FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2025
Press Contact:
Jackie Nuñez | Senior Communications Manager
(925) 695-2124 | communications@mceCleanEnergy.org
SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. — MCE, California’s first and longest-running community choice energy provider, will become the primary electricity provider for Hercules residents and businesses in April. Residents and businesses will be automatically enrolled in MCE’s cleaner, lower cost electricity service unless they choose another option.
As a not-for-profit public agency, MCE provides more affordable, more renewable electricity while PG&E continues maintaining poles, wires, and infrastructure as well as billing.
Since 2010, MCE has served the Bay Area with cost-competitive, fossil-free electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting community-driven sustainability initiatives. With the addition of Hercules, MCE’s service area now encompasses 38 member communities in Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties, providing more than 1.5 million residents and businesses with clean electricity service.
“Joining MCE is the obvious choice for our community,” said Dion Bailey, Hercules Mayor. “Since voting to join MCE in 2023, our community now has the power to choose cleaner energy service while keeping resources local.”
Key Benefits for Hercules Residents and Businesses
- Competitive rates: The average Hercules resident will save 8% or about $10 on their monthly bill with MCE’s electric generation service when compared to PG&E.
- More renewable energy: Residents and businesses will automatically switch to MCE’s 60% renewable Light Green service in April, with the option to opt up to MCE’s 100% renewable Deep Green service, or opt out to PG&E’s 33% renewable option.
- No disruption in service: MCE buys and builds cleaner energy while PG&E delivers electricity and administers billing. Discount programs like CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline Allowance will continue with MCE. There is no need to reapply.
- Community reinvestment: As a public agency, MCE reinvests revenues into the community offering rebates for EVs, energy efficiency, and electrification upgrades to help people save money and energy without using tax dollars.
- Local control: MCE is governed by a board of local elected officials, not shareholders.
“By joining MCE, the City of Hercules has taken an important step to secure cleaner, affordable energy while keeping decision-making local,” said Dawn Weisz, MCE's Chief Executive Officer. “Residents and businesses will benefit from stable rates and more renewable power, without any disruption in service. This move reflects Hercules’ commitment to a more sustainable and cost-effective future for the community."
Hercules residents and businesses will receive four enrollment notices by mail, with service automatically beginning in April 2025, unless they opt out. Households with rooftop solar will start service with MCE at the time of their annual PG&E true-up.
More information about service options, rate comparisons, and financial assistance programs is available at mceCleanEnergy.org/hercules.
Community Information Workshops
MCE will host public workshops to provide Hercules residents and businesses with details about enrollment, service options, and cost comparisons.
In-person at Hercules City Hall:
- Wednesday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom:
- Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. (focused on solar, battery storage, and EV users)
- Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.
To learn more and register for a workshop, visit mceCleanEnergy.org/hercules.
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About MCE: MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 585,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties. Setting the standard for clean energy in California since 2010, MCE leads with 60-100% renewable, fossil-free power at stable rates, serving a 1400 MW peak load, significantly reducing greenhouse emissions, and reinvesting millions in local programs. For more information about MCE, visit mceCleanEnergy.org, or follow us on your preferred social platform @mceCleanEnergy.
