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Process

Since 2004, SSJID has been actively working to replace PG&E as the electric utility for customers in Manteca, Escalon, Ripon and the surrounding areas.

As part of that process, SSJID was required to obtain approval from a San Joaquin County agency called the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). In 2014, after five independent studies and a public workshop before LAFCo, LAFCo found that SSJID’s business plan is sound and it has the ability to carry out its service commitments.

PG&E immediately sued to have that decision overturned in San Joaquin County Superior Court. After continued litigation and some favorable court decisions for SSJID, the District made an offer to purchase local electric distribution assets from PG&E in 2016. After PG&E indicated its assets were not for sale, the District filed a lawsuit to gain the right to purchase the assets from PG&E, through a process called eminent domain. 

On March 25, 2020, SSJID and PG&E stipulated to a “relief from stay” in the bankruptcy hearing that would allow ongoing litigation between the two parties to continue. In December 2021, the Third District Court of Appeal ruled in SSJID’s favor, saying the LAFCo decision was valid and that the District can purchase PG&E’s electrical assets through a process known as eminent domain.

SSJID has offered to pay PG&E $116 million for the power lines, substations and transmission infrastructure required to deliver electricity to our region. We are supported by thousands of local residents as well as many business and government leaders, who all are confident SSJID is up to the task of becoming a retail electric provider, and can do so in a safe, trustworthy and affordable manner.

2021

Appellate court rules SSJID can use eminent domain to buy PG&E’s assets

2020

SSJID has offered to pay PG&E $116 million

2019

Both lawsuits are in appeals

2016

SSJID files to gain the right to purchase

2015

PG&E sues to overturn decision

2014

Studies lead to LAFCo approval of project

2009

SSJID submits new application

2006

LAFCo denies project

2004

SSJID Board approval to proceed with application at LAFCo

December 2021

Appellate court rules SSJID can use eminent domain to buy PG&E’s assets.
January 28, 2022

August 2020

SSJID files its final briefs for appellate cases.
September 11, 2020

March 2020

An approved stipulation with PG&E allows court cases involving SSJID's campaign to advance before the appellate court.
September 11, 2020

November 2019

Nevada Irrigation District, serving Nevada and Placer Counties, offers $300 million for PG&E’s assets within its service area.
February 20, 2020

October 2019

Valley Clean Energy, a community choice aggregator serving Yolo County, offers $300 million for PG&E’s assets
February 20, 2020

September 2019

San Francisco offers $2.5 billion for PG&E’s assets in that city
February 20, 2020

September 2019

SSJID renews its $116 million offer for PG&E’s assets needed to provide power to Manteca, Ripon and Escalon
February 20, 2020

January 2019

PG&E declares bankruptcy, saying it has $35 billion in liability for two deadly wildfires in California
February 20, 2020

January 2018

San Joaquin Superior Court judge dismisses SSJID’s eminent domain claim to acquire PG&E’s property; SSJID appeals
February 20, 2020

July 2016

SSJID files eminent domain suit to buy PG&E distribution assets
February 20, 2020

June 2016

SSJID sends PG&E a formal offer to buy PG&E distribution assets
February 20, 2020

May 2016

SSJID sends PG&E a formal offer to buy PG&E distribution assets
February 20, 2020

January 2016

Manteca, Escalon and Ripon city councils endorse SSJID’s offer to become their power provider yet again
February 20, 2020

February 2015

PG&E sues to challenge LAFCo Decision
February 20, 2020

January 2014

LAFCo approves SSJID’s proposal to become power provider to Manteca, Ripon and Escalon
February 20, 2020

January 2011

LAFCo releases report saying SSJID can afford to lower power rates by at least 15% compared to PG&E
February 20, 2020

March 2010

Manteca, Escalon and Ripon city councils again endorse SSJID’s offer to become their power provider
February 20, 2020

July 2009

Two studies value PG&E’s infrastructure in south San Joaquin County at between $48 million and $65 million; PG&E claims it’s worth $450 million
February 20, 2020

May 2009

SSJID applies again to LAFCo to replace PG&E as the power provider to Manteca, Ripon and Escalon
February 20, 2020

June 2007

PG&E pays SSJID $404,161 in damages after a PG&E contractor hacked into SSJID’s network
February 20, 2020

May 2006

SSJID sues LAFCo claiming, in part, that LAFCo did not have jurisdiction over the question of SSJID’s addition of electric utility service
February 20, 2020