Coronado City Council Forms Subcommittee for Energy Alternatives

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Coronado City Council members engaged in discussions about community choice aggregation.

News Summary

The Coronado City Council has unanimously voted to establish a subcommittee focused on exploring community choice aggregation (CCA) energy programs in the San Diego area. The subcommittee aims to assess both the advantages and disadvantages of moving away from traditional energy providers. Councilmembers Kelly Purvis and Carrie Downey will lead this initiative, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation process before any commitment is made. The goal is to enhance energy options for the residents while considering the financial stability of CCA programs.

Coronado, California — The Coronado City Council has voted unanimously to form a subcommittee tasked with exploring community choice aggregation (CCA) energy programs within the San Diego area. This decision, made at a recent council meeting, aims to investigate both the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with transitioning away from traditional energy providers.

The subcommittee, which will be part of a broader effort to enhance energy options for residents and businesses in Coronado, includes Councilmember Kelly Purvis and energy law expert Councilmember Carrie Downey. Purvis has emphasized that Coronado’s unique characteristics must be taken into account during the evaluation process, while Downey has expressed neutrality on the decision at this point.

The formation of the subcommittee is part of the City Council’s commitment to adhering to a public and thorough evaluation process. The council members unanimously approved the establishment of this subcommittee with a 5-0 vote and mandated the development of a work plan that intends to bring the CCA decision to the forefront for both the council and the local community.

Community choice aggregation programs were introduced by the California Legislature in 2002 to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and provide alternatives to traditional investor-owned utilities. Should Coronado join a CCA, these programs would be responsible for managing electricity generation for residents and businesses, while existing utilities such as San Diego Gas & Electric would continue to handle delivery infrastructure and customer service operations.

The subcommittee will engage in research and discussions with representatives from existing CCAs in the region, notably the Clean Energy Alliance and San Diego Community Power. The Clean Energy Alliance currently serves over 250,000 customers in cities such as Carlsbad and Oceanside, while San Diego Community Power caters to nearly 957,000 customers across cities including San Diego and Chula Vista.

Proponents of the CCA initiative, such as Councilmember Amy Steward, argue that joining a CCA could help the city meet its Climate Action Plan target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2030. However, other council members have raised concerns regarding the financial risks associated with such a transition, advocating for comprehensive research before making any commitments. The potential long-term implications of joining a CCA are critical, given the financial difficulties experienced by some existing CCAs.

The establishment of the subcommittee is not without challenges. The recent bankruptcy of Western Community Energy in Riverside County has amplified concerns among Coronado officials about the financial stability of these programs. The subcommittee will specifically assess potential liabilities, financial implications, and the impact on customer rates, particularly for small businesses that could be affected by any changes in energy supply.

As part of their planned activities, the subcommittee aims to prepare a white paper that will outline their findings and recommendations. The results of their research are expected to be presented to the Coronado City Council in November or December of this year.

In addition to discussing the CCA initiative, the Coronado City Council plans to address various other agenda items in its upcoming meeting scheduled for June 17. These topics include community grants, a waste collection subsidy, proposed rate increases from EDCO, and fencing arrangements for a local dog park.

The potential shift to community choice aggregation energy programs in Coronado represents a significant step toward enhancing local energy sustainability, and city officials are committed to ensuring that any decision made aligns with the best interests of the community.