Impact Report
Serving our communities since 2018
Published March 2026
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A Message from the CEO
When Alameda County commissioned a feasibility
study in 2015 to explore community choice
aggregation, the question was whether public
electricity service could work for our communities.
More than a decade later, the answer is clear.
As of March 2026, Ava Community Energy (Ava) serves
a population of over 2 million: approximately 761,000
customer accounts across 18 member jurisdictions
in Alameda and San Joaquin Counties. Service to
unincorporated San Joaquin County will begin in May
2026. We’re one of California’s largest community
choice aggregators (CCA), generating over 7,346
gigawatt-hours (GWh) of retail electricity load annually.
Our service area represents California’s diversity. It
spans urban centers and agricultural communities,
high-tech industry and manufacturing, residential
neighborhoods and commercial corridors. Among
our customers, approximately 21% participate in
income-qualified programs (CARE or FERA), 14% have
installed solar systems, and 22% drive electric vehicles.
Serving all these customers requires us to show up a
little differently for each one, understanding different priorities rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions.
Ava was founded so our local communities could
have a choice over where their electricity comes
from and where their money goes. As a not-for-profit
public agency, we aren’t beholden to shareholders;
we answer only to the residents, businesses, and local
governments that make up our member jurisdictions.
This accountability to our communities shapes
everything we do.
Since launching service in 2018, Ava has helped add
2,452 megawatts (MW) of new renewable generation
and storage capacity to the grid. We’ve adopted the
goal of providing 100% carbon-free electricity to all
customers by 2030—fifteen years ahead of the state
mandate. We’ve saved customers over $183 million on
their electricity bills relative to PG&E.
Our impact also shows up in our commitment to
customer programs and community reinvestment.
Whether we’re helping build rooftop solar projects in
disadvantaged communities, distributing thousands
of e-bike rebates, or sponsoring a beloved local
organization, everything we do brings us closer to a
brighter future and helps ensure no one gets left behind in the clean energy transition.
The energy transition is complex. Procuring renewable
energy, designing customer programs, and navigating
a dynamic regulatory environment requires significant
expertise, innovation, and discipline. What customers
experience should be straightforward: reliable service, competitive rates, and investment that makes our
communities healthier and stronger.
That’s the promise of community choice energy. The
pages that follow show what we’ve built together, where we’re heading, and how we’re fulfilling our mission.
Thank you for your support of this work.
Howard Chang
Chief Executive Officer
Ava Community Energy
INTRODUCTION
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Executive Summary
Purpose
This report provides key highlights of Ava Community Energy’s operations, service, and performance since beginning to enroll customers in 2018. It serves as a resource for Board members, city officials, community partners, customers, and other stakeholders who want to understand the full scope of Ava’s work and impact.
What’s Inside This Report
The report covers four major themes:
• Mission and Operations: How Ava functions as a public agency, the diverse communities we serve, and how local elected officials guide our work through transparent governance.
• Renewable Power: How we procure renewable energy and manage wholesale market operations, plus our virtual power plant strategy for coordinating batteries, electric vehicles, and other distributed resources to enhance reliability and reduce costs.
• Community Investment: How we reinvest in our service area through customer programs, public infrastructure projects, grants, sponsorships, and more, ensuring the energy transition benefits everyone.
• Policy and Financial Stewardship: Our principles for protecting affordability and advancing clean energy policy, plus the financial strategies that enable rate stability and operational resilience.
How to Use This Document
This report is designed for flexible navigation. You can read it sequentially for a complete picture of Ava’s operations, or jump directly to sections relevant to your interests. Each section provides context for how we approach our work, the results we’ve achieved, and where we’re headed.
This report will be updated periodically as our impact evolves.
Last updated March 25, 2026.
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1 1
Table of Contents
Ava at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Who We Serve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Electricity Generation Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Our Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Customer Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Public Infrastructure & Municipal Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Community Reinvestment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Financial Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
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2 Ava at a Glance
About Us
Ava Community Energy (Ava) is a community choice aggregator (CCA), a public electricity provider committed to providing clean energy, competitive rates, and community investment to Alameda and San Joaquin Counties.
Ava is the default provider of electricity generation service for all customers in the cities and counties we serve. Per state law, customers are automatically enrolled in Ava’s service and are billed by PG&E.
