Open Letter to the Encinitas City Council in Support of Community Electricity Choice
TO: Kristin Gaspar, Mayor Catherine S. Blakespear, Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer, Councilor Tony Kranz, Councilor Mark Muir, Councilor Dear Honorable Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilors: The San Diego Energy District (SDED) started in 2011 to bring Community Electricity Choice to the attention of the San Diego region. We applaud the Council's consideration of CEC/CCA. We further urge you to move with alacrity to the next step in implementation of a Community Choice Program. The reason is simple. There are no benefits to waiting; there ARE costs to delay. Electricity Choice represents a “win-win-win” – for Encinitas' citizens and ratepayers, for businesses, schools and municipal budgets, and for the environment and community as a whole. In urging immediate action, SDED offers three core points. These supplement the stellar record of CCA successes in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Simply stated, there are three big arguments for CEC/CCA now:
But the bottom line is very clear: Implementing Community Electricity Choice via CCA is doable, effective and economic – to consumers and municipalities alike. Hiring a Lead Consultant (LC) is the critical next step. The LC's sole responsibility is CCA implementation. The cost of the LC is reimbursable by the CCA once operational. A CCA is the strongest, most effective climate mitigation tool available. And what other climate mitigation measure brings immediate economic benefits to its constituents as rapidly and readily? We submit that on these and other measures, the results of the existing CCAs speak for themselves. The undersigned Directors of SDED urge the Encinitas City Council to vote near-term action to implement Community Electricity Choice. We stand ready to assist your actions with any further information or support you may wish. With best wishes, San Diego Energy District Erika Morgan, Secretary and Executive Director Lane Sharman, Board Chair Michael Hetz, Vice Chair Van Collinsworth, Director Jamie Edmonds, Director |