Clean Power Alliance: America's Top Green Utility for Third Straight Year

LOS ANGELES, CA – February 04, 2026 – For the third consecutive year, Clean Power Alliance (CPA) has been named the number one green power provider in the United States, a significant achievement that underscores a major shift in the nation's energy landscape towards locally controlled, renewable-focused electricity. The ranking comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which tracks utility performance nationwide.

The Southern California-based energy provider solidified its top position by dramatically increasing its green power sales from 3.4 million megawatt-hours (MWh) in the previous year to over 4.8 million MWh in the latest rankings. This accomplishment not only highlights the massive scale of CPA's operations but also signals a powerful and growing consumer demand for a cleaner energy future. This repeated recognition cements the provider's role as a leader not just in California, but as a national model for sustainable energy transition.

The Rise of Local Power: How CCAs are Reshaping Energy

Clean Power Alliance’s success is intrinsically linked to its structure as a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA). This model, which has gained significant traction in California and a handful of other states, allows local governments to band together to procure electricity on behalf of their residents and businesses. While the traditional investor-owned utility (IOU) still manages the transmission and distribution infrastructure—the poles and wires—the CCA takes control of purchasing the energy itself.

This separation of duties empowers communities to pursue more aggressive renewable energy goals than might be offered by incumbent utilities. By aggregating the purchasing power of millions of customers, CCAs like CPA can negotiate and sign long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) directly with developers of solar, wind, and geothermal projects, often spurring the creation of new clean energy facilities.

The CCA model has become a formidable force in California's energy market. Over the last decade, CCAs have expanded to serve more than 11 million customers across the state, fundamentally altering the century-old utility monopoly. Their focus on renewables has been a key driver in helping California meet and exceed its ambitious climate goals. This success story, however, is not without its complexities, as it introduces new dynamics of competition and regulation into the state's power grid.

Inside California's Green Giant

As the largest CCA in California, Clean Power Alliance serves approximately three million residents and businesses across 38 communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Its scale makes it the fourth-largest electricity provider in the state, a testament to the rapid market penetration of the CCA model.

The latest NLR rankings place CPA's 4.88 million MWh of green power sales far ahead of the competition, which includes a mix of other CCAs, IOUs like Portland General Electric, and even large public power entities like the Tennessee Valley Authority. This massive sales figure is a direct result of CPA’s procurement strategy, which focuses on a diverse portfolio of renewable sources primarily located in California and the Western U.S.

“We are honored to be recognized again as the leading green power provider among all utilities in the country,” said City of Agoura Hills Mayor Pro Tem and CPA Board Chair Deborah Klein Lopez in a statement. “This achievement is a reflection of the growing need to deliver clean, reliable energy solutions that truly serve our communities.”

This commitment is reflected in the tangible growth of its clean energy delivery, which supports local climate action plans and provides a direct path for communities to reduce their collective carbon footprint. As a not-for-profit entity, CPA reinvests its revenue into procuring more renewables, funding customer programs, and ensuring rate stability.

What 'Number One' Means for Consumers

For the millions of Southern Californians served by Clean Power Alliance, the number one ranking is more than just a title; it translates into tangible choices and impacts at home and in business. CPA customers are automatically enrolled in a default clean energy tier but have the option to "opt up" to 100% renewable energy, a choice that has proven increasingly popular.

“The demand for renewable energy remains strong for communities throughout Southern California that are seeking avenues to bolster sustainability at home and address the significant impacts of a changing climate,” said CPA CEO Ted Bardake. “This ranking reflects our customers’ desire to participate in building a resilient, clean energy future.”

This model provides a level of consumer choice previously unavailable under the traditional utility structure. However, the transition has presented some challenges. A common point of confusion for new customers is the billing process, which involves receiving a bill from CPA for the electricity generated and a separate bill from the IOU (like Southern California Edison) for the delivery service. While CCAs strive for rate competitiveness, direct cost comparisons can be complex, and public awareness campaigns remain crucial to helping customers navigate their new energy options.

A Competitive Shock to the System

CPA’s sustained dominance sends powerful ripples across the energy industry. Its success puts direct competitive pressure on established IOUs, which now must contend with losing a significant portion of their customer base for energy generation. This has forced traditional utilities to accelerate their own green energy programs and re-evaluate their business models to remain relevant in a market that increasingly values clean power and local control.

Furthermore, CPA’s performance serves as a powerful proof of concept and a benchmark for other CCAs in California and for communities across the nation considering the model. It demonstrates that a locally managed, not-for-profit entity can not only compete with but outperform some of the largest and most established utilities in the country on the key metric of green power delivery.

This competitive dynamic is driving a broader market transformation, accelerating investment in renewable infrastructure and fostering innovation in customer-focused energy programs. As Clean Power Alliance continues to expand its portfolio and influence, its journey offers a compelling blueprint for how communities can take the lead in building a decentralized, democratic, and decarbonized energy system for the 21st century.