What Ventura's new energy provider means for rates and renewables

Ventura

Energy rates are rising in Ventura next year, in part due to a new electricity provider on the scene that’s working to substantially increase the amount of renewables that power the grid.

You can learn more about that provider, the Clean Power Alliance, during Thursday’s meeting of the East Ventura Community Council, which represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue. Karen Schmidt, CPA’s regional affairs manager, will talk about options available to residents and what it means.

CPA is a community choice aggregation program, which means local governments band together to procure clean energy and storage. The idea is to offer competition to investor-owned utilities like Southern California Edison, decrease the dependence on fossil fuels, and generate jobs and related economic activity through power-related capital projects.

MORE:County energy bills in 2019: How they’re changing (and why they’ll go up)

Elected officials in Ventura, along with unincorporated Ventura County, Ojai, Oxnard and Thousand Oaks, chose 100 percent renewable energy for a default. That means residents in those areas will pay up to 9 percent more than the base rate for Southern California Edison, unless they opt for a different energy mix.

Edison will continue transmitting and distributing the energy, and it will still send the bill.

Want to compare the options? Go to https://bit.ly/2T2WIvQ. Have a copy of a recent bill handy. To make changes, go to https://cleanpoweralliance.org/rate-options or call 888-585-3788.

The Clean Power Alliance is sending out two mailers on what the switch means for customers. What the mailer doesn't include is the rate difference -- those in "100% Green Power" will pay up to 9 percent higher compared with Southern California Edison base rates.

Also during the meeting:

Derek Poultney, executive director of the Ventura Land Trust, will update residents on the acquisition of 2,100 acres in Harmon Canyon. The nonprofit plans to provide public access for hiking, biking, walking and other outdoors activities while protecting habitat for wildlife.
Police will provide an update on crime trends in the neighborhood.
Books in good condition will be accepted for Ventura Friends of the Library.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. For more information, contact Marie Lakin by email at eastventuracc@gmail.com.