3CE Policy Board Elects Dawn Ortiz-Legg as Chair, José Luis Barajas as Vice Chair

September 28, 2026

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor and Salinas City Councilmember will help guide Central Coast Community Energy’s locally governed clean-energy mission

MONTEREY, Calif., September 28, 2026 – The Policy Board of Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) has elected San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg as Board Chair and Salinas City Councilmember José Luis Barajas as Vice Chair for the 2026-27 term.

The elections took place during the Policy Board’s September 17 meeting. Under 3CE’s Operating Rules and Procedures, the Chair and Vice Chair serve one-year terms, with terms continuing through the agency’s next annual board meeting.

Ortiz-Legg represents San Luis Obispo County’s Third District, including portions of San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Avila Beach, and Edna Valley. She brings experience in energy infrastructure, efficiency, renewable-energy development, and regional public service.

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the 3CE Policy Board and work with my colleagues to advance clean reliable electricity for the communities we represent,” said Ortiz-Legg. “3CE is uniquely positioned to connect the Central Coast’s energy goals with practical investments in reliability, resilience, and a cleaner future.”

Before entering public office, Ortiz-Legg worked in the energy sector, including on utility-scale solar development and electric-distribution and transmission system maintenance. She is currently serving her second term on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors and has represented the County on 3CE’s Policy Board since 2025.

Barajas represents Salinas City Council District 1. Born in Mexico and raised in the Salinas Valley, he brings a personal connection to the region’s working families and small-business community. His parents worked as farmworkers before opening their own small business, and he works in business support, helping Monterey County businesses connect with resources.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair and represent the City of Salinas and the communities we serve throughout the Central Coast,” said Barajas. “3CE’s local governance model gives our cities and counties a meaningful voice in how we build a cleaner, more affordable, and resilient energy future. I look forward to working with Chair Ortiz-Legg and the entire Board to ensure that our work delivers practical benefits for residents, businesses, and agricultural customers.”

Barajas was elected to the Salinas City Council in November 2024 and began his term that month; his current term runs through November 2028. He has represented the City of Salinas on 3CE’s Policy Board since 2025.

The 3CE Policy Board is composed of locally elected officials and other representatives from the communities served by the agency. The Board provides local oversight and policy direction as 3CE sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable resources and invests in programs that support transportation electrification, building electrification, energy resilience, and local clean-energy development.