ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously on September 18 to join San Diego Community Power (SDCP), a Joint Powers Authority that will offer residents an alternative electricity provider to San Diego Gas & Electric. The move positions Encinitas alongside the City of San Diego, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and La Mesa in a regional coalition aimed at delivering cleaner energy at competitive rates.
Under the community choice energy model, SDCP will purchase and generate electricity on behalf of member cities, while SDG&E will continue to deliver the power through its existing infrastructure. The arrangement allows municipalities to prioritize renewable energy sources without requiring customers to change their physical utility connections.
Choosing the Regional Path
The decision came after months of deliberation over which community choice energy group to join. Encinitas had initially explored forming a North County coalition with neighboring cities like Carlsbad and Del Mar. Ultimately, the council determined that joining the larger regional entity offered greater purchasing power and long-term stability. Carlsbad, Del Mar, and Solana Beach went on to form the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) as a separate entity.
Council members noted that joining SDCP aligned directly with the city's Climate Action Plan goals, which call for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades. Supporters of the move argued that community choice energy represents one of the most impactful steps a city can take toward decarbonization.
Concerns and Skepticism
Not everyone was enthusiastic about the shift. Some residents and ratepayer advocates raised questions about whether the new program would actually deliver lower rates or simply add a new layer of bureaucracy. Critics pointed to the experience of other California community choice programs, where rates have not always undercut the incumbent utility. Others expressed concern that customers would be automatically enrolled and would need to actively opt out if they preferred to stay with SDG&E, a process some viewed as heavy-handed.
While the vote marked a significant policy milestone, the residential rollout for Encinitas customers was not expected to begin immediately. City officials indicated that the transition would take time to implement, with enrollment for Encinitas households ultimately beginning in April 2022.