Energization - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Barrier 4: Energization

Barrier Statement

Rural and tribal lands face significant barriers to grid connectivity, with some homes waiting years for connection.

How communities are experiencing this barrier

View the details on what communities have shared with SLECC from across the state.

Key challenge discussed in - San Diego

In some tribal regions, the cost of bringing clean energy infrastructure to remote homes can reach $400,000 per connection. These costs are prohibitive and make widespread deployment financially unfeasible without major subsidies.

Key challenge discussed in - San Diego

Equity and geographic isolation: Reservations are often located away from population centers, which makes utilities less willing to invest in distribution lines and makes energy infrastructure more costly and less prioritized by the state

Key challenge discussed in - San Diego

Tribal and unincorporated communities struggle to connect to the grid and access renewable energy. For example, at Los Coyotes, some houses have been waiting over four years to be connected to the SDG&E grid. This leaves households without electricity for extended periods, a major barrier to resilience and equity

Key challenge discussed in - San Diego

Unique sovereignty and governance challenges Tribes have a distinct legal relationship with the federal and state governments, often misunderstood by agencies. This misunderstanding complicates efforts to address energization barriers and requires tribes to repeatedly re-explain their context in state forums

Local Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

Local Solution

Regional collaboration on interconnection – Small agencies and tribal entities called for regional governance structures to coordinate with CPUC and utilities, reducing delays and gaps in energization planning

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Diego

Local Solution

Distributed generation and microgrids – Local communities have pursued solar, battery, and microgrid projects to bypass long utility interconnection queues, though high upfront costs and restrictive rules remain obstacles

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Diego

Local Solution

Community partnerships for resilience – Partner with tribal governments and trusted CBOs to connect households in rural/tribal areas with interim resilience solutions while waiting for utility grid connection

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Diego

State Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

State Solution

Incentivize distributed solutions – State should ensure utilities are financially rewarded for distributed resilience projects (microgrids, community solar, storage), not just centralized assets

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Diego

State Solution

Set stricter utility timelines – Stakeholders flagged that utilities have no incentive to accelerate interconnection, and called for regulations establishing firm deadlines and accountability

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Diego

State Solution

Infrastructure upgrades – State-level investment in modernizing distribution lines in rural and tribal regions to improve reliability and reduce wait times

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): San Diego

Solution Spotlight

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