Ava was formed as a Joint Powers Authority (an independent local government agency) and is made up of 18 city and county members. Ava does not have shareholders, nor does it rely on tax dollars. Instead, Ava reinvests energy utility revenue back into the community through customer programs, grants, sponsorships, and bill savings.
How It Works
1 . Ava generates clean power
Ava develops and contracts with
clean power plants to add more
renewable energy to the grid.
Electricity flows through California’s
transmission infrastructure to local
distribution lines.
2 . PG&E delivers the power
Electricity is delivered through
PG&E’s transmission and
distribution infrastructure.
Customers continue paying PG&E
for delivery, but no longer pay
PG&E for generation.
3 . Customers receive cleaner
power and local benefits
The community benefits from more
renewable energy, competitive rates,
local governance, and programs
designed for regional needs.
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3Ava at a Glance
Our mission is to drive increasing
access to clean energy, serving the
needs of our customers and the
well-being of our community.
By the Numbers:
As of March 2026:
761,096
accounts served
96%
overall participation rate
$183.6 million
customer bill savings since 2018
18 member communities
2,452 MW
long-term renewable energy contracts
$107 .6 million
reinvested in our service area since 2018
Member Communities:
Albany
Berkeley
Dublin
Emeryville
Fremont
Hayward
Lathrop
Livermore
Newark
Oakland
Piedmont
Pleasanton
San Leandro
Stockton
Tracy
Union City
Unincorporated Alameda County
Unincorporated San Joaquin County (May 2026)
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4 Who We Serve
Ava Community Energy serves residential, commercial, municipal, and agricultural customers across Alameda County and the cities of Tracy, Stockton, and Lathrop. In July 2024, Ava’s Board approved the membership request of unincorporated San Joaquin County, with service beginning in 2026.
Ava’s growth beyond Alameda County into San Joaquin County demonstrates that community choice energy works for all Californians.
Serving a diverse geography—spanning urban, suburban, agricultural, and historically underserved communities—helps us advance energy equity, strengthens Ava’s voice in Sacramento, and enables us to pilot and scale programs across different community contexts.
Key Demographics
As of March 2026:
761,096 accounts served
(population: ~2 million)
Customers By Load:
160,078 CARE & FERA customers
108,668 solar customers
169,678 electric vehicles
Governance
Ava is governed by a Board of Directors comprising 18 elected officials (including City Councilmembers, County Supervisors, and Mayors) from each member community. The Board meets monthly, and all meetings are open to the public, ensuring transparency and accountability to the communities we serve.
Ava’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) brings together residents and business owners from across our service area to advise the Board of Directors on programs and initiatives, ensuring diverse community voices inform our work.
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5Who We Serve
Ava’s service area
History In Brief
2015 — Alameda County commissioned a feasibility study to explore community choice aggregation
2016 — East Bay Community Energy formed as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA)
2018 — Launched service to residential and commercial customers in 11 cities and in unincorporated Alameda County
2019 — Cities of Trac y, Pleasanton, and Newark joined JPA 2021 — Service began in Tracy, Pleasanton, and Newark
2022 — City of Stockton joined JPA
2023 — City of Lathrop joined JPA; East Bay Community Energy rebranded as Ava Community Energy
2024 — Unincorporated S an Joaquin County joined JPA
2025 — Service began in Stockton and Lathrop
2026 — Service to begin in Unincorporated San Joaquin County Why did we change our name
to Ava?
Originally, we were named East Bay
Community Energy . As w e expanded
beyond Alameda County, we evolved our
name and brand to better represent all
our constituents .
Ava unites “Alameda” with the “ Valley .”
The rebrand, launched alongside a
refreshed visual identity, was designed
to welcome new constituents from San
Joaquin County and better communicate
the benefits of community choice energy
across all communities served .
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6 CCAs Are a Proven Model in California
Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) enable cities and counties to pool their electricity demand to procure clean energy and develop local programs as a public good on behalf of their own residents and businesses. CCAs partner with their region’s investor-owned utility, which continues to deliver power and maintain grid infrastructure.
Ava is one of 25 CCAs operating in California and, with approximately 760,000 customer accounts, is one of the state’s largest CCAs.
California CCAs have collectively contracted for over 21,000 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy generation capacity through long-term contracts called Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs. 21,000+ MW of new
clean generation capacity
contracted through long-term Power
Purchase Agreements by CCAs in CA
48,000+ construction jobs
created by CCA renewable energy
projects
58% of California’s
energy load
served by CCAs
15+ million customers
served by CCAs in California
200+ California
communities
served by a CCA
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7Electricity Generation Service
Electricity
Generation Service
As the default electricity generation provider in our service area, Ava offers more renewable energy options at competitive rates. All customers retain access to PG&E’s rate schedules—including time-of-use and electric vehicle rates—and continue to receive the same CARE, FERA, and Medical Baseline discounts available with PG&E.
Ava Service Plans
Eligible Renewable:
Solar Wind Biomass & Biowaste, Geothermal, Eligible Hydroelectric Other: Hydro Unspecified
Renewable 100
100% renewable energy
priced 1¾ cents per kWh
above PG&E rates
Bright Choice
61.8% eligible renewable
energy (2024) priced 0.5%
below PG&E rates
69%
of customers are
on Bright Choice
31%
are on
Renewable 100
Customer Choice
Each jurisdiction chooses
its default plan, but custom-
ers can easily change their
service plan at any time . We
offer both a lower-cost option
and a 100% renewable option
so that customers can choose
the one that best fits their
budget and priorities .
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8 How Rates Are Set
Ava sets generation rates through a transparent public process approved by our Board of Directors. Rates are based on market conditions and indexed to PG&E’s generation rates to maintain the Board-approved customer discount or premium for each service plan. When PG&E adjusts its generation rates, Ava’s rates are updated accordingly to preserve this value proposition.
The Bright Choice discount and Renewable 100 premium evolve as market conditions change.
When rates are high, the discount increases; when rates are low, the discount decreases. Bright Choice customers have saved $139 million from this discount since 2018.
AVA’S VALUE PROPOSITION OVER TIME
Ava Service
Plan
June 2018–
June 2020
July 2020–
June 2022
July 2022–
June 2023
July 2023–
Dec . 2025
Jan . 2026–
Present
Bright Choice 1.5% below
PG&E
1% below
PG&E
3% below
PG&E
5% below
PG&E
0.5% below
PG&E
Renewable
100
1¢ per kWh
above PG&E
1¢ per kWh
above PG&E
¾¢ per kWh
above PG&E
¼¢ per kWh
above PG&E
1¾¢ per kWh
above PG&E
AVERAGE GENERATION RATES OVER TIME
Ava’s average residential Bright Choice generation rates over time, compared to PG&E residential generation rates.
Carbon-Free by 2030
Ava’s Board of Directors has adopted the goal of providing 100% carbon-free power on an annual basis to all customers by 2030—fifteen years ahead of California’s statewide mandate.
For more about this emissions target, see page 11.
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9Electricity Generation Service
How Billing Works
Electricity service consists of two components: generation (producing power) and delivery (transmitting and distributing power to homes and businesses). Before Ava, customers paid PG&E for both services. Now, Ava provides generation service, and PG&E continues to provide delivery.
Customers receive a single monthly bill from PG&E that includes charges from both providers.
PG&E credits customers for the generation charges it would have previously billed, so Ava’s charges replace PG&E’s generation charges.
PG&E bill after a customer joins Ava
PG&E bill before a customer joins Ava
Additional fees from PG&E—such as the
Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA)
and Franchise Fee Surcharge—are factored
into Ava’s rates to ensure that customers are
not negatively impacted by these charges .
Example of the generation charges page in a PG&E bill showing Ava rates, the PCIA credit, and Franchise Fee Surcharge credit.
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10 Our Power Supply
Ava purchases electricity through short- and long-term contracts. We’re constantly expanding our clean energy portfolio to meet our goal of 100% carbon-free electricity for all customers by 2030.
Long- T erm Renewable Energy Portfolio
Ava’s portfolio of long-term contracted resources typically represents new projects being built, adding more clean energy to the grid than existed previously. This includes utility-scale wind, solar, geothermal, and battery storage projects across California and the western United States, as well as locally-sited rooftop solar installations within our service area. All projects are selected through a competitive solicitation process that evaluates technical feasibility, price, environmental attributes, and community benefits.
As of March 2026:
7, 3 4 6 GW h
estimated retail load in 2025
27 long-term renewable power & energy
storage contracts
1,495 MW
new wind, solar, and geothermal built
957 MW
new energy storage built
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11Our Power Supply
Local Power Projects
Scott Haggerty Wind Energy Center
The 54.8 MW Scott Haggerty Wind Energy Center,
named after Ava’s founding Board Chair and Alameda
County Supervisor, has been operational since 2021
in Altamont Pass. It generates enough electricity
annually to power over 47,000 homes.
