Have you ever wondered where your electricity comes from? For many of us, pictures of large, investor-owned utility companies come to mind. These utility giants span the nation, fueling millions of homes, businesses, and cities, often to the detriment of smaller communities. As the ethics of this energy monopoly are debated at both a social and environmental scale, critics have begged the question: what is the alternative?

Fortunately, a local utility company is empowering communities to take control of their energy sources. Established in 2017, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is revolutionizing the utility landscape by providing renewable electricity at competitive prices. 3CE, founded in Monterey Bay and later expanded to include the regions of San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara counties, operates without investor or shareholder influence. It is locally governed by board members from each represented area, ensuring that the profits generated by 3CE stay in the community and fostering sustainable infrastructure and programs that prioritize local needs over corporate interests.

The impact of 3CE is growing, encompassing 33 communities, serving 1.1 million customers, and representing 95% of households and businesses on the Central Coast. Likewise, 3CE has provided more than $28 million in Energy Program rebates to its customers in an effort to encourage the “electric switch.” Committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy, a goal described as infeasible just a decade ago, 3CE continues to make remarkable strides towards greener living. Take a look at their impact so far here.

Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff (BioMAT) Program

Aligned with its mission to promote sustainability, 3CE has introduced a new program to support its Member Agencies. The Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff (BioMAT) Program incentivizes the creation of small projects that convert the waste generated by local businesses into renewable energy. Originally established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the BioMAT program allows eligible generators to sell their power to 3CE at market price. These power purchase agreements (PPAs) can last for 10, 15, or 20 years. The nameplate capacity of eligible projects is five megawatts, with a limit of three megawatts that can be administered to the grid at one time.

Projects that meet BioMAT’s eligibility criteria can utilize bioenergy from wastewater treatment facilities, dairy or agricultural waste, landfill-bound organic waste, food processing byproducts, sustainable forest management byproducts, and more. This 3CE webpage outlines three categories of potential bioenergy projects that can be explored in further depth.

To apply, you must review your eligibility, register with BioMAT through 3CE’s online portal, and complete the Program Participation Request (PPR) form. The program ends on December 31, 2025, giving many potentially eligible candidates ample time to consider their project and complete a PPR form. If you have any further questions pertaining to eligibility, interconnection, sizing, incentives, price, payment, or how to apply, reference this helpful FAQ sheet provided by 3CE.

Revolutionizing Clean Energy

The future of clean energy is now. As companies like 3CE continue to encourage the shift to more sustainable energy solutions, we must recognize our own role in mitigating further destruction to our planet. By choosing greener alternatives, we can foster change at the individual level that can eventually ripple throughout our communities. Now, when asked the question, “what is the alternative?” we may have a more informed response that encourages others to take up the mantle of eco-friendly living.