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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/2001 - STAFF REPORTS (3) J&Action G m The Journal of Riverside County's Communities in Action 1 Volume2l, lssue3 Special Energy Edition It SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 The Energy Crisis: A Life Threatening Issue IaGran wason C 1 f t oia's focu ois �fd�C;511011'S)Cllf,51,j )Il�1111'll P011'l'1 ckouts roll h,lhl , �I IIII� JL li�rvl�i.R�[lin Energy � � g Y gS' el'isis -, crisis and the Inland Empire in likely to last 0�` 5`51r'�e�y '; The1Department started tracking the u�5 0_� the �11 t` a�eQ° � crisis hi the summer of 2000 when B�aCkQ s(, +u" I utility assistance clinic 5 the customers of San Diego Gas and Electric found themselves with utility bills costing five times more .._ ye"u 6JJ as aun 'I /r i 19 I II ,1 than they had cost one month before. �, �►tCQS Gna mnp,�,,,i. oI_.n s Continuous tracking has been the prkft amyhikfy catalyst to the most extensive repository of information. One year, ,mod k.dkio tn h o.gxa* two energy town hall meetings, one °,°b"t" Power pow,Etj¢tgy cY151s s new Energy Task Force and many I1Ces pearls of wisdom later; the Department is compelled to share soamg ittlriv htillu'l,` t„ °, itecE some of what we have learned. ,. , AHWIR 'id,MW W11 t Lois J. Carson � Executive Director,Department of o up -� '� rates t0 g Community PllC Electric ra Cai. rforni, State power crisis Regulators C11SiS �� Inside This Issue: �� i)0 intensifies 2 Task Force's Message +II'r 2 From the Commission 11 ,111?11k,J;Ll11,s - '� 3 Blackout Simulation issue ale 3 Commission Retreat �,{ 4 who's to blame? tnggermg _ ep 5 Taskforce addresses Baselmes a�Dp Caps,, p a ih istance Clinics hiked 6 Appliance Replacement Program price tate offices 6 Emergency generators rethinking 7 Around the County,State and Nation 8 CalendarofEvents power Crisis ACTION*GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 Taskforce's Message From the Commission... a. . Energy Task Energy: Force '' A Quality of �`' Gets Busy Life Issue Ron Oden, Task Force Chairman Art Garcia, Chainnan Dear Action Gram Reader, Dear Reader, In March during the amoral joint meeting with the Board Welcome to your, our Action Gram readers. This edition is of Supervisors,the chairman of the Community Action dedicated to Energy. The energy crisis in California has Commission proposed an Energy Task Force that would created a quality of life issue for all residents in Riverside make recommendations to the Commission and Board, County. However, low-income consumers will be while at the same time, advising the Department of especially hard hit by rate increases. Low-income Community Action on daily operations. residents can expect their cost of energy burden,the percent of income paid for utilities to increase by more I was appointed by Commissioner Garcia to serve as than 10%. As Chairman of the DCA and as a member of chairman of the Task Force which includes five the Energy Taskforce I believe it is the duty of US to find Commissioners: myself, John Hunt, Banning; Mary relief for those individuals in need,but more importantly Appleman, Lake Elsinore;Ameal Moore,Riverside; Ron to find strategies to reform the current energy situation in Von Medlin,Rubidoux. An equal number of non- California. commissioners include Lou Penrose, aide to Congresswoman Mary Bono; Brian Floyd, aide to State The Connnission and the DCA have been active on several Assemblyman Rod Pacheco; Bonnie Garcia, aide to State fronts dealing with the Energy Crisis. The Community Senator Jim Battin; Leticia de Lara, aide to Riverside Action Energy Division staff has helped over 3000 County Supervisor Roy Wilson and Bonnie Reed, County households with utility assistance in the second quarter of Office of Emergency Services. 2001. Their energy assistance outreach clinics throughout the county have contributed to the growing number of low- We advise the ComrnunityActiori Commission and the income people benefiting from this valuable service. DCA, especially during the energy crisis on such strategies During the same period the Weatherization staff has helped as utility assistance, energy conservation/education,home over 180 low-income households receive weatherization weatherization and repair. During the crisis, emergency assistance to make their homes more energy efficient. generators will be provided to the elderly who depend on electric-powered life support equipment. Relief for low-income families is just one component of Community Action's campaign against the "Energy Actions that the Task Force has taken to date include Crisis". The DCA Commission's Energy Task Force has recommending Board support for AB5XX Kelley and been working hard to reform the energy situation in not extending an invitation to an Edison representative to just Riverside County but the State of California as well. attend a meeting to explain utility company baseline rates. Task Force Chairman Ron Oden, Mayor Protein of the City of Palm Springs, is a dedicated public servant who is The Riverside County Department of Community Action committed to bringing an end to this crisis. His leadership is at the forefront of the county's efforts to help low and along with the commitment and hard work of the Task moderate-income residents of Riverside County deal with Force members will assure relief for the county's residents the energy crisis. Community Action is active on several and change for the current utility pricing