There are several ways you can hasten the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy:
Choose 100% renewable electricity for your household:
All EBCE, MCE or PG&E customers may choose 100% renewable electricity now. By doing so your dollars go to a renewable-electricity producer instead of a fossil-fuel-electricity producer. You’ll help maintain and increase renewable generation capacity as more consumers choose it, and it adds only $40/year to the average electricity bill. Click on the appropriate link below for information on how to check if you are enrolled and if not, to make the switch:
- Click here if you’re an ACE (formerly EBCE) customer. (Ava Community Energy covers Alameda County)
- Click here if you’re an MCE customer. (MCE covers most of Contra Costa County; Orinda and Hercules did not enroll and are still covered by PG&E).
- Click here if you’re a PG&E customer. (If you’re not EBCE or MCE, then you’re probably PG&E)
Add rooftop solar to your home if financially and practically feasible.
- Find out about rooftop solar and if it’s feasible for your household.
- Learn about the federal solar tax credit.
- The GRID program offers low-cost rooftop solar systems for those with limited or fixed incomes.
- A number of MPC congregants have installed rooftop solar and can share their experience firsthand. To be put in contact with someone email the MPC office.
When replacing old appliances, choose energy-efficient electric ones instead of gas.
The less energy we require, the sooner we’ll be able to achieve a zero-emission energy economy. So in addition to running our homes on renewable energy, we must also make them as energy efficient as we can.
Electric appliances have several advantages over gas: first, they’re generally more energy efficient; second, we can now run them on zero-emission electricity, whereas gas is intrinsically carbon-emitting; third, they provide healthier indoor air quality, as burning gas releases toxins into living spaces; and fourth, they tend to perform better. Here’ are some resources for making the switch:
- Home electrification overview
- Induction stoves to replace gas stoves (induction works even better than gas!)
- Electric convection ovens
- Heat pump for home heating and cooling
- Heat pump for water heating
- 2021 PG&E rebates on heat pump water heaters
Advocate for policies to hasten an equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewables.