Wishing you and your family a happy Easter! Goo
dN
Vol. 17, No. 15
YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Upcoming projects on horizon
Sailor’s sunset
“Alice In Wonderland” Photo by Tony Kukulich
T
his sunset over Dutch Slough in Oakley, depicting the evening’s red sky, lent itself to a perfectly captured shot by Press Photographer Tony Kukulich. If you have a special photo you’d like to share, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com, and you might find your masterpiece in the pages of The Press.
see Projects page 30A
County close to choosing energy option Staff Writer
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is expected to choose a community choice aggregation (CCA) program to offer county residents at its meeting in early May. Under CCA programs, local governments join together to provide energy to their residents. The energy is generated primarily from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and bioenergy. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) would continue to deliver power, billing customers as normal, with only the energy source varying. Under state law, customers are automatically enrolled in CCAs, but can opt out and stay
“ This is a big decision, and I think both
entities want to do what is best for our communities.
”
District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff with their original energy provider. The county is expected to join one of two existing local CCA programs – either Marin Clean Energy (MCE) or East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), based in Alameda County. A county consultant recently gave presentations on each agency, but the board opted to wait until May 2 to finalize its decision. “This is a big decision, and I think both entities want to do what is best for our communities,”
said District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. The results of a county technical study that explored the differences between CCA programs and the current service provided by PG&E found that going with either CCA option would likely result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased local renewable energy development, expanded job creation and rates that are comparable to or lower than what PG&E could provide, according to Mark Fulmer of MRW Associ-
Looking for something to do?
Look at the many local activities on Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
April 14, 2017
From solar power to patio furniture, East County meets all your home, garden needs. Page 1B
Staff Writer
by Kyle Szymanski
The Press
Improve Your Home, Garden
by Kyle Szymanski Several planned infrastructure improvements are taking shape in the City of Oakley. A council update of city projects this week revealed construction of the first phase of the new recreation center project is slated to begin in the summer; work on Main Street, from Norcross Lane to Second Street and from Second to Fifth streets, will wrap up by October; and work to widen Laurel Road from Rose Avenue to Mellowood Drive will begin by next year. “These are exciting times in Oakley,” said Kevin Rohani, public works director. “As you travel through the town, there is a lot of activity, a lot of exciting projects.” The project likely to attract the most attention
ews
www.thepress.net /calendar
ates, which conducted the technical study. “The county has a good resource for local renewables, including in the northern local waterfront area, where there are definitely parcels that are quite appropriate for renewable development,” he said. Joining MCE is an attractive option, because it’s a well-established organization, already serves some Contra Costa cities and could hook customers up quicker, Fulmer said. The agency launched in 2010 and serves Marin and Napa counties and the cities of Benicia, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. In contrast, the East Bay Community Energy group, comsee Energy page 30A
Earth Day
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Assembly District 11 marks 47th anniversary of Earth Day with area clean-up efforts.
The Ballet Company of East County performs annual “Alice in Wonderland” ballet. Page 10A
Cheering For Competition
Liberty, Freedom and Heritage cheer squads and dance team excel at nationals. Page 21A Calendar.............................31A Classifieds..........................25A Cop Logs.............................29A Entertainment..................11A Food.....................................10A Health & Beauty...............19A Milestones.........................12A Opinion...............................20A Pets........................................ 9A Sports..................................21A
Fishery Closed
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Council announces third year of continued closure for sardine fishery.