Calabasas Votes For 100% Renewable Energy

CALABASAS, CA — Calabasas is going green. On Jan. 27, the Calabasas City Council voted 4-1 to change the city's default electrical energy rate for all its residential and business customers to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. Beginning October 2021, all Calabasas consumers will be automatically enrolled in the program unless they opt to choose another rate, or opt out of the program entirely.

The city is already enrolled in the Clean Power Alliance, a regional consortium aiming to provide affordable, sustainable energy from solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to 32 communities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. When Calabasas began receiving power from the CPA in Feb. 2019, it asked that 36 percent of its electricity come from renewable sources - a rate tier considered the "Lean", cost-saving mode.

Cities in the CPA have set different default rates for their residents: according to a PowerPoint presented to the City Council, Calabasas joined Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, and ten others in setting 100 percent as a default. Twelve cities, including Moorpark and Camarillo, have set a "Clean" 50 percent default, while six cities, including Simi Valley and Westlake Village, remain at the "Lean" 36 percent default tier.

Customers can choose a lower rate, or to opt out of the CPA altogether. The CPA website provides guidance on opting out, but city staff pledged a robust notification campaign to let consumers know that they have this option, and how to make it happen. If consumers don't opt out, they will be automatically enrolled in the 100 percent program starting in October, and may see their electric bills increase eight to eleven percent, according to a staff report. However, the CPA offers a number of financial assistance programs for eligible customers that can reduce rates by up to 30 percent, and will offset any price increase to low-income qualified customers to cities that opt for 100 percent clean power.

However, it is likely that many struggling Calabasans will not qualify, yet will still be affected by any rate hike. That is why most Calabasas councilmembers said that while they supported the environmental impact the shift would have, they wanted to make sure the city launched an aggressive campaign to make residents aware that they can opt out.

"I believe in this 100 percent, and I believe that Calabasas has been a leader in the environment," said Councilmember Alicia Weintraub, who ended up voting in favor of the proposal. "Times are hard for so many people. I'm hearing day in and day out from our residents who are on the phone for hours who still haven't received these unemployment checks, whose businesses have been shut down, and they're worried about an extra cup of Starbucks...I worry about putting one more bureaucratic thing on these residents' plates right now...If I vote to support this, I want the commitment from the city and the CPA that we will do a huge engagement to our residents to let them know this was voted on, but they have a way out."

"I want to echo Councilmember Weintraub's comments that we need to make sure if our residents move forward with this they get the most notice possible, because there are some people who currently can't participate in this," said Councilmember Peter Kraut, who also voted in favor. A representative from the CPA said it will assist the city in creating and mailing postcards to residents, and shoulder some of that cost.

Mayor James Bozajian, the lone vote against the proposal, said that he felt the cost hike was too high, and would rather the city promote an opt-in program as opposed to an opt-out program.

"I don't like opt-out programs - I think they are designed to trick people into staying," Bozajian said, noting that out of Calabasas's 10,000-plus residents, only 18 have opted in to the 100 percent rate. "I would use a vigorous opt-in, but not opt-down...I'm not willing to go to a 10 percent hike. When people are suffering at this time time, I don't think this is a good time to make a change."

Even though a negligible percentage of Calabasans have opted in to the 100-percent rate, the vast majority voiced their support for the proposal.

"It is imperative that Calabasas continue to carry the torch for a cleaner future for the residents of our City. Much like the Smoking Ban, the plastic bag ban and other forward-thinking ordinances, elevating the Clean Power tier is an important element to continuing the legacy of Calabasas," Jody Thomas, president of the Old Topanga Homeowners Association, wrote in a letter. "While climate change is a global issue, we must all do our part to protect the planet. Please assure that Calabasas remains in the forefront of this movement and choose to increase our Clean Power tier to 100% Clean Energy!"

I feel strongly that the City of Calabasas, through the Clean Power Alliance, should have a default of 100% clean power. I think (hope) that everyone on the Council can agree that climate change is real and it’s an existential crisis that we all need to address — immediately. As it has on other issues, the City of Calabasas can take a leading position on this important issue. I hope that you’ll vote to provide 100% clean energy," wrote Frances Alet, who said she switched her household to 100 percent.