Why Isn't There A Community Energy District In San Diego Today? by Lane Sharman, Executive Director
In 2005, a Navigant Study (right) did not demonstrate a clear savings to rate payers and so the Community Energy District was ditched by the County Supervisors.
Subsequent to 2005, the cities of San Marcos and Chula Vista entertained the idea but were strong-armed by SDG&E.
In 2010 and despite a $40 million opposition campaign by PG&E, Marin Clean Energy launched becoming the first operational Community Energy District in California.
On June 1, 2014, Sonoma Clean Power launched its program.
And, on May 1, 2015, the City of Lancaster launches its Community Energy District.
In June 2012 (right), SDED hosted a government symposium at the San Diego Foundation which was well-attended. It stimulated the non-profit, Protect Our Communities, to kick in $50,000 towards a Technical Feasibility Study which has yet to be released by the organization run by Sam Golding, Community Choice Partners.
With little justification, the current draft of the Climate Action Plan (CAP, right) defers implementation until 2020 or later of a Community Energy District.
Like the City of Lancaster, there is no reason a small or midsize city in San Diego (or South Orange County) cannot launch a Community Energy District because the energy rates on the wholesale market are substantially below what SDG&E charges today ... enough to make running an Energy District compelling for economic reasons. Further, in Marin and Sonoma, the default rate is lower than PG&E yet the energy mix is vastly more clean.
There are organizations which will pay all startup costs as a condition of becoming the Energy District Program Manager.
If you are this far and a business, we urge you to lend your voice to forming a Community Energy District by becoming a dues-paying member of the San Diego Energy District. Paid membership is the District's lever in 2015 to force action by city governments and the County of San Diego into action. SDED will speak for your right to energy choice.
