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Forum hears MCE update: deep‑green premium change and municipal 24/7 pilot under discussion
Summary
Participants were told MCE approved a premium increase for its deep‑green product effective Oct. 1, 2025 and is planning a pilot to provide an hourly 24/7 renewable product to up to 400 municipal accounts at a higher premium; staff will request a rate‑impact analysis for Larkspur.
Sarah Margules, Larkspur City Council member and the forum liaison, reported an MCE board vote to raise the deep green premium, effective Oct. 1, 2025, and described a new municipal pilot intended to buy renewables on an hourly basis so municipal customers can match consumption with real‑time renewable generation.
"The premium for deep green rates is going up starting October 1, 2025," Margules said. She described the pilot as offering a true 24/7 renewable product for municipal accounts and noted the pilot would carry a higher premium; a pilot premium figure of 5.4 cents per kilowatt‑hour was discussed for municipal participation. Margules said she has requested a rate‑impact analysis for the City of Larkspur.
David Muller and other participants explained how current voluntary renewable products often rely on annual or 24‑hour accounting — effectively buying renewable certificates after the fact — and why hourly matching is technically and economically more difficult at night when solar generation is low. Forum members urged MCE and staff to provide clearer consumer materials and suggested the city consider whether its lower municipal load makes the pilot economically suitable for Larkspur.
Shannon O'Hare said staff will include MCE materials and any follow‑up information in the city newsletter and the council packet as the program details develop.
