Map shows the service area of 3CE, a non-profit electric company that is expanding its rebates and incentives programs to help customers better get electrified. Map courtesy 3CE.
The local community energy company is expanding its assistance programs to better help customers get electrified.
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) announced improvements to three programs designed to help customers buy electric vehicles, build charging infrastructure and install electrical upgrades to homes and businesses. There’s also a program to help agriculture operations get electrified as well.
The 3CE Policy Board, made up of elected officials from 3CEs service areas, in September voted to expand its investment programs to help optimize energy use and electrify transportation, buildings and ag operations.
“These resources,” 3CE said in a news release, “help families and businesses make the switch to electric vehicles and equipment while supporting cities and counties working toward California’s climate goals and a cleaner, more resilient future.
“Customers can explore available programs, review eligibility, and apply at: 3cenergy.org/rebates-incentive.”
Chris Cook, Director of Energy Programs at 3CE said, “Our programs help people take practical next steps, whether that means buying an electric car, installing a charger, updating farm equipment, or planning a large fleet of vehicles. Making the switch to electric can lower pollution, but customers need options that work for their budget and their daily lives.”
The company’s three main programs are: “Electrify Your Ride,” “Electrify Your Home;” and, “Agricultural Electrification Program.”
The ride program offers rebates for qualifying new and used all-electric vehicles. The program is income-based and could also be applied to plug-in hybrid vehicles, the company said.
“The program,” 3CE said, “includes rebates for qualifying Level 2 home chargers, bidirectional chargers, and related electrical work and installation. Customers may also be able to combine 3CE incentives with other programs, including California’s MyFirstEV Program.”
The home program helps homeowners and renters replace gas-burning appliances with “efficient electrical options. Rebates are available for qualifying heat-pump heating and air-conditioning systems, heat-pump water heaters, induction cooktops and ranges, and portable heat-pump space conditioners for renters. Higher rebates are available for income-qualified customers and qualifying multifamily affordable housing projects.”
The ag program “offers rebates for qualifying used and leased all-electric equipment, in addition to new equipment.
“Eligible customers can use rebates to help replace fossil-fueled farm equipment, including tools, vehicles, irrigation pumps, and other equipment, with electric alternatives.”
The company also has a couple of new programs that help customers with electrifying transportation projects for businesses, public agencies and multi-family property owners.
A new EV Launchpad Technical Assistance Program “provides support for eligible customers planning fleet electrification or EV charging projects at no extra cost to eligible customers.”
The Launchpad assistance could be used for fleet-transition and charging-infrastructure plans; charger siting and design; engineering support; and help identifying potential funding sources.
“The program builds on 3CE’s existing EV and charging support by helping customers move from an early idea to an implementable project plan,” 3CE said.
They also have an Electric Bus Program to help transportation agencies, school districts and farmworker transportation providers buy or lease all-electric buses.” The program also gives “enhanced incentives” for qualifying projects in “priority communities.”
These programs are of course dependent on eligibility and available money. To check out the program details and to apply for these assistance programs, see the website at: 3cenergy.org/rebates-incentives.
3CE is a non-profit community choice aggregate energy company serving the electrical needs of some 1.1 million customers from Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, SLO and Santa Barbara Counties including the three communities of the Estero Bay Area.
3CE acts as an electricity service go-between, buying the energy from various sources and transmitting it through Pacific Gas & Electric’s distribution wires to the individual customers’ meters. The 3CE bill appears as a separate item on the regular PG&E bill customers receive.
Under State Law, all electric customers were brought into 3CE’s services via a vote of their governing elected bodies — County Supervisors and City Councils. Individual customers can “opt out” of 3CE’s services but must actively do so via the company’s website (see: 3cenergy.org).
The goal with the community choice program is to support and increase demand for no-emission or “green” electrical generation sources, but 3CE and the other such companies in California are not bound to only buy electricity from the so-called renewable energy producers (mostly wind and solar).
The idea is to support the green energy industry and further the fight against climate change, returning value to customers via incentives and rebate programs such as those announced here rather than through lower energy bills.
Also the makeup of these companies includes oversight by a board of directors, consisting of elected officials appointed to serve by their agency boards, holding public meetings and adhering to Brown Act (open meetings) requirements.
