SAN CARLOS, CA - The Boards of Directors for SamTrans and Caltrain have voted to expand their use of renewable electricity service options for their respective agencies.
By working with Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) in San Mateo County, both SamTrans and Caltrain will meet their power needs in San Mateo County through 100 percent renewable sources such as solar, wind, and small hydroelectric. In the other counties where Caltrain operates, Caltrain is served by other Community Choice Energy Programs including CleanPowerSF and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), and municipal utilities City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) & Silicon Valley Power (SVP). Caltrain will also receive 100 percent renewable energy from these CCEPs and municipal utilities. The remainder of Caltrain’s electricity meters are in locations where CCEPs and municipal utilities do not currently have jurisdiction.
By going renewable, SamTrans will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use by 40 percent and Caltrain by 20 percent, at costs just 2-3 percent more than what the transit agencies are currently paying.
The CCEP’s renewable energy package was weighed against the existing PG&E package, and was chosen due to its reliability, cost, environmental benefits, administrative procedures, and compatibility with future operations. The electricity will still be delivered in partnership with PG&E on PG&E’s infrastructure and supported by PG&E’s billing and customer service.
By embracing the use of renewable energy both Caltrain and SamTrans are furthering their respective missions to protect our environment,” said Supervisor Dave Pine who also serves as chair of the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority. “Both agencies will join a growing number of businesses, residents and public agencies acting locally to green our electrical grid.”
”We are proud to serve SamTrans and Caltrain with price-competitive 100 percent renewable energy for their operations in San Mateo County,” said Jan Pepper, Chief Executive Officer of PCE. “ECO100 is a choice we give customers who want an affordable way to help reduce emissions from the electricity sector in California.”
The SamTrans Board took the vote on March 1, while the Caltrain Board voted on March 2. For more information about SamTrans’ sustainability efforts, click HERE, and for Caltrain, click HERE.
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain enjoyed five years of consecutive monthly ridership increases, surpassing more than 60,000 average weekday riders. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad celebrated 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the system, reduce diesel emissions by 97 percent by 2040 and add more service to more stations.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/caltrain and follow on Twitter @Caltrain.
About SamTrans: SamTrans operates 79 routes throughout San Mateo County. Funded in part by a half-cent sales tax, the San Mateo County Transit District also provides administrative support for Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. SamTrans has provided bus service to San Mateo County customers since 1976.
Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/samtrans or and follow us on Twitter @SamTrans_News.
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About Peninsula Clean Energy: Peninsula Clean Energy, or PCE, is San Mateo County’s official electricity provider. PCE is a public, locally-controlled community choice energy program that provides all electric customers in San Mateo County the choice of having electricity supplied from clean, renewable sources at competitive rates. PCE’s ECOplus option is 50% renewable and 75% greenhouse gas emissions free, and PCE’s ECO100 option is 100% renewable and 100% greenhouse gas emissions free. The Peninsula Clean Energy Authority, formed in February 2016, is a joint powers authority made up of the County of San Mateo and all 20 cities in the County. PCE currently serves approximately 80,000 accounts, and will serve approximately 300,000 accounts by May 2017 when its enrollment process is complete.
Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pencleanenergy/ or follow us on Twitter @PenCleanEnergy.