Community Meeting About a New Choice in Electricity Service for Fresno

In response to high electricity costs, the Fresno city council is evaluating energy service options for Fresno residents, including Community Choice Energy. 

At this meeting, we will learn about Community Choice Energy, a not-for-profit local program that provides electricity service as a choice apart from PG&E electricity service. With Community Choice Energy, PG&E continues to own and operate the poles and wires, but a Community Choice Agency (CCA) in Fresno would be your service for your energy sources, local programs, and about half the rates on your PG&E bill. 

There are now 26 Community Choices Agencies in California. Together, they serve roughly 15 million customers with cleaner electricity at competitive — and in many cases lower — rates than the big utilities. Community Choice Agencies have been responsible for more than 11,000 megawatts of new renewable energy development in California, more than four times the energy generated by the state’s largest power plant.

Potential benefits of Community Choice Energy include greater consumer choice, competitive rates, job creation, benefits to the local economy, local control, programs that can be tailored to meet community needs, opportunities for small businesses, and more.

Join us to learn about Community Choice Energy as an option for Fresno residents and businesses. Registration for this event is encouraged but not required — please spread the word!

Speakers

Sandra Benetti

Associate Manager of Community Relations, Peninsula Clean Energy

Sandra is the principal on-the-ground representative of Peninsula Clean Energy in Los Banos, serving as a liaison with the local government, special districts, and community organizations. Prior to Peninsula Clean Energy, Sandra worked for the City of Los Banos where she had accumulated over 15 years of public service experience, working closely with the elected and appointed officials. Most recently, she served in Community and Economic Development where she worked closely with the business community. Sandra seeks to educate and generate enthusiasm within the community regarding the benefits of clean energy and sustainability programs.

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Luis Chavez

Fresno City Councilmember, District 5

Luis grew up in Southeast Fresno. He is a graduate of Roosevelt High School, received an A.A. from Fresno City College, B.A. and a Master in Public Administration from California State University of Fresno. His experience includes working for community-based organizations that help people on welfare get off of public assistance and into full-time jobs. Prior to his election to Fresno City Council in 2016, Luis served as Chief of Staff for then Councilmember Sal Quintero. He also worked on policy development with Fresno County Supervisor Susan Anderson. Luis has worked as an instructor at Fresno City College and was director for the Central Valley Health Network. Luis has served as a school board trustee and recently completed his term as Fresno City Council President.

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Nelson Esparza

Fresno City Councilmember, District 7

Nelson’s tenure as a Fresno City Councilmember has included many initiatives that focus on economically redeveloping and revitalizing District 7 neighborhoods. He helped secure a $345 million infrastructure investment into the Blackstone Corridor & Downtown Fresno over the next 50 years through creation of the Fresno EIFD. Councilmember Esparza teaches economics at Fresno City College. Prior to serving on the Fresno City Council, Nelson served Central and South Fresno as their elected representative on the Fresno County Board of Education. Additionally, Nelson is an active volunteer in his community, working with organizations that serve youth. Councilmember Esparza earned his Master’s degree in Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Riverside.

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Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas

Fresno Unified School District, Trustee Area 2

Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas serves as the Public Affairs Representative for Westlands Water District. Elizabeth also represents the Roosevelt High region on the Fresno Unified School District Board, the third largest school district in California. She has also worked for the Coalition for Clean Air and the San Joaquin Valley office of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, where she was named the State Public Information Officer of the Year for 2015. Elizabeth spent more than five years in various capacities at Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, addressing poverty in Fresno County, and she has worked for the largest agricultural water district in the nation, Westlands Water District. Elizabeth was honored as the 2010 Rising Star from the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and as part of Business Street Online’s 40 under 40 class of 2017. Elizabeth completed her MBA at California State University, Fresno, and her bachelor’s degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México in Mexico City. Elizabeth has also been an adjunct faculty member at the Craig School of Business.

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