The Clean Energy Alliance, a new community choice energy (CCE) program serving 48,000 customers across the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach, is set to launch on May 1, 2021. The new program serves as an alternative to San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) for purchasing power, and will bring residents clean energy at competitive rates.

“Clean Energy Alliance has been in the works for several years, and I look forward to launching this new, innovative option for residents across North County San Diego on May 1,” said Kristi Becker, chair of the CEA Board of Directors and Solana Beach deputy mayor. “Our three cities are committed to our green goals and after extensive research and planning, we determined this program would be our next step in meeting those goals.”

Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach formed the program as an effort to meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals in each municipality’s Climate Action Plan. By having local control and purchasing directly from energy suppliers, CEA will be able to purchase energy with higher renewable content than SDG&E and in turn help reduce GHG emissions in their communities.

Though CEA will be responsible for purchasing power, SDG&E will continue to deliver energy to homes and businesses and handle billing, as they have always done. Customers will continue to receive one bill from SDG&E for all energy services, including CEA’s charges for power generation.

CEA offers three energy plan options: Clean Impact (50% renewable energy), Clean Impact Plus (50% renewable and 75% carbon-free energy) and Green Impact (100% renewable energy). Customers will be automatically enrolled in Clean Impact Plus with the option to opt up to Green Impact or opt down to Clean Impact. Customers may also choose to opt out and remain with SDG&E.

Customers who are currently enrolled in SDG&E’s discount programs such as CARE/FERA and Medical Baseline will continue to receive the discounts and benefits of these programs through CEA. CEA also offers Personal Impact, a net energy metering option, for customers with rooftop solar. Personal Impact is designed to mirror SDG&E’s net energy metering program while offering customers a higher net surplus compensation rate than SDG&E on excess energy produced by a customer’s solar energy system.