By Mia Taylor and Cody Petterson
For the first time in 50 years, San Diego is renegotiating its franchise agreement with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE) in a decision that will have sweeping ramifications, giving the powerful Sempra-owned utility exclusive rights to use the city's public right-of-ways for transmission and distribution of electricity, along with the ability to install wires, poles, power lines, and underground gas and electric lines. Originally signed in 1970, the 50-year-old franchise agreement comes to an end on Jan. 17, 2021, presenting San Diegans with an extraordinary opportunity to set the terms of our region's transition to a renewable energy future. Conversely, if the terms of a new agreement fail to be negotiated in a meaningful, thoughtful manner, with too much of an emphasis on special interests, our region may be stuck for the next quarter century with an agreement that preserves windfall profits for the investor-owned utility and slows our progress toward a carbon-neutral future. Please join San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action this Wednesday, July 15, for a discussion on our current and future energy needs, and the impact of a new franchise agreement on climate action plans around our region. Featured speakers include:
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday, July 15. Register in advance here. Photo by Tommy Hough
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Green Thoughts
The blog component of San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action welcomes content from SDCDEA members, guests and leadership. Archives
October 2023
Categories |