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San Diego Community Power board approves countywide energy-efficiency network with SDG&E funding agreement
Summary
The board unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing San Diego Community Power to administer the new San Diego Regional Energy Network and execute a funding agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric to deliver energy-efficiency programs across the county.
San Diego Community Power’s board of directors unanimously approved a resolution on Jan. 23 authorizing the agency to administer the San Diego Regional Energy Network (SD REN) and execute a programs-and-budget agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).
The action gives Community Power the legal and fiscal authority to receive and administer SD REN funds from SDG&E and to run a set of energy-efficiency programs targeted at renters, small businesses and underserved communities across San Diego County.
Colin Santulli, Community Power’s director of programs, told the board the project grew from a multi-year planning and community-engagement process and from a 2012 California Public Utilities Commission policy that opened a role for local governments in offering efficiency programs. “We determined with feedback from customers that we needed to create a regional energy network to offer those same programs to our constituents,” Santulli said. Associate Director of Programs Sheena Tran noted SD REN’s broad regional support and said the network’s advisory committee will include local governments, community-based organizations and nonprofits.
The board’s resolution authorizes the chief executive officer to execute the SDG&E agreement, incorporate the funds into Community Power’s capital budget, and to negotiate amendments and contracts needed to implement the programs. Staff told the board the SD REN application included letters of support from regional stakeholders and describes 10 energy-efficiency programs designed to reach communities of concern and support workforce development.
Board members praised the staff for completing the multi‑year application and engagement work. Director Luke Schaefer called the outcome “very good news,” noting the county’s prior omission from statewide program coverage. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote; all directors recorded “yes.”
Next steps are for the CEO to sign the SDG&E agreement and for staff to begin program roll‑out and third‑party contracting under the terms authorized by the board. Community Power will report back to the board as SD REN program funds are expended and contracts executed.
