Pico Rivera's PRIME Energy Program Contributes Positively to the Environment and City's Infrastructure

In the heart of California, the city of Pico Rivera has taken a significant step towards a greener and more affordable future with the establishment of the Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy (PRIME), a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program.

Launched on September 12, 2018, PRIME offers residents and businesses cleaner and more affordable electricity options, setting a new standard for sustainable living in the community. The city's initial investment for this innovative initiative was approximately $110,000 in 2016-2017.

PRIME's primary focus is on increasing the share of renewable energy, including solar, in the community's electricity mix, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This commitment to cleaner energy is shared by all CCAs, ensuring that Pico Rivera is part of a larger movement towards a greener future.

Residents are automatically enrolled in PRIME but have the option to opt-out if they prefer traditional energy providers. Historically, PRIME participants have saved up to 9 percent on their monthly utility bills, making it an attractive choice for many.

Moreover, PRIME encourages local power generation. Solar or other power generation systems are offered to residents to produce energy at their homes or businesses, offsetting their power costs while selling any excess power generated back to PRIME.

The benefits of PRIME extend beyond financial savings. By keeping profits local, every dollar spent on energy remains within the city, ensuring that it is reinvested directly back into the community. This self-sustaining investment in the community, as stated by Mayor Gustavo "Gus" A. Ferrer, ensures that every energy dollar spent benefits the community.

PRIME's local governance also empowers Pico Rivera to invest in itself, strengthening and improving local services, infrastructure, and sustainability efforts. This approach has earned Pico Rivera recognition, with the city receiving the John Todd Award for its successful partnership with the California Contract Cities Association and the Platinum Energy Action Award for its leadership in sustainability and innovation.

Unlike traditional utility companies, PRIME's profits are not distributed to shareholders. Instead, they are used to build a healthy reserve, currently operating with an annual budget of around $23 million. This reserve ensures that PRIME can continue to provide affordable, clean energy to future generations.

In a nutshell, PRIME is a locally governed energy solution inspired by successful CCA models in California, including Marin County, Sonoma County, and the City of Lancaster. For those in Pico Rivera, it represents a commitment to keeping resources local, ensuring that each generation has a stake in building a sustainable, thriving community.

For more information about PRIME and how you can participate, visit www.poweredbyprime.org.

Pico Rivera's PRIME Energy Program Contributes Positively to the Environment and City's Infrastructure