Cooperative Community Energy

36 Leafwood Circle San Rafael, CA  94901-1653 Phone 415-256-1748 Fax 415-256-1753

Contact: Daniel Pellegrini Phone: (415) 256-1748

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2001

Cooperative Community Energy Begins Operations in Marin County

Innovative Cooperative for Buying and Installing Renewable Energy Systems

San Rafael, California - October 10, 2001 - Cooperative Community Energy (CCEnergy) announced today that it has officially launched its business to provide California residents with the best possible combination of renewable energy equipment value and service.  In addition, it is now accepting members who are interested in renewable energy systems for their homes or small businesses, or who want to promote renewable energy in their communities and municipalities. 

 

"The retail market for renewable energy equipment lacks the quality and quantity of information to make it truly efficient", says Daniel Pellegrini, President of CCEnergy.  "Those inefficiencies have hampered the widespread acceptance of solar and wind energy generation equipment in the residential and business markets.  This is the market niche that CCEnergy seeks to serve."

 

As a cooperative corporation, CCEnergy exists to benefit its members.  This means that CCEnergy is aligned with its member/clients, the buying public.  Co-op policies are based on their needs and concerns, and reflect the character of the community.  In a sense, CCEnergy  gives the energy consumer market its own voice and advocacy group.  This makes the co-op different from the other for-profit businesses that are currently in the retail market.

 

Through extensive research of the renewable energy equipment market, CCEnergy has identified sources of high quality equipment and, by harnessing the power of aggregated demand, is able to procure equipment at significant discounts and pass the savings along to its members.

 

CCEnergy facilitates the process of getting renewable energy systems installed for its members by handling the administrative services for permit approval processing, the California Energy Commission (CEC) Buydown refund reservation and fulfillment, and local utility contracts.

 

CCEnergy has also established relationships with local electricians and contractors to install photovoltaic equipment purchased through the cooperative.  The goal is to ensure high quality installations for co-op members.  CCEnergy conducts background and reference checks on the contractors that it recommends to co-op members, and will perform an extensive quality inspection of installed systems.

 

In the tradition of cooperatives, CCEnergy gives back to the community by offering public workshops, by making information available through its web site and newsletter, and by supporting other non-profit organizations that share a common vision of sustainability.  CCEnergy helps to sponsor and publicize training sessions and workshops for members and energy professional who want to become more proficient in renewable energy technology.

 

Partners and affiliates include Energy Co-Opportunity, Endecon Engineering, STARNet, Rebuild America, the Local Government Commission, the Million Solar Roof Program, ICF Consulting, and local photovoltaic installers.

 

Background

Cooperative Community Energy officially opened its Marin office on October 2, 2001, but a great deal of planning preceded the start of the business.

 

The idea for CCEnergy grew out of a series of public meetings sponsored by Sustainable Fairfax, a community action group based in Fairfax, California.  In response to the energy "crisis" in California, Sustainable Fairfax organized a Solar Fair on Earth Day to educate the public about renewable energy and to come up with community based solutions.  One solution was to create an organization to assist homeowners and businesses to "go solar".  As interest grew, the need for a more professionally managed organization became clear, so the group decided to create a cooperative business structure and engender community participation through co-op membership.

 

While the legal and business structures were being established, the waiting list for co-op membership has grown to more than 200 individuals - homes and businesses.  In the short time since the co-op launched, eight members have initiated their solar installation projects.

 

The current focus is on solar electric equipment and referrals to local contractors who can do the installations.  Soon, CCEnergy will expand its products and services to include other renewable energy technologies such as solar heating and wind turbines, as well as various energy conservation measures and energy-efficient appliances. 

 

 

About CCEnergy

CCEnergy is located at 36 Leafwood Circle in San Rafael and managed by President and CEO, Daniel Pellegrini and Secretary and CFO, Scott Ragsdale.

 

CCEnergy is a cooperative corporation that exists to provide members with renewable energy equipment and services at reasonable prices.  Members purchase shares to join.  Members control the governance of the cooperative through the Board of Directors elected by the membership.  A majority of the profits of the cooperative may be redistributed to the membership annually.  CCEnergy is guided by well-established cooperative principles, and by the same ethical business practices as other for-profit businesses. 

 

Although based in Marin County, CCEnergy welcomes members from other communities, throughout the state of California.  CCEnergy offices are planned for Sonoma County and Santa Cruz County.

                     #########