Aramis Solar Energy Generation and
Storage Project
Located in the North Livermore Valley of
unincorporated Alameda County, this project is a 100
MW solar and 100 MW battery energy storage system
(BESS), planning to become operational by 2027. Ava
is contracted for 25 MW of Resource Adequacy from
the BESS with a 10-year delivery term.
Kola Energy Storage II
One of the largest standalone battery projects in the
world, Kola will provide 400 MW of storage total—
enough to power 300,000 homes for four hours at a
time. Ava is one of two offtakers on the project, located in unincorporated San Joaquin County, and has
contracted for 125 MW/500 MWh battery storage with
a 20-year term.
MRP Tracy Battery Storage
In 2025, Ava partnered with two other CCAs to execute
a long-term contract for a new long-duration battery
that will be built at the existing MRP Tracy Natural Gas power plant. This 40 MW, 8-hour (320 MWh) battery
will lessen the State’s need to dispatch the natural gas power plant, reducing emissions in Ava’s service area.
Disadvantaged Communities Solar Projects
California’s Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff
(DAC-GT) program, called “Solar Discount” for Ava
customers, provides CARE and FERA customers living
in disadvantaged communities with 100% renewable
energy and a 20% electricity bill discount. In 2024, Ava selected Prologis to develop five solar rooftop projects under DAC-GT. T o expand this program to more
communities, Ava has issued an RFO for an additional
11.25 MW of local solar with voluntary paired storage.
Location Capacity Online Date
Hayward 0.56 MW Q3 2026
Oakland 0.72 MW Q2 2026
San Leandro 1 MW Q3 2026
Tracy 3 MW Q1 2028
Tracy 2 MW Q1 2027
The Scott Haggerty Wind Energy Center in Altamont Pass (Livermore)
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12 The Path to Zero Carbon Emissions
In December 2020, Ava first proposed a goal of developing an annual emission-free portfolio by 2030. In April 2022, Ava’s Board of Directors approved an emissions-reduction trajectory demonstrating how the agency will reduce annual emissions over time.
Below is the progress we’ve made to date in decarbonizing our power supply 15 years ahead of the State-mandated 2045 target established by Senate Bill 100 in 2018. Board-approved increases to our targets have helped accelerate our progress towards this goal.
PATH TO ZERO EMISSIONS TO DATE
Ye a r Ava Bright Choice
Renewable %
Ava Bright Choice
Carbon Free %
Ava Bright Choice
PSDR* Emission Factor
CA-RPS%
Renewable %
2020 40% 54% 591 33%
2021 42% 58% 564 36%
2022 49% 71% 496 39%
2023 55% 89% 370 41%
2024 62% 96% 221 44%
2025** 54% 97% 209 47%
*The Power Source Disclosure Report (PSDR) is filed annually on June 1 for the previous calendar year. **2025 actuals will be released in June 2026.
12 ATTACHMENT II
13Our Power Supply
Managing Risk in a Complex Market
Before the energy we contract for reaches our customers’ homes and businesses, it passes through a sophisticated commodity market—one where Ava operates as a significant player managing considerable financial risk on behalf of the communities we serve.
How It Works
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) manages the state’s electricity grid. It is responsible for ensuring the reliability of the grid, and also operates a wholesale energy market where generators sell power and utilities purchase it to meet customer demand in the most cost-effective manner possible. Ava participates in CAISO’s three interconnected markets: the Day-Ahead Market, where supply and demand are forecasted and scheduled 24 hours in advance; the Real- Time Market, which balances actual conditions in 15-minute and 5-minute intervals; and the Ancillary Services Market, which provides energy products to help maintain short-term grid stability and reliability.
Ava purchases renewable energy through long-term contracts (typically 10 to 20 years) at fixed or structured prices, providing rate stability and insulating customers from short-term market volatility. That contracted energy is sold into the CAISO market, where prices fluctuate constantly based on statewide supply and demand conditions. Market prices sometimes fall below Ava’s contracted costs; other times they exceed those costs, creating value that benefits customers.
Managing this exposure requires continuous monitoring, sophisticated financial analysis, and strategic hedging instruments to protect customer rates while meeting compliance obligations.
