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MCE, Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes

Document last updated on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Summary

MCE (Marin Clean Energy), one of California’s 25 not-for-profit renewable energy entities, provides electricity to most households and businesses in Marin County, and in three nearby counties, as an alternative to electricity provided by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). At the height of the electricity cost market in the fall of 2024, MCE entered into expensive contracts that eventually increased its energy expenses over the prior year by about $200 million — more than 25 percent. This issue prompted the Civil Grand Jury to investigate MCE.

 

This report was released to the public on June 16, 2026. 

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Responses

Required responding agencies Status
MCE Board of Directors Due September 16, 2026
Marin County Board of Supervisors Due September 16, 2026
City of Belvedere Due September 16, 2026
City of Larkspur Due September 16, 2026
City of Mill Valley Due September 16, 2026
City of Novato Due September 16, 2026
City of San Rafael Due September 16, 2026
City of Sausalito Due September 16, 2026
Town of Corte Madera Due September 16, 2026
Town of Fairfax Due September 16, 2026
Town of Ross Due September 16, 2026
Town of San Anselmo Due September 16, 2026
Town of Tiburon Due September 16, 2026
Invited to respond Status
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Due September 16, 2026
Napa County Board of Supervisors Due September 16, 2026
Solano County Board of Supervisors Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Benicia Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Concord Due September 16, 2026
City Council of El Cerrito Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Fairfield Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Hercules Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Lafayette Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Martinez Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Napa Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Oakley Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Pinole Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Pittsburg Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Pleasant Hill Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Richmond Due September 16, 2026
City Council of San Pablo Due September 16, 2026
City Council of San Ramon Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Vallejo Due September 16, 2026
City Council of Walnut Creek Due September 16, 2026
Town Council of Danville Due September 16, 2026
Town Council of Moraga Due September 16, 2026
State of California Senate — Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Due September 16, 2026
MCE CEO Due September 16, 2026

Privacy

Reports issued by the Civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code Section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person, or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Civil Grand Jury.  

The California State Legislature has stated that it intends the provisions of Penal Code Section 929 prohibiting disclosure of witness identities to encourage full candor in testimony in Civil Grand Jury investigations by protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those who participate. 

Related

Page last updated on June 16, 2026.