City of Palo Alto Utilities is proud of its ongoing choice to invest in "clean" energy resources. Our electricity comes from the Calaveras hydroelectric project, the Western Area Power Administration (Western) contract, the High Winds and Shiloh wind projects, the Buena Vista Landfill in Watsonville and short-term contracts from the wholesale market. Western power comes from two sources, the Central Valley Project hydroelectric facilities and wholesale power contracts with various suppliers in California and the Northwest United States.

California State legislation (SB 1305) requires all energy service providers, such as the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU), to periodically inform their customers of the source of power they are being sold. Such information is provided in the form of a Power Content Label. The Power Content Label (PCL) is very much like a nutrition label to help consumers make informed decisions when selecting an energy service provider or energy product.

Palo Alto's most recent Power Content Labels are the 2009 3rd quarter projection, 2nd quarter projection and 1st quarter projection.  If you are interested in past Power Content Labels, you may also review the final (and actual) Power Content Labels from previous years:  2008 (PDF), 2007 (PDF), 2006 (PDF), 2005 (PDF), 2004 (PDF), 2003 (PDF) and 2002 (PDF).

If you would like additional information about Palo Alto's sources of power, please contact us!

MORE ABOUT OUR POWER CONTENT LABEL
CPAU Power sources come from the Calaveras hydroelectric project, the Western Area Power Administration (Western) contract, and other short-term contracts from the wholesale market. Western power comes from two sources, the Central Valley Project hydroelectric facilities and from wholesale power contracts with various suppliers in California and the Northwest United States.

CPAU Power wholesale market purchases are required to be reported as containing the California Power Mix. Regulations also require that wholesale power purchased by Western (non-Central Valley Project) be categorized and reported as though containing the California Power Mix. Therefore, it is the wholesale power purchases made by CPAU and Western that lead to a reported power content that includes resources such as nuclear, coal, natural gas, geothermal, wind, solar and biomass in which CPAU has made no long term investments nor any specified purchases.

Percentage changes occur each year depending on what electricity is available and which purchases best suit CPAU's needs and cost requirements in order to continue providing low rates.