San Diego County Board of Supervisors Approves Community Choice Energy Move

The County Board of Supervisors for San Diego, Calif., voted on Aug. 31 to authorize the county to join a community choice energy (CCE) program called San Diego Community Power.

The CCE launched in March and includes the cities of Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa and San Diego.

The county will become part of a joint powers authority which governs the CCE. CCEs are also known as community choice aggregators (CCAs).

Community choice allows cities and counties to buy electricity, including renewable energy like solar and wind for residents and businesses. CCEs offer customers in the county’s unincorporated areas an alternative to buying power from investor-owned San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). SDG&E would still provide transmission and delivery services, as well as billing.

The CCE could provide residents competitive utility rates and cost savings compared to SDG&E, and also offer more renewable power, the board of supervisors said.

Currently, there are 24 CCEs operating throughout the state including two in San Diego County, San Diego Community Power and the Clean Energy Alliance. The alliance members include Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach. In all, the state’s CCEs serve 11 million customers.

San Diego Community Power is expected to begin serving county customers in spring 2023.

Association offers new CCA program membership category

The American Public Power Association has initiated a new category of membership for CCA programs.