CONCORD, Calif. — Local electricity provider, MCE, continues to chart a path toward a more sustainable future with new leadership from City of Pittsburg Mayor, Shanelle Scales-Preston. Scales-Preston has served on MCE’s Board of Directors since 2019.
In 2020, she became Vice Chair of MCE’s Board of Directors and began her new tenure as Board Chair on January 10, 2023, after the retirement of long-serving Richmond Mayor, Tom Butt
“When it came time for our Board of Directors to select a new Chair, Director Scales-Preston was a natural fit,” said Tom Butt, former MCE Board Chair and Mayor of Richmond. “During her time as Vice Chair, she helped MCE expand our customer programs to include COVID relief efforts and encouraged staff to pursue successful partnerships with facilities like the Pittsburg Unified School District.”
A true native of the community, Director Scales-Preston was raised in Pittsburg, graduated from Pittsburg High School and earned her college degree from California State University East Bay. Her parents were deeply connected to the community; her father was a member of UA 342 and a small business owner, and her mother worked at the local glass factory.
Director Scales-Preston’s accomplishments include:
- 20 years in public service,
- Five years of service as a Pittsburg city councilmember,
- A career that includes working for both Congressman George Miller and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and
- Youth program champion in her community and on behalf of MCE.
In 2022, under Director Scales-Preston’s guidance, MCE agreed to provide $715,000 to Pittsburg Unified School District to help pay for over 1.6 MW of energy storage at 10 district campuses. The batteries will be paired with 2.3 MW of existing solar and could save the school district more than $2.8M over the seven-year agreement with MCE.
MCE’s Board also elected a new Vice Chair, City of El Cerrito Councilmember Gabe Quinto. He has served on MCE’s Board of Directors for many years and on the El Cerrito City Council since 2015.
About MCE: MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for more than 580,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano counties. Setting the standard for clean energy in California since 2010, MCE leads with 100% renewable power at stable rates, delivering a 1200 MW peak load and significantly reducing greenhouse emissions and reinvesting millions in local programs. For more information about MCE, visit mceCleanEnergy.org, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
