Celebrating Five Years of
Clean Energy Alliance
Impact
Report
2026
CEA Impact Report 2026
2 Contents
Letter from the CEO ...........................................................................................................................................3 Who We Are ...........................................................................................................................................................4 Securing a Clean Energy Future for All .................................................................................................... 6 Advocating for Our Customers Since Day One .....................................................................................8 Bridging the Gap to an Affordable Clean Energy Future ..............................................................10 Planning for a Future of Community Reinvestment ........................................................................12 Connecting with Our Communities ........................................................................................................ 14 Our Path Ahead ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Contact Us ...........................................................................................................................................................16
CEA Impact Report 2026
3 Letter from the CEO
Five years ago, the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach came together to offer their communities a new choice for electricity: Clean Energy Alliance (CEA). While service to our customers began overnight on May 1, 2021, the path to that switch was not simple. CEA’s formation was the result of our member cities’ multi-year preparation and decades of statewide persistence from people who believe our communities deserve cleaner energy and a more sustainable future.
CEA builds on the work of those who came before us. In 2018, Solana Energy Alliance became San Diego County’s first Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), following years of local advocacy. As the city manager of Solana Beach at the time, I saw firsthand the hard work and dedication of city staff, elected officials and residents. Progress began even earlier at the state level, with statewide advocacy that led to legislation enabling CCAs in 2002, the launch of California’s first CCA, Marin Clean Energy, in 2010 and the formation of the California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) in 2016.
We extend our gratitude to the many advocates who worked to make CCAs possible, to those who laid the foundation by launching the first CCA in California and to local leaders and residents who brought this model to San Diego County. Their commitment paved the way for CEA’s formation and our ability to serve clean energy to the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and Vista.
In our first five years, CEA has delivered meaningful local impact, advancing cleaner power and supporting our member agencies’ climate action plan goals. Approximately 256,000 residents and businesses are powered by electricity that is 50% to 100% renewable and/or carbon-free through CEA. With a strong foundation and continued collaboration, the next five years will continue setting the stage for a sustainable future in our region and beyond.
I am proud of what we have achieved together and optimistic about our path ahead.
Sincerely,
Greg Wade
CEA Impact Report 2026
4 Who We Are
Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) powers
approximately 256,000 customers across
the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach,
San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside and Vista.
As a locally governed community choice
aggregator (CCA), CEA offers clean electricity,
competitive rates and local benefits to the
communities we serve. CEA has proudly
served customers since May 2021.
Mission
T o empower local communities
with the choice of sustainable and
affordable energy for all customers,
accelerating the transition to clean
energy and fostering local economic
growth, environmental responsibility,
inclusivity and community well-being.
CEA offers customers three energy choices, all
of which offer more renewable and carbon-free
energy than required by California’s standards.
CEA Impact Report 2026
5 By the Numbers
“Celebrating CEA’s fifth anniversary is a powerful
reminder of the impact local advocacy and
leadership can have. As the founding Board Chair,
I had the privilege of seeing CEA take shape from
the very beginning—defining a vision to serve our
communities with clean, renewable energy. Today,
I’m proud to see that vision realized through
meaningful greenhouse gas reductions and
energy choices that go beyond state standards.
I’m excited for the progress still ahead.”
Kristi Becker
Founding Board Chair and
current Board Member
Our customers are helping build a clean
energy future through their adoption of
solar and battery storage.
505MW
Behind-the-meter solar in CEA’s service area
38MW
Behind-the-meter battery storage in CEA’s
service area
CEA’s GHG reductions are equivalent to
emissions from driving roundtrip from
San Diego to New York 363,000 times
with a gas-powered car.
