Community Choice Energy

San Diego Community Power

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a model that allows communities to purchase power from renewable sources to meet their electricity needs, offering an alternative choice to the local incumbent utility (San Diego Gas & Electric). CCAs can provide the communities they serve with competitively priced, clean energy choices while reinvesting revenues into projects and programs, supporting the local economy. 

On September 10, 2019, La Mesa City Council approved Community Choice Aggregation through a regional CCA program in partnership with Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, and San Diego. San Diego Community Power (SDCP) provides a mechanism to increase the amount of non-polluting, renewable energy and help the City achieve its target of 100% clean energy, as outlined in the 2018 Climate Action Plan. SDCP launched in multiple phases:

  • Phase 1: Service to municipal accounts, starting March 2021
  • Phase 2: Service to commercial and industrial accounts, starting June 2021
  • Phase 3: Service to La Mesa resident accounts, starting March 2022

PowerOn vs. Power100

There are currently two options for electricity distribution offered through SDCP, PowerOn and Power100. PowerOn provides 55% renewable electricity and Power100 provides 100% renewable electricity. All La Mesa businesses and residents are automatically enrolled in PowerOn, but can choose to upgrade to Power100. The City of La Mesa has opted up to Power100 for all municipal accounts.

FAQs

How does Community Choice Aggregation work?

CCAs are established by local communities, either through the creation of a joint powers authority or enterprise fund. While CCAs are locally operated, they work in partnership with the existing investor-owned utility (IOU). Through this partnership, CCAs determine the source and procure the electricity while the existing IOUs continue delivering the energy, maintaining the grid and providing billing services.

sdcpgraphic

How is a SDCP funded?

SDCP is a self-funded, not-for profit entity created to ensure that financial benefits directly serve community members. Once launched, SDCP is completely funded by program revenue. Because SDCP is a locally managed, not-for-profit entities, excess revenue is reinvested into the community through innovative energy programs,  job training and employment programs and more.

What are the benefits of a CCA?

Potential benefits of CCAs include:

  • Increased customer choice.
  • Local control of resource decisions and rates.
  • Competitive electricity costs.
  • Opportunities for innovative new energy programs (energy efficiency, distributed generation, economic development, etc.).
  • Support for local infrastructure investment.

What will my energy bill look like with SDCP?

You will continue to receive one bill from SDG&E but it will look slightly different. Click here to see a sample SDCP bill.  If you have questions about your SDCP bill or any other concerns, please contact SDCP.

Did La Mesa complete a CCA feasibility study? 

Yes! The City Council of La Mesa, Santee, and Chula Vista completed a joint Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) feasibility study to assess the viability of a CCA in their respective communities. The final Study can be found below under "City Documents". The study results show that a CCA in La Mesa could offer competitive rates with SDG&E while also supporting the City’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Why is La Mesa moving forward with a CCA program?

In March 2018, City Council adopted La Mesa’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP charts a course to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in half and power the community with 100% clean electricity by 2035. Community Choice Aggregation is a mechanism to increase the amount of non-polluting, renewable energy and help the City achieve its target of 100% clean energy.

How Can I Get Involved? 

The Board meeting schedule for SDCP and more information can be found on San Diego Community Power’s website. For the time being, SDCP Board meetings will proceed as teleconference meetings due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency and recommended social distancing measures. To participate, please see the linked agenda for instructions.

View the April 27, 2022 Community Conversation on San Diego Community Power.

City Documents

Operational CCAs

Sources 

Much of the information above was provided by LEAN Energy U.S, the Local Government Commission, and CalCCA.

Community Choice Aggregation Pilot Project funded by California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research Program prepared by the Local Government Commission and Navigant Consulting, Inc. (2009)

CalCCA Community Choice Aggregation FAQ Sheet

Community Choice Aggregation Fact Sheet funded by California Energy Commission and Department of Energy prepared by the Local Government Commission

LEAN Energy – What is Community Choice?