Vallecitos School District to consider EV charging stations

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Electric vehicle charging stations may soon be installed in the Vallecitos School District parking lot.

The Feb. 8 Vallecitos School District board meeting included a presentation on the SDG&E Power Your Drive for Schools Program. It was a non-voting item that night but will be placed on the March 8 agenda for possible action.

“The board just got an introduction of the program,” said Vallecitos School District Superintendent Maritza Koeppen, who is also the principal of Vallecitos Elementary School. “We will be having action on it next month.”

San Diego Gas & Electric personnel led the presentation on the utility’s support of schools. “It would be of no cost to the district,” Koeppen said. “SDG&E would maintain the electric vehicle chargers.”

Concerns were raised that non-Rainbow residents might utilize the charging stations, which could create traffic issues as well as impairing the ability of Rainbow residents to recharge electric vehicles, but the idea of an electric vehicle charging station for the Rainbow community was received positively. “We think it’s a very innovative program and a great opportunity for the community to come together,” Koeppen said.

SDG&E will also be at the March 8 meeting to field questions about the program before the board decides whether or not to pursue the SDG&E Power Your Drive for Schools Program at Vallecitos Elementary School. “We will be moving forward on action with their proposal,” Koeppen said.