system. No fronts to address the concerns of these sometimes forgotten member of the community,rich or poor, should ever have residents of the county. to choose between food and electricity. Ron Oden, Chairman Art Garcia, Chairman Community Action Commission Energy Task Force Community Action Commission eemmunit�r Qetion: 3t4inq Jeapee...ePianaina.dues 2 ACTION*GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 County conducts emergency Commission retreat focuses on strategic blackout simulation planning and energy crisis Ati' t t Rick Cook,Emergency Services Coordinator for Riverside Past meets presort at Department of Community Action County plots emergency incidents dming the simulated Commission Retreat in Palm Springs Cuirent,Commission blackout exeicrse in the Coachcllavalk y. Chairperson,At Gamia(center)poses with former Cludimen (from L to R)Jesse Washington,Mayor John Hunt,Brrgettc Page and Mildred Taylm. Emergency service providers and volunteers from across the Rest and relaxation were far from the minds of the Riverside Coachella Valley,sprang into action as a blackout struck the County Department of Community Action Commissioners region on June 6th. during their animal retreat held at the Spa Hotel and Casino in Palm Springs. The three-day retreat included The City of Palm Desert and several other communities motivational speakers,planning meetings and site visits to from the Coachella Valley took part in a simulated blackout several delegate agencies. to prepare the region for potential rolling blackouts,which may hit during the summer. Lights in the simulated The retreat,kicked-off with a special dinner honoring past blackout began going out around 9:30 a.m. when several Connnission chairpersons. Honorees included Brigette Page areas in the Coachella Valley lost power. (1980-1982),Mildred Taylor(1989-1990) and Jesse Washington(19951997) and Jolm Hunt(1999-2000). Planners of the simulation called for emergency workers and Special guests at the dinner included 4"'District County volunteers to deal with a massive power outage across the Supervisor Roy Wilson and Dennis Boyle,Director of the Riverside County Department valley for a period of three days. During the blackout of Public Social Services. Commissioner Ron Oden of Palm workers heated residents for heat exhaustion, dehydration Springs offered dinner guests a surprise,with his rendition and other heat related aliments, CB radios were manned to of a poem embodying the mission of Community Action. give citizens updated information,water was distributed to residents and volunteers walked neighborhoods to check on Day two of the Retreat had Commissioners and guests tip their neighbors. early for a tour of,agencies in Eastern Riverside County. First stop on the tom'was at Food Now, a small food bank The most vulnerable populations during a blackout in the located in the city of Desert Hot Springs. Commissioner Coachella Valley would be seniors and young children. Judith Shea, low-income representative from Desert Hot To provide a cool place for these individuals,the Sunline Springs,testified to the monumental efforts of Guy Transportation Agency provided buses to act as "Cooling Tedesco and his staff at Food Now. Shea connnented, Centers." These buses would afford people with a "They are the only agency doing anything to combat comfortable place to escape the 100-degree temperatures. hunger on a consistent basis in the city of Desert Hot Sunline buses were placed outside several emergency Springs." shelters during the simulation. The Riverside County Department of Community Action in partnership with Following the stop at Food Now, the Commission enjoyed several county agencies,non-profit and faith-based breakfast and a tour provided by Martha's Village and organizations,provided small generators to patients on Kitchen in Indio. Martha's Village and Kitchen provides a life-support equipment. host of services to the homeless population in the area. Claudia Castorena, co-founder of the shelter, gave an extensive tour of the facility,which is a model for Simulation or not, the June exercise showed residents and homeless shelters throughout the County of Riverside. For officials the problems they may face during a rolling the remainder of the day, Commissioners focused their blackout"This is about as close as you can get to the real attention on strategic planning and program development. thing,"stated Rick Cook,Emergency Services Coordinator for Riverside County. See RETREAT,page 4 earrmuma* action. : m4ing Jeapee...ehaap:n# .e m 3 ACTION*GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 RETREAT,from page 3 From the Editor: First on the Commission's planning agenda was to Who's to blame? constrict a new mission statement for the agency. Under What officials touted as a means to help reduce rates and to the guidance of Cormnissioner William Claire the make the electricity market more competitive has tinned to commission worked to develop a statement that embodied bedlam for the state of California. Deregulation of the the mission of Community Action. After several electricity industry in 1997 has turned the state upside down. discussions and numerous drafts, a new mission statement Instead of lower rates and the establishment of a fair market was agreed upon. The new mission statement'reads, "The for the purchase of electricity, California has received mission of Cornmunity Action is to educate and advocate skyrocketing prices and rolling blackouts. for the poor, so that through