A new community choice energy program encompassing three North County cities — Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach — begins enrolling the first of about 58,000 customers today, offering an alternative to San Diego Gas & Electric when it comes to purchasing sources of energy.
For decades, utilities have done it all when it comes to electricity. They have put up poles and wires, purchased the power (natural gas, wind, solar, etc.), delivered it through transmission lines and handled customer service and billing issues.
But in the wake of the rolling blackouts seen during the California energy crisis of 2000 and 2001, state policymakers gave local governments the ability to make their own choices when it comes to buying electricity. All the other responsibilities are still shouldered by the traditional utility in a given area, so the power companies do not go away.
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Posted by Tracey Weiss