Illumina Commits to 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Energy from San Diego Community Power

SAN DIEGO, October 18, 2021 /3BL Media/ – San Diego Community Power (SDCP), the not-for-profit community choice energy program, today announced Illumina’s (NASDAQ: ILMN) decision to opt-up to SDCP’s Power100 service tier. SDCP will provide all current San Diego-based Illumina facilities with 100% renewable, 100% carbon-free electricity, further cementing the company’s leadership in environmental stewardship for the life sciences industry. Illumina is a global company committed to deepening its impact on human health by serving as a champion for patients, the community, and the planet.

“Illumina is proud to be an advocate for clean energy. Partnering with San Diego Community Power enables us to work toward our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Athena Harrington, Vice President of Facilities, Illumina. “Being able to reach our sustainability goals with a cost-competitive product for facility electricity is a gamechanger for us.”

Earlier this year, llumina set verified science-based emission reduction targets across their entire value chain that are consistent with keeping global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. They have also committed to a long-term target of net-zero emissions by 2050 and signed the "Business Ambition for 1.5", a joint effort between the United Nations Global Compact and businesses worldwide.

“We are excited to partner with one of the leading biotech companies in the world to advance our shared vision for a healthy, sustainable future,” said SDCP Board Chair and Encinitas Councilmember Joe Mosca. “Illumina’s commitment to fighting climate change serves as a roadmap for other organizations and businesses dedicated to saving our environment and reinvesting in our local communities.”

Moving Forward To A Cleaner Future

SDCP continues to build momentum as the clean power provider of choice in the region. SDCP launched commercial and industrial service for 72,000 customers in San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, and La Mesa in June of this year.

“We are thrilled that the region’s business leaders are answering the call to fight climate change,” said Bill Carnahan, Interim CEO of SDCP. “SDCP is an easy choice with competitive rates for significantly greener energy and a non-profit structure that ensures reinvestment in alternative energy jobs and projects that support local communities.”

SDCP offers two service levels, PowerOn, which provides 50% renewable energy, and Power100, a 100% renewable energy service. As a local not-for-profit, SDCP reinvests all excess revenue back into the community.

Residential service will begin rolling out in February 2022. SDCP customers can change service levels or opt out of the service at any time. SDG&E will continue to deliver power, manage monthly billing and customer service, and provide ongoing system maintenance.

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs, like SDCP, were enabled by state legislation as part of the solution to the 2001 energy crisis, allowing local communities to control the energy they buy and address constraints on competition that contributed to the problem. Locally-elected officials govern CCAs with consistent input from a Community Advisory Council. All decisions on energy procurement, rates, and reinvestment are made at open meetings giving member city residents and businesses a voice in energy choices.

There are currently 23 CCAs operating successfully across California and providing reliable service to more than 11 million customers in more than 200 cities and counties.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER

San Diego Community Power (SDCP) is a Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) committed to providing municipalities, businesses, and residents in our member agencies with clean, renewable energy at competitive rates and investing in innovative programs that benefit the environment and the economy in our communities. SDCP will source cleaner electricity for over 960,000 customer accounts in the cities of Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, and San Diego, and the unincorporated communities of San Diego County. Learn more at www.sdcommunitypower.org.