Walnut Creek hears MCE update, issues three community proclamations

Mayor Kevin Wilk opened the April 7 council meeting with three proclamations recognizing community service and local environmental efforts. Joan Lucchese was honored for more than a decade of leadership at The Gardens at Heather Farms; Joan introduced Jeremy Peck as the organization’s incoming executive director. The council also proclaimed April 2026 Cleaner Contra Costa Month and recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, with dispatchers accepting the honors on behalf of the city.

Kiara Donato, bilingual community development manager at Marin Clean Energy (MCE), briefed the council on MCE’s community choice aggregation work and local program engagement. Donato said the City of Walnut Creek is an MCE member and that approximately 90% of city customers are enrolled in MCE service, with 7% in the 100% renewable (“Deep Green”) option and participation in multiple customer programs including vehicle rebates and energy‑efficiency incentives. Donato also noted recent board actions affecting generation rates (effective April 1) and an additional $10,000,000 in customer relief funding approved by the MCE board.

Donato emphasized MCE’s local reinvestment model—rebates for electric vehicle chargers, support for municipal account opt‑ups to Deep Green, sponsorships for local sustainability initiatives, and partner grants to community nonprofits. Councilmembers asked about customer contacts for program enrollment and Donato offered printed materials and staff contact information for follow‑up.

These items were handled early in the meeting; the council moved on to consent calendar business and later to the extensive public hearing on the Mitchell Townhomes project.