IID prepares to sell off Coachella Valley assets raising residents’ concerns

IID is ramping up the fight against Assembly Bill 854 to protect local interests at all costs – even letting go of thousands of customers they’ve served for a long time.

Alex Cardenas, IID Director Division 1, said, “If that bill continues to move through the legislator, we are forced to consider the divestment of our assets in the best interests of our rate payers and water users here in Imperial County.”

That means selling off its assets in the Coachella Valley. This has local residents concerned.

El Centro resident Tony Gallegos said, “People in Imperial Valley that have relatives in the Coachella Valley notify them of what’s going on with the IID Board.”

Gallegos trusts IID leadership and gives them credit for their efforts to stop AB-854.

Meanwhile, Coachella Valley residents like Rosa Maria Gonzalez are caught in a difficult situation.

“I’m concerned about the potential impact to the electrical rates,” Gonzalez said.

An advisory committee made up of 20 residents, ten local and ten from Coachella Valley, voted to support IID.

“Six of those members that were present from Coachella Valley voted four-to-two to oppose Assembly Bill 854,” Cardenas said.

The bill aims to put six directors from Coachella Valley on the IID Board, effectively giving them a majority voice. IID calls it a power grab. If IID pulls out, Coachella might have to go from a non-profit provider to one that’s not, possibly affecting their power rates.

“Their stakeholders are shareholders, and shareholders are obviously motivated by profits. It is absolutely in Coachella Valley’s best interest that they take a strong look at this bill and fight for low rates,” Cardenas said.

Cardenas said the sale of Coachella Valley assets would not impact local rates.