Parts of Marin Go PG&E Free

Marin Clean Energy launched its service Friday to residents in unincorporated Marin County and seven of the county's cities and towns that  chose to enroll in the state's first Community Choice Aggregation energy  program.
     
The launch of the first phase, which will serve 7,500 customers,  was celebrated at a ceremony on the island green of the Marin County  Fairgrounds.
     
The second phase begins in late spring or early summer 2011. The  Marin Energy Authority expects total enrollment in the Marin Clean Energy  will be 71,000 customers.
     
Marin Clean Energy, a Community Choice Aggregation Program, is an  alternative to PG&E and other utility companies. It allows electricity  consumers to choose nonpolluting, renewable energy.
     
The Community Choice Aggregation program was established by the  state Legislature in 2002 to give cities and counties the ability to procure  electricity on behalf of its customers.
     
Marin Clean Energy will purchase the electric supply while PG&E  continues to deliver the electricity, maintain and repair transmission lines  and provide customer service and billing.
     
Under the Community Choice Aggregation, the source of the electric  generation and the price paid by customers will be determined locally.  Customers can choose to participate or remain with their current utility  company.
     
Marin County Supervisor and Chairman of the Marin Energy Authority  Charles McGlashan, said today's launch of Marin Clean Energy, shows  communities have a meaningful role in deciding where their energy comes from.
     
He said it will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce  greenhouse gases while ensuring customers get the reliable service they  expect.
     
Marin Clean Energy's Light Green Program offers 25 percent  renewable energy and its Deep Green program provides customers with an  affordable option to receive 100 percent renewable energy.
     
Marin Clean Energy's Interim Director Dawn Weisz said, "We expect  to provide 100 percent renewable power to all out customers well before 2020,  well before any of the investor-owned utilities, and at a lower cost."
     
Marin Clean Energy filed a complaint against PG&E, claiming it  violated state law by spending millions of dollars in an effort to defeat the  local program. 
     
The California Public Utilities Commission on Monday said PG&E  violated state rules by trying to get people to opt out of Marin Clean  Energy.
     
Members of Marin Clean Energy include the cities of Belvedere,  Mill Valley, San Rafael and Sausalito, the towns of Fairfax, San Anselmo and  Tiburon and Marin County.