New Expectations for a Skilled and Trained Workforce Help Increase Safety, Reduce Delays and Support Affordable, Dependable Clean Power for Nearly One Million Customers
SAN DIEGO — As part of its ongoing efforts to provide clean, renewable energy at the greatest possible value for its customers, the San Diego Community Power Board of Directors today voted unanimously to strengthen workforce standards in new renewable energy and battery storage procurement agreements.
“We’ve been fighting to keep energy rates as low as possible for rate payers and accelerate the transition to 100% renewable energy, and that means building new solar, wind and battery storage facilities the right way. When energy projects are built safely, on time, and with skilled workers from the start, we prevent costly delays and protect ratepayers from expensive surprises,” said Community Power Board Chair and San Diego County Supervisors Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “By prioritizing experienced construction teams and stable labor agreements, we’re reducing risk and ensuring these facilities are reliable and built to last. That’s how we keep power affordable and accountable to the public.”
Under the updated policies and evaluation criteria, new utility-scale renewable and battery storage projects must include binding workforce agreements to support stable, on-time construction. Factors such as prevailing wage, skilled labor, local hire, long-term maintenance agreements, and workforce training and safety commitments will now be considered — alongside price, environmental benefits and reliability — when the agency evaluates proposals to purchase power from a new energy project.
This approach is designed to reduce the risk of construction delays and costly rework which can raise project costs and impact customers.
“Training and safety aren’t just good for workers, they’re good for families’ energy bills,” said San Diego City Councilmember and Community Power Board Member Sean Elo-Rivera. “When projects are built right the first time by skilled workers, we prevent unnecessary cost increases and improve reliability. This is another way Community Power is working to keep clean energy affordable for the residents we serve.”
From prevailing wages to project labor agreements, these policies make Community Power a leader in the state when it comes to workforce standards. The strengthened expectations also reflect a commitment to public safety and long‑term project durability.
“Community Power is showing what responsible clean‑energy development looks like,” said San Diego County Building & Construction Trades Council business manager Carol Kim. “By ensuring developers meet strong job quality and safety standards, the agency is protecting workers, improving project quality and building clean‑energy infrastructure that will serve our communities for decades.”
Ang San Diego Community Power ay isang community choice energy program na nagbibigay sa mga customer ng opsyon na patakbuhin ang kanilang mga negosyo at tahanan sa mas mataas na antas ng renewable power sa competitive na mga rate. Ang San Diego Community Power ay nagsisilbi sa halos isang milyong customer sa San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, La Mesa, National City, Imperial Beach, at sa mga hindi pinagsamang komunidad ng San Diego County. Matuto pa sa SDCommunityPower.org.
