In a move to meet the city\u2019s climate goals, the City Council voted unanimously July 21 to to join San Diego Community Power and named Councilmember Kelly Purvis to represent the city on the agency\u2019s board.<\/p>\n
The move marks a transition from using a traditional utility to purchase energy to using a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).<\/p>\n
When using a CCA, public utilities continue to deliver power and handle billing \u2014 SDG&E, in Coronado\u2019s case \u2014 but a board determines where the energy comes from. These programs generally focus on choosing sustainable energy sources. Because they are non-profit entities, they must reinvest income after reserves into local energy programs, which is not the case with investor-owned utilities.<\/p>\n
SDCP\u2019s own board must still vote to accept Coronado as a member, a move that is expected later this month, and residents will not be served by the new provider until March 2028 if all is approved.<\/p>\n
Residents can opt out of the CCA and return to SDG&E. The rates between the two can vary, with CCA rates often coming in lower, though the difference is generally marginal.<\/p>\n
Three council members sought the board seat before Purvis emerged with it. Councilmember Carrie Downey was named alternate. Both appointments are contingent on SDCP accepting the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no immediate changes to electric service as a result of either of these actions tonight,\u201d said Kelli Maples, the city\u2019s senior management analyst. \u201cSDG&E will continue to own and maintain the electrical infrastructure throughout the implementation process.\u201d<\/p>\n
The timeline Maples laid out runs another 20 months.<\/p>\n
Staff will return to the council in September for a second reading and final adoption of the ordinance, after which the city manager will execute the joint powers agreement. San Diego Community Power\u2019s board is tentatively scheduled to take up Coronado\u2019s membership at its own September meeting. The vote is not anticipated to be contention and, if approved, Coronado would be able to participate in board meetings starting in October.<\/p>\n
The bulk of the remaining work then shifts to SDCP, which must amend its implementation plan, obtain review from the California Public Utilities Commission, coordinate with SDG&E and carry out required customer outreach. Formal customer notification is expected to begin in January 2028 \u2014 timed at SDCP\u2019s recommendation to land after the holiday season \u2014 with service delivery beginning that March.<\/p>\n
Maples said the city intends to go further than the minimum notice required by law, with a dedicated project page on the city website, published FAQs and a timeline of key dates.<\/p>\n
An analysis by SDCP found that Coronado\u2019s energy load accounts for roughly 1 percent of the CCA\u2019s total load, suggesting that Coronado would not adversely affect SDCP\u2019s financial position.<\/p>\n
The vote to join SDCP was straightforward, with little deliberation, although the last 12 months saw lengthy discussion<\/a> about whether joining a CCA was an appropriate move. The city explored financial risks, the board\u2019s weighted vote option, resource adequacy violations, and more at the direction of council members and residents\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n