Ava Community Energy - Oakland, California

Jennifer E.

I read a news article that Fugazi found this energy company Ava Community Energy to help save customers on the electricity part of the PG&E bills. So I had some questions Jessica from Ava explained everything over the phone there will be a 5% savings. All Stocktontonians will be automatically enrolled. Will have the option to opt out if they would like. But she answered all my questions. So PG&E is having the Ava source of power cleaner energy be sent to customers on the PG&E meters. It's not two bills customers will still pay there bill to PG&E. I am looking forward to seeing a cheaper bill. Some may say it's only 5% but 5% on a $100 bill for example is $5 savings. That's a dozen count of eggs or a gallon of milk or $5 on gas. Less money to energy bill means money put else where 😃. I learned thus company open up in 2018 and is looking to actually help customers. There not like those energy scammers that bother you at your home door they are legit. Shoot the Mayor is backing it to help the people so it's a good thing.

Van N.

You broke into my PG&E account without my approval and opened an additional account!! My sister said you called her numerous times while she kept refusing the offer!! You deserve zero stars!! You are complete scammers and I will report this to everyone!!
Watch out. I know your location.

Mark L.

I have had the worst experience with this electrical provider over the last year. To any Livermore City Council Members on this thread...you approved this provider.
I’ve had solar for a number of years (we own). Prior to allowing EBCE to care for my energy needs, my monthly bill for electricity and gas was about $25 in the summer. A bit higher during the winter months with higher gas costs and once I burned through my collection credits. Of course there is the dreaded annual True Up. But, this can be budgeted for as you are provided the monthly accumulated amount.

After switching to EBCE my monthly bill went up over $100 and my PG&E billing continued to accumulate a True Up. I specially called EBCE to question the increase and True up. And, I later called a second time with similar questions. Both conversations, I was told that the reason my monthly billing increased was because there was no annual True Up. I was told the accumulating True Up on the PG&E billing was simply for accounting purposes for PG&E.
I received a bill today for the True Up of well over $1000.

You know I called...
I was told that she couldn’t comment on what others had told me but that there is still a PG&E True Up. But I can tell everyone that this was the specific reason I called EBCE on the two prior occasions and was comforted enough that I stayed with them.

Not today...I was lied to. I was told by the representative that she could help me set up a payment plan. That was their solution...
Luckily we can afford to pay the bill. But, I asked about others. What if they couldn’t because they believed EBCE and didn’t budget for the True Up? This is wrong on so many levels!
I told the call taker that I wanted out. The summarized response is the fastest way will take two billing cycles, cost me a $5 opt out fee(paid directly to EBCE), and I will have to pay PG&E to get back into their billing.

I say STAY AWAY from EBCE. I also believe if others have similar experiences to ours, the Livermore City Council that recommended/approved EBCE should start asking questions to protect the members of the community they represent.

I have absolutely zero idea how we benefited? We paid for the solar panels and received monthly bills up to 4X the amount we were paying prior to EBCE and the biggest annual True Up we’ve ever had. This is a scam.

june B.

I've noticed my PG & E bill getting higher and higher every month. I haven't done anything to increase since I am at work 10 hours a day. To my surprise, PG & E told me that I was in EBCE and I would need to talk to them about the increases in my bill. I don't remember ever opting in. I called and told the rep I wanted to opt out. He made it seem like there were cheaper and if I opted out, my rates would be higher. I told him let me take that chance because right now I am very unhappy with all the increases every month.

Jonathan N.

Even after specifically opting out, about a year later, SURPRISE! I'm now an involuntary member. The worst part is, they can opt me in (despite my opt out) instantly. However, it takes 2-3 months to opt out. No thanks! T
What a terrible company. PGE is no better, but that's not EBCE's fault. EBCE earned the 1 star rating on their own.

B S.

OK Ava got ahold of me via email and finally made it made sense to my reptilian brain... One true up for PGE and One true up for Ava Energy. Not super easy to understand.. but its Alameda County so everything is kinda nonsensical

Amanda D.

I dont like being voluntarily opted into something I know nothing about. So when I kindly opted out, I was quite shocked to find a charge from EBCE on my current bill . Shady way to get someone's business. I will be opting out every month until I stop seeing charges . I dont want any part of you . Maybe if you handle business better and let the consumer make the choice for themselves more people would have felt better about your business.

Van ?. L.

No happy about it, I was automatically opt in, its an extra 110 more. my whole usually 70 is 260, wth? I'm trying to get out.

Edit: my bill now is $260 vs before this change it was average $70. I've opt out and waiting to see whats my next full pG&E will be. I will report back.