7 Member Cities
256,877
T otal Customers
93%
Participation Rate
225,724
Residential Customers
31,153
Commercial Customers
845
Customers Enrolled in Clean Impact
254,571
Customers Enrolled in Clean Impact Plus
1,461
Customers Enrolled in Green Impact
56,724
Customers Enrolled in CARE, FERA
or Medical Baseline
746,092
Metric T ons of CO2-equivalent GHG1
Reductions from Launch to 2024
1 Based on data from 2021-2024. Emission reductions are based on what the emissions would’ve been if customer(s) had purchased electricity from SDG&E.
CEA Impact Report 2026
6 Securing a Clean Energy Future for All
CEA proudly secures energy for more than 256,000 customers, reliably powering homes and businesses while leading the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. We are committed to expanding renewable energy for the communities we serve in a way that is fiscally sound.
Our goal is to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035, a decade earlier than California’s statewide target of reaching this milestone by 2045.
Building the Foundation for 100% Renewable Energy
Reaching a clean energy future requires
planning today. That’s why CEA is prioritizing new
renewable energy projects that add clean power
to the grid, like solar, wind and geothermal. CEA
helps make these projects possible by committing
to buying their electricity as they are built and
begin operating.
CEA is also preparing for a future of 100%
renewable energy by investing in battery storage
projects. These batteries store excess energy when
renewable energy generation is high and release it
when it’s needed most, such as using daytime solar
power at night.
“Why renewable energy? An important
goal shared by all of CEA’s member cities
is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Transitioning to renewable energy is a
key to achieving that goal. Investing
in clean, renewable energy means
investing in public health, protecting
natural resources and building a more
resilient future for generations to come.
I’m proud to have served on our Board
since the beginning, helping make these
investments possible for our community.”
Priya Bhat-Patel
Founding and current
Board Member
Clean Energy Investments at a Glance
190MW
New renewable energy projects
or under development
$750+MILLION
Committed to new build renewable
energy projects
197MW
New build battery storage projects
Image courtesy of Vistra Corp
CEA Impact Report 2026
7 T ogether, CEA’s clean energy investments will produce enough energy to power approximately 122,000 homes in
CEA’s territory and supply clean, non-fossil fuels equaling about 33% of CEA’s annual peak electricity needs.
Our Power Sources
Clean Impact
Plus2
Eligible
Renewable
55%
Unspecified
Power
22%
Nuclear
12%
Large
Hydroelectric
11%
CA Utility
Average3
Coal &
Petroleum
2%
Eligible
Renewable
45%
Natural Gas
10%
Unspecified
Power
22%
Large
Hydroelectric
10%
Nuclear
11%
2 Based on the 2025 Power Content Label. The average CEA customer is enrolled in Clean Impact Plus. 3 Per the 2024 Power Content Label.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity (lb CO2e/MWh)
Advocating for Our Customers Since Day One
CEA offers our communities a choice in who they buy their electricity from and the choice to purchase cleaner energy. For decades, customers in San Diego County could only buy power from San Diego Gas & Electric. In North County San Diego, CEA changed that for our customers in our member cities, and today we continue to work every day to protect that choice. 2024 - SDG&E General Rate Case (Phase 1)
CEA successfully urged the CPUC to require SDG&E
to justify how it split costs between customers,
stopping a costly infrastructure project that wouldn’t
benefit unbundled customers, like CEA’s customers,
and set a rule for future projects.
2023 - Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
Through the IRP process, CEA and San Diego
Community Power prevented customers from paying
twice for electricity resources that offered them no
benefit, saving customers an estimated $54 million
over 12 years.
2024 - SDG&E General Rate Case (Phase 2)
CEA improved bill transparency by securing a CPUC
requirement for SDG&E to clearly show the Power
Charge Indifference Adjustment on customer bills
and tariffs, helping customers understand and track
these costs.
2024 – SDG&E ERRA Compliance
CEA strengthened oversight and accountability by
obtaining detailed disclosures from SDG&E on its
sales of excess Resource Adequacy, which prompted
the CPUC to formally review these practices in
current and future proceedings.
