Why renewable energy?
Fossil fuels and coal extracted from beneath the surface of the Earth are not renewable. We can harness the sun, wind, and water to generate renewable energy. Choosing renewable energy reduces our reliance on large-scale, dirty power plants.
What Can You Do?
Choose renewable energy
Sign up for Deep Green with MCE Clean Energy or Solar Chose with PG&E. Choosing renewable electricity like wind and solar reduces demand for dirtier power sources like natural gas. View MCE’s cost comparison of renewable electric service options.
PG&E also offers discount rates for eligible MCE and PG&E customers. See if you or your household qualifies for the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program.
If you or someone you live with is dependent on life-support equipment or has certain serious medical conditions that create an added need for electricity, PG&E also offers discounted rates for MCE and PG&E customers through the Medical Baseline Allowance Program. For more information or to see if you may be eligible, call PG&E at 1-886-743-2273 or visit PG&E’s website.
Reduce use, upgrade to electric appliances
While gas stoves may seem fancier than electric ones, gas stoves present a health and environmental hazard. Check out this article from The Atlantic, Kill Your Gas Stove, to learn more about the harmful impacts of gas stoves.
In place of gas stoves and ovens, consider high efficiency induction cooking. Instead of a gas water heater, explore the installation of an electric heat pump water heater which is 3x more efficient than a gas storage water heater. Both heat pumps and electric stoves get rid of the risk of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide leaks. Local and regional rebates are available to help make the switch to electric cheaper. Talk to a Home Energy Advisor about your options. Check out Electrify Marin to learn more about Marin county’s Natural Gas Appliance Replacement Rebate Program. Or explore the Switch is On to find all available rebates in your area.
Install solar panels with battery backup
You can lease or buy a solar system with battery backup. One example of a storage option is the Tesla Powerwall system. The battery backup allows you to store renewable energy from your on-site solar system to use in the event of a power outage. Rebates and incentives are also available for these systems. Learn more at MCE Clean Energy and at GRID Alternatives.