About CalChoice
In 2017, the City of Lancaster and the City of San Jacinto joined forces to create the California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice), a hybrid joint powers authority (JPA) designed to help cities in Southern California Edison territory participate in CCA without sacrificing local control. CalChoice is committed to providing cleaner and more affordable energy options to customers across Southern California.
With a focus on providing reliable and competitive energy choices, San Jacinto Power, along with Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy and the Rancho Mirage Energy Authority, began serving customers in 2018. Apple Valley Choice Energy, which began serving the Town of Apple Valley’s residents and businesses in 2017, affiliated with CalChoice in 2019. The City of Pomona, home to Pomona Choice Energy, launched its sustainable energy future in 2020. Shortly thereafter, Santa Barbara Clean Energy reinforced the City of Santa Barbara’s commitment to environmental stewardship and local economic development. Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice began delivering their vision of a resilient and self-reliant community under the CalChoice umbrella in 2022.
Each associate member of CalChoice plays a vital role in the collective effort to bring cleaner, more affordable energy choices to Californians.
CalChoice is governed by representatives from each member agency. The associate members of the JPA share an experienced staff that guides the efficient operation of their CCAs. By joining together, CalChoice’s associate members have reduced operational expenses through the benefits of economy of scale. Each associate member’s city council retains the right to set rates for their city, purchase their energy and contract their CCA services through existing CalChoice resources.
The City of Lancaster and the City of San Jacinto Joint Powers Authority
The City of Lancaster and the City of San Jacinto joined forces to create the California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice) a joint powers authority (JPA) designed to help cities in Southern California Edison territory participate in community choice aggregation (CCA) without having to sacrifice control or any of the benefits associated with a traditional JPA.
CalChoice is governed by a board of directors who represent each CCA. Each associate City’s Council would set rates for their City, purchase their energy and contract their CCA services through existing CalChoice contracts which would help keep costs low and maximize revenues for each associate member.
By joining together, CalChoice is able to cut operational costs for each City through the benefits of economy of scale. As more Cities are added, each City’s share of the fixed costs goes down. This also allows smaller Cities to start a CCA who might have been too small to successfully operate one on their own.
Beginning and operating a CCA is a complex process. Through CalChoice, each City has access to experienced staff who have been through the implementation and operational process. This allows each City to avoid common pitfalls that come with starting from scratch and to operate their CCA as efficiently as possible.