Suppose you had a choice of electric companies, that there was a local power provider offering rates at far less than you now pay, that the power was generated locally and provided local jobs, and that all the profits went to local schools, roads, and other local services? Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells how it’s possible…
Nearly a hundred people turned out Saturday for the Morongo Basin Conservation Association’s annual meeting and local energy symposium at the Yucca Valley Community Center. They came to hear from three industry experts about a competitive electricity option called Community Choice Aggregation. Households and businesses in Santa Rosa, El Cerrito, nearby Lancaster and other communities are embracing the program that relies on renewable sources to provide from a third to a hundred percent of the electricity offered. The program is managed by not-for-profit public agencies. For consumers, the savings have been significant, while local governments have benefited from tremendous revenue streams redirected from large utilities. The Community Choice Aggregation model is even attractive to those who have invested in rooftop solar because they receive more competitive payments for the excess power they produce. Saturday’s program was co-sponsored by the California Desert Coalition and included an invitation-only morning session for community and civic leaders organized by Bighorn Desert View Water Agency.
The panel of experts was joined by Twentynine Palms City Manager Frank Luckino who indicated he would introduce the subject to the city council there. Undoubtedly, all of us will be hearing more on this subject in the future.
100 TURNOUT TO HEAR ABOUT COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION
