VISTA — The Vista Unified School District has moved to 100% renewable energy in partnership with the Clean Energy Alliance, saving approximately 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Vista Unified, which has identified itself as one of the most energy-efficient school districts in North County, previously operated at a 75% renewable energy level. The district board of trustees unanimously approved the 100% renewable energy switch at its Dec. 17 meeting.
The action also fulfills the district’s 2024-25 goal to join the Clean Energy Alliance and/or a power purchasing agreement, as the district’s Climate Energy Committee recommended earlier this year to help meet its climate goals.
The Clean Energy Alliance is a community choice aggregation entity providing alternative energy resources in North County. It was formed in 2019 and began servicing the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar and Solana Beach in 2021. Service for Escondido and San Marcos began in 2022, followed by Vista and Oceanside in mid-2024.
By moving to 100% carbon-free electrical consumption, Vista Unified will move to the Clean Energy Alliance’s Green Impact Champion Program status. The district will initiate a six-month pilot of the program, with no additional costs anticipated for the district.
“We actually anticipate this will be a wash and there won’t be any additional expense to the district,” said District COO Shawn Loescher.
The city of Vista enrolls all its customers into Clean Energy Alliance’s 75% carbon-free energy option as the default and its municipal buildings to Green Impact status with 100% carbon-free energy.
Vista Unified staff noted that the district and city of Vista are separate customers, and all of the district’s buildings and facilities will undergo the change, regardless of whether they are located within the city.
“Our electrical consumption would all be 100% renewable at any site,” Loescher said.
Other entities with Green Impact Champion status include the cities of Solana Beach and Del Mar, Hera Hub in Carlsbad and Dr. Bronner’s in Vista, according to the CEA website.
Clean Energy Alliance purchases clean power directly from power providers, with SDG&E providing delivery, billing and customer service.
Vista Unified also completed the electrification of its school bus yard earlier this year, with 23 electric buses currently in its fleet.
