Tag Archive for: SDGE

(L to R) SDG&E EV Customer Solutions Manager Lianna Lienau, Helix Division 2 Director Andrea Beth Damsky, Helix Board Vice President Joel A. Scalzitti, Helix Board President Dan McMillan, Helix Division 3 Director Mark Gracyk, Helix Division 4 Director Kathleen Coates Hedberg, and San Diego County Air Pollution Control District Chief of Emissions Reductions Kathleen Keehan at the groundbreaking for the Helix electrification project at its El Cajon operations center. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix Water District Working Toward Zero-Emission Future

/in , /by

As part of its initiative to transition to a zero-emission vehicle fleet, Helix Water District leaders broke ground in late March on a retrofitting project at the district’s operations center in El Cajon.

The $11 million project, which is almost entirely grant-funded, will increase electrical capacity and charging infrastructure needed for the transition at its operations center in El Cajon. The facility will also support other East County public agencies as they work towards electrifying their own vehicle fleets. 

Helix Preparing to Meet New California Requirements

Helix Water District purchased its first EV truck in 2022. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix Water District purchased its first EV truck in 2022. Photo: Helix Water District

While all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California will be zero-emission by 2035, the state wants government agencies with vehicle fleets to get to zero emissions more quickly. By 2027, all new medium and heavy-duty truck purchases must be zero-emission vehicles.

The district’s fleet of vehicles is used by employees responsible for maintaining 742 miles of pipeline, valves, hydrants, and meters. While the Helix Water District first began purchasing electric vehicles in 2022 as part of its overall sustainability efforts, its current infrastructure requires upgrades to support an electric-only vehicle fleet.

“The Helix board of directors voted 5-0 to approve this project because this is the next step on the path we’ve chosen for our agency,” said board member Mark Gracyk.

“We have already reduced our energy use by 15% and our carbon footprint by 40%. This project will be a model for other agencies working to electrify their fleets and help the cities we serve meet their climate action plan goals.”

In addition to the major change in operations, the Helix Water District must maintain 24/7 readiness for emergency responses, with a vehicle fleet that requires time to recharge.

Partner Collaboration Makes Helix Project Possible

Helix Water District will work with SDG&E and the San Diego Air Pollution Control District to complete its project. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix Water District will work with SDG&E and the San Diego Air Pollution Control District to complete its project. Photo: Helix Water District

Retrofitting the district’s operations center to increase electrical capacity and installing the new infrastructure presented challenges. The Helix project team moved quickly to secure outside expertise and funding to get ahead of other public agencies in California competing for resources.

Through funding and technical support from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and San Diego Gas & Electric, Helix is ready to begin construction. The organizations guided the district through idea gathering, planning, designing, and equipment selection. The collaboration will continue through construction.

“This charging infrastructure project is particularly impactful for air quality in the area because the communities serviced by the Helix Water District have some of the highest levels of air pollution in San Diego County. SDAPCD looks forward to the full implementation of this project,” said Paula Forbis, Air Pollution Control Officer, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.

“Our collaboration with Helix Water District and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District exemplifies the power of partnerships in driving our progress to meeting California’s climate goals,” added Miguel Romero, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, SDG&E.

Helix Effort Meets Climate Action Plan Goals

The district’s fleet of vehicles is used by employees responsible for maintaining 742 miles of pipeline, valves, hydrants, and meters. Photo: Helix Water District Zero-emission

The district’s fleet of vehicles is used by employees responsible for maintaining 742 miles of pipeline, valves, hydrants, and meters. Photo: Helix Water District

Vehicle emissions are one of the highest sources of pollution in San Diego County. For this reason, SDAPCD considers the shift from diesel to electric vehicles one of the most impactful ways to improve air quality.

According to SDG&E, Helix Water District’s plan to transition 86 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and install nearly six megawatts of charging infrastructure aligns with SDG&E’s mission to support public agencies and fleet operators in meeting California’s Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation and local climate action plan goals.

Helix received a $5.2 million grant from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, a $2.2 million grant from San Diego Gas & Electric’s Power Your Drive for Fleets Program and an additional $1.5 million through the Disadvantaged Community Electric Vehicle Charger Rebate Program. The district will fund the remaining $2 million.

“We understood early on the impact that the state’s advanced clean fleet regulation would have on the district. The cost associated with projects of this size are significant and we did not want this to impact the communities we serve, many of which are low-income communities,” said Dan McMillan, board president of the Helix Water District.

“I want to thank, on behalf of the district, San Diego Gas & Electric and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District for their financial support. Collaboration is the only way we can move projects like this forward.”

The electrification project will take approximately one year to complete.

Santa Ana Winds Will Peak Wednesday and Be Followed by New Windstorm Monday

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Gary Robbins and Karen Kucher

The Santa Ana winds that led San Diego Gas & Electric to shut off power to more than 5,900 customers on Tuesday are now reaching their peak and come amid dangerously low relative humidity across critically dry San Diego County, the National Weather Service says.

Full Story

With More Santa Anas on Way, San Diego Fire Agencies Take Aggressive Stance

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Teri Figueroa and Caleb Lunetta

When the call reporting a brush fire in Otay Mesa came out Thursday, fire agencies pounced. Not just San Diego Fire-Rescue, but Chula Vista, National City and Coronado. Officials quickly brought in air resources, hand crews and differing types of fire rigs.

Full Story

SDG&E Warns Rural Residents of Potential Power Shutoffs

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Rob Nikolewski

San Diego Gas & Electric officials have notified 24,700 customers living in backcountry areas that they may lose power in the coming days because Santa Ana winds are expected to blow through the area, which may result in elevated risk of fire.

