After hearing inquiries from the public and posing questions of its own at its March 3 meeting, Benicia City Council may get answers about how Marin Clean Energy is informing residents and business owners about the city’s upcoming power-source change.

The Council voted Nov. 4, 2014 to have MCE, a community choice aggregation (CCA) agency, become the city’s purchaser of electricity on customers’ behalf.

The change, which takes place in May, means residents can choose to have MCE buy their power consumption from 50 percent renewable sources, or, for a little more each month, from “greener” generators. In addition, Benicia has been given representation on the MCE board.

Customers also can choose to stay with Pacific Gas and Electric, the investor-owned company that has long been the city’s power provider.

In any event, PG&E will continue to distribute electricity, handle billing and keep lines and equipment in good repair.

After hearing of the Council’s decision, MCE launched its information program Feb. 19, and the Council heard its first report March 3.

“Staff time needed to assist in facilitating the community outreach and implementation of the CCA program is already included in the CAP (Climate Action Plan) coordinator’s 2014-15 work plan,” interim Community Development Director Dan Marks wrote Wednesday in a report to City Manager Brad Kilger.

“Some additional staff time will be needed to support the CAP coordinator in responding to community questions or attending any workshops during the opt-out phase.” Alex Porteshawver is the city’s CAP coordinator.

Marks wrote that MCE Community Affairs Specialist Allison Kirk will give a report based on remarks and questions aired March 3.

Among the specific topics Council members asked to be covered are current enrollment statistics; enrollment notice layout and suggestions from the Community Leader Advisory Group and residents for improvements to that literature; completed outreach efforts; schedule of public meetings, one of which will be April 2 at 6 p.m. in the Benicia Community Center multipurpose room, 370 East L St.; how information is being advertised and promoted; and updates to the confirmation notice mailed to Benicia customers who choose to remain with PG&E.

Marks said Kirk also would provide answers to the Council and members of the public who have additional questions.

At the previous meeting, one resident, Dennis Lowry, said the initial notice “begs to be recycled” instead of opened and read.

Lowry has spoken out against the switch to MCE, but said customers need to read the agency’s notices. He said the literature needs to clarify some elements of its message, adding that tenants who don’t get power bills won’t have a choice between MCE and PG&E — that decision would rest with the board or landlord who pays the bill.

He said customers need to know that while PG&E has a balanced-payment plan that evens out the utility bill, MCE doesn’t have that option, and he added that the agency’s call center needs to provide information that is easier for customers to understand.

Councilmember Christina Strawbridge asked what would happen if many companies and residents chose to stay with PG&E, and Councilmember Tom Campbell asked about rate raises.

The Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 250 East L St.

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