The City of Pomona and California Choice Energy Authority (CalChoice) have partnered to launch a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program that will offer the Pomona community more renewable energy options and lower electricity rates. As a CalChoice associate member, the City will be thoroughly guided through the CCA implementation process; the program is expected to launch in September 2020.
“The City of Pomona is providing a great benefit to its community by moving forward with CCA,” said CalChoice Executive Director Jason Caudle. “Residents and local businesses are going to see lower rates and future community programs funded by revenues from the CCA. We’re excited to see the City prosper with this new program.”
The City completed extensive research on CCA prior to moving forward with the program. For several months, staff evaluated CCA benefits and program implementation options to determine the best solution for Pomona. In 2018, CalChoice completed a feasibility study that confirmed the City’s ability to implement a successful CCA program. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved the Pomona’s CCA implementation plan in March 2018 giving the City the green light to establish the program.
“After researching the options available, staff determined that the best option would be to develop a CCA program in which the City would have full authority over the program,” said Darron Poulsen, City of Pomona Water Resources Director. “CalChoice’s model provides the flexibility that works best for the City.”
CalChoice’s hybrid-JPA structure will allow the City to maintain full control of all program decisions, a unique benefit that differentiates CalChoice from traditional JPAs. Pomona will have access to CalChoice services such as rate analysis, financial projections, load forecasting and power procurement without sacrificing local control. The City will make all decisions and manage roles such as local governance and oversight, rate setting and outreach. Once launched, CalChoice will continue to support program operations.
In the future, the City intends to use program revenue to implement residential and commercial programs for energy conservation and local generation.
About CalChoice
CalChoice offers support for local governments in every phase of the CCA program implementation process, providing feasibility services to determine whether a CCA program is appropriate, developing implementation plans for members to submit to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and managing the implementation process to launch the CCA program, as well as continuing to support members once their CCA program becomes operational. To learn more about partnering opportunities with CalChoice, please visit www.CaliforniaChoiceEnergyAuthority.com.
About the City of Pomona
On January 6,1888, Pomona was incorporated as a City and became a charter City in 1911. Today, Pomona is the seventh largest city in Los Angeles County, with a population of over 151,000 residents. Pomona boasts a progressive economy, business opportunity, and a strong workforce with attractive shopping, recreational, and real estate offering. The Pomona Valley had been a fruitful valley in the past and is now fruitful from the strength and efforts of its people. With a vision to promote harmonious diversity and economic prosperity, Pomona is vibrant community with progressive citizens leading, testing the limits of progress, and striving to provide a high quality of life for all of Pomona.