Procurement Advantages
As a public agency with an “A” credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, Ava is able to negotiate favorable contract terms and avoid posting collateral for the agency’s long-term contracted resources. Ava also accesses tax-exempt financing structures unavailable to for-profit entities, reducing the cost of long-term renewable energy procurement.
Delivering Consistent, Reliable Results
The complexity of wholesale market operations and
portfolio management happens behind the scenes.
What customers experience is straightforward: reliable, competitively-priced electricity service backed by an
increasingly clean energy supply.
Ava also procures other forms of power to ensure the
cost effectiveness and reliability that our customers
need. While emissions are measured and reported
annually, power purchasing and market participation
occur every hour of every day—matching customers’
real-time energy needs with available resources and
the financial tools used to manage risk. This continuous balancing requires technical expertise, disciplined
analysis, and unwavering focus on the financial interests of the communities we serve.
FAQ: How can Ava offer lower
rates than PG&E?
As a public agency, Ava has three
sustained competitive advantages:
1 . Ava has no shareholders, which
means we don’t need to turn ratepayer
dollars into shareholder profits .
2 . Ava has a lower tax liability than a
for-profit entity .
3 . Ava has access to cheaper capital
via municipal bond markets . In other
words, we can borrow at lower rates
than a for-profit entity .
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14 Customer Programs
Beyond providing clean electricity at competitive rates, Ava aims to accelerate the renewable energy transition throughout our service area. We reinvest a portion of our revenue into customer programs that promote electrification, support energy resilience, reduce barriers to clean energy adoption, and more.
Active and Upcoming Programs
Ava Bike Electric (2025-2026)
• Provides instant rebates that make e-bikes more affordable, increases access to clean mobility options, reduces carbon emissions, and supports local businesses. • $10 million total funding ($6 million from Ava and $4 million from Alameda County Transportation Commission). A minimum of 40% of program funding is dedicated to CARE/FERA customers.
Building Efficiency Accelerator (2023-2026)
• A CPUC-funded program supporting large non-residential customers in implementing energy efficiency and electrification measures, combining targeted incentives with hands-on energy coaching and technical support.
• Currently serving 15 high-usage facilities, with projects forecasted to save 12 GWh of energy over the program period.
SmartHome Charging (2025-2027)
• Reduces customer bills and grid strain during peak hours by optimizing home EV charging. • T otal budget of $2.3 million for upfront and ongoing customer incentives.
SmartHome Battery (2026-2036)
• $11.25 million committed to supporting residential solar and battery installations that contribute capacity to Ava’s virtual power plant.
• Of that commitment, $3.75 million is reserved for income-qualified (CARE/FERA) customers.
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15Customer Programs
Completed Program Highlights
Since 2018, Ava has implemented dozens of programs to accelerate clean energy adoption, strengthen grid resilience, and invest in our communities. Below is a list of some, but not all, of the programs we’ve launched and learned from.
Health-e Communities Pilot (2024-2025)
• Replaced 160 gas stoves with induction ranges in
income-qualified households and measured the
resulting impact on indoor air quality, in partnership
with Franklin Energy and Berkeley Air Monitoring Group. • Participants experienced a meaningful reduction in
nitrogen dioxide, a known air pollutant.
Induction Cooktop Lending Program (2023-2024)
• Supported 15 public lending sites and facilitated 475 individual lending sessions, enabling customers to
use induction cooking technology.
• 68% of program participants experienced improved
perception of induction cooking.
Heat Pump Water Heater Incentives (2024)
• Provided $545,000 in $1,000-per-unit incentives for
545 residential heat pump water heater installations,
in partnership with StopWaste and BayREN.
Medical Baseline Battery Program (2021-2024)
• $300,000 budgeted for distributing portable Yeti
Goal Zero batteries to Medical Baseline customers
in high fire risk zones.
• Distributed 50 no-cost batteries to income-qualified
customers, and provided $1,000 battery rebates to
150 additional customers.
Resilient Home Pilot (2020-present)
• Ava partnered with Sunrun to enroll roughly 1,200
residential battery systems that discharge energy to
the grid during evening peak demand periods.
• 22% of portfolio capacity is from disadvantaged
communities, income-qualified households, and
Medical Baseline customers.
• This program is no longer enrolling but will continue to operate through 2031.
