Sonoma Clean Power’s Advanced Energy Rebuild Program Receives Grand Award at Bay Area Metro Awards
Sonoma Clean Power, the public electricity provider for Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, was a co-recipient of the Grand Award at this year’s Bay Area Metro Awards, which recognizes individuals and organizations advancing solutions to ease the housing crisis, improve the transportation system, and make the nine-county region more resilient.
Every year, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments host the Metro Awards to highlight regional efforts that are having positive impacts on the Bay Area’s mobility, affordability, and community resilience.
Sonoma Clean Power won the Grand Award alongside Santa Rosa CityBus, Sonoma County Transit, and Napa Vine Transit for “their work to save lives, protect communities and aid in rebuilding in response to the October 2017 North Bay fires”.
After the fires, Sonoma Clean Power quickly established their Advanced Energy Rebuild program, in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, to support residents in the rebuilding process.
“There was just this horrible loss that we were dealing with of over 6,000 homes being destroyed. So, we thought what could we do as a public agency to really help rebuild our community? And that’s how Advanced Energy Rebuild came about,” said Rachel Kuykendall, Senior Programs Manager at Sonoma Clean Power.
Advanced Energy Rebuild offers incentives of up to $17,500 to help residents build energy-efficient and carbon-free homes. The Advanced Energy Rebuild homes will emit less pollution, use less energy, and save homeowners an average of $650 annually on their utility bills.
Over 200 residents in Sonoma Clean Power’s service territory are taking advantage of the program’s incentives, with $985,000 having been invested thus far to help the community rebuild. Collectively, the Advanced Energy Rebuild homes include 129kW of solar power and 141 kWh of battery storage.
Due to its success, Advanced Energy Rebuild is now being replicated in other California communities that have been impacted by wildfires, including Paradise, Napa County, and Butte County.
About Sonoma Clean Power
Sonoma Clean Power is proud to serve the Counties of Sonoma and Mendocino as a self-funded, public electricity provider. SCP’s services are practical, affordable and inclusive, empowering everyone to be part of the transition toward a clean energy future. To learn more, visit sonomacleanpower.org or call 1 (855) 202-2139.