Local Alliance Demands Community Choice Energy At Environment Committee

Local small business leaders and environmental advocates want to bring Community Choice Energy to San Diego. Courtesy photo

SAN DIEGO–At Friday’s Environment Committee, small business leaders, environmental advocates and social justice groups making up the San Diego Community Choice Alliance advocated for a strong and swift business plan to bring Community Choice Energy to San Diego.

To facilitate the speedy implementation of Community Choice Energy, the group announced a new campaign to drive San Diego decision makers to action: #CountdownToChoice.

“The city has a decision to make. While we have a monopoly utility that is constantly raising our rates each year and solely concerned about their shareholders’ profits, Community Choice Energy is the only tried-and-true program for the city to reach its 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2035,” said Ryan O’Connor, SD350 policy organizer.

With the highest rates in the state and some of the highest in the country, Alliance members say San Diego residents and small businesses cannot wait another day for energy options. The groups call on a full city council vote by October of 2018 to ensure the benefits of choice, competition, cleaner energy and millions to reinvest back in our communities arrive without delay. While city staff indicated that a decision on the pathway for 100 percent will be made during the fourth quarter of 2018, #CountdownToChoice will serve as a reminder that real savings to real families and small businesses are on the line.

“The time for action is now. Our #CountdownToChoice campaign will ensure the city council pursues the only real option to benefit San Diego families and businesses, Community Choice Energy. L.A. County is launching with approximately 1.25 million accounts by the end of 2018, and San Diego is no longer the major Southern California jurisdiction enacting Community Choice Energy. Let’s not be left behind,” said Benjamin Eichert, Greenpower director.

According to San Diego’s feasibility study, Community Choice Energy is a proven, tested model with existing best practices to reach the City’s 100 percent renewable energy goal while lowering energy costs, creating more local jobs and generating millions to reinvest back into the community.

“It’s time to for the mayor and council to take final action and offer families choice,” said Eichert.