CCAs Recognized for Advancing Decarbonization, Equity, and Reliability in the Energy Sector
The California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) celebrated outstanding member programs at the inaugural Community Impact Awards, held during its 2023 Annual Conference from May 17-19 in San Diego. The awards honor the innovative initiatives of Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) across California that are driving decarbonization, promoting equity, and enhancing energy reliability. California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and CalCCA Executive Director Beth Vaughan presented the awards on May 19 during the conference’s general session.
State Treasurer Ma commended recipients for their efforts to advance industry-leading programs, noting they are exemplary of the “impactful and creative energy solutions that CCAs provide.” CalCCA’s Executive Director, Beth Vaughan, said the award-winning programs “reflect the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines the CCA movement. They serve as inspiration and models for CCAs and all energy providers, demonstrating what is possible when communities and their partners work together to build a sustainable and equitable energy future.”
Winners and runners-up in each category are as follows:
| Decarbonization | Equity | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| First Place: | First Place: | First Place: |
| Sonoma Clean Power Advanced Energy Center | Peninsula Clean Energy Outreach Grants | Redwood Coast Energy Authority + Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid |
| Runner-Up: | Runner-Up: | Runner-Up: |
| East Bay Community Energy + Peninsula Clean Energy + Silicon Valley Clean Energy Reach Codes Program | Silicon Valley Clean Energy FutureFit Fundamentals Contractor Training Program | Valley Clean Energy + AgFIT Pilot Program |
Decarbonization Category
Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) took first place in the “Decarb” category for the first-of-its-kind Advanced Energy Center (AEC). Located in downtown Santa Rosa, the 10,000 square foot AEC offers customers an interactive educational experience to promote renewable energy adoption and practical ways to power their daily lives with clean energy resources. The center includes a contractor training facility, appliance showroom and demonstration kitchen. It has had 7,500 visitors since opening in 2021, advanced more than 600 retrofit projects, and connected customers with $1 million in zero-interest financing. To learn more about SCP’s Advanced Energy Center, visit SCPAdvancedEnergyCenter.org and watch a video about the center and its impacts here.
The runner-up award in the Decarb category was shared by East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), Peninsula Clean Energy, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) for their efforts to advance building reach codes. This initiative provides technical assistance and incentives to member cities and counties, facilitating the adoption of reach codes – those that go above and beyond state standards to further increase building energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The collaboration among these CCAs has already led to significant emissions reductions and influenced progressive building codes statewide. To learn more about the Reach Codes program, visit BayAreaReachCodes.org.
Equity Category
Peninsula Clean Energy received the first-place award in the Equity category for its Community Outreach Grants that provide funding to non-profit, community-based organizations (CBOs) across its service territory, improving energy program accessibility and addressing the digital divide. By supporting cross-cultural and multilingual initiatives, Peninsula Clean Energy ensures underrepresented voices have a say in shaping and accessing energy programs. The program has already provided 19 local CBOs with $1.3M in grant funding over the last five years. To learn more about PCE’s Outreach Grants visit PeninsulaCleanEnergy.com/
Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) was recognized as the runner-up in the Equity category for its FutureFit Fundamentals Contractor Training Program. The program launched in 2021 in partnership with the San Jose Evergreen Community College District Workforce Institute. The program is designed to equip contractors with knowledge and resources to promote the use of all-electric technologies. More than 90 contractors have graduated from the program to date. To learn more about SVCE’s FutureFit Fundamentals Contractor Training Program, visit SVCleanEnergy.org/FutureFit-
Reliability Category
The first-place winner in the Reliability category is Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) for the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid. This microgrid, powered by 100% renewable energy and associated battery storage, provides backup capabilities to multiple customers, including a rural airport and a coast guard facility. RCEA owns and operates the solar and storage components – a CCA first. The microgrid began operating in December and has already successfully powered customers through a significant earthquake with a region-wide outage cutting power to 70,000 customers, and multiple major winter storms. To learn more about RCEA’s Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid, visit RedwoodEnergy.org/RCAM and watch a video about the project and its impacts here.
Valley Clean Energy (VCE) was honored as the runner-up in the Reliability category for their AgFIT Pilot Program. AgFIT provides VCE’s agricultural customers with hourly price signals and incentives for irrigation automation, helping them manage energy costs efficiently. By shifting load and reducing peak demand, this program enhances grid resilience and contributes to cost savings for all ratepayers. More than 85% of VCE’s service territory footprint is designated for agricultural use, and the agricultural sector represents approximately 18% of VCE’s total annual load. To learn more about VCE’s AgFIT Pilot Program, visit ValleyCleanEnergy.org/
About CalCCA
Launched in 2016, the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) represents California’s community choice electricity providers before the state legislature and at regulatory agencies. There are 25 operational CCA programs in California serving more than 11 million customers—about one-quarter of the state’s population—in 200+ cities and counties throughout the state. For more information about CalCCA, visit www.cal-cca.org.