DATE:
December 9, 2025
30
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
EXPLORING COUNTY PARTNERSHIPS TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE CLEAN POWER FOR LOW-INCOME SAN DIEGANS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Mounting energy bills puts San Diego working families in the impossible situation of choosing between keeping the lights on and paying rent. Electricity rates in San Diego rank among the highest in the nation and their trajectory is alarming.i San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) rates doubled since 2013,ii outpacing both inflation and incomes.iii Every indicator points toward continued escalation due to wildfire mitigation costs and the federal government's cancellation of billions of dollars in investments in clean power generation. One in four SDG&E residential customers has already fallen behind on payments.iv
The County of San Diego (County) is tackling electricity affordability through active participation in San Diego Community Power (Community Power). Community Power is a not-for-profit clean power provider that partners with SDG&E to supply electricity to nearly a million households across the region, including the unincorporated areas. Community Power lowered power generation rates an average of 2.8% in each of the last two years and sells power at a 3-5% discount over SDG&E.v In addition, Community Power offers a variety of programs and incentives designed to lower electricity bills further. The Solar Battery Savings program, for example, offers customers a substantial upfront rebate to install a solar battery system and ongoing performance incentives when the battery is discharged during peak demand hours.vi Community Power and the County also lead the San Diego Regional Energy Network, which recently received $124 million for a suite of energy efficiency programs for local homes and businesses.vii
As the energy challenge mounts, the County must build on its partnership with Community Power to address cost and equity issues. The burden of California's elect...
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