BY DARREN GOODE
Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy has awarded 16 grants totaling $550,000 to nonprofit partners through its annual community outreach grant program.
These trusted local organizations will communicate to customers across San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos about opportunities to reduce household costs, including major discounts on energy bills, household appliances and electric vehicles. They will also educate residents about the health benefits of electric appliances and vehicles that reduce air pollution and asthma attacks both inside and outside of the home.
The grants will showcase diverse and creative efforts by the 16 nonprofit partners to increase outreach to customers in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Samoan and Tongan, along with seniors, schools and others throughout the agency’s service territory.
“These community outreach grants are important tools for our residents to take fuller advantage of the less-expensive energy being produced right here in and around Los Banos,” said Los Banos Mayor Michael Amabile, who is also a member of Peninsula Clean Energy’s board of directors. “And Binational, who through their toys and back-to-school backpack giveaways has already made such a positive impact on the community, is the perfect partner to help support Los Banos customers in further reducing their energy costs.”
“Community outreach grants are vital to the success for a diverse community such as ours,” said Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung, who is also a member of Peninsula Clean Energy’s board of directors. “This is part of our commitment to dedicate resources to proactively meet all of our communities where they are, and in the languages they speak at home.”
The nonprofit organizations’ partnership with the agency will include providing feedback and ideas, as well as engaging with customers at community events, farmers’ markets and cultural festivals.
Outreach partners will also help shape the launch of the new Community Feedback Forum in 2026 and facilitate interactive and accessible workshops with customers.
“Our partners understand how creative, engaging and personable outreach can help overcome language, technology and other barriers to ensure we are truly meeting the energy needs of our customers,” Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Shawn Marshall said. “These organizations are already embedded in our communities and will immensely help us deliver on our customer-centric mission.”
A summary of the 16 grants that were awarded:
350 Silicon Valley – Educate customers about the climate and health benefits of electric appliances through family-friendly events, including the Love Our Earth Festival
Arriba South Coast – Raise awareness of Peninsula Clean Energy’s services in unincorporated South Coast through community festivals, youth internship programs, and local radio
Binational of Central California – Support Los Banos customers with reducing energy costs through one-on-one support, workshops, and community events
Climate Resilient Communities – Engage communities through focus groups and workshops in San Bruno, Belle Haven, East Palo Alto, and North Fair Oaks in English and Spanish
Coastside Farmers’ Market – Communicate the benefits of Peninsula Clean Energy and answer energy-related questions at Farmers’ Markets across San Mateo County
Daly City Partnership – Help customers in northern San Mateo County benefit from energy bill discounts, electric vehicles, and electric appliances. Offer support in English, Spanish and Chinese
El Concilio – Provide English- and Spanish-language outreach throughout San Mateo County. Includes helping customers reduce their utility bill through energy discounts and assistance programs
HealthWays – Conduct outreach about Peninsula Clean Energy in northern San Mateo County in English and Tagalog by partnering with local businesses and volunteers
Nuestra Casa – Promote utility bill discounts and Peninsula Clean Energy programs in East Palo Alto and surrounding communities in Spanish and English
Peninsula Chinese Business Association – Expand Peninsula Clean Energy’s engagement with Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking customers through presentations, bilingual workshops, and enrollment support
Peninsula Family Service – Assist income-qualified customers in English and Spanish with meeting their energy needs by enrolling in money-saving programs. Disseminate information to parents through the Early Learning Program and clients of the Financial Services Program
Samoan Solutions – Engage Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities in north San Mateo County, including coordinating an electric vehicle showcase at a cultural event
Senior Coastsiders – Help older adults in Half Moon Bay access the benefits of electric transportation, energy bill discounts, and other offers in English, Spanish and Chinese
Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action – Collaborate with students, parents and schools to build support for using clean electricity instead of fossil fuels
Sound of Hope – Educate Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking customers about Peninsula Clean Energy programs through radio programs, as well as online promotions across a variety of Chinese media
Sustainable San Mateo County – Partner on induction cooking demonstrations, workshops and other community events to elevate solutions for transitioning off of fossil fuels locally
About Peninsula Clean Energy
Peninsula Clean Energy is a Community Choice Energy agency. It is the official electricity provider for the communities of San Mateo County and Los Banos. Founded in 2016 with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the agency serves a population of 810,000 by providing more than 3,600 gigawatt hours annually of electricity that is 50 percent renewable and 100 percent clean and at lower cost than PG&E. As a community-led, not-for-profit agency, Peninsula Clean Energy makes significant investments in its communities to expand access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions. Follow us at PenCleanEnergy.com, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
