So cost of local energy generation is a big part of it. "The Grid" here in CA, is highly variable in cost depending on where you live. In the Monterey Bay Are

So cost of local energy generation is a big part of it. "The Grid" here in CA, is highly variable in cost depending on where you live. In the Monterey Bay Area, one proposal by a local oceanographer/hydro geologist was at Moss Landing where there is a power plant and could provide (with pumping/piping, etc) for both Monterey and Santa Cruz county. Santa Cruz, being ... polite ... unable to play well with others, was pushing their own thing which would disrupt a good part of the town, had no local power generation, and would require extra pumps, storage, and what not all over town. Something in the $100s of millions for a county of < 250k. The regional approach makes way more sense, but local politics and all.