ABOUT SSJID's RETAIL ELECTRIC PLAN

SSJID, as a non-profit utility agency, wants to provide retail electricity to achieve significant cost savings, service improvement and increased reliability to its current agricultural customers, residents, businesses and governmental entities within Manteca, Escalon, Ripon and surrounding rural areas (SSJID’s service territory).  Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), a for-profit, investor-owned utility currently provides electric service to approximately 40,000 customers in the same service territory. 

Why does SSJID want to assume the responsibility of providing you with power?  Because we think you deserve lower rates and improved, local service.  We also believe you value local control, which allows you to elect the people who run your electric utility and give them input on how the utility runs by attending public meetings, or simply by voicing your opinion when you see a SSJID board member at the local coffee shop.  More than 50 years ago, our Board of Directors foresaw the value of building the Tri-Dam Project with the Oakdale Irrigation District, and now wants you to share in its benefits.

The Tri-Dam Project is a series of hydroelectric power plants on the Stanislaus River that generate electricity.  Recent contract negotiations have allowed SSJID to be in a favorable financial position for many years—meaning more locally re-investable funds and a substantial wholesale power resource for years to come.

What we have done:
As a public agency, we believe it’s our responsibility to share the Tri-Dam Project’s benefits with all the residents and businesses in our service territory.  That’s why SSJID has invested a great deal of time and resources in developing a solid, safe plan to provide retail electric service at a substantial cost savings to our service territory.  We have submitted an application to the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (SJ LAFCo) to begin the process of receiving approval for our plan of service and financial capability. We need LAFCo’s approval before we can move forward with our plan to save you 15% on your electric rates.  There are many ways you can help us with this effort and you’ll learn more about what you can do by navigating through this website.

SSJID has also engaged electricity experts and staff in considering everything from the valuation of PG&E’s electric distribution system (how much we may have to pay for their system), to working with our cities to plan public benefit programs that will provide assistance with energy conservation and low-income benefits, to making sure we can maintain long-term financial stability for all of our water and electric operations.  We have worked closely with the city officials and staff in each of the cities we serve to ensure their understanding of the benefits and risks of our plan, and we are ready to enter into agreements with each city and San Joaquin County to make them whole for taxes and franchise fees that meet or exceed what PG&E pays. 

We have completed thorough environmental studies, and planned for system upgrades to ensure reliability.  Overall, we think the statistic from our exhaustive studies that says the most is that SSJID estimates that we will be able to save our service territory approximately $11.6 million on electricity rates in the first year of service alone, and over $140 million over 10 years of operation.  That is money back in your pocket to spend as you choose, for farmers to keep our agricultural economy thriving, for businesses to keep expanding and employees working, for cities to invest in police and fire services, and for non-profits to put to work serving their clients.

Most importantly, we have made a good faith offer to PG&E of $79.5 million for their distribution system.  This represents two times the value that PG&E says the facilities are worth when they file their taxes.  Unfortunately, PG&E thus far has refused to negotiate for their system.  They have also spent your rate dollars on trying to convince you that public power will not be a good thing for you and your community.  All across California, PG&E has taken steps to thwart public power from being offered in various forms.  Is competition good for our economy?  It’s up to you to decide where you stand on this issue.  You could choose to continue to pay PG&E and its shareholders a hefty profit every year on escalating rates, or you could voice your support and put your trust in the benefits of a utility that wants nothing more than to save you money, provide you with more reliable service, and allow you to participate in its policies and rate setting.

Throughout the country, publicly-owned utilities are growing and improving their local economies.  Public power benefits everyone.  From cost savings and greater reliability to stronger community partnerships and improved efficiencies, the benefits of SSJID providing electric services to your community will be immeasurable.

To learn more about publicly-owned electric utilities, click on BenefitsofPublicPowerBrochure.pdf.

For more information on the program, please click on info@ssjid.com to send an e-mail, or call 209-249-4600.

Yes, I want to save 15% on my electricity rates, show me how.

To view SSJID's application to LAFCo click here.

To view SSJID’s electric plan click here.

To view the site appraisal click here.