Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Diego Community Power outlines discounts, local grants and pilot programs for National City
Summary
Karen Burns, CEO of San Diego Community Power, told the National City Council the community choice aggregator offers lower generation rates than SDG&E for many customers, highlighted pilot programs (smart thermostats, EV charging optimization, battery storage) and noted nearly $1.2 million in local clean‑energy grants including $50,000 for National City’s climate plan.
Karen Burns, chief executive officer of San Diego Community Power, told the National City Council on Tuesday that the nonprofit electricity provider has reduced generation charges for many customers and is piloting programs meant to lower bills and increase reliability.
Burns said National City joined the CCA in 2022 and that Community Power’s PowerBase product offers roughly a 5% discount compared with SDG&E generation charges; she noted the organization’s participation in long‑term renewable power purchase agreements and two new pilot programs that shift home energy use off daily peaks. "We introduced PowerBase to respond to affordability concerns," Burns said.
The presentation explained how the CCA purchases generation, transmits it over SDG&E lines and appears on customers’ joint bills as the electricity provider. Burns highlighted a summer pilot that coupled rooftop solar with home battery storage; she said about a third of participants were customers enrolled in low‑income rate programs and that the pilot was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy. She also described Smart Home Flex and EV Connect pilots designed to shift load away from evening peak hours.
Burns said the agency has awarded nearly $1.2 million to local organizations and noted nearly $500,000 in recent grants to six National City nonprofits for clean‑energy projects. She cited a $50,000 grant for the city’s climate implementation plan and a 16.4‑kW solar plus 35‑kW storage installation at Olivewood Gardens that is expected to save more than $400,000 over a decade for that community organization.
Why it matters: Community choice aggregators can change local rate and program choices without changing transmission and distribution charges paid to investor‑owned utilities. Burns told the council that Community Power aims to balance affordability, fiscal prudence and portfolio building while expanding local programs to support lower bills and energy resilience.
Council response and next steps: Councilmembers asked about components of local bills they see from SDG&E (transmission and distribution surcharges) and urged clearer customer communications distinguishing generation versus transmission charges. Burns encouraged constituents with billing questions to contact SDG&E for transmission specifics. The council took the presentation with no formal action.
