Community Choice Aggregation
What is Community Choice Aggregation?
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), as defined by AB 117, permits any city, county or city and county to aggregate the electric loads of residents, businesses and municipal facilities to facilitate the purchase and sale of electrical energy. Prior to AB 117, individual customer participation in electric load aggregation programs required their positive written declaration indicating their choice to participate (opt-in programs). In contrast, CCA under AB 117 provides for aggregating customer loads within city or county boundaries, but each customer is given an opportunity to leave their community's aggregation program and thereby continue to be served by the incumbent distribution utility (opt-out program). If a customer makes no negative declaration, that customer is served through the CCA program. This is a major departure from previous aggregation structures as it frees the aggregator from the need to market the program and ensures wide-scale customer participation.
The community choice aggregator must inform participating customers at least 60 days in advance of the date commencing automatic enrollment. Distribution utilities are directed to cooperate fully with any community choice aggregator in its efforts to develop their aggregation program including providing all necessary data as well as to continue to provide all metering, billing, collection, and customer service to retail customers that participate in CCA programs. Community Aggregation programs cannot begin until departing load fees are determined, and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has determined rules and protocols for implementing aggregation programs. The CPUC will deciding these issues in 2004 under Rulemaking # R.03-10-003.
CCA Fact Sheet:
- Community Choice Aggregation (PDF, 280 KB) — August 2006
For updates on the CPUC process for CCA, visit the LGC Community Forums.
1303 J Street, Ste 250, Sacramento, CA 95814 | 916-448-1198 voice | 916-448-8246 fax