participation and capacity building, they will attain self-sufficiency and lift California's once vast budget surplus has been eroded by themselves from poverty with dignity." emergency purchases of electricity at what some have claimed to be artificially high prices. Some economists The Commission also received strategic platming'guidance have stressed that the energy crisis will bring a standstill to from Dwayne Knapp,President of Brand Strategy, Inc. a California's unprecedented economic grow of the past business and decade. strategic planning Anytime we as citizens are faced with a crisis the company magnitude of this Energy Crisis,the blame game begins. out of Washington But who is to blame for this crisis? Are the culprits "Big Business," out of state energy companies like Enron and and Lynn Mirant,who are accused of price gouging California Victor, consumers. Or does the responsibility belong to the state's Executive governinent? Since 1990 the demand for electricity has z Director for steadily grown while the states'ability to generate the electricity has decreased. No new power plants have been Duane Knapp leads a shalegic piarming meeting doting the California/ built. Legislators and then governor Pete Wilson knew 2001 Riverside County Department or Community Action Nevada that the framework for deregulation was a flawed system Conuoissron Retreat in Palm Springs. Association g y functioning no etioning competitive market. of Cormnunity Action Agencies. Knapp discussed strategies the DCA could use to create a"Brand Distinction,"that Is it possible to place the blame for this crisis on one group would set them apart from other agencies. Victor informed or one individual? No! The responsibility for the Energy members of the Commission about the components Crisis lies with many. California's elected officials who necessary for a comprehensive strategic plan, approved the deregulation without troy understanding the On Sunday, the Retreat concluded with a Commission ramifications of the plan are partly to blame. Energy business meeting specifically to address the "Energy generators are another party to the problem. These out of state generators, by taking advantage of deregulation to Crisis"and what role the DCA would play. Commission Chairman Art Garcia stated, "It was essential,"that drive up prices on electricity, gave the state no alternative Community Action takes the lead in the county during this but to buy their goods. And finally we must blame crisis period. He recommended that the Cornimssion Californians. Our total dependency on electricity and our lack of voice to push our elected officials for alternative allow the Energy myTas Board ice to make recommendations to fuel sources has made us electricity junkies with few ways the Riverside County the r -ev Supervisorsatioof energy to escape our addiction except conservation and advocacy. related issues such as the re-evaluation of baselines and the increase of finding for services for low-income residents. "This was one of the must successful Retreats we have \ held," declared Maria Juarez, Deputy Director of the DCA. # "I feel as whole that Cormmission and the agency have � r grown considerably because of this Retreat. It was t definitely a success." ' ('wwnunitV Qct as: emmumtcy aztiatt : 3t4jtt JeaP[e...ehwtairta .Cilw 4 ACTION"GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 Energy Task Force tackles the issue of electricity baselines At the heart of the Energy Crisis has been the issue of as a whole is flawed. How can we in the desert be energy baselines. Baselines have been with residents of compared to those living along the coasts? Our energy Riverside County since 1972. Legislation originating from needs are almost polar opposites." the"Energy Crisis" of the early 1970s mandated that a "lifeline"rate based on the minimal quantities of energy Currently, the Taskforce is looking at legislation to change for residential use be established. According to Bob the current baseline system. Brian Floyd,representing Lopez, Regional Manager for Southern California Edison State Assemblyman Ron Pacheo's office on the Task Force, (SCE),baselines are used to identify an allocation of recommended that the group act swiftly to get some plans energy as measured in kilowatts or therms. This together. Floyd also stated he would recommend that the allocation, or baseline is determined by the customer's Assemblyman should help the baseline legislation through geographic location, season of the year and if your the state legislature, residence has a single source of energy(i.e. electric only). Service I Billing Period•06115101 to 07/18101(33 days i •Summer Season At its meeting in July,the Riverside County Department of Basic Charge 14 Days x $0,02800 9 0,39 Community Action's Energy Task Force began to look Basle Charge 19 Days x $M2600 0.49 more closely at-the subject of energy baselines. Bob Enep.Charge; CARE Baseline 598 kWh x $0,10142 60.65 Lopez provided the taskforce with,a nuts and bolts CARE Baseline 811 kWh x $0,09544 77.40 101°/a• overview of baselines. At the leant of the Task Force's 130%of Baseline 179 kWh x ",11968 21.42 101�n•130%of Baseline 244 kWh x $0,1'1262 27.48 concern was,complexity of the new baseline system,put in 131/°•2W%0r8asa11n0 418 kkh x M11968 50.93 place in May of this year, According to state officials,this 31°�°•200%of Base no 568 kWh x M11262 63,97 201/°•300%of Baseline 598 kWh x o0,1196e 71,57 new system would give customers a fairer baseline system. 