The epic struggle for South San Joaquin Irrigation District to enter the retail power business as allowed under California law to lower electricity rates 15 percent across the board in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon is nearing its next phase. PG&E has rejected a fair market offer determined by an independent appraisal as state law requires. That offer of $116 million for the distribution system in the 72,000-acre irrigation district included $92.7 million for facilities and $25.3 million for costs PG&E will incur during the conversion to SSJID. The rejection letter PG&E sent to SSJID on June 2 came after PG&E lost two back-to-back court decisions.