SAN DIEGO, CA, September 18 — On Tuesday, the City Council of San Diego voted to establish a Community Choice Energy (CCE) Program, which finally sets San Diego, and partner cities including La Mesa, Chula Vista, Encinitas, and Imperial Beach (set to vote today) on the pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035. The regional CCE program will allow the member cities to reach 100% renewable energy a full decade before the state’s goal of 2045.

San Diego Community Choice Alliance (SDCCA) coordinator and Climate Action Campaign Climate Justice Advocate, Matthew Vasilakis, stated, "We are proud to see the San Diego City Council say yes to 100% clean energy, yes to good middle class jobs, yes to local green power, and yes to local economic development. Everything is on the line, and this is a historic step in the right direction to ensure our region is climate safe and climate ready."

At the meeting, SDCCA members spoke in support of the JPA agreement. They were joined by elected officials from Encinitas and La Mesa, parties to the regional JPA agreement. SDCCA advocates shared the broad-based public support, benefits, and opportunities of a regional CCE program. Supporters also explained the integral role that a 100% clean energy CCE program will play in fighting the climate crisis and meeting our local and regional climate goals.

Councilmember Vivian Moreno seconded the motion to establish the CCE program during the council meeting and said, “Moving forward with a joint powers agreement, that includes other municipalities in our region, for the City’s Community Choice Energy Program is a critical step in ensuring that the City continue moving towards a program that will provide customers with the choice to receive energy from renewable sources at more affordable rates.”

During council discussion, Councilmember Chris Ward stated that, “Today marks the culmination of a Herculean effort to completely change the system as we know it and get to the heart of our Climate Action Plan."

Following the successful vote, Mayor Kevin Faulconer tweeted, “This is a big moment in our region’s history and it’s due in no small part to the efforts of so many. Thank you to Nicole Capretz and Climate Action Campaign for your advocacy and years of hard work!”