Poll: Mixed views on Clean Power

On Monday, Petaluma became the final city in Sonoma County to join with the newly established Sonoma Clean Power. The locally operated power supplier claims to offer more environmentally friendly power for a lower price than PG&E. However, those who took part in this week’s unofficial online poll were split about whether the city should sign on for the new service. Here were some of the comments:

“Why haven’t we joined already? Was our city council bribed by PG&E?”

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“When has the government run anything better than private enterprise? The government does not belong in the energy business.”

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“This will reduce the city’s reliance on nuclear power so that when Diablo Canyon is shuttered and cleaned up there will not be the impact that is expected for PG&E customers.”

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“They have not yet really proven that they are radically more green than PG&E.”

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“I’ve watched as Sonoma Clean Power has evolved over the last year until it now includes all Sonoma County cities and the county itself, except Petaluma. I understand the council’s initial ‘wait and see’ approach, but now feel that Sonoma Clean Power has proven its capabilities and offers both Petaluma residents and the City of Petaluma itself an opportunity to save on electricity costs with no reduction in service or added complications in billing since PG&E will continue to handle those things.”

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“It seems pretty clear to me that PG&E can’t be trusted.”

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“Sonoma Clean Power is a scam. The amount of overhead that SCP has is staggering. How about reporting on that? How about reporting that PG&E cannot by law argue for themselves? How about reporting that SCP does not include PG&E’s hydroelectric power generation in their renewable energy power?”

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“Let’s form our own power agency and let the excess revenue go to pay for streets.”

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“PG&E has proven itself so effective, why would we want anything else? Just ask San Bruno.”

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“A lot more information is necessary before we adopt a new provider. A side by side comparison with Sonoma Clean Power and PG&E would be a good start.”

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“There are two reasons to join: 1) Any opportunity to use renewable energy sources and move away from petroleum based sources (as much as possible) is of the utmost importance. 2) Sonoma Clean Power will keep some of our energy cost dollars in the county and provide an opportunity from the ‘local multiplier.’”

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“The name Sonoma Clean Power is probably too similar to the ‘Affordable’ Care Act.”

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“The main thing is sticking it to PG&E.”

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“Sonoma Clean Power offers no crews or service, they just collect money.”

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“It’s just good, common sense to join.”