Oside, Vista select energy tier for CEA

Both cities join the Clean Energy Alliance in April 2024, customers will see some savings on total bills as both move away from SDG&E service

Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez listens to a discussion on Nov. 15 about the city selecting its tier for customers joining the Clean Energy Alliance in April 2024. Steve Puterski image

NORTH COUNTY — Oceanside and Vista approved their new energy tier as they prepare to join the Clean Energy Alliance next year.

The Oceanside City Council approved enrolling ratepayers in CEA’s Clean Impact Plus plan during its Nov. 15 meeting. On Nov. 14, the City of Vista also enrolled its ratepayers into the Clean Impact Plus tier.

CEA has contracts for 50% renewable and 75% carbon-free energy for its Clean Impact Plus tier. CEA is a Community Choice Aggregation and alternative to San Diego Gas & Electric where cities can move ratepayers into the program and allow cities to purchase power to meet energy needs.

Oceanside and Vista customers will each save about $1.02, or 0.7% per month, on their total bill for the Clean Impact Plus tier.

“The goal of this model is to offer a cleaner energy mix to customers at competitive rates,” Justin Gamble, Oceanside’s environmental officer, explained. “Local control and customer choice are also critical to the concept of CCE.”

CEA began operations on May 1, 2021, in Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Since then, CEA has expanded to include San Marcos and Escondido this year, while Oceanside and Vista will come on board in April 2024.