Valley Clean Energy’s (VCE) rate relief and programs supporting customers are very encouraging! The latest news about progress to renewable goals in 2024, and the actions by the VCE board in December point to a strong start to 2025!

In 2025, VCE has a number of active programs on deck that support customers in saving energy and lowering their electricity bills, adopting & charging electric vehicles, accessing rebates and tax credits, and planning for electrification.

 

80% Renewables in 2024!

For 2024, it is projected that VCE has achieved 80% renewable energy for customers.  This is great news for people and communities focused on achieving GHG reduction goals as quickly as we can.

The GHG reduction projections in the climate action plans of the cities of Davis, Winters, Woodland and Yolo County all depend on VCE achieving its 100% renewable by 2030 goal.

VCE Rate Relief for 2025!

First up in 2025 , in December the VCE Board authorized an additional discount in rates!

In 2025, VCE will be providing a discount below PG&E rates of 10% for customers enrolled in the CARE/FERA and Medical Baseline programs and a 5% discount for all other customers.

More on that here from the VCE Board Meeting in December…

 

Hourly Flex Pricing for Agriculture

Hourly Flex Pricing is a three-year pilot program that offers a way for agricultural customers to lower their energy costs. Customers that can shift the time of their electricity use could benefit from this pilot. Eligible customers could receive financial incentives to offset installation costs of irrigation automation equipment.

  • Duration – The pilot runs until December 31, 2027, and is available to qualifying agricultural customers.
  • Plan Your Savings – Save money by using energy when it’s more plentiful and cheaper. Shift your usage away from expensive peak times.
  • Lock in Low Prices – Transactions for energy can be made from one to seven days before the usage date. Electricity prices change hourly and agricultural price forecasts are published seven days in advance with final prices set one day in advance. Agricultural customers have the opportunity to lock in advance prices and save.
  • Virtually Risk Free – Hourly Flex Pricing is easy, you never pay more than you would have on your standard rate. Billing is based on your current rate plan. You receive a credit after each 12 months if your cost was less on the Hour Flex Pricing compared to your current rate plan.
  • Incentives – Agricultural customers may be eligible for a one-time incentive to reimburse the costs for the purchase of automation technology needed to manage energy use. Growers can receive up to $160/kW of enrolled shiftable load, capped at 100% of the cost of installation.
  • Flexibility – VCE  recommends that you remain in the program for the duration of the pilot to save the most money, but customers can cancel at any time.
  • Rolling over from AgFIT – If you’re currently enrolled in AgFIT, VCE will reach out to you to help you transition to Hourly Flex Pricing. Polaris is continuing to partner with us to support its automated irrigation systems, so your Polaris devices and software will continue to help you save.

 

Electrification Retrofit Rebate Outreach Program (ERRO) and the Energy Advisor Program

The Electric Advisor program is a free service to help VCE residential customers take the guesswork out of going electric at home. Our team of friendly, knowledgeable, and trained professionals can help at every step along the way – from simple questions to detailed plans to go electric. Technical assistance could include an electric panel assessment to make sure it has enough available space (capacity) for you to go electric, electrical panel upgrade options/tradeoffs, understanding the differences between gas and electric/heat pump appliance technology, permitting questions, etc.

VCE customers can also get free expert advice on participating in the pilot, or on ways to reduce your electric bill for your home or business through our newly launched Electric Advisor service. Electric Advisors are available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm by calling 1 (855) 699-8232, requesting a contact, or through live chat on our website here: https://electricadvisor.valleycleanenergy.org/.

The Electrification Retrofit Rebate Outreach (ERRO) Program will create a comprehensive outreach program in partnership with Yolo County to encourage low-income households in the unincorporated area to access $1 billion in State electrification rebates, as well as other related electrification retrofit rebates for existing residential homes.

 

The REACT Program

VCE is excited to offer a new pilot program called Rural Electrification and Charging Technology (REACT) that helps businesses to transition to electric vehicles by giving incentives for electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment. The program also gives eligible participants the option to engage in bidirectional charging and dynamic electricity rates. VCE is working with pilot partners Gridtractor and Monarch Tractor to offer incentives to farmers and other non-residential customers planning to install charging equipment.

For more information, contact us at 530-444-1238 or info@gridtractor.com or visit REACT – Valley Clean Energy.

 

 

OhmConnect

VCE in partnership with OhmConnect, an energy management program that helps you lower your electricity bill by reducing your energy usage when it is most expensive. With OhmConnect, you join a community dedicated to smarter energy use, where saving energy directly translates into earning rewards.

Discover Energy Savings and Rewards with OhmConnect – Valley Clean Energy

 

Mary-Kathryn Rueff is Program & Community Engagement Associate Analyst at Valley Clean Energy. 

VCE is a community-based electricity provider, a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA),  acting on behalf of Yolo County communities.

  • VCE buys cleaner electricity, and PG&E delivers it, maintains the lines and provides billing and maintenance services, just as they always have.
  • Customers get cleaner, greener electricity. The environment sees less fossil fuel damage, so air is cleaner. At the same time, program profits—instead of going into the pockets of utility company shareholders—are used to develop energy-related programs that benefit our communities. You also get an opportunity to power your lives and businesses with 100% renewable energy at a very low premium, just a few extra dollars per month.
  • Valley Clean Energy customers have a voice as VCE is a joint powers agency subject to the guidance of a board made up of leaders representing local communities and the county.  Customers can participate directly in those meetings and comment on board policy and actions at their public meetings.
  • Learn about their local leadership,  team, and values in on their website at https://valleycleanenergy.org/.