Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Rate Selection Guide
Marin Clean Energy (MCE) is California's first Community Choice Aggregator, providing renewable electricity generation to about 600,000 customer accounts across four Bay Area counties. As a CCA, MCE handles generation and programs only; PG&E continues to own the wires and provides metering, billing, and all customer data access. Customers receive a single PG&E bill and access usage data through PG&E's Green Button, My Energy, and Share My Data systems.
Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Rate Schedule Comparison
| Schedule | Type | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCE Light Green (B1 example) | Commercial | $141.44/mo generation (1,151 kWh) | Default cost-competitive 60% renewable service |
| MCE Deep Green (B1 example) | Commercial | $155.82/mo generation (1,151 kWh) | 100% renewable goals / sustainability commitments |
| PG&E generation (B1 example) | Commercial | $142.15/mo generation (1,151 kWh) | Opt-out reference (PG&E bundled, 23% renewable) |
| Large C&I (B19/B20) | Industrial | Demand-metered; PG&E delivery + MCE generation | Larger demand-metered facilities |
Market Overview
MCE is a Community Choice Aggregator: customers in member communities are automatically enrolled in MCE generation and can opt up to 100% renewable (Deep Green) or opt out to PG&E generation. PG&E remains the regulated delivery utility providing wires, metering, billing, and data access. Customers choose their generation supplier but not their delivery utility.
Need to pull your actual usage data to compare rates? See the Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Data Access Guide →
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Options
Default CCA generation provider for member communities. Light Green is the standard 60% renewable service (auto-enrolled); Deep Green is the optional 100% renewable upgrade. Customers may opt out to PG&E generation at any time.
Current Rate Schedules
MCE sets only the generation portion of the bill; PG&E delivery charges and most fees are identical regardless of generation provider. Per MCE's verified rate comparison effective April 1, 2026 (typical small commercial customer using 1,151 kWh/month on the B1 rate): MCE Light Green generation is $141.44/month, MCE Deep Green is $155.82/month, and PG&E generation is $142.15/month, on a shared PG&E delivery charge of $349.09. MCE reduced generation rates 14% effective April 1, 2026 and added a temporary bill credit through 2026. For a typical residential customer (438 kWh/month on E-TOU-C): Light Green generation $51.22, Deep Green $56.69, PG&E $53.94. Detailed per-kWh commercial generation rates by schedule are in MCE's Commercial Rate Table; delivery rates are set by PG&E.
Effective: April 1, 2026 · Full Tariff Book →
| Schedule | Type | Applicability | Structure | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCE Light Green (60% renewable) - default | commercial | Default auto-enrolled generation for all MCE commercial customers; 60% renewable. | MCE generation charge applied to kWh on the customer's PG&E delivery rate schedule (e.g., B1, B6, B10, B19, B20). Single combined PG&E bill. | $141.44/mo generation for a typical small commercial B1 customer (1,151 kWh)+ Set by the underlying PG&E delivery schedule (e.g., B19/B20 demand charges) |
| MCE Deep Green (100% renewable) | commercial | Optional 100% renewable upgrade for commercial customers. | MCE generation charge with a small premium over Light Green; same PG&E delivery and single bill. | $155.82/mo generation for a typical small commercial B1 customer (about $14 over Light Green)+ Set by the underlying PG&E delivery schedule |
| PG&E B1 (small commercial) delivery + generation reference | commercial | Small commercial customers; PG&E delivery schedule under which MCE generation is applied. | PG&E delivery $349.09/mo on the B1 example; PG&E-supplied generation reference $142.15/mo if not on MCE. | PG&E delivery $349.09/mo (B1, 1,151 kWh example)+ Per PG&E B-schedule (demand applies on B19/B20) |
| Large commercial / industrial (B19, B20) | industrial | Medium-large and transmission-level commercial/industrial accounts on PG&E B19/B20 delivery schedules with MCE generation. | Demand-metered PG&E delivery (per-kW demand + energy) plus MCE generation per kWh; TOU periods apply. See PG&E B-schedule tariffs and MCE commercial rate table for figures. | Schedule-specific; see MCE commercial rate table and PG&E B19/B20 tariffs+ PG&E B19/B20 per-kW demand charges (set by PG&E) |
| MCE Commercial EV / TOU options | ev | Commercial EV charging and time-of-use accounts. | MCE generation applied on PG&E commercial EV/TOU delivery schedules; rates vary by time period. | See MCE EV rates page+ Per applicable PG&E EV/commercial schedule |
Rate Recommendations by Use Case
Small commercial customer (B1)
Small businesses get cost-competitive renewable generation by default with MCE Light Green.
On the B1 example, Light Green generation ($141.44) is essentially on par with PG&E ($142.15) while providing 60% renewable energy and local reinvestment.
- Pull PG&E Green Button data to understand usage
- Shift load out of the 4-9 p.m. peak on TOU rates
- Consider Deep Green if you have renewable goals
Sustainability / ESG-focused organization
Organizations with renewable commitments should opt up to Deep Green for 100% renewable electricity.
Deep Green provides a verifiable 100% renewable claim for a modest premium (~$14/mo on the commercial example), supporting ESG reporting and procurement targets.
- Document the Deep Green premium for ESG accounting
- Use CEDARS/MIDAS data for emissions reporting
- Combine with on-site solar and demand response
Large demand-metered facility (B19/B20)
Large C&I sites should focus on PG&E demand management, since demand charges dominate the bill.
