Central Coast Community Energy reports growth in renewables, highlights customer programs for Carmel-by-the-Sea

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) representatives briefed the Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on Aug. 5 about regional clean-energy procurement, battery-storage projects and customer incentive programs available to residents and businesses.

Catherine Steadman, chief communications officer for 3CE, said the public-community choice agency supplies clean and renewable energy to about 1.2 million people across 30 cities and five counties on the Central Coast, representing roughly 94% of eligible customers. In the most recent year 3CE delivered what the presentation described as 409 megawatts of renewable energy and highlighted a portfolio that includes a large compressed-air energy-storage project (Willow Rock) expected to provide 200 megawatts, and several solar-plus-storage projects.

3CE emphasized the role of battery storage in extending midday wind and solar into evening hours and preventing reliance on fossil-fuel generation during peak demand. Steadman noted that robust storage contracts and planned projects helped avoid a flex-alert during a recent heat event and credited storage for reducing fossil-fuel dependence on high-demand days.

Local programs and funding: 3CE offers rebates and incentives to accelerate electrification. The “Electrify Your Ride” program offers up to $4,000 toward the purchase of a qualifying new or used electric vehicle; additional programs support home electrification, agricultural electrification and residential battery rebates. Staff said $300,000 in funding is currently available to Carmel-by-the-Sea through member-agency programs and that 3CE has invested approximately $632,000 in local initiatives to date. Since 2018 3CE reported nearly 7,000 customers benefited across the member region and more than $11 million was returned to the community, with $4 million aimed at underserved customers.

Federal policy note: Steadman told the council that certain provisions in pending federal legislation (referred to in the presentation as HR 1) could reduce or change tax credits for electric vehicles and home energy upgrades if timelines are not met; 3CE staff urged customers to be aware of the potential timing and to stack local incentives while federal incentives remain available.

Steadman encouraged the council and residents to contact 3CE staff with questions; the agency said it is pursuing additional contracts to increase renewable procurement and is supporting regional market initiatives to sell excess midday renewables across the western grid.