Summer Issue

In this newsletter:

• Customer resources
• Visit the Advanced Energy Center
• Program highlights
• Benefits of Time-of-Use (TOU) rates
• Preparing for the 2021 fire season
• Powerful partnerships
• SCP in the news
• Community Advisory Committee openings
• Upcoming SCP meetings

Customer resources

Sonoma Clean Power's business office remains closed at this time due to public health concerns regarding COVID-19 ("Coronavirus"). We will keep customers informed if a reopening date is authorized in the future.

We are moving offices!

Sonoma Clean Power is moving from our long-time 50 Santa Rosa Ave. office to a brand new headquarters building at 431 E St. in Santa Rosa. While our new office will be closed to the public at this time, all mail and correspondence can be directed to PO Box 1030, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.

Contact us

Have questions about your bill, rate plans, SCP's services, or offerings? You can still contact us by calling our local contact center at 1 (855) 202–2139 or by emailing info@sonomacleanpower.org.

Financial assistance and resources

Find your best rate plan
Apply for CARE/FERA discount programs
Apply for the Medical Baseline Program
Apply for a payment forgiveness plan
Mendocino County COVID-19 Updates
Sonoma County COVID-19 Updates

Visit the Advanced Energy Center

Our Advanced Energy Center is OPEN

Discover your one-stop shop for reducing your emissions and electrifying your lifestyle! Come explore up to 20 vendor displays of new technologies, attend virtual and in-person energy-related workshops and classes, and watch induction cooking demonstrations by local chefs, while kids of all ages can play, color, and learn in the Advanced Energy Center children’s area.

Stop by the Center any time during hours of operation, or visit our website to schedule a guided tour. We can't wait to see you!

Hours of Operation:

• 10 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Friday
• 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday
• Closed Sunday and Monday

Program highlights

Earn rewards for helping the grid

Google Nest thermostats join GridSavvy

Build your plan for electrification

Benefits of TOU rates

Why time-based pricing is worth understanding

By now, you have probably heard of Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. So why are electricity providers and the state encouraging customers to make the switch?

Well, for a couple of reasons. The first is that when we use energy is just as important as how much energy we use. By using electricity when renewable energy sources like wind and solar are more available, we can become a lot less dependent on fossil fuels.

Second, TOU rates can help customers save money. Most customers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties would benefit from switching to a TOU rate without changing any of their current behaviors. TOU rates offer lower electricity prices for up to 19 hours a day, with higher prices often between the evening hours of 4 PM - 9 PM (when demand spikes). On a time-based rate plan, the per kilowatt-hour (kWh) cost of using energy during off-peak hours is cheaper than the per kWh cost offered by most flat electricity rates. Meaning, if you can take advantage of the cheaper off-peak pricing and limit your energy use during peak hours, you could dramatically lower your bill.

Third, TOU rates are not about using less energy. They are about using energy thoughtfully. Many households are already conscious about conserving energy; however, they still experience higher bills than they'd like. By making small changes to when you run your major appliances and perform other energy-intensive activities, customers can unlock savings that are difficult to achieve on a standard tiered electricity rate, even for the biggest energy conservers.

Here are some examples of good TOU habits:

• Instead of running your dishwasher immediately after dinner, set it to run overnight (after 9 PM) or run it in the morning (before 4 PM).
• Do laundry during the morning or mid-day when energy prices are lower.
• Set your electric vehicle charger, pool pump, thermostat, or water heater to avoid operating during the hours of 4 PM to 9 PM.

Preparing for wildfires and emergencies

Ways to prepare for the 2021 fire season

With historically dry conditions and above normal temperatures predicted to last throughout the summer, the threat of wildfires and extreme weather events is upon us again this year. In preparation for this fire season, SCP has put together a series of actions that residents can take to better protect their homes and themselves from wildfires and power shutoffs. We'll cover:

• Communications
• Having a plan
• What to do before you leave your home
• Creating defensible space
• Hardening your home

Powerful partnerships

SCP is a Certified Green Business

We are proud to have been recently recognized by the California Green Business Network and the County of Sonoma as a Certified Green Business! Being a Certified Green Business is the clearest way to show your community and customers that you care about sustainability. To be certified, participants must be in compliance with all environmental regulations and meet program standards for saving water, conserving energy, preventing pollution, and minimizing waste. See which other local businesses are on the list.

SCP in the news

Local stories

• Sonoma Clean Power debuts Advanced Energy Center
• North Coast agencies work to install more car charging stations
• Summer to move and shake things around Monte Rio
• A virtual solution to a real energy problem
• Seeking to bolster climate action, Sonoma County creates $10 million project fund
• Biden administration makes major push on wind energy off California coast; Humboldt, Morro Bay to lead the way

Industry stories

• Here’s Why Trend-Setting Induction Technology Is Worth Considering For Your Home
• Think you can't afford an electric car? California wants to help drivers make the switch
• CEC EPIC report highlights research making grid more resilient & reliable

Community Advisory Committee openings

Are you passionate about combating the climate crisis and looking for a way to directly support the work of Sonoma Clean Power? Then consider applying to serve on our Community Advisory Committee!

We are seeking engaged and committed volunteers for openings on the Committee. We welcome all applicants and especially encourage individuals that represent impacted and historically under-resourced communities, people of color, women, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ to apply.

As a member of our Community Advisory Committee, you'll provide your expertise and input to SCP's Board of Directors on topics such as:

• Innovative customer benefits
• Renewable energy projects
• Clean energy goals for our community
• Budgets and rates
• General operations

To learn more about the Community Advisory Committee and for details on how to apply, follow the link below.

Upcoming SCP meetings

*All SCP meetings will be conducted via teleconference until further notice.