READER’S EDITORIAL: SUPERVISORS STAND IN WAY OF CLEAN POWER AT LOW RATES BY REJECTING COMMUNITY CHOICE FOR ENERGY

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By Van Collinsworth

After San Diego Supervisors voted this week to reject a community choice energy alternative to SDG&E, Preserve Wild Santee founder Van Collinsworth posted this open letter to Supervisors on his Facebook page.

February 18, 2017 (San Diego) -- SDG&E and its allies in office are standing in the way of cleaner power at lower rates. My message to the Supervisors advocating energy choice follows...

We can have cleaner power at lower rates by establishing Community Choice energy (CCA). Establishing Community Choice is important for both the environment and our economy.

Consider how costly mega-fires have been since 2003 or the current $200 million estimated to repair the spillway at the Oroville Dam. There is no question that GHG emissions are increasing the severity of extreme weather events and their costly impacts.

Extreme weather events are occurring with greater frequency and with increasing costs in lives and property. There is simply more energy available to power weather systems because less energy is able to radiate back beyond the atmosphere.

We have no realistic choice other than to respond with the most aggressive GHG reduction measures feasible while there is still some opportunity to mitigate the damage being done daily to climatic systems.

The most effective tool for reducing GHGs is a Community Choice Energy program. CCA is essential to creating a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that can function effectively and pass legal review.

CCA has been delayed in San Diego for far too long because SDG&E’s money has an extensive reach. I urge you to reject the politics of distortion by standing up for Community Choice and the public good.

The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.


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