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MCE tells Fairfield about options, a 14% generation-rate cut and expanded bill assistance
Summary
Mariela Herrick of MCE explained community choice aggregation, reported a 14% April rate reduction, an expanded MCE Cares assistance pool (from $5 million to $10 million), and local program metrics including EV and energy-efficiency rebates and household upgrades in Fairfield.
Mariela Herrick, senior community development manager for MCE, told the Fairfield City Council on Monday that joining a Community Choice Aggregator gives residents more local control over power purchasing and cleaner average supplies.
Herrick said Fairfield became part of MCE in 2022 and that MCE’s default service offers a roughly 60% renewable generation mix; customers can opt up to a 100% ‘‘Deep Green’’ product. She said the board approved a 14% generation rate reduction effective April 1 and applied a temporary bill credit. "The benefit to the community of being part of a CCA is that you get cleaner air, stable rates, and more local control," Herrick said.
Herrick provided local participation statistics: roughly 87% of Fairfield accounts are enrolled in MCE, about 6% have chosen the Deep Green option and approximately 22% of community homes have solar. She said MCE expanded its MCE Cares assistance program from $5 million to $10 million and cited program results: $329,000 in EV rebates and nearly $2 million in energy-efficiency rebates distributed locally, plus 250 Fairfield households helped through the Home Energy Savings Program (including free heat‑pump water‑heater installations for qualifying households).
In council questions, members asked whether MCE still used fossil fuels and about battery storage. Herrick said the 60% product is supplied by state‑regulated renewable resources; the remainder of the portfolio is primarily large hydro, which she described as carbon‑free though distinct from small hydro that qualifies as a renewable under state rules. On battery storage, Herrick said she was not the subject matter expert and offered to follow up with detailed information.
Herrick encouraged residents and businesses to explore EV charging incentives (up to $4,500 per port for eligible workplaces and multifamily sites) and energy‑upgrade services for small businesses offered at no cost for assessments. She said MCE sets generation rates in a public process and funds local sponsorships and community programs.
The presentation concluded with council appreciation and requests for follow‑up on portfolio composition and battery‑storage programs.
