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MCE explains enrollment, rate changes and local rebates to American Canyon commission
Summary
Mariela Herrick of MCE told the commission that 86% of American Canyon is enrolled in the community choice aggregator, cited a 14% generation-side rate reduction (about $12 average), and described local rebates including MCE Cares and home energy upgrades.
Mariela Herrick, senior community development manager for MCE, told the American Canyon Sustainability Commission that the city joined the community choice aggregator in 2016 and that roughly 86% of local accounts are enrolled in MCE. She said MCE operates under California Assembly Bill 117’s opt-out model and sets generation rates while PG&E retains responsibility for delivery and infrastructure.
"MCE is a community choice aggregator," Herrick said, describing the agency as a joint powers authority governed by elected officials from the communities it serves. She said the board approved a generation-side rate reduction this year totaling about 14%, which Herrick said averages roughly $12 in savings for a residential customer. Herrick also described MCE Cares, a bill-discount program that provides $20 a month for qualifying residential customers and $25 a month for businesses and can stack with state discount programs.
Herrick highlighted MCE programs aimed at energy efficiency and transportation electrification in American Canyon: a Home Energy Savings program that has completed 71 homes (128 measures) in the city to date and a suite of EV charging and rebate incentives. She said the agency has distributed about $102,000 in EV rebates and more than $400,000 in energy-efficiency rebates in the community. On optional service tiers, Herrick said about 6% of American Canyon customers are enrolled in MCE’s 100% renewable “Deep Green” option and countywide Deep Green enrollment averages roughly 7%.
In questions, commissioners pressed on billing details and technology choices. Herrick clarified that MCE sets only generation charges and that delivery or transmission charges on a customer’s bill — the portion controlled by PG&E — can change more frequently. Commissioners and commenters also discussed mini-split ductless HVAC systems as a lower-cost retrofit for some homes; Herrick said MCE can provide education and rebate-finder tools but does not recommend specific contractors.
The presentation ended with staff offering to follow up on specific technical capacity questions and to share MCE outreach materials and rebate tools with the city.
