If you`re a student at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), you may have heard of the UCSD Rate Agreement. But what exactly is it, and how does it affect you as a student?

The UCSD Rate Agreement is a contract between the university and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that regulates the rates that UCSD pays for electricity and natural gas. The agreement was first signed in 2007 and has been updated periodically since then.

The UCSD Rate Agreement is significant because UCSD is one of the largest consumers of electricity and natural gas in San Diego County. The university has over 30,000 students and employs over 35,000 faculty and staff. As a result, UCSD`s energy usage has a significant impact on the local community and the environment.

Under the UCSD Rate Agreement, the university is required to meet certain energy efficiency and conservation goals. For example, UCSD must reduce its electricity consumption by 10% by 2020 and 15% by 2025, compared to a 2014 baseline. The university must also reduce its natural gas consumption by 5% by 2020 and 10% by 2025, compared to a 2015 baseline.

To meet these targets, UCSD has implemented a variety of energy-saving measures, such as installing energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, using renewable energy sources, and promoting green transportation options. The university has also launched an energy conservation campaign to encourage students, faculty, and staff to reduce their energy use on campus.

So, how does the UCSD Rate Agreement affect you as a student? The answer is twofold. First, the agreement helps to ensure that UCSD is doing its part to reduce its impact on the environment and promote sustainability. By reducing its energy consumption, UCSD is helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future for all of us.

Second, the UCSD Rate Agreement may have an impact on your utility bills. Because UCSD is a large consumer of electricity and natural gas, the rates that the university pays can affect the rates that you pay as a customer of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Under the agreement, UCSD is eligible for certain rate discounts and incentives from SDG&E, which may help to keep rates lower for all customers in the San Diego area.

Overall, the UCSD Rate Agreement is an important part of the university`s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. By reducing its energy consumption and promoting sustainability, UCSD is setting an example for other institutions and helping to create a more sustainable future for all of us. As a student, you can do your part by reducing your own energy use on campus and supporting UCSD`s efforts to promote sustainability.