Through great grower participation, last year alone, IID conserved about 700,000 acre-feet of water, raising Lake Mead’s elevation by up to four feet, providing essential stability for the Lower Basin. The District remains ready to expand this leadership.

As the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) prepares to mark 115 years of service as the largest irrigation district in the nation and closes in on 90 dependable years as a local public power utility, the District remains focused on moving forward with bold progress, renewed focus, and a clear vision for the future.

In a year marked by strategic planning to meet the needs of today and tomorrow, IID’s leadership team guided the District in 2025 on all fronts – specifically in the areas of water, energy, and customer service – ensuring that its critical services remain dependable and affordable.

“Your IID has met the many challenges it has faced and taken advantage of so many opportunities to continue to be a reliable irrigation district and public power provider,” said IID General Manager Jamie Asbury. “We continue to focus on the best interests of our customers, which is at the heart of everything we’ve done and continue to do.”

Some of the 2025 accomplishments include:

• Water Conservation. The District continued to protect Imperial Valley water rights in cooperation with its growers through collaboration on the Colorado River. The District supports California’s comprehensive framework for a durable, basin-wide operating agreement, underscoring how growers have helped create one of the most efficient agricultural regions in the Basin. IID’s 2025 conservation is estimated to be about 23% of its entitlement, with its cumulative conservation totaling more than nine million acre-feet since 2003.

• Modernizing the Electric System. After an extensive study, the District launched its comprehensive Powering Our Community Together initiative, a 15-year plan with more than 270 projects aimed at maintaining critical energy infrastructure, enhancing operations, and addressing system challenges to meet increased energy demand, improve service, and protect resources. The first project: upgrade of the Westmorland Substation.

• $81 Million in Customer Relief. To help with summer power bills, the District put $81 million back into customer pockets by slashing summer rates by 25%, delivering real relief when families need it most.

• $10 Million in Added Customer Support. IID also invested an additional $10 million in customer-first solutions, contributing $5 million more in payment assistance and $5 million to energy efficiency programs that help customers lower consumption and reduce costs. The action represented the highest funding allocations for public benefit programs in the District’s history.

• Home Grown Energy. IID advanced the Unit 4 repowering project at the El Centro Generating Station, investing in up-to-date infrastructure that replaces a unit that has been in service since 1968, thereby boosting energy production by 113 megawatts and enhancing the reliability of the local electric grid. The project will generate an annual investment return of $12 million, avoid $60 million in future major maintenance costs, and save an additional $5 million annually.

• Hardening the Grid. The District committed to replacing just over 8,000 wooden power poles with higher-grade infrastructure within the next five years.

• $2.9 Million Award. In partnership with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, IID was awarded a $2.9 million grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to plant 6,000 shade trees over three years in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys, supporting the cooling of neighborhoods, improving air quality, and promoting community resilience.

• Investing in Community Resilience. IID invested in its customers and communities collectively providing approximately $2.6 million from its Public Benefits funds through a range of benefit opportunities aimed at conserving energy. 1,300 residents received a free tree through the Tree for All program; 25 entities shared about 1,000 trees through the Public Green Space Grant program; 23 educational and non-profit institutions received support for energy efficiency modernization; and 12 schools and municipalities benefited from energy-efficient lighting projects.

• Creative Collaboration. Working together on creative solutions, IID and its Coachella Valley partners coordinated regional energy goals to increase energy availability through infrastructure development funded by a joint powers agreement and investments by developers. Several substation upgrades and new substations are underway to meet the needs of thousands of customers.

• Data Center Resolution. The IID Board adopted a resolution that calls for the setting of guideline principles to ensure that new large electric energy loads do not compromise the reliability of the local electric grid or impact the costs to existing customers. The action follows a public workshop where customers engaged with the District.

Looking Ahead

As IID enters a milestone period in its history, the District remains focused on smart planning, responsible investment, and strong partnerships to meet the evolving needs of the region.

“Whether it’s protecting water, strengthening the electric grid, or helping customers manage costs, IID is positioning itself to continue serving the region for generations to come,” General Manager Asbury said. “Our mission remains clear: deliver reliable, affordable services while building a sustainable future for the communities we proudly serve.”

IID upgraded the Westmorland Substation in 2025, one of more than 270 projects planned by the District to strengthen the local power grid, enhance resiliency, and ensure essential services.

IID took action in 2025 to increase its power production capabilities by investing in a major project that replaces an aging boiler and steam turbine at its El Centro Generating Station power plant. Six new generators will increase energy production, creating a more reliable local electric grid and providing a huge return on investment.