SAN DIEGO–Energy experts from across the state spoke before the County Board of Supervisors during a workshop Tuesday that may help determine whether the County buys and sells electricity.
The Supervisors heard from utility experts, consumer groups and representatives from cities and counties that offer community choice energy.
The Board voted in February to study whether community choice energy, also known as community choice aggregation, should be offered to residents of the County’s unincorporated areas. These programs allow cities and counties to buy, and/or generate, and sell electricity to residents and businesses as alternatives to public utilities like San Diego Gas & Electric.
The County buys electricity and natural gas for its own facilities on the open market instead of directly from SDG&E. During the last three years, the direct access program has saved the County an average of about $3 million a year.
The Board asked staff to look into the pros and cons of community choice energy for County residents and businesses with progress reports every two months. Tuesday’s workshop was the first progress report. County staff members will present the results of a County CCE feasibility study/business plan to the Board in October.
