Watch CBS News

Sonoma County Working On Greener Energy Alternative For Residents

SONOMA COUNTY (KCBS) — Sonoma County residents will soon have the option for greener electricity, but officials said the program wouldn't completely replace PG&E.

The Sonoma County Clean Power program would allow PG&E to continue to do all of the transmission distribution, billing, as well as service repairs, according to Cordell Stillman, deputy chief engineer with the Sonoma County Water Agency. Stillman is also a spokesman for the project.

"The only thing we would be changing [is] we would be purchasing the power for our customers rather than PG&E purchasing the power," Stillman said.

Sonoma County Residents 'Green' Energy Alternative Won't Replace PG&E

Stillman said the power in this case is renewable energy and that it includes benefits other than just providing a "greener power supply."

"The revenues that would normally have gone to PG&E's profits and their stakeholders and corporate taxes, those revenues can be used to do programs in Sonoma County."

Some city officials have complained about a lack of specifics despite projected rates and costs.

Stillman explained he cannot provide definitive answers until the county knows which cities will participate in the program. The program is expected to start in January of 2014.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.