The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) has secured $38 million to enhance energy infrastructure and resiliency in the eastern Coachella Valley. This funding, two-thirds of it from federal grants secured by IID, will be strategically invested in three key projects.
JB Hamby, Vice Chairman of the IID Board of Directors, emphasized the initiative’s dual benefits: “The Coachella Valley Energy Resilience Initiative is a testament to our proactive efforts to increase energy reliability across the region and reduce costs for our ratepayers. These strategic investments reflect our deep commitment to the community and our effective partnerships at the federal level.”
Karin Eugenio, IID Director, added, “These projects demonstrate our ongoing dedication to ensuring a reliable and cost-effective energy future for Eastern Coachella Valley. By securing federal grants, we enhance infrastructure reliability while minimizing financial impact on the communities we proudly serve.”
K-Line Transmission Hardening Project – $31.8 million
Spanning 60 miles, the K sub-transmission line is crucial for maintaining a consistent power supply, especially to the economically disadvantaged communities of Mecca, North Shore, and Bombay Beach. Redesigning and strengthening this line are proactive steps toward enhancing reliability and protecting against increasingly severe weather events near the Salton Sea.
A significant $23.8 million of the project’s funding comes from FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, covering 70 percent of the total cost, with the remainder funded by IID. The project, endorsed and supported in the selective application process by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, is expected to be completed within three years.
Mecca/North Shore Energy Infrastructure Project – $2.4 million
Recently announced by the Department of Energy, IID secured $1.2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Mecca/North Shore Energy Infrastructure Project, matched by an additional $1.2 million from IID. The investments will fund targeted infrastructure improvements to enhance service reliability in Mecca and North Shore communities.
Portable Generators Acquisition – $3.9 million
To ensure continuous power during emergencies, IID has allocated $3.9 million to acquire two shipping container-sized portable generators, which will be deployed as appropriate during extreme weather events and natural disasters.
The Coachella Valley Energy Resilience Initiative is supported by a newly adopted Board Policy that reinforces asset management and reliability standards, positioning IID among the top publicly owned utilities. With some of the lowest rates and highest reliability in California, IID remains dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective power and adapting to meet the current and future needs of the communities the district proudly serves.
