Additional $9 million invested in customer programs for electrification, EVs, and resiliency
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 2026
Press Contact:
Jackie Nuñez | Senior Communications Manager
(925) 695-2124 | communications@mceCleanEnergy.org
SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. — The MCE Board of Directors on March 19 approved a 14% reduction in MCE’s electricity generation rates, along with a temporary bill credit through 2026 and $10 million in additional funding for the MCE Cares Credit, a bill relief program for income-qualified households and small businesses. The changes, intended to help offset rising state-mandated charges outside MCE’s control, take effect April 1, 2026.
"MCE’s rate reduction and Cares Credit program will help make electricity costs more affordable while keeping important customer programs in place. Our Board is focused on balancing affordability with MCE’s clean energy targets and our customers' needs will continue to guide that effort.”
The approved changes will reduce the average residential bill by about $12 per month including:
- Lower generation rates: A 14% reduction in MCE’s generation rate, bringing MCE’s into parity with PG&E’s.
- Temporary bill credit: A $0.0062 per kilowatt-hour credit, about $2 per month for the average home, through the end of 2026 to help offset recent increases in PG&E exit fees.
- Expanded MCE Cares Credit: The Board approved an additional $10 million in funding to extend the MCE Cares Credit program, which provides monthly bill credits of $20 for eligible residential customers enrolled in CARE or FERA and $25 for eligible small business customers on A-1 or B-1 electric rates.
Together, these changes are designed to lower customer costs while preserving MCE’s financial strength and its commitment to providing electricity options with at least 60% renewable energy.
Even with the generation rate reduction, customers continue to see increased costs associated with PG&E’s Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) — an exit fee for customers of community choice aggregators authorized by regulators and collected by PG&E. MCE does not control the PCIA but has taken steps through this rate action and customer programs to help mitigate its impact.
“The MCE Cares Credit helps to ensure that customers who need extra support continue to receive it. Maintaining that assistance was a priority as the Board finalized these rate changes.”
MCE is also working with the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) to support AB 1761 (Rogers), legislation intended to provide CCAs and ratepayer advocates with improved transparency into the data used to calculate the PCIA.
As a not-for-profit public agency, MCE reinvests in local benefits, rather than shareholder profits like PG&E. Since launching service in 2010, MCE has reinvested $400 million across Marin, Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano counties through bill relief, local renewable projects, and customer programs and rebates.
As part of the annual budget approved on Thursday, MCE’s Board allocated more than $9 million to advance critical clean energy programs for residents and businesses. This includes:
- Nearly $1 million for residential electrification including upgrades to multifamily and affordable housing properties and deploying heat pump water heaters
- Nearly $7 million for transportation electrification including MCE’s EV instant rebate, EV charging incentives for businesses, and the MCE Sync smart-charging app
- More than $1.2 million for resiliency initiatives including energy storage for critical facilities and MCE’s Virtual Power Plant
MCE’s rates have remained stable since the agency’s last major rate change in 2023. With this newly approved affordability package taking effect April 1, MCE continues to prioritize customer affordability while advancing clean energy and local investment.
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About MCE: MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 600,000 customer accounts and 1.8 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 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.
