FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Catherine Walker, 858-442-2746
catherine@climateactioncampaign.org
San Diego College District Commits to Going All-Electric, Backed by Top Teacher Union and Climate Action Campaign
First CA community college district to commit to a comprehensive electrification resolution; brings health benefits and cost savings.
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SAN DIEGO, April 17 – Last night, the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) became the first California community college district to pass a comprehensive electrification resolution. This move mandates the elimination of gas-powered systems on campuses and from fleets.
Key commitments include:
- All-Electric Standards: Mandatory all-electric construction for new facilities;
- Phase-Out Strategy: Replace gas appliances, vehicles, buses, and maintenance equipment with electric alternatives at the end of their useful life;
- Green Workforce: Expansion of curriculum to prepare students for green careers;
- 100% Clean Energy: Enrollment in San Diego Community Power’s Power100 by year-end.
Funding for these commitments will, in part, come from the $3.5 billion from the 2024 Measure HH Bond, which directly supports new construction, safety upgrades, and sustainability improvements across the District.
“This commitment is a win-win for students, teachers, and our whole school community,” says Serena Pelka, Senior Policy Advocate at Climate Action Campaign. “By ditching fossil fuels, the District is choosing clean air and long-term savings. This is a teachable moment that demonstrates real-world problem-solving for challenges like poor air quality and energy affordability.”
Students, activists, and labor leaders rallied in advance of the Board of Trustees’ decision. This resolution was backed by the American Federation of Teachers Local Guild 1931, the San Diego chapter of the nation’s largest higher education union, representing SDCCD employees. Jim Miller, Vice President of AFT Guild Local 1931, supports the resolution for including “solid labor standards” and commitments to “concrete climate action,” which he urges other “districts and like institutions in the region to follow.”
Cristina Marquez, Environmental Organizer at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569, agrees that this resolution is “an opportunity to enhance the CTE programs, workforce development programs, and labor standards.”
As one of California’s largest community college districts, this brings clean air to nearly 80,000 students and over 5,000 staff and faculty.
“This is a great opportunity for the District to set multiple precedents: A precedent that we care about our students’ future and that we care about what we’re doing with climate. This sets a precedent of intersectionality between environmental organizations and union organizations.” — Moses Rico, student at San Diego City College.
This resolution reflects the District’s ongoing leadership in creating high-performance learning environments, with the Board of Trustees stating that it aligns with the District’s goals for sustainable district operations. By investing in all-electric systems and specialized curriculum, SDCCD is scaling successful efforts from neighboring school districts — San Diego Unified, Sweetwater Union High, Carlsbad Unified, and Vista Unified — to higher education.
STATEMENTS:
“At a time when we are seeing rollbacks of climate action of all kinds by the Trump administration at the National level, and inaction elsewhere, this SDCCD Electrification Resolution is a light in the greater darkness, a bet on hope for a better future.” — Jim Miller, Professor at SD City College/Vice President at AFT 1931/CFT Labor and Climate Justice Education Committee/AFT National Climate Committee.
“I want to work in a school that’s healthier, less polluted, and that relies on electricity rather than fossil fuels to operate.” — Dr. Kelly Mayhew, Faculty Member at SD City College/Vice President at AFT Guild 1931/CFT Labor and Climate Justice Education Committee Chair.
“The investments in students are probably the most inspiring thing that San Diego can do to lead by example in Southern California, especially by utilizing union work to do it.” — Sydney Mecheau, student in the San Diego Community College District.