The Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors approved a 5.2% rate increase on the average monthly bill during its June 27 meeting.

The new average monthly bill will be $192.08, compared to the current monthly average of $182.50, as part of the CEA’s 2024-25 budget.

The new rates take effect in November, marking the first time in two years that the CEA board is raising rates. It applies to residences and businesses in the CEA’s seven-city service area, including Del Mar and Solana Beach, who have not opted out of CEA service to remain with San Diego Gas & Electric.

“I think that it’s unfortunate that we have to raise our rates, but again it’s been two years,” said Solana Beach City Councilmember Kristi Becker, a CEA board member. “It’s something we have to do and a lot of good things come with that.”

Board members had been considering multiple options for rate changes leading up to the vote on the 5.2% increase. They ultimately selected an option that raises rates more during the winter months, when usage is down, compared to the summer months for a more consistent monthly bill.

“Obviously none of us want to raise the rates,” said Oceanside City Councilmember Eric Joyce, an alternate CEA board member. “I hope this is an option that can allow us to be stable for long enough. I think that the feeling is when you’re purchasing anything nowadays it feels like you’re getting nickeled and dimed every time, like they’re always trying to take as much as possible. I hope that the stability that we can provide by doing this once and doing it in a way that is forward thinking allows us to not fall into that constant raising of the rates.”