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Town of Fairfax Becomes First Town to Join Marin Clean Energy
Town Council Unanimously Approves Move to Join Green Power Authority
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| FAIRFAX, CA -- In a historic vote in the town where the idea for Marin Clean Energy began, the Fairfax Town Council voted 4-0 Wednesday night to approve the Marin Clean Energy Joint Powers Authority ordinance, becoming the first town in Marin County to join Marin Clean Energy.
"This is just wonderful," said Mary Ann Maggiore, Mayor of Fairfax. "We have been studying Marin Clean Energy for six years now, and we were honored to be the first town to join Marin Clean Energy. The benefits of Marin Clean Energy are very clear: less reliance on fossil fuels for our power, more than double the renewable energy, more economic growth locally, and great possible social justice benefits of helping seniors on fixed incomes and low-income families."
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"It's fitting that Fairfax voted first to join Marin Clean Energy since our very first meeting about Marin Clean Energy happened in 2002 in Fairfax," said Charles McGlashan, President of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. "Fairfax was the birthplace of this historic effort to dramatically increase renewable power, grow our local economy, and create green jobs in Marin. Their innovative leadership gives us all inspiration."
"I am also grateful to the woman who first introduced me to this idea in Marin - Rebekah Collins of Fairfax, who was a co-founder of Sustainable Fairfax - as well as all the other Marin Clean Energy supporters in the community who have worked so hard up to this point," said McGlashan.
Cities, towns, and the County of Marin have until the end of November to join the Marin Clean Energy Joint Powers Authority. There is no cost to cities to join the JPA and the JPA will insulate cities' general funds from any debts or liabilities incurred by the JPA. The Marin Municipal Water District recently allocated $130,000 to the Marin Clean Energy project, and the County of Marin has voted to loan funds to the JPA for future start-up costs, subject to final approval after the state budget is passed.
Cities that vote to join the Marin Clean Energy JPA this fall will still have numerous opportunities to exit the program without penalty, but residents of cities whose councils do not vote to join the JPA will not be able to choose between Marin Clean Energy and PG&E for their power. Cities will have four separate "off-ramps" during 2009, in addition to customers having their own four separate opt-out opportunities during the transition period. Additionally, cities, businesses, and customers will still be able to return to PG&E after the Marin Clean Energy program is operative if they so choose.
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Sustainable Fairfax is one of the first groups in Marin to pioneer sustainability, with a legacy of educating the town council, supporting the community,
providing services to the town, and conducting educational events since
1999. We believe sustainability is not just an end goal, but is a guiding principle for decision making and everyday living. Learn more about Sustainable Fairfax >>
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