Ava Community Energy offers San Joaquin County residents savings on energy

# Breaking Now: San Joaquin County and Stockton Embrace Clean Energy with AVA Community Power

In a bold move toward sustainability, San Joaquin County and the city of Stockton are taking charge of their energy future by joining *AVA Community Energy*, a community choice aggregation (CCA) program. This initiative aims to provide cleaner, more affordable energy options while reducing reliance on traditional utility providers.

## What is AVA Community Energy?

AVA Community Energy is a CCA program designed to give local governments control over their energy sources. By pooling resources and purchasing electricity on behalf of residents and businesses, CCAs like AVA can offer competitive rates and prioritize renewable energy.

### Key Benefits of AVA Community Energy:
- **Cleaner Energy**: AVA sources a significant portion of its power from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectricity.
- **Cost Savings**: By cutting out the middleman, AVA can often provide lower rates compared to traditional utilities.
- **Local Control**: Decisions about energy sources and investments are made locally, ensuring the community’s needs are prioritized.

## Why San Joaquin County and Stockton Are On Board

San Joaquin County and Stockton have long been committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Joining AVA Community Energy aligns with their goals of combating climate change and promoting environmental justice.

### What This Means for Residents:
- **Automatic Enrollment**: Most residents and businesses will be automatically enrolled in AVA, though they can opt out if they prefer to stay with their current provider.
- **No Service Interruptions**: Switching to AVA won’t disrupt electricity delivery; PG&E will continue to handle infrastructure and billing.
- **Green Energy Options**: Residents can choose from various energy plans, including options with 100% renewable energy.

## The Bigger Picture

This move is part of a growing trend across California, where communities are taking energy matters into their own hands. CCAs like AVA empower local governments to make decisions that benefit both the environment and their residents’ wallets.

### Challenges Ahead:
While the benefits are clear, the transition to AVA Community Energy isn’t without its challenges. Critics argue that CCAs can create market instability and may not always deliver on their promises of lower rates. However, supporters believe the long-term environmental and economic benefits far outweigh these concerns.

## What’s Next?

As AVA Community Energy rolls out in San Joaquin County and Stockton, residents can expect more information about their options and how to make the most of this new program. Community meetings and educational campaigns are likely to follow, ensuring everyone understands the changes and their benefits.

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### What Do You Think?

- Do you believe community choice aggregation programs like AVA are the future of energy?
- Should more cities and counties in California follow San Joaquin’s lead?
- Is 100% renewable energy a realistic goal, or are we moving too fast?
- Could CCAs like AVA eventually replace traditional utility companies entirely?
- What role should local governments play in addressing climate change?

Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!

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