Climate Plan coordinator: Those unhappy with switch to Marin Clean Energy will be able to stay with familiar provider

Those happy to see Benicia switch primary energy providers from Pacific Gas and Electric to Marin Clean Energy (MCE) won’t need to do anything — the change is automatic, because PG&E will continue to handle electricity distribution through its lines.

With the change, Benicia will be represented on the MCE board. In addition, customers will be able to decide whether they want MCE, as purchaser, to put 50 percent or 100 percent of their power usage from renewable, “green” sources into the electrical grid.

However, some residents have said they want to remain as PG&E customers, and are wondering what they have to do to make that happen.

Those residents will have the chance to withdraw or “opt out” of the change in February, said Alex Porteshawver, the city’s Climate Action Plan coordinator.

Those worried about the change can contact Porteshawver at 707-746-4276 or by email at aporteshawver@ci.benicia.ca.us, she said.

“I am going to keep a list of those who express a desire to stay with PG&E and notify them when they can officially opt out in February,” she said.

However, “They will need to opt out,” she added. “I cannot do it for them.”

Meanwhile, MCE is developing an information outreach plan for Benicia that will explain the process and the change to residential and commercial utility customers, Porteshawver said.

“We expect a draft by late January, and it will be presented to (the City) Council for review at the … February (17) Council meeting,” she said.

That’s the month residents will be mailed the first of five “opt out” notices, with information about how they can remain PG&E customers, she said.

At that time, she said, those residents will be given a toll-free number that will be in operation around the clock from February to June 2015.

They’ll also be told how to go online, providing their names, addresses and utility account numbers should they want to stay with PG&E, Porteshawver said.

“Opting out is free until May 1, when MCE electricity service begins,” she said.

If residents and commercial-industrial customers delay beyond that date, there will be charges to switch back to PG&E, Porteshawver said.

For homes, the charge is $5, and for businesses and industries it’s $25, she said. The charges cover MCE’s administrative costs associated with customers leaving its service, she said.

“All this information will be posted on the city’s website (http://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/) and on SustainableBenicia.org,” Porteshawver said.

“It will also be shared with various community groups and through local papers,” she said. “The schedule for those meetings is part of the outreach plan we’re still working on.”