How many cities do you know that own and operate their own power company? Lancaster’s power company, Lancaster Choice Energy, not only cuts customer rates over existing traditional utilities but is also an added revenue source for the city. Why should you get excited over this? Well…it depends…have you “properly” invested in the area to take advantage of the progression?
Lancaster Choice Energy (LCE), is the City of Lancaster’s very own power company offering clean and modern power at competitive and stable rates. Lancaster Choice Energy started providing power in 2015 and has become an overnight success. Over the past year, LCE has become the first utility company to offer a 100% renewable energy option in Southern California, has received national recognition, started construction on their first 10MW solar farm operating under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with sPower, and has helped set the City of Lancaster on a clear path to becoming a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) city. Lancaster Choice Energy is currently only available to residents and businesses in Lancaster.
Lancaster Choice Energy is the first utility company in Southern California to offer a 100% renewable energy option called the Smart Choice plan. Customers can “opt-up”, an additional flat rate of $10/month for homeowners, to the Smart Choice plan guaranteeing their electricity comes from only renewable sources. For customers that have power generation systems installed on their home or business (e.g. solar panels), LCE pays a reimbursement rate for energy produced that is 100% more than what Southern California Edison (SCE) pays. So not only is LCE less expensive, more stable in pricing, but they also pay more to those that have or are considering to produce power.
Lancaster Choice Energy is the first utility company in Southern California to offer a 100% renewable energy option called the Smart Choice plan. Customers can “opt-up”, an additional flat rate of $10/month for homeowners, to the Smart Choice plan guaranteeing their electricity comes from only renewable sources. For customers that have power generation systems installed on their home or business (e.g. solar panels), LCE pays a reimbursement rate for energy produced that is 100% more than what Southern California Edison (SCE) pays. So not only is LCE less expensive, more stable in pricing, but they also pay more to those that have or are considering to produce power.
The City of Lancaster was recently recognized as a Green Power Community by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the first city to receive this recognition in Southern California. Green Power Communities
“I look at the communities we work with across the country, across the world for that matter, there’s none better than Lancaster.” -Ryan Creamer, CEO of sPower | are areas that prioritize the use of renewable energy in large quantities. LCE was key in helping Lancaster achieve this recognition and has propelled Lancaster as an alternative energy leader locally, nationally, and globally. Lancaster Choice Energy recently broke ground on their first 10MW solar farm that is being built by sPower under a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA allows LCE to incentivize sPower to build a solar farm as LCE guarantees to purchase each watt generated at a pre-determined price. The sPower Western Antelope Dry Ranch facility, located at Avenue J and 106th Street West, will generate enough energy to power 1,800 Lancaster homes and will be fully operation later this year. sPower is an independent power producer (IPP) that owns and/or operates more than 150 utility generation systems across the U.S. and the UK. “Everyone gets excited when you talk about solar. It’s the number one growing energy field in the U.S.”, said CEO of sPower Ryan Creamer. “I look at the communities we work with across the country, across the world for that matter, there’s none better than Lancaster.” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said, “We continue to work hard to establish Lancaster as the alternative energy capital of the world. Thus, our partnership with sPower is yet another step in the right direction.” |
Lancaster is on track to become the first Zero Net Energy (ZNE) city by 2020. A ZNE city produces more power than it consumes. The California Energy Commission recently awarded Lancaster Choice Energy a $1.5 million grant. The phase one grant will be used to explore new ways to use renewable energy. There are three ways to achieve ZNE. “You can achieve greater energy efficiency through better building practices; you can use more effective techniques to power operations; or you can utilize more renewable energy sources. Lancaster has embraced all three approaches. As such, this grant will aid greatly in our ZNE quest,” said Barbary Boswell, Director of LCE. LCE will be eligible to apply for an $8 million grant under phase two funding to develop and implement programs designed in phase one.
Lancaster is one smart, progressive city. Lancaster Choice Energy is receiving national recognition and state funding. As LCE continues to expand and meet their goals, they will need more land suitable for renewable energy development. Smart investors are positioning themselves to own that land today so they can be prepared for the demands of tomorrow. Learn how you too can properly position yourself to achieve financial security!
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