MCE generation affects only the per-kWh energy line; the PG&E per-kW demand charge is the largest cost driver, so peak-demand reduction yields the biggest savings.
- Export PG&E 15-minute Green Button data for demand analysis
- Authorize Share My Data for an energy consultant
- Enroll flexible loads in MCE Peak Flex Market
Multi-site portfolio / energy consultant
Portfolios should centralize data via PG&E Share My Data and benchmark across sites.
Share My Data (Green Button Connect) delivers automated billing and 15-minute interval feeds across all sites for benchmarking and demand management.
- Register the consultant in PG&E's Energy Data Hub
- Have each customer authorize Share My Data via OAuth
- Or use Nectar's API for aggregated access — see docs.nectarclimate.com
Historical Rate Trends
MCE's locally elected Board sets generation rates annually. The most recent action was a 14% generation rate reduction with a temporary bill credit, effective April 1, 2026, to offset rising state-mandated charges.
April 1, 2026
MCE Board approved a 14% reduction in electricity generation rates plus a temporary bill credit through 2026 and an extension of the MCE Cares Credit, to provide relief from rising state-mandated charges.
-14% (generation)Overall trend: Recently declining on the generation component: MCE cut generation rates 14% effective April 1, 2026. Overall customer bills are still influenced by PG&E delivery rates and state-mandated charges outside MCE's control.
Next expected change: Annual rate-setting by the MCE Board (documented each year); next adjustment expected in the 2027 rate cycle.
Cost Optimization Strategies
For MCE customers, generation choice and PG&E demand/TOU management are the main cost levers. Since MCE generation is roughly on par with PG&E, the bigger savings for C&I accounts come from managing PG&E demand charges and shifting load out of the 4-9 p.m. peak.
Shift load out of 4-9 p.m. peak
For: All TOU commercial customers
Move discretionary load out of the TOU peak window to lower energy costs on both MCE generation and PG&E delivery components.
Manage PG&E demand charges (B19/B20)
For: Demand-metered C&I (B19/B20)
Use PG&E 15-minute interval data (Green Button) to identify and reduce coincident peak demand, which drives large C&I bills.
Enroll in MCE Peak Flex Market
For: All MCE customers able to shift load
Earn compensation (reported $2.00/kWh) for verified load reductions during peak events; uses PG&E meter data for verification.
Evaluate Deep Green vs. Light Green
For: Organizations with renewable/ESG targets
For sustainability-driven organizations, Deep Green delivers 100% renewable energy for a modest premium (~$14/mo on the commercial example), supporting ESG and procurement goals.
To implement these strategies, you need your 15-minute interval data. Learn how to download Marin Clean Energy (MCE) interval data →
Deregulated Market Shopping
Customers in MCE's territory choose their generation provider under California's CCA framework. They are auto-enrolled in MCE (default Light Green) and can opt up to Deep Green or opt out to PG&E generation at any time, with no change to PG&E delivery, metering, or billing.
How to Compare Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Suppliers
- 01Review the MCE vs. PG&E generation comparison on the Compare Rates page
- 02Choose Light Green (default), opt up to Deep Green for 100% renewable, or opt out to PG&E
- 03Change service anytime via the MCE website or by calling 888-632-3674
Contract Terms for Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Supply Agreements
- No fixed-term contract; customers can switch generation provider at any time
- Single combined PG&E bill regardless of generation choice
- Opt-out returns the customer to PG&E bundled generation
Common Pitfalls When Shopping Marin Clean Energy (MCE) Rates
- MCE controls only the generation line; PG&E delivery and state-mandated charges are outside MCE's control
- Opting out to PG&E may involve a transitional bonded service period per PG&E rules
- Deep Green carries a renewable premium over Light Green
Frequently Asked Questions
How do MCE commercial customers access their billing and interval data?▾
Through PG&E, not MCE. PG&E issues a single combined bill that itemizes MCE generation separately from PG&E delivery. Access billing history (5+ years) in PG&E My Account, export 15-minute interval data via PG&E Green Button Download My Data, or authorize a third party through PG&E Share My Data.
Does MCE offer its own Green Button or data-sharing API?▾
No. MCE maintains no independent customer-data systems. Green Button Download, Share My Data (Connect My Data), and the EnergyInsights API are all PG&E programs. MCE's own data offerings are limited to demand-response program performance and publicly aggregated MIDAS (rates) and CEDARS (program) data.
How much do MCE commercial generation rates cost compared with PG&E?▾
Per MCE's rate comparison effective April 1, 2026 (typical small commercial B1 customer, 1,151 kWh/month): MCE Light Green generation is $141.44, MCE Deep Green is $155.82, and PG&E generation is $142.15, on a shared PG&E delivery charge of $349.09. MCE reduced generation rates 14% effective April 1, 2026. Detailed per-kWh figures by schedule are in MCE's Commercial Rate Table.
How does a business choose between MCE and PG&E generation?▾
Customers in MCE's territory are auto-enrolled in MCE Light Green (60% renewable) by default. They can opt up to Deep Green (100% renewable) or opt out to PG&E generation at any time, with no change to PG&E delivery, metering, or the single combined bill. Switch via the Compare Rates page or by calling 888-632-3674.
What drives commercial bills for large MCE/PG&E accounts?▾
For demand-metered C&I accounts on PG&E B19/B20, the per-kW demand charge set by PG&E is the dominant cost driver. MCE generation affects only the per-kWh energy portion. The biggest savings come from reducing coincident peak demand and shifting load out of the 4-9 p.m. TOU peak, using PG&E 15-minute interval data.
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