Representatives of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) presented an update on the community choice energy provider’s renewable procurement and customer programs at the City Council meeting on Aug. 6, 2025.
Sofia Schwartzke, 3CE community relations manager for the northern region, described a portfolio of contracted solar and storage projects — including Willow Rock Energy Storage Center, a compressed-air energy storage project expected to provide 200 megawatts to 3CE customers — that the agency says will supply a growing share of the region’s electricity needs. Schwartzke said 3CE has contracts to supply 64% of its annual load with renewable energy by October 2028, with additional pending contracts that could increase that share.
Doss Williams, 3CE senior policy and legislative consultant, briefed council members on federal and state issues that affect energy incentives. He warned that recently adopted federal budget provisions could end or reduce consumer incentives — including the up-to-$7,500 federal EV incentive treated as a point-of-sale benefit through Sept. 30 — and that loss of tax credits could slow new energy facility investments and raise future energy prices.
Schwartzke outlined customer programs that reduce the cost of electrification for residents and member agencies. 3CE’s “electrify your ride” program can provide up to $4,000 per new vehicle and additional funds for EV chargers. For member agencies, she said 3CE has $300,000 in member-agency funding available to the City of Soledad for electrifying municipal fleets, installing EV chargers and adopting reach codes; staff said a city fleet electrification plan is already underway.
Council members asked for bilingual outreach materials and requested a community workshop explaining rooftop solar, net energy metering and battery-storage incentives. Schwartzke said 3CE has recorded webinars in English and Spanish and will coordinate a local presentation with the city.