“
Thank you for this program. I describe
my e-bike as not being a replacement for a
traditional bicycle, but for driving a car.
One less car!”
– Samuel, Ava Bike Electric rebate recipient
“
We kept getting notices that we could lose
power with all the wildfires the last few
years, and being on Medical Baseline where
I have a CPAP machine, I was wondering,
‘Will I be able to keep that thing going?’”
– Ed, Medical Baseline Battery Program battery recipient Building
a Virtual
Power Plant
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a network of decentralized energy sources that work together to support the grid during periods of high demand . Through centralized software, electricity providers can tap the collective power of many small systems—such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, and EV chargers—instead of procuring power from a traditional power plant .
Ava is developing a VPP using Lunar Energy’s GridShare platform and coordinating distributed resources through our SmartHome Charging and SmartHome Battery programs . The se programs are designed to benefit customers through bill savings and incentive payments while we build our VPP to scale . In the future, VPPs may meaningfully impact procurement costs and grid flexibility, but our current focus is on learning about the reliability of VPPs while ensuring participation benefits our customers .
15 ATTACHMENT II
16 Public Infrastructure
& Municipal Support
Working directly with our member jurisdictions and regional partners, Ava invests in public infrastructure projects and technical assistance that advance regional decarbonization goals.
Ava Charge
• T o encourage electric vehicle adoption, Ava is building a network of EV fast charging stations powered by renewable energy and located where people work, live, and gather. • The first Ava Charge station is located in downtown Oakland’s City Center West Garage, surrounded by multi-family housing and local businesses.
Critical Municipal Facilities
Ava is developing solar and battery storage systems for essential city facilities in Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, and Livermore.
Site Name PV Nameplate
Capacity (kW)
BESS Inverter
Power (kW)
BESS Contract
Capacity (kWh)
Berkeley Allston Corp Y ard 151.20kW 100.00kW 490.00kWh Berkeley Live Oak Rec Center 36.08kW 30.00kW 81.00kWh
Fremont Age Well Center 25.08kW 30.00kW 81.00kWh
Fremont Tri City Volunteers 47.08kW 30.00kW 81.00kWh
Hayward Corp Y ard 50.40kW 30.00kW 81.00kWh
Hayward Fire Station #1 62.40kW 60.00kW 122.00kWh
Livermore City Council Chambers 50.62 kW 80.00kW 162.00kWh Livermore Maintenance Service Center 66.00kW 100.00kW 244.00kWh
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17Public Infrastructure & Municipal Support
Ava staff, Board members, and partners celebrate the launch of an Ava Charge site in Downtown Oakland’s City Center West Garage.
The City of Piedmont’s municipal pool, made all-electric with support from a no-interest loan from Ava.
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels being installed on the roof of the Livermore City Council Chambers.
Municipal Fleet Electrification
• Between 2019 and 2023, Ava provided no-cost technical assistance to 13 member jurisdictions to develop comprehensive fleet electrification plans for 2,793 light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles.
• The program helped cities navigate technology selection, infrastructure planning, and state regulatory compliance while securing $18.8 million in external grant funding.
Additional Municipal Support
• 7 cities received grants and/or technical support for reach codes • 13 jurisdictions received support for EV permitting compliance (as mandated by AB 1236) • 5 jurisdictions received Affordable Multifamily Housing EV Charging T echnical Assistance for 35 sites
• 5 jurisdictions received support for California Energy Commission grant applications • $750,000 no-interest loan for the beneficial electrification of Piedmont’s municipal pool
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18 Community
Reinvestment
Ava reinvests locally through grants, local sponsorships, bill assistance, and community outreach, ensuring our resources strengthen the communities we serve.
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19Community Reinvestment
Community Investment Grants:
$1 .89 million invested to date
Our grantmaking initiatives align with our strategic
priority areas of resilience, energy efficiency,
transportation, and building electrification. These
are accomplished through education, workforce
development, community empowerment, or innovation.
Active Grant Programs
Community Electric Vehicle Charging (2024-2027)
• California Interfaith Power and Light
• Green The Church
Community Organizing and Capacity Building for
Resilience Hubs (2024-2027)
• Emerald Cities Collaborative
Clean Energy Jobs and Training for Youth
(2024-2027)
• Advancing Green Apprenticeship Pathways for
Efficiency Initiative
• Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
Past Grant Programs
Community Innovation Grants (2019-2020)
• Community Impact Hub
• Ecology Action
• People Power Solar
• RE-volv
• Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
• West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project
Community Resilience Hubs
Ava is supporting community-owned facilities with
technical assistance and financial incentives to install battery backup systems that provide power during
outages and emergencies, while serving as year-
round gathering spaces. $6.05 million is allocated
for outreach and education, technical assistance,
upfront installation rebates, and ongoing participation payments for eligible resilience hub sites.