Advocacy at a Glance
130+
Filings with the CPUC advocating
for CEA customers
$165.4MILLION
Positive customer cost impacts
associated with Energy Resource
Recovery Account (ERRA)
proceedings since 2020
“Since the beginning, CEA has worked
with local governments, businesses
and community advisors to provide
renewable energy to our region.
Together, we are moving forward
with solutions to climate change and
cost concerns, including expanding
access to community solar and
battery storage, offering rate relief
options to address affordability and
making strategic power-purchasing
decisions that grow clean energy
in our region while keeping rates
competitive for our customers.
Now, with the development of a
Strategic Plan, we will continue
to invest in community programs,
govern with transparency and
build a sustainable future for North
County San Diego.”
Katie Melendez
Current Board Chair
CEA Impact Report 2026 8
CEA legislative staff
joined the Community
Choice Energy Alliance
(CCEA) and CCA partners
from across the country
at the 2026 National
CCA Advocacy Days in
Washington, D.C., focusing
on federal engagement
around policies shaping
the future of community
choice energy.
CEA staff joined CalCCA
and CCA colleagues
from across the state in
Sacramento for CalCCA’s
Annual Lobby Day.
Through this annual effort,
CEA works alongside
CalCCA and other CCAs
to advocate at the state
Capitol for policies that
advance affordability,
reliability and clean
energy for our customers.
CEA Impact Report 2026 9
CEA Impact Report 2026
10 Bridging the Gap to an Affordable Clean Energy Future CCAs offer a unique benefit as revenues can be reinvested in local communities instead of paid to shareholders. CEA leverages this model to deliver programs that help address unmet needs, reduce barriers to participation and advance community priorities.
In its first five years, CEA has focused on paying down startup debt, building financial reserves and launching programs with minimal investment needed. As CEA strengthens its financial position, we are stepping into a position of being able to expand customer-facing programs, which will be guided by the FY 2025/26-2030/31 Energy Programs Plan.
Programs Pillars
1. Clean Energy Supply and Grid Resilience
2. Building Electrification and Energy Efficiency
3. Transportation Electrification
4. Local Workforce and Community Education
Programs at a Glance
8 CEA-led programs available to customers
19 Program initiatives identified in CEA’s
2025/26 – 2030/31 Energy Programs Plan
398kW
T otal solar installed or pending installation
through suite of Solar Plus programs
1,339kWh
T otal battery storage installed or
pending installation through suite
of Solar Plus programs
188
T otal program participants across
all CEA existing programs
$2,102,485
Self-Generation Incentive Program
funds secured for customers to install
solar and battery systems
1,461
T otal Green Impact customers
CEA Impact Report 2026 11
CEA Impact Report 2026
12 “Serving on the CAC from the beginning
has been a meaningful experience. It’s
been especially rewarding to support
efforts around programs like solar and
battery storage, which not only move us
toward sustainability but also strengthen
reliability and long-term resilience for our
community. For me, this service is about
more than energy, it’s about making sure
our community is informed, included
and able to benefit from a cleaner, more
resilient future.”
Debra Schade, PhD
Founding CAC Member
and current CAC Chair
Planning for a Future of Community Reinvestment
Building and maintaining financial stability is
at the core of CEA’s mission. Our strategic plan
calls for long-term financial sustainability and
building reserves: a key component of offering
stable, competitive rates and reinvesting in the
communities we serve.
Like many CCAs, CEA spent its early years paying
down startup debt. We are proud to share that in
fiscal year 2024/2025, CEA reached a net positive
position, a significant milestone that reflects strong
fiscal management. This progress has enabled
growth in our Days Liquidity on Hand (DCOH), which
supports our pursuit of an investment-grade credit
rating and strengthens our ability to secure better
energy contracts for our customers. CEA conducts
annual independent audits and publishes quarterly
financial statements, ensuring transparency remains
central to our operations.
