San Diego Community Power staff presented an update on the San Diego Regional Energy Network (SDREN), telling the board the CPUC approved the agency’s application and authorized approximately $124 million in funding through calendar year 2027 to deliver a portfolio of energy efficiency programs across San Diego County.

Sheena Tran, associate director of programs, said Community Power and the County of San Diego will serve as lead administrators and outlined the portfolio structure, advisory committee plans and a phased procurement timeline for implementers. Staff said the CPUC authorized funding in August 2024 and that program launch work has proceeded with phased requests for proposals (RFPs) and executed contracts in early phases.

Programs and timeline
Staff described a 3‑phase procurement: Phase 1 (released February 2025) covered workforce development programs and codes & standards; Phase 2 (March 2025) covered two public‑agency programs and two residential programs; Phase 3 (May 2025) covered commercial programs. Contracts for phase‑1 programs have been executed and program ramp‑up is underway; staff expects some programs to be in market by Q1 2026 and the remainder by Q2 2026.

Program highlights
Staff summarized 10 programs across workforce, residential, tribal, public agency and commercial tracks. Examples: a no‑cost workforce training and capacity building program and a separate energy‑pathways high school program; a codes and standards program with energy code coaches for permitting counters; public agency climate resilience and direct‑install programs; a tribal engagement program offering culturally aware technical assistance and funding; single‑family and multifamily residential programs that include technical assistance and direct installs; and commercial programs including energy coach concierge services, a market‑access contractor network paid on verified savings, and an efficient refrigeration program that provides energy‑efficient refrigerators and freezers to corner stores and small grocers.

Equity and outreach
Staff said the portfolio prioritizes underserved communities and proposed sliding scales of incentives and targeted recruitment. The program team noted examples from an existing efficient‑refrigeration pilot (about 26 participants) and plans for starter kits, bill‑analysis services and layered incentive coordination across programs.

Board response and next steps
Directors asked about outreach, eligibility and how implementers will prioritize applicants; staff said eligibility and selection processes vary by program and many programs will operate first‑come, first‑served with implementer‑managed applications. Staff asked board members to assist with outreach and publicizing programs. Staff expects to finalize remaining contracts by the end of the year and begin rolling programs into market in early 2026.

Ending
The board received the update as a receiving‑file item; staff will return with contract execution updates and program launch details as milestones are reached.