In this issue:

Message from our CEO

Looking to the future for hope.

In just a few weeks, our world and our way of life have changed dramatically. Our communities have been faced with yet another test of resilience. But we have proven our strength before.

This past month has been a humble reminder of the power of our choices. How the decisions we make can have far-reaching impacts on the lives of people we've never met. This has always been true, but today, we cannot deny how connected we all are.

At this time, our team is working from home to ensure that Sonoma Clean Power customers continue to receive cleaner electricity and have access to our programs and customer service. We have partnered with The Community Foundation of Mendocino County, Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West, and the Redwood Empire Food Bank to ensure that those most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 are given the assistance that they need.

Our planet is changing and we are learning to adapt. The commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, shifting to cleaner modes of transportation, changing our behaviors and habits, transitioning to 100% renewable energy, and improving the resilience of our communities remains as important as ever.

As we wait for health officials to tell us it’s okay to come out of our homes (wearing masks, of course) let us start to plan for a hopeful future. What actions can we take to invest in the next generation? Sonoma Clean Power will still be here, providing clean energy and empowering our community. Thank you for being part of it.

Stay safe and take care.

Office closure and resources

The Sonoma Clean Power office will be closed to staff and the public until Sunday, May 3rd, 2020, due to public health concerns regarding COVID-19 ("coronavirus"). This date may be subject to change.

You can still reach us!

While our office is closed, you can still contact SCP by calling our local Contact Center (who are also working from home) at 1 (855) 202–2139 or by emailing info@sonomacleanpower.org.

Helpful resources regarding COVID-19

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
County of Sonoma
County of Mendocino
Enroll in CARE/FERA

Tips for saving energy at home

As we shelter in place for the next month, chances are that you'll be using more electricity than usual. Here are some tips to help you avoid wasting energy, shift your daily usage, and keep your bills down.​

1. Practice good energy-saving habits while at home

Simple habits like unplugging devices and appliances that aren't being used, turning off the lights when you leave a room, only running full loads of laundry and dishes, and not letting your fridge and freezer doors stay open can go a long way in reducing your electricity costs over time.

2. Activate the energy-saving mode on your devices
Turn on the ‘power saver’ or ‘low power mode’ setting on your laptop, tablet, cell phone, and other electronic devices to help extend the battery life and reduce the need to charge as often.

3. Change out your lightbulbs for more efficient LEDs

Replace your standard incandescent lightbulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. LEDs are the most efficient lighting option available, using up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs and lasting far longer.

Kids activities

With schools and daycares closed, we know that there's a lot of pressure on families to make sure that children are staying productive during this time. To help, we've put together a handful of activities and experiments (some energy-related, some just for fun) to do at home that is sure to keep kids busy and learning!

Every house can be GridSavvy

Our GridSavvy program is all about helping our customers connect smart home technologies to our demand-response network. To keep up with the large spike in demand for electricity between 4 PM - 9 PM every day, California is forced to burn fossil fuels. We designed GridSavvy to help SCP customers avoid the high costs of electricity during these hours and take advantage of the renewable energy being generated throughout the day to heat up water, charge electric vehicles, get homes to a comfortable temperature, and more.

When you join our GridSavvy Community, you'll earn a $5 per month bill credit on top of the monthly savings you'll receive after installing one or more of these smart home devices. Check out our selection of smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers today!

Upcoming webinars

Solar + Battery Storage: Information for Homeowners

Sonoma Clean Power will be hosting webinars throughout the year to help homeowners learn about the benefits of adding battery storage to their home's existing or future solar system.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery backup can provide much needed resiliency in the face of natural disasters and power shutoffs. This class will cover the basics of solar combined with battery storage for homes, including how solar works, what value batteries can add, and basic costs and return on investment.

To get notified about upcoming webinars, sign up for our 'Solar Plus Battery Storage Classes' email list.

Introducing the Sonoma Coast Incentive Project: Offering Incentives for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Join panelists from Sonoma Clean Power, the Center for Sustainable Energy, and the California Energy Commission for the upcoming webinar, Getting Ready for EVI Incentives: Sonoma Coast Incentive Project Requirements. The webinar will cover important updates to the project release schedule, site eligibility, available funding, and more information on project requirements. Following the presentation, the panelists will host a Q&A session for all attendees.

The first California Electric Vehicle Incentive Project (CALeVIP) of 2020, the Sonoma Coast Incentive Project, will launch this summer and offer incentives to help cover the cost of installing new EV chargers at commercial and multifamily properties, local governments, and nonprofits in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Entities interested in installing new electric vehicle chargers are encouraged to register.

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Online

*This webinar is free to attend. However, registration is required.

Calendar of SCP meetings

*Due to the State's shelter-in-place order, all SCP meetings will be conducted via teleconference until further notice.