CalChoice Taps Tripepi Smith to Promote its Disadvantaged Community Green Tariff Program
After California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice) received the green light from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop a launch plan for the Disadvantaged Community Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program, CalChoice enlisted Tripepi Smith to manage marketing efforts in preparation for enrollments in 2025, ensuring smooth execution ahead of the program’s official launch in 2026.
The DAC-GT program is funded by the CPUC and offers eligible customers in disadvantaged communities 100% renewable energy and a 20% total bill discount. The purpose of the initiative is to improve access to renewable energy for residential customers living in disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged communities, identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Cal EnviroScreen, include areas throughout California that most suffer from a combination of economic, health and environmental burdens. Three of CalChoice’s eight associate members meet the necessary criteria to qualify for the program: Lancaster, Pico Rivera and San Jacinto.
“Eligible customers will be auto-enrolled in the DAC-GT Program,” said Business Analyst Charlie Mounts, who managed the marketing of the program. “Customers must first qualify for California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA). Once enrolled, qualifying customers will receive 100% renewable energy at the same price as their CCA’s default rate, with a 20% discount in addition to any discounts received through CARE and FERA.”
Principal Katherine Griffiths, Senior Business Analysts Karen Villaseñor, Melanie James and Sara Madsen, and Charlie worked together to manage the following projects:
- Designing a logo and creating a color palette and program identity system
- Developing an informational flier, newspaper ad and pop-up banner
- Creating marketing materials including press releases, social media and email campaigns
“We cannot thank Tripepi Smith enough for helping us prepare for the launch of the DAC-GT program,” said CalChoice Executive Director Jason Caudle. “The work they did was instrumental to launching a cohesive program; they used creative mediums to explain a complex initiative and its associated benefits.”
About California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice)
In 2017, the City of Lancaster and the City of San Jacinto joined forces to create the California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice), a hybrid joint powers authority (JPA) designed to help cities in Southern California Edison territory participate in CCA without sacrificing local control. CalChoice is committed to providing cleaner and more affordable energy options to customers across Southern California.
About Tripepi Smith
Tripepi Smith is a California-based marketing, technology and public affairs firm that serves for-profit, nonprofit and public agencies. Its unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provides a competitive advantage to agencies seeking to leverage the internet to achieve their communication goals. The firm provides full content creation services, including: ghost writing, collateral development, photography, video production, aerial imagery, search engine optimization, email marketing campaigns and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith clients include: City of American Canyon, City of Culver City, City of Cupertino, City of Daly City, City of Duarte, City of Grover Beach, City of Santa Paula, City of Indian Wells, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lake Forest, City of Livermore, City of Napa, City of Paramount, City of Tracy, CalChoice Energy Authority, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Rowland Water District, California City Management Foundation, Renne Public Law Group, West Coast Arborists, Scripps College, Blind Children’s Learning Center and Climatec.