New USD Program Helps Local Leaders Make More Informed Energy-Related Decisions in their Communities

Solar panels. Decarbonization. Renewable energy. These are common words we hear in the push for more sustainable energy solutions in our communities.

But, for those in decision-making positions like city council members or leaders of nonprofit organizations, these are more than buzz words – they’re a part of a new reality of decision making. That’s where the San Diego Regional Energy Academy comes in.

“Energy is so central to our everyday lives. And, since California has such ambitious goals around clean electricity and electrifying buildings and vehicles, and there is more pressure to develop local projects, it is essential that today’s leaders understand some of the complexities of the energy system,” said Scott Anders, director of the Energy Policy Initiatives Center, housed within the School of Law. “Our goal with the Energy Academy is to raise the energy IQ of the region.”

Scott Anders, director of the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), and Darbi Berry, director of the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative (SDRCC), developed the Energy Academy curriculum with a goal of helping community leaders understand San Diego's energy and power systems, and ultimately make more informed decisions to reach regional climate resilience goals.

“Our regional leaders are hearing about battery storage facilities, high electricity prices, and the cost to purchase and install efficient and clean technologies. Some of them are making decisions about these issues and having a better understanding of some of the nuances can be empowering,” added Anders.

Around 75 people, over two cohorts, have collectively attended the Academy which covers the basics of energy– from the different types of energy units to how a power grid works. The education also dives deeper into San Diego-specific energy supply information and the state of the local industry. After lessons at the University of San Diego, the program takes attendees off campus to field trips at the Port of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric. 

“I'm here today because energy is the hot topic. There are a lot of things that center around energy when we're looking at, for example, in my community, how are we able to generate renewable sources?,” said Corinna Contreras, City of Vista Councilmember District 1, who attended the second cohort in March.

Contreras shared that while she has an understanding in different areas of energy, she was looking for a more holistic, high-level view of the sector. And, at the same time, she’s looking at how this industry can positively impact her community of Vista. 

“I look at Vista. I look at youth, young adults, underemployment or [the] unemployed. We need to be able to create those entry-level jobs where you can actually have a future. And I think energy is the way to do it – clean energy, sustainable, renewable energy,” Contreras added. 

For Drew Andersen with the California Public Utilities Commission, attending the Energy Academy was more of a local networking opportunity and also a good way to learn about San Diego’s energy initiatives versus what he sees at a state level. 

“As someone who's early in their career, I think it's a good networking opportunity, a nice opportunity to meet all the key players, representatives from these kinds of entities,” said Anderson. “It's a good learning opportunity I think for everybody to kind of coalesce and understand everyone's hiccups and issues and the conflicts that everyone has,” he added. 

Along with learning and networking opportunities, the creators of the Energy Academy also envisioned that this could be a program for diverse community leaders and elevate their literacy of the region’s energy landscape. 

“Our goal is to bring together a diverse group of individuals from around the region and to make this opportunity available to anyone. There are industry-led programs out there that are very expensive. From the beginning, we wanted the Energy Academy to be free, so anyone who is interested can attend,” said Darbi Berry, director of the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative. 

Organizers hope to have three to four cohorts per year to continue educating local leaders at the Energy Academy, with the help and support of inaugural funding partners, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and San Diego Community Power (SDCP).