COVID-19 Emergency Response
Ava’s public structure allows us to act quickly in service of community well-being during times of crisis. When
the pandemic hit in 2020, Ava directed over
$2 .1 million
where it was needed most:
• $1.1 million directly distributed to our member cities and counties
• $650,000 in grants to community-based
organizations serving residents and businesses
impacted by the health crisis
• $245,000 to medical and healthcare organizations
• $175,000 to local food banks and meal programs
• Offered flexible payment plans to customers
navigating financial hardship
• Received $13.8 million from the California Arrearage
Payment Program to cover unpaid customer bills
Bill Credits
When our operations generate significant surplus
revenue, the Board can vote to return portions of it to the communities we serve through direct on-bill credits.
ANNUAL BILL CREDIT HISTORY
2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
CARE/FERA $6 million $6 million $11 million
Residential - $4 million $4 million
Non-Residential - $3 million $7 million
T otal Returned to
Customers $6 million $13 million $22 million
Local Sponsorships:
$1 .4 million inve sted to date
See page 20 for local sponsorship highlights.
Rising Sun’s workforce development programs help prepare youth, women, and individuals in reentry for careers in climate.
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20 Sponsorship Spotlights
Bike East Bay
Ava has supported Bike East Bay’s work to make bicycling safe, fun, and accessible across the East Bay since 2019. Our partnership includes annual sponsorship of Bike to Wherever Day, supporting bike valets at local sporting events, and co-hosting community E-bike T est and Ride events that give people hands-on experience with cleaner, more affordable transportation options.
Community Sponsorships
Three times per year, Ava gives grants of up to $2,500 to local community-based organizations.
• 232 sponsorships given since 2019
• $485,500 disbursed
Community Events
In addition to sponsoring organizations, we also support local community events.
• 77 events sponsored in 2025
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley
Since 2018, Ava has supported Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s mission to expand affordable homeownership in our communities. In 2024, we deepened this commitment by sponsoring Sequoia Grove—Habitat’s first fully electric development in Alameda County—bringing solar, battery storage, heat pumps, and induction cooking to ten new homeowners in Hayward.
Sports Sponsorships
Cheering for local teams brings our community together to root for a common goal. As your local community energy provider, we’re proud to support these hometown teams with our fellow fans. “
With Ava’s support, we’re building climate-friendly housing that makes sustainable homeownership accessible to East Bay families.
Together, we’re creating homes with healthier indoor air quality, lower energy bills, and a more sustainable future for our entire community.” – Janice Jensen, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley “
We truly appreciate Ava’s support of the bike community and leadership in making quality e-bikes accessible and affordable. Their partnership is helping us build communities that are joyful, safe, and inclusive where people come first.”
– Jill Holloway, Co-Executive Director of People and Operations, Bike East Bay
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21Community Reinvestment 21Community Reinvestment
Coastal Clean Up with Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) Ava’s solar-powered charging station at work in Stockton LEAF in Fremont received a community sponsorship from Ava to further their work as an urban farm, food bank donor, and ecology educator Ava helped bring native plants to a 1000 ft. pathway in Hayward with Down By the Bay Nursery
Ava invited our customers to join us at local public induction cooking demonstrations
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22 Legislative and
Regulatory Advocacy
Ava’s legislative and regulatory engagement is guided
by the agency’s goal to provide clean electricity at
competitive rates to the communities we serve. Our
policy positions flow directly from this public purpose.
Ava operates within a defined legal framework while
advocating for policies that strengthen the CCA
model and benefit our communities, customers, and
constituents.
California’s Community Choice
Framework
Community Choice Aggregation was established in
2002 under California Assembly Bill 117, to enable local governments to procure electricity on behalf of their
constituents while maintaining the existing utility’s role in transmission and distribution. The statute created
CCAs as a public benefit: a mechanism for communities
to exercise local control over their energy supply,
accelerate renewable energy development, and provide
rate alternatives to incumbent utilities.
