3CE Announces New Department of Energy Solutions to Advance Local Clean-Energy Projects

September 17, 2026

Announcement made in concert with approval of the agency’s FY 2026-27 budget

MONTEREY, Calif., September 17, 2026 – Central Coast Community Energy’s (3CE) Policy Board approved the agency’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget today, advancing investments in reliable, clean electricity while supporting stable customer rates across its five-county service area.

3CE is governed by representatives of the agency’s 35 member communities, and the approximately $500 million annual budget is nearly 15% lower than last year’s budget, driven primarily by lower energy costs. 

“The board’s decision reflects confidence in 3CE’s mission and in the long-term value of local, clean energy,” said 3CE CEO Robert Shaw. “Our leadership is investing in the people, programs, and energy resources needed to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions while delivering reliable clean electricity at the best possible value for the customers and communities we serve.”

3CE’s FY 2026-27 budget supports service to more than 1.2 million people and 515,000 customer accounts in the cities and counties of Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz, serving approximately 95% of the region’s total demand. 3CE meets more than half of its retail electricity load through long-term contracts with clean and renewable energy projects, which relied on investment by the agency for their development.

A central feature of the budget is the creation of the Department of Energy Solutions. The new department will expand 3CE’s ability to develop and own local energy projects, including EV charging stations, distributed generation, battery storage, and other projects that support cleaner energy, grid reliability, and long-term customer value.

“This budget demonstrates 3CE’s responsible stewardship of customer dollars while creating new opportunities for cities and counties to move their energy, resilience, transportation, and climate priorities from planning into action,” said San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg. “The new Department of Energy Solutions will help us connect our community’s goals with practical projects that deliver lasting benefits for future generations.”

Priorities for this year’s budget include expanding EV charging and funding 3CE’s first public charging station in Santa Maria, evaluating local generation and energy storage opportunities, and advancing 3CE’s planned headquarters in Monterey.

The budget expands investment in programs that help customers optimize energy use and electrify transportation, buildings, and agricultural operations. Planned initiatives include continued transportation and building electrification incentives, and bi-directional charging offerings. 3CE is also developing a Virtual Power Plant Program to help customers shift energy use during periods of high energy demand.