Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) and ReGen Monterey have partnered to deliver locally generated renewable electricity that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help keep rates stable for customers. Under a new short-term power purchase agreement (PPA), ReGen, a local public agency providing waste management service to the Monterey Peninsula and parts of unincorporated Monterey County, will provide 3 MW of electricity generated by its landfill gas-to-energy facility directly to 3CE, the Central Coast鈥檚 public power provider. The partnership builds on ReGen鈥檚 commitment to ensure that landfill emissions are not only reduced, but are put to beneficial use, producing energy to serve the local community.
鈥淏y partnering with 3CE, we鈥檙e keeping locally produced renewable energy in our communities,鈥� said Zo毛 Shoats, Director of Communications for ReGen Monterey. 鈥淭his agreement supports our agencies鈥� shared mission to reduce emissions, use resources responsibly, and serve the public interest.鈥�
ReGen Monterey is a pioneer in generating energy from biomass, opening one of the nation鈥檚 first facilities to capture landfill gas, a natural byproduct created as organic materials break down, in the early 1980s. It has opened its facility as a research site for universities, including UC Berkeley and UC Davis, to test and improve landfill-gas technologies.
3CE鈥檚 agreement with ReGen will strengthen reliability by diversifying the portfolio of renewable energy sources that supply the Central Coast. Electricity generated from landfill gas provides steady, around-the-clock power, unlike solar and wind, which vary according to the weather and time of day. The three-year contract also provides pricing stability for ratepayers of both agencies in addition to environmental benefit.
鈥淭his partnership allows 3CE to increase the amount of renewable power serving the Central Coast while stabilizing energy costs for our customers,鈥� said Das Williams, Director of Legislative and Community Affairs for Central Coast Community Energy. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a practical example of how public agencies can work together to advance sustainability, emissions reduction, and affordability.鈥