Great news from Escondido city hall! Last night, the Escondido City Council voted unanimously to join the North County community choice energy program- the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA). Sierra Club North County Group (NCG) applauds this decision which is a key step in implementing the new Escondido Climate Action Plan.
Along with Sierra Club, those speaking in support of the CEA included Clean Earth 4 Kids, Green New Deal Alliance, North San Diego County NAACP, Climate Action Campaign, and dozens of individuals.
Sierra Club NCG Conservation Chair Laura Hunter noted, “Community choice energy provides real choice, local reinvestment, local jobs, and local control.” Currently, the CEA offers rates 2% lower than SDGE and higher ‘buy-back’ for net-metering solar customers.
The council was in strong support with GHG reduction and choice as major themes. Council Member Consuelo Martinez stated, ‘I support joining the CEA. We are the City of Choice and now we are living up to our motto.”
Council Member Tina Inscoe also stated, “I love this idea of choice” and Council Member Joe Garcia noted that this was part of the Climate Action Plan and urged that residents, such as those living in mobile home parks, be educated on the program. Council Member Mike Morasco was in support stating, “This all makes sense and options are good.”
Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara closed stating, “I really love this. We are the city of choice and I appreciate all that staff has done to bring this forward” before calling the question which passed 5-0. Escondido is the 11th governmental entity to join a community energy program and is expected to begin to receive energy under CEA in 2023.
A big thank you to all NCG members who wrote, spoke, and advocated for this important victory!
Now, on to San Marcos in early December!!
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