Why Renewable Energy?
Fossil fuels and coal are extracted from beneath the surface of the Earth are not renewable. We can harness the sun, wind, and water to generate renewable energy. By investing in renewable energy, we can reduce our reliance on large-scale, dirty power plants far away from the homes and businesses that use that power. Additionally, we can store renewable power and use it when the power goes out or when buying energy is most expensive.
What Can You Do?
Opt-In to 100% Deep Green
Sign up for Deep Green with MCE Clean Energy, or PG&E. Using 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 both MCE and PG&E customers that are eligible. 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 (that apply to both 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, in reality they present a health hazard in addition to an environmental hazard. See this article from The Atlantic, Kill Your Gas Stove, to learn why.
Consider heat pumps for HVAC and induction cooking to replace gas stoves and ovens. Electric heat pump water heaters are 3x more efficient than gas water heaters and both heat pumps and electric stoves eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide leaks. Local and regional rebates are available to help make the switch more economical. Talk to a Home Energy Advisor about your options and check out Electrify Marin to learn more about the county’s Natural Gas Appliance Replacement Rebate Program!
Install Solar Panels with Battery Backup
You can lease or buy a solar system with battery backup allows you to store renewable energy from an on-site solar system to use when that system is not producing power or in the event of a power outage. On-site battery storage may also be eligible for rebates. Learn more about one storage option at Tesla. Rebates and incentives are also available for these systems. Learn more at MCE Clean Energy and at GRID Alternatives.
What is the County Doing?
Marin County Unites to Adopt 100% Renewable Energy
In 2017, the County and all cities and towns became Deep Green customers and switched to 100% renewable energy. Together, all 12 municipalities have eliminated an estimated 3,570 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or the EPA equivalent of removing 764 cars from the road in one year!
Local Marin County Renewable Projects
Novato: Gas-to-Energy at the Redwood Landfill
This landfill gas to energy plant produces 3.9 MW, enough power for 5,000 homes annually. The state-of-the-art plant uses methane gas produced by garbage at the Redwood Landfill to power two engines that generate electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
San Rafael Solar at the San Rafael Airport
In 2012, the San Rafael Airport installed 1 MW of solar on its airplane hangar roofs. The airport is selling 100% of the power to MCE through MCE’s Feed-In Tariff contract – enough electricity to power 300 homes a year.
Novato “Local Sol” at Cooley Quarry, a New Community Solar Farm
This 1 MW project can power 300 homes annually and supplies Local Sol customers with local 100% solar energy. Local Sol customers directly fund a new local solar project and promote the growth of our local green economy.
Renewable Energy Projects in the Agricultural Sector
UC Cooperative Extension Dairy Advisor and Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, in partnership with the Marin Resource Conservation District are working with agricultural producers to secure funding for renewable energy projects to meet farm energy needs. This includes designing projects, submitting grant applications, and connecting with vendors for project implementation.