This February, the California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice) welcomed Energy Programs Manager Kathy Wells. Kathy will research, implement and manage programs for the benefit of CalChoice and its associate members. She also will serve as CalChoice’s representative to several of the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) committees, which works to create a legislative and regulatory environment that supports the development and long-term sustainability of locally-run Community Choice Aggregation electricity providers in California.
“Having worked in the energy industry for the past six years, I have gained an extensive knowledge of the business,“ said Kathy. “I have served on regulatory and legislative committees for CalCCA representing the City of Lancaster. The CalCCA committees provide an insider’s perspective on proceedings and pending decisions at the state level impacting the energy industry and specifically CCA’s. I am excited to use my experience to implement great programs for our communities.”
In May 2015, Kathy helped launch Lancaster Choice Energy (LCE), the City of Lancaster’s Community Choice Aggregation program and the first program of its kind in southern California. As LCE’s energy projects coordinator, she developed energy efficiency programs for residential and business customers in addition to managing operations, outreach, retention, marketing and rate analysis.
Prior to joining CalChoice, Kathy managed the implementation of the City of Palmdale’s new CCA program, Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice, scheduled to launch in October 2022.
“CalChoice is happy to have Kathy as a part of our organization,” said CalChoice Executive Director Jason Caudle. “We are excited to use her valuable expertise to implement new programs that will be helpful to our member agencies and communities.”
Some of the programs that are currently underway include the Disadvantaged Community-Green Tariff Program, which provides a 20 percent discount on electricity bills for low-income customers in disadvantaged communities, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s Utility Supplier Diversity Program, which monitors supplier diversity in procurement by participating utilities.
Kathy, who holds an MBA in Energy and Sustainability Studies from Franklin Pierce University, sits on the Legislative, Compliance and Marketing and Outreach committees for CalCCA.