Central Coast Community Energy Announces Lower Electricity Rates

February 11, 2026

Local Public Agency Acts to Reduce Customer Bills

MONTEREY, Calif., February 11, 2026 – Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) announced today that it will reduce electricity rates in 2026, passing savings on to customers while continuing to invest in reliable, clean energy for the Central Coast.

Beginning February 15, 3CE customers will see an average generation rate decrease of 24%, lowering the cost per kilowatt hour from $0.13 to $0.10, to reflect lower costs in the energy market, as well as disciplined financial management and a commitment to return savings directly to customers.

“As a locally controlled public agency, 3CE’s top priority is the well-being of the community,” said Fred Keeley, Santa Cruz City Mayor and Chair of 3CE’s Policy Board. “This rate reduction is the result of expert management, long-term investment in clean energy, and a focus on financial stability.”

3CE’s Policy Board of Directors, made up of 19 members of the city councils and boards of supervisors in the communities served by 3CE, approved the rate reduction at a special public meeting held today, following a comprehensive presentation on 3CE’s cost of energy and operations expenses.

“3CE’s rates reflect the cost of serving our customers and nothing more,” said 3CE Chief Executive Officer Robert Shaw. “Our board of directors are directly accountable to our customers. We have no shareholders or investors. Since we began service in 2018 the agency has held true to its promise of fair and stable electricity rates designed to put our customers first.”

In addition to responsible and competitive electricity rates, 3CE continues to invest in the region through its energy programs, which incentivize electrification and can help customers to use energy more efficiently. Through programs such as Electrify Your Ride, Electrify Your Home, and the Ag Electrification program, 3CE supports the transition to cleaner technologies, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants across the Central Coast. For more information visit: https://3cenergy.org/rebates-incentives/

Electricity customers on the Central Coast served by 3CE pay one bill to cover both the cost for their generation service, which is remitted to 3CE – and the cost for the transmission and distribution of that energy, a service provided by PG&E, and in portions of Santa Barbara County, by SCE. Both PG&E and SCE implemented new rates on January 1, 2026. Generation charges typically account for about one-third of a customer’s total energy bill. Customers of 3CE may be eligible for state and federal utility bill assistance programs. Eligibility is based on income. For more information visit: https://3cenergy.org/billing/financial-assistance/

About Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. 3CE is governed by local officials who represent the communities that make up 3CE and serves more than 1.2 million people throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties. Revenue generated by 3CE supports the transition to carbon-free power and is invested locally through innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more at 3CEnergy.org and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X/Twitter.  

Central Coast Community Energy | 3CE                                                 
Meridith Cook
Communications Specialist                                             
Tel: +1-831-641-7238                                          
mcook@3ce.org