Recently, a “Seniors and the
Energy Crisis” symposium was held by the Community Services Council (CSC)
Sub-Committee on Aging. The Sub-Committee chose this opportunity to demonstrate a new
technology. The meeting was held simultaneously at both the College of the Siskiyous in
Yreka and at the Weed campus – connected
by use of the distance learning facilities. Although a rate schedule has not been fully
developed, in an era of high gas prices, this could be a technology that will bring far
ends of the county together to share information and discuss issues. The symposium was
also video taped and will be shown on some of the public access stations.
Pacific Power representative Toby Freeman indicated that, although
the utility serves six western states, they only have about 50,000 customers in California.
Currently, the average cost of electricity is about 10.5 cents for their residential
customers, which compares favorably with other
utilities. California has a lower power rate for low income customers under
the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE)
program. http://www.pacificpower.net
According to Freeman,
things that heat, cool, or have motors consume electricity. If a customer’s bill
increases, it is likely due to one of the above running longer or new appliances added to
the homeowner’s load. He gave some tips for saving energy: (1) When turned off, an
appliance will still continue to draw 80 percent of the electricity it uses when it is on.
Invest in power strips and switch the strip completely off when not in use. (2) Make sure
that appliances such as water heaters are properly functioning. (3) Close fireplace
dampers when not in use. (4) Set thermostats for 68 degrees. (There is a three percent
increase in costs for every degree above this.) (5) Install a programmable thermostat that
will automatically drop the temperature eight to ten degrees when you are at work or
asleep. (6) Clean furnace filters every three months. (7) Fix faucet leaks. (8) Seal and insulate your house.
Great Northern Corp.
administers low income assistance programs for free home energy analysis and conservation
and the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help pay heating bills primarily for the elderly,
disabled and families with small children. http://greatnortherncorp.org/
Michael Flannery 938-4115 ext. 15. Unfortunately, the state and
federal budget has cut funding for these programs and this year only 1,194 households in Siskiyou County can be assisted in comparison with last
year at 1,843.
Representing Cross Petroleum, Jim Cross talked about the seven month
heating season in Siskiyou County. It is one of the longest and can be among the most
severe in California. Although he thinks prices will stay about where they are now, the
price of crude oil had gone up five dollars a barrel that very day. Cross discussed how
the price increase has already impacted customers. Last season, Cross saw a four-fold
increase in account delinquencies from the beginning of the heating season to the end. As
a small business with cash flow timing concerns, they have to limit customers who want
extend payments for fuel deliveries according to their credit worthiness. He suggested
that customers pre-pay during the summer for their winter costs to lower monthly payments.
Cross talked about being a small business and that, because of the
costs of transportation and labor, they have a standard minimum delivery order of 100
gallons. (They have worked with the LIHEAP program to deliver less because that assistance
will no longer cover the costs of 100 gallons.)
It was also discussed that customers should review the relative costs
of different sources of heat and diversify. Now that heating oil is so high, supplementing
with wood heat or a small electrical spot heater to increase local room temperatures might
be the most cost effective. Office of Emergency Services Director Rob Rowley warned that
any heat with flame can cause lethal carbon monoxide emissions.
The Sub-Committee on Aging will continue to work on this issue, a
potential low income firewood program and a pamphlet with resources for this years winter
heating challenges. |
