California’s CCA law (AB 117, 2002) requires Silicon Valley Clean Energy to become the default provider of electric generation for customers within our service area, and operate as an opt out program.
Before 2017, PG&E was the default power provider for most customers in our community and the majority of customers had no options for who provides their electricity. However, in 2002 when state legislators passed California’s Community Choice Aggregation law (AB 117, Migden), this default status is transferred from PG&E to local community choice programs like Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Thus, once Silicon Valley Clean Energy started providing clean electricity to the community in 2017, they became the default electricity provider.
As the default provider, customers are automatically enrolled in SVCE’s electric generation service and have the option to opt-out and receive electric generation from PG&E. For a long time, customers had no choice about their electricity provider, but today you have a choice.
There is no charge for opting out of Silicon Valley Clean Energy before or within the first 60 days of service. After the first 60 days of service, Silicon Valley Clean Energy will charge a one-time administrative fee of $5 for residential accounts or $25 for commercial accounts to process the opt-out.
Silicon Valley Clean Energy provides electricity generation only. As a Community Choice Energy agency, SVCE does not have any jurisdiction over the lines, power, meters and other equipment used to deliver electricity and our scope is limited to generation services. Therefore, Silicon Valley Clean Energy does not have any control over whether or not our customers receive Smart Meters from PG&E.
State law requires that we must contact our customers in writing to let them know that they are receiving electricity from their local energy provider. When starting to serve customers in 2017, SVCE sent a combination of letters and postcards to all customers that automatically transitioned to SVCE.
For new customers who may have recently moved and started electric service in one of SVCE’s communities, you will receive two enrollment notices to introduce you to your electricity choices.
Establishing service is easy. Contact PG&E one week before you will need service at your new address and schedule an appointment by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. We work in partnership with PG&E so that when you establish your electricity service with PG&E you also automatically start your electricity service with SVCE.
New customers who move into the Silicon Valley Clean Energy service area are automatically enrolled into Silicon Valley Clean Energy and will be mailed two notices within the first sixty days of receiving clean electricity from SVCE. The enrollment notices provide information about their options along with offers and services for SVCE customers.
For the first 60 days of electricity service with SVCE, customers can opt out at no charge. After the initial 60-day period, there will be a small one-time service fee to opt out ($5 for residential customer accounts and $25 for commercial customer accounts).
SVCE customers also have the option to switch electricity plans once enrolled. A customer on the GreenPrime electricity plan may choose to return to GreenStart service at no cost, effective three months from the next meter read date. However, the 2023 enrollment for the GreenPrime electricity plan is currently closed to new customers or GreenStart customers looking to switch. GreenPrime customers choosing to opt out of SVCE services and return to PG&E bundled service will be subject to the standard opt out terms and conditions, and additional fees may apply. Terms and Conditions for all services are available at www.SVCleanEnergy.org/TermsandConditions.
The choice is yours to participate with SVCE electricity service or opt out. Any customer may opt out of Silicon Valley Clean Energy after you become eligible for service. You can choose to opt out by filling out this form or calling 1-844-474-7823.
Customers who opt out before starting Silicon Valley Clean Energy service or within the first 60 days of Silicon Valley Clean Energy service may return to Silicon Valley Clean Energy service at any time. Customers who opt out after the first 60 days of service with Silicon Valley Clean Energy will be prohibited by state regulation from returning to Silicon Valley Clean Energy for one year.
If you’re eligible to re-enroll with Silicon Valley Clean Energy, you may do so by calling and speaking to one of our customer service representatives at 1-844-474-7823.