In early 2026, CEA’s financial strength allowed us to provide a rate relief credit to customers to help offset rising Power Charge Indifference Adjustment fees.
Between February and December 2026, $10.6 million in rate relief was available to residential and commercial customers.
CEA Impact Report 2026
13 “I am proud to see CEA celebrate
this major milestone and its
accomplishments. In bringing
cleaner energy at a competitive
price to north county San Diego,
CEA helped grow the number of
CCAs statewide. The organization’s
success in meeting climate action
plans of its members is another
powerful example of the meaningful
impact CCAs are delivering for
communities across our state.”
Barbara Boswell
Founding CEO
CEA Impact Report 2026
14 Connecting with Our Communities
CEA was created to offer the communities we
serve more choice, and connecting with those
communities is at the heart of our mission. Our
strong presence at local events and consistent
engagement online helps us raise awareness about
CEA and how we can help customers participate in
and benefit from a clean energy future.
We’re dedicated to reaching customers in ways
that meet their needs. Whether someone prefers
to engage through social media or receive
information in person, CEA makes multiple
options available. For customers who do not
speak English, CEA provides translated materials,
a call center with agents who speak English and
Spanish and access to a language service line
that supports other languages.
“I’m proud to have played a role in CEA’s
formation. I joined the CAC early on and
saw the agency grow from its initial
three city members to the organization
it is today. It was the dream of the early
founders for the public to have a greener,
more cost effective and more responsive
public entity to manage power in the
north county. CEA has fulfilled that
dream well beyond my expectations.”
Dwight Worden
Founding CAC Chair
Outreach at a Glance
7,280
Estimated number of people engaged
at community events since 2024
151
Community engagements, including
presentations, booths, sponsorships and
event attendance since 2024
$125,865
Investment in community participation
since 2024
$77,640
Investment in sponsorships to expand
awareness of CEA since 2024
2,216
Social media followers across all
platforms
3,479
Social media posts across all platforms
since CEA’s launch
23,485
Social media engagement across all
platforms since CEA’s launch
3 Full-time Spanish-speaking employees
35,792
Customer support calls since launch
250+
Language support available with CEA’s call
center language access line
CEA Impact Report 2026
15 Our Path Ahead
Strategic Plan Core Guiding Principles and Goals
1. PROMOTE USE & DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAN ENERGY
Reduce GHG emissions by providing 100% renewable energy as the default product for all CEA customers by 2035.
2. BUILD & MAINTAIN FINANCIAL STABILITY
Achieve financial sustainability and build reserves.
3. PROVIDE BENEFICIAL CUSTOMER PROGRAMS
Offer a variety of programs that serve the needs of our customers, promote affordability, and further reduce GHG emissions.
4. ACTIVEL Y ENGAGE IN CUSTOMER ADVOCACY
Engage and advocate for CEA and its customers in regulatory and legislative matters.
5. PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE & ENGAGEMENT
Provide highly responsive and helpful customer service and opportunities for our staff to engage with our customers.
6. PROMOTE ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Continue to create and cultivate an organization that fosters employee creativity and engagement in meeting CEA’s goals, recognizes employee achievements and supports employee
development and growth.
“After working many years advocating for community choice energy as a viable means of addressing climate change at the local level, I was pleased to be nominated to serve on the CAC and continue advocating along others to bring renewable energy to our communities. It is my hope that our efforts and guidance to the CEA Board results in equitable and sustainable programs that make a meaningful impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our region and beyond.”
Paige DeCino
Founding and current CAC Member
Contact Us!
TheCleanEnergyAlliance.org
(833) 232-3110
[email protected]
5857 Owens Ave., Suite 300
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Connect With Us!
Facebook.com/TheCleanEnergyAlliance
Instagram.com/TheCleanEnergyAlliance
X.com/TheCleanEnergyA
YouTube.com/@CleanEnergyAlliance
LinkedIn.com/Company/The-Clean-Energy-Alliance