How Ava Community Energy Is Saving Millions Of Dollars - CleanTechnica

Ava Community Energy has saved residents of Stockton and Lathrop over $4.4 million on energy bills within just six months by offering its Bright Choice plan, which provides a 5% discount on electricity generation rates compared to PG&E. Ava became the default electricity provider for these cities on April 1, 2025, enabling customers to benefit immediately from these savings. The agency achieves lower rates by competitively purchasing clean power, operating with low overhead as a local government entity, and reinvesting excess revenue into the community rather than paying dividends to shareholders. In addition to cost savings, Ava supports electric vehicle (EV) adoption through various programs. For home EV charging, Ava partners with Optiwatt to manage charging times, aligning them with periods of abundant and cheaper renewable energy to reduce grid strain. Ava also launched a public fast-charging network, starting with a location in downtown Oakland, to serve those without home charging access. Furthermore, Ava offers incentives and resources to help customers transition to