Moderate-strength Santa Ana winds are expected to arrive Tuesday night and last until Thursday evening, leading the National Weather Service to issue red flag warnings for San Diego County valleys and mountains through Friday morning. The red flag warning is also in effect for inland and coastal Orange County.

Full Story

Newsom Issues Executive Order on Rising Electric Bills — But How Much Will it Help?

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Rob Nikolewski

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Wednesday aimed at finding ways to reduce rising electricity bills that beleaguered customers pay each month — although the order did not offer specific dollar figures and timetables.

One of the major drivers of higher bills comes from spending by the state’s investor-owned utilities such as San Diego Gas & Electric on programs to reduce the risk of wildfires. SDG&E, for example, has spent about $5 billion in ratepayer money since the deadly Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice wildfires in 2007 that destroyed more than 1,300 homes, killed two people and injured 40 firefighters.

Full Story

California’s Water Supply and Conservation

/in , /by /Escondido Times-Advocateby Ed Gallo

Continuing my comments from last week regarding California’s water supply and conservation, I am reminded of a trip to Chico  some 35 years ago. Our family was living through our second drought since moving here in 1973. You may recall a couple of years ago I wrote how this state is subject to recurring droughts roughly every 7 to 10 years. Dry years are nothing new.

Full Story

How Much Will Water and Energy Rates Rise in San Diego in 2023?

/in , /by /NBC 7 San Diegoby Sergio Flores and Nicole Kjeldgaard Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Higher utility rates will be here starting on Jan. 1. NBC 7 has already talked about higher energy rates, but water and wastewater rates are rising too. That means higher utility bills are on the way for many San Diegans. But just how much are they going up? Some, like water and wastewater increases, are set in stone, while others are being modified right up to the last minute. That can make it hard for families to plan.

Full Story

San Diego, Not SDG&E, Must Pay to Move Gas Pipelines for Pure Water Project, Judge Rules

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Jeff McDonald

Four years ago, when the San Diego City Council approved paying tens of millions of dollars to relocate utility pipes and other equipment to make room for the ambitious Pure Water project, city officials insisted they would recover the money from San Diego Gas & Electric. That didn’t happen. The city sued San Diego Gas & Electric in 2020, saying that the company violated its franchise agreement by refusing to pay to move its equipment.

Full Story
Helix Water District Board of Directors in the district’s new all-electric, zero-emission, Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck. Driver’s seat: Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Backseat: Director Dan McMillan. Back of the truck: Directors Joel Scalzitti, De Ana Verbeke and Mark Gracyk. Photo: Helix Water District sustainability

Helix Water District Adds Zero-Emission Truck to Sustainability Efforts

/in /by

The Helix Water District has expanded its ongoing sustainability efforts with the addition of its first all-electric, zero-emission, Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck.

“Converting public and private fleets to zero-emission trucks is a big part of the governor’s plan to have five million zero-emission vehicles in California by 2030,” said Helix Water District Director of Operations Kevin D. Miller. “This is a small step, but Helix is heading in the right direction.”

Left to right: Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg, Director Dan McMillan, Director Mark Gracyk, Board Vice President De Ana Verbeke and Director Joel Scalzitti. Photo: Helix Water District

The district dispatches 80 light- and heavy-duty trucks throughout its 50-square-mile service area daily to maintain the district’s pipelines, pump stations, and reservoir tanks, and also in response to customer calls. Field operations crews drive up to 100 miles per day.

Electric truck fuels savings

The Ford F-150 Lightning has over a 200-mile range. Ordering the vehicle prior to recent manufacturer price increases and taking advantage of rebates offset the price difference between the electric and gas-powered models. Electric trucks are also anticipated to save maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts to replace than comparable internal combustion engine models.

Avoiding fuel costs generates more savings. The district’s light-duty gasoline trucks have a fuel efficiency of about 20 miles to the gallon and cost 25 cents per mile to drive. Thanks to the district’s power purchase agreements and other investments, the electric trucks will cost less than 10 cents per mile.

New vehicle latest milestone in Helix sustainability efforts

The Helix Water District partnered with SDG&E and received grant funding to install on-site charging stations at two of its facilities. Photo: Helix Water District sustainability

The Helix Water District partnered with SDG&E and received grant funding to install on-site charging stations at two of its facilities. Photo: Helix Water District

Helix began transitioning to a sustainable fleet in 2017 when it replaced inefficient light-duty work trucks with seven Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids. The hybrids are 400% more fuel efficient than the trucks they replaced. The district also partnered with SDG&E and received grant funding to install on-site charging stations at two of its facilities.

“We welcome our first fully electric work vehicle,” said Helix Water District Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg. “The technology has come a very long way, and zero-emission trucks benefit the cities and communities we serve by reducing operational costs, improving air quality, and reducing our environmental footprint. Whether developing new water sources or advancing toward a cleaner fleet, I am proud of the district’s sustainability efforts.”

In 2020, the district switched from diesel to renewable diesel, resulting in decreased emissions, particulates, and a noticeable increase in vehicle performance.

Additional sustainability efforts include:

  • Solar panel arrays at the Helix Operations Center in El Cajon
  • Purchasing electricity through California’s Direct Access Program
  • Pumping and moving water at night when electricity rates are lowest
  • Retrofitting facilities to reduce HVAC costs
  • Partnering with SDG&E to install charging stations for Helix and employee vehicles
  • Purchasing Toyota Prius vehicles with state and federal rebates

Each of these programs reduces energy use and reduces costs, which helps reduce operational costs for Helix Water District customers.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Conservation and Storage: Batteries, the Future of California Power

/in , , /by /NBC7 San Diegoby Joe Little

The hottest days this summer pushed California’s power grid to its limit. People were asked multiple days to conserve energy to avoid rolling blackouts.

Full Story