IID threatens to leave Coachella Valley
The Imperial Irrigation District is threatening to discontinue power service in the eastern Coachella Valley over a proposed state law that would change the makeup of IID’s board.
AB 854, the bill advanced last week by Assemblymember Chad Mayes, seeks to add six Riverside County seats to IID’s current board, which as of now is made up of five members from Imperial County.
An IID spokesperson said they view this as a “direct attack on the authority of the IID board.”
“People of the Coachella Valley do have representation and so that’s something we want to make clear is that if there is a customer that has an issue they can always come to one of our service centers here in La Quinta on Avenue 58,” said Emmanuel Martinez of IID.
Mayes argues that the fact that IID would even consider pulling out of the Coachella Valley in response to his bill supports his belief that IID needs more Riverside County representation.
“Today, the folks in Riverside County the folks in the Coachella Valley cannot hold IID accountable and again, it’s not fundamental. This is a fundamental principle of our democracy,” Mayes said.
If IID were to pull out its services, customers would then have to switch to Southern California Edison, potentially raising their electricity bills.
“That is bad. Because I used to live in Palm Springs and it was really high,” said Jenny Agcaoili, an IID customer.
Valley customers hope that everyone can come to the table to reach an agreement to keep those bills affordable.
Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez pointed out that IDD’s agreement to service parts of the valley ends in the year 2033, the end of a 99-year lease agreement.
“We want to ensure that whatever it is that happens, at the long term because 13 years is coming, that the city of Coachella and its residents are strategic and have a place at the table.”
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia has openly opposed AB 854, but also released a statement in favor of more representation, writing, “We do need to discuss ratepayer representation but not in a way that would disenfranchise Imperial County and their water rights.”
Click here for more information on AB 854.
Full statement from Garcia:
“It is unfortunate to hear that the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) is considering divestment from our area. I think that would be the worst thing to happen to ratepayers in Imperial County and the Coachella Valley. IID divesting leaves ratepayers in both regions vulnerable to higher energy rates. IID needs to think about those impacts. We would like to see IID continue to be the sole provider of energy in the current territory because they provide good, efficient and affordable energy. I have openly opposed AB 854. However, we do need to discuss ratepayer representation but not in a way that would disenfranchise Imperial County and their water rights. I believe all parties need to come to the table and have a reasonable and rational conversation about the future of IID in the Coachella Valley. I have been and will continue engaging to bring everyone together in hopes of reaching a common, equitable place where both IID and most importantly our ratepayers all win.”
