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-Editorial
The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors voted Sept. 2 to approve a cooperation agreement with the newly established Coachella Valley Power Agency (CVPA), formalizing a framework for the two entities to work together on energy planning in the eastern Coachella Valley.
The CVPA, a joint powers authority created earlier this year by Riverside County and the cities of Indio and La Quinta, was formed to study and evaluate long-term electricity needs in the Coachella Valley and to explore the feasibility of becoming a local power provider. The new agreement lays out a process for reviewing projects proposed by the CVPA while reaffirming IID’s role as the balancing authority, which ensures the reliability and stability of the regional power grid.
Under the agreement’s terms, IID will review energy-related proposals submitted by the CVPA to determine their technical, financial, and regulatory feasibility. Projects deemed viable would move forward under separate contracts between the agencies, specifying costs, implementation, and division of responsibilities. IID officials emphasized that the agreement does not transfer operational control to the CVPA but instead creates a channel for structured cooperation.
IID General Manager Jamie Asbury, General Counsel Geoffrey Holbrook, and Energy Department Manager Matthew Smelser presented the item to the board, noting that the agreement is designed to “build trust, foster transparency, and establish clear protocols” as the CVPA begins its work. The CVPA board, chaired by Indio Mayor Waymond Fermon, had already approved the agreement before the IID vote.
IID has provided retail electric service to the eastern Coachella Valley since 1943, when it acquired distribution assets from the California Electric Power Company. Today, IID serves about 157,000 electricity customers across Imperial and Riverside counties, with roughly one-third of those customers located in the Coachella Valley. The district owns and operates generation, transmission, and distribution systems and is recognized as one of the largest balancing authorities in the Western U.S.
The creation of the CVPA earlier this year sparked discussion about the future of power supply in the Coachella Valley. Some local officials have expressed interest in exploring greater autonomy over electricity resources, citing regional growth, renewable energy opportunities, and the need to address rising demand. The cooperation agreement says it allows IID and CVPA to address those goals collaboratively, rather than in conflict.
IID directors said the agreement strikes a balance between acknowledging the CVPA’s role as a new regional authority and protecting IID’s responsibility to maintain grid reliability. By setting up regular meetings and a clear review process, both agencies aim to prevent duplication of efforts and ensure that projects benefiting Coachella Valley residents can move forward in compliance with state and federal regulations.
District staff noted that the financial impacts of the agreement are unknown at this stage. While evaluating CVPA proposals will require staff time and resources, the cost of doing so is expected to vary depending on the scope and number of projects submitted. Any projects that move forward would require separate board approval and detailed financial agreements.
The vote marks a milestone in the evolving relationship between IID and Coachella Valley leaders, who have in recent years called for greater involvement in decisions affecting local power customers. By entering into a cooperation agreement, both agencies signaled a willingness to collaborate as the region grapples with energy demand, climate challenges, and state renewable energy mandates.
