Half Moon Bay Power Outage: Lights Out?

The city of Half Moon Bay in California has a population of approximately 11,324 people. 97% of electricity users in Half Moon Bay receive their energy from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), which provides 100% clean energy for its EcoPlus service and 100% renewable energy for its ECO100 service. The remaining 3% of electricity users receive their energy through Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), which in 2021 provided 93% of its power from GHG-free resources.

Sources of electricity in Half Moon Bay

In Half Moon Bay, California, 97% of electricity users receive their energy from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE). PCE provides 100% clean energy for their EcoPlus service and 100% renewable energy for their ECO100 service. The remaining 3% of electricity users in Half Moon Bay receive their energy through the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). In 2021, PG&E customers received 93% of their power from GHG-free resources such as renewables, nuclear, and large hydroelectric power, and 7% was powered by natural gas.

In 2019, 36% of Half Moon Bay’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions were generated from natural gas and propane-powered energy use in buildings. In response, the City adopted a Building Electrification Ordinance in February 2022, requiring all new building construction to be electric-only, prohibiting any existing all-electric residential buildings from adding gas or propane, and mandating the decommissioning of fuel gas lines in existing buildings by 2045.

To promote the transition to cleaner energy sources, Half Moon Bay offers various incentives and programs. PCE offers zero-percent interest loans to help customers install electric water heaters, heating and cooling systems, and energy efficiency upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and energy use. They also provide income-qualified homeowners with home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost. Additionally, PG&E offers rebates to residents and businesses that install solar arrays, and BayREN offers rebates and advice to those looking to improve their home's energy efficiency.

The average residential electricity bill in Half Moon Bay is about $88 per month, which is 1.63% greater than the California average. The average commercial electricity rate in Half Moon Bay is 5% greater than the California average, while the average industrial electricity rate is 14.39% less.

Energy costs in Half Moon Bay

The average monthly industrial electricity bill in California is $5,561, which ranks 34th in the nation and is 25.68% less than the national average. The average (industrial) electricity rate in Half Moon Bay is 14.39% less than the California average rate of 10.49 ¢/kWh. The average (commercial) electricity rate in Half Moon Bay is 5% greater than the California average rate of 13.41 ¢/kWh.

There are various initiatives in place to help reduce energy costs in Half Moon Bay. For example, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) provides 100% clean energy for their EcoPlus service and 100% renewable energy for their ECO100 service. Additionally, PCE offers zero per cent loans to help customers install electric water heaters, heating and A/C, and energy efficiency upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and energy use in the home. PG&E also provides financial incentives for customers installing new equipment for generating and storing energy for their homes through the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).

Solar energy is another option for Half Moon Bay residents to save on energy costs. Solar shoppers in Half Moon Bay pay an average of $14,000 for a 5.1 kW solar panel system prior to incentives. The savings from offsetting 100% of an electric bill with solar can be significant. For example, with a $0-down loan, you can expect to save $2,800 in the first year, $15,600 over five years, $36,500 over 10 years, and $101,200 over 20 years on electric bills.

Financial assistance for electricity in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay, California, has a population of approximately 11,324 people and a median household income of $136,758. The average residential electricity bill in California is about $88/month, but Half Moon Bay residents spend about $232 per month on electricity, which is 13% higher than the national average.

There are various financial assistance programs available for residents of Half Moon Bay who are struggling with their electricity bills or are looking to make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. Here are some of the programs offered:

• Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE): PCE is the main electricity provider in Half Moon Bay, serving 97% of the city's electricity users. They offer 100% clean energy for their EcoPlus service and 100% renewable energy for their ECO100 service. PCE also provides income-qualified homeowners with home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost through their Home Upgrade Program. In addition, they partner with Senior Coastsiders to provide resources to residents with medical devices in areas likely to be impacted by fire season power shutoffs. These resources include utility discounts, free or low-cost backup batteries, and emergency support.
• Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E): PG&E serves the remaining 3% of electricity users in Half Moon Bay. They offer a financial assistance pilot program through the statewide Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), which provides financial incentives for customers installing new, qualifying equipment for generating and storing energy for their homes. PG&E also offers a Guide to Home Electrification, which provides information on programs and resources available for home electrification.
• BayREN Single Family Homeowners Program: This program offers rebates and incentives to help residents improve their home energy efficiency and reduce their energy bills. BayREN also provides free, unbiased advice through their Home Energy Advisor service, helping residents navigate rebates and find participating contractors.
• BayREN Business FLEXmarket: This program offers incentives for small and medium businesses to upgrade to more energy-efficient equipment, such as HVAC, refrigeration, LED lighting, and water heating.
• BayREN Multifamily Property Owners Program: This program provides technical assistance, rebates, and no-cost financing to upgrade the energy and water efficiency of multifamily buildings.

In addition to these programs, residents of Half Moon Bay can also consider installing solar panels to reduce their electricity costs. Community solar programs in Half Moon Bay can save residents 5-15% in electricity costs annually, and financing a solar system with a cash purchase can lead to even greater savings over time.

Electric appliance rebates in Half Moon Bay

In Half Moon Bay, 97% of electricity users receive energy from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE). PCE is a community-led, not-for-profit agency that provides 100% clean energy for its EcoPlus service and 100% renewable energy for its ECO100 service.

PCE offers zero-percent interest loans to help customers install electric water heaters, heating and A/C, and energy efficiency upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and energy use in the home. These loans are for a term of up to 10 years and require no money down. PCE also offers rebates of up to $3,500 for installing an electric heat pump HVAC unit and up to $3,000 for installing a heat pump water heater.

In addition, PCE provides the Home Upgrade Program, which offers income-qualified homeowners home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades at no cost. An extra rebate of $1,500 is available for PCE customers in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos to upgrade their electrical panel if needed.

BayREN, a PCE partner, offers rebates and financing options to upgrade building energy and water efficiency for multifamily property owners. Single-family homeowners can also benefit from BayREN's Home+ rebates, which offer free advice and support to help them save on home energy bills.

Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) also offers rebates for upgrading to new electric home appliances, up to $8,750, with additional rebates of $4,250 for income-qualified customers. SVCE rebates are available for single-family homes, mobile or manufactured homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and multi-family homes (4 dwelling units or fewer) swapping out existing equipment.

Electric safety in Half Moon Bay

Electricity in Half Moon Bay is primarily provided by Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), which delivers 100% clean energy for its EcoPlus service and 100% renewable energy for its ECO100 service. 97% of electricity users in the city are signed up with PCE. The remaining 3% receive their energy through the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), which in 2021 sourced 93% of its power from GHG-free resources and 7% from natural gas.

In 2019, 36% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions were generated from natural gas and propane-powered energy use in buildings. To address this, Half Moon Bay adopted a Building Electrification Ordinance in February 2022. This ordinance mandates that all new building construction be electric-only, prohibits the addition of gas or propane to existing all-electric residential buildings, and requires fuel gas lines in existing buildings to be capped or decommissioned by 2045.

To promote a transition to cleaner energy sources, various incentives and programs are available to residents and businesses in Half Moon Bay. For example, PCE offers zero-percent interest loans to help customers install electric water heaters, heating and cooling systems, and energy efficiency upgrades that reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, BayREN Business provides incentives for small and medium businesses to invest in energy-efficient HVAC, refrigeration, LED lighting, and water heating systems, improving energy use and air quality.

For those with medical devices or additional functional needs who are dependent on electricity for medical equipment, such as CPAP machines or refrigerated medicines, Half Moon Bay offers resources to ensure safety during power outages. Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) partners with organizations like Senior Coastsiders to provide utility discounts, free or low-cost backup batteries, and emergency support. Additionally, the Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) collaborates with PG&E to offer support through the Disability Disaster Access Program, providing backup portable batteries and emergency planning resources.

Overall, Half Moon Bay is committed to improving electric safety and resilience for its residents, offering a range of programs and incentives to transition to cleaner energy sources and ensuring support for those with medical dependencies on electricity.

Frequently asked questions