the early adopter program. The rest of the local PG&E customer base will automatically be switched coming in April. This is currently an opt out program roll out. If you do not want to be switched you need to let PG&E know and essentially opt-in to staying with what you have.
The automatic switch or new default will be ECOplus a 50% renewable energy mix product that PCE is charging about five percent less then for PG&E's regular 30% renewable energy supply. Now individual households and businesses will be able to vote with their dollars as to how important renewable sources of electricity are to them. PCE’s 50% renewable mix has been priced below PG&E’s 30% but PCE also have a 100% renewable mix product that costs more than PG&E’s 30%.
The reality until now is that for a lot of household that have been interested in moving to renewable sources in particular solar, the financial aspects were not only not necessarily attractive but in some cases as for renters not within their control. With PCE’s two new products however this all changes. Customers can decide exactly how important renewable energy is to them. Here is a sample cost comparison:
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Sample Residential Cost Comparison
Typical Monthly Electric Charges*
| PCE ECOplus | PCE ECO100** | PG&E | |
| After April 1st, 2017 | Default | Opt-in | Opt-in |
| Renewable Energy*** | 50% | 100% | 30% |
| Greenhouse Gas Free | 75% | 100% | 50% |
| Electric Generation | $30.33 | $34.78 | $43.09 |
| PG&E Electric Delivery | $44.21 | $44.21 | $44.21 |
| Add. PG&E Fees | $10.61 | $10.61 | 0 |
| Avg. Total Cost | $85.15 | $89.60 | $87.31 |
*Based on a typical usage of 445 kWh at current PG&E rates and PCE rates effective as of September 22, 2016 under the Res-1/E-1 rate schedule. Actual differences may vary depending on usage, rate schedule, and other factors. Estimate provided is an average of seasonal rates.
**ECO100 rates are $0.01 per kilowatt hour higher than our ECOplus rates.
***Renewable energy content as reported in the Annual Report to the California Energy Commission Power Source Disclosure Program in June 2016.
It is important to note that starting April 1st, PG&E and PCE ECO100 are opt in. If you are interested in ECO100 you also need to go online or call PCE to get on that program.