How Ava Engages
Ava partners with the California Community Choice
Association (CalCCA), legislative delegations
representing member jurisdictions, and aligned
stakeholder organizations to advance our priorities
and communities’ interests. The agency provides
technical expertise to policymakers; submits testimony
and comment letters on proposed legislation and
regulations; and works collaboratively with state
agencies, including the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC), California Energy Commission
(CEC), California Air Resources Board (CARB), and
California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
All legislative positions are developed through internal analysis, reviewed by agency leadership, and approved
by Ava’s Board of Directors through a transparent
public process. The agency’s legislative program is
updated annually to reflect emerging policy priorities
while maintaining focus on the core principles outlined on the next page.
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23Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy
Legislative Principles
Ava’s Board of Directors has established five core principles that guide the agency’s legislative positions:
Make Electricity More Affordable
We support policies that put downward pressure on electricity rates, which in turn reduces the burden on households and businesses and lowers the barriers to electrification.
Protect Community Choice
Local control and the autonomy to make decisions that reflect the needs of our customers form the very foundation of community choice aggregation. We support legislation that bolsters the stability and competitiveness of the CCA model, and oppose policies that undermine Ava’s ability to achieve our mission.
Accelerate Decarbonization
Ava takes a whole-of-society approach to address the growing threat of climate change and build healthier, more sustainable communities. We support policies that incentivize and accelerate decarbonization, including those that improve energy efficiency, reduce barriers to renewable energy and storage development, and increase the adoption of behind-the-meter distributed energy resources.
Promote Local Development
Decarbonizing our communities should also mean enhancing their environmental and economic resilience.
We support policies that empower disadvantaged communities, invest in workforce training programs, and create a cleaner, more robust, and more equitable economy for everyone.
Increase Bill Transparency and Understanding
For many customers, combing through the charges, fees, rates, and acronyms on their utility bill can be confusing and time-consuming. Ava supports policies that make it easier for customers to understand exactly what they’re paying for and why. We also support increased transparency in the utility ratemaking process so that customers can meaningfully participate in decisions affecting their daily lives.
Regulatory Priorities
After a bill becomes law, agencies such as the CPUC, CEC, CARB, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) are responsible for creating regulations that implement the law’s requirements. Ava’s Regulatory team participates in proceedings on behalf of our customers to advocate for fair and effective regulations. Our regulatory priorities are consistent with our legislative priorities, and include:
• Facilitating electrification and smarter energy use
• Accelerating renewable energy procurement
• Promoting fair and equitable rates
• Protecting Ava’s autonomy
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24 Financial Sustainability
Though Ava is a relatively young public agency, we have established the financial strength and foundation to deliver lasting impact.
“A” Credit Rating
Ava maintains an “A” credit rating from S&P Global
Ratings. Our rating is the basis for counterparties,
investors, and creditors to be comfortable doing
business with Ava. Our creditworthiness allows us
to operate in power markets and procure services to
develop programs for our customers.
Reserves and Rate Stabilization Fund
The Board has established a reserve fund targeting
50% of annual operating expenses, designated as the
base level of our financial strength and not intended for use unless catastrophic unforeseen events occur. T o
ensure we can absorb market volatility or unexpected
cost changes without tapping reserves, the Board has
also established a Rate Stabilization Fund. This fund
is designed to be used as economic and operational
cycles may require, enabling Ava to absorb short-term
financial shocks without passing costs to customers.
Prepayment Bond Financing
As a tax-exempt public entity, Ava issues bonds at
lower interest rates than investor-owned utilities like PG&E can, using proceeds to prepay power contracts
at substantial discounts. Since 2021, this innovative
approach has generated over $200 million in expected
customer savings through 2035.
Ava pioneered the use of prepayment bonds,
co-founding the California Community Choice Financing
Authority (CCCFA) in 2021 with three other CCAs.
CCCFA was named the nation’s top issuer of green
municipal bonds in 2023 by the Climate Bonds Initiative and received The Bond Buyer’s ESG/Green Financing
Deal of the Year award in 2024.
Ava’s annual budgets, comprehensive financial reports, and independently audited financial statements are publicly available . The agency’s Board of Directors advises on and approves all major financial decisions through open public meetings . Av a’s fiscal year runs from July through June .
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AvaEnergy.org
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AvaEnergy .org
@PoweredWithAva
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