201%•300%of Baseline 811 kWh r, M11262 91,33 Prior to 2001, SCE customers were billed based on a two Over 300%of Baseline 157 kWh x 10,11968 18.79Oyer 900°/a of Baseline z14 kWh x 60.11262 24,10 tiered baseline system. Under the new,system, consumers are billed on a 5-tiered model which Commissioner Mary Subtotal 3 507.62 Appleman called, "Utterly confusing." Legislated Rate Reduction (50,76) Task Force members also voiced concern over how SCE Current Billing Detail Subtotal . . . ..... ... . . . . ..... $ 456,66 determined baseline allocations. Lopez stated that the State Tax 4,59a kWh x $0.00020 9,92 allocation process is confusing and difficult to follow. One Actual Current Charges. . . .. . . .. . . ..... .. .. . . .. $ 457,78 of the most puzzling parts of the program is how,energy use in cities along the coast and in Orange County are used Above:Under the current baseline system SCE customers are billed on several to establish baselines for cities in the Coachella Valley. baselines.Basic,CARE,101 percent to 130 percent over baseline,131 percent Task Force Chairman, Ron Oden, declared, "This system to 200 peicem over baseline and 201 percent to 300 pecent over baseline. Energy assistance clinics help with high energy bills Since May the Riverside County Department of These organizations co-sponsor outreach clinics, advertise Community Action(DCA)has launched an aggressive and schedule in their various communities. Because of this campaign to bring utility assistance to the entire County of networking, an average of 450 additional households are Riverside. Energy Assistance Clinics have been scheduled provided utility assistance. "These Energy Assistance throughout the county to provide better access to those in clinics are great. Hundreds of people in Riverside County need. These free clinics provide qualified applicants with will now have their utility bills paid to keep there payment assistance for then gas, electric,wood, propane comfortable during the sunllmer months said Godwin or oil utility bills. Aimua, Energy Program Manager for the DCA. DCA has developed a network of over 100 Community If you would like more information on the next scheduled and Faith Based organizations that provide program clinics, or if you're an agency who would like to host an support in targeted communities in an effort to reach our Energy Assistance Clinic, call the Department of vulnerable populations: seniors,the disabled and young Community Action at(909) 955-6448 or(800) 999-5584. children. eonununit�lc Qetian. : JUping Jeop&..ehattaitta Deus 5 ACTION*GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 Appliance replacement helps Emergency generators provide reduce utility bills Backup energy for those in need According to a Consumer Survey report, older model For most people in Riverside County a blackout is an microwave ovens and refrigerators can account for over 15 inconvenience that according to Southern California cents of every dollar spent on electricity in homes today. Edison will last for approximately 1 hour. But for some a With the increased cost of appliances, many low-income blackout could be a matter of life or death. families cannot afford to replace their older less efficient models with new energy efficient ones. These newer With the growing risk of rolling blackouts this summer model appliances can help cut energy bills for low-income residents of the county who are dependent on life support families by several dollars. equipment such as oxygen, dialysis and heart monitors, will To address this concern, the Riverside County Department have to develop ways to address _ of Commmunity Action(DCA)has the problem of no electricity. The launched a program to replace older DCA is providing 60 generators to inefficient refrigerators and residents who are in need of microwaves with new"Energy backup energy supplies to power; Star"labeled ones. With ` lifesaving devices. emergency funding from the California Low-income Horne The needed generators are being Energy Assistance Program(Cal purchased from Sears. The generators include electric LIHEAP)the DCA has purchased start, circuit breaker protection and will provide 4200 265 refrigerators and 300 watts of power for 11.3 hours. These generators are also microwaves ovens to be distributed within the air quality guidelines established by Air Quality to qualifying low-income Management District,the agency, which oversees air applicants. Southern California quality issues in the County of Riverside. Edison has donated an additional 80 refrigerators to help with the In addition to providing the generators,the DCA and Sears replacement program. will provide recipients comprehensive training on the operation of the device. This training includes proper The majority of applicants for the program have been maintenance,where to place the generator to reduce the selected from households who,have already have had their risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning, and how to homes weatherized through our home weatherization/ connect the generator properly to the medical equipment. rehabilitation program. "Our phones have been ringing off "Safety is a major concern for us," said Godwin Aimua the hook with people trying to apply for the program,"said DCA Energy Program Manager. Godwin Aimua Energy Program Manager. "We are definitely looking into expanding the program so that all Seniors will be the primary target population for the low-income residents of the county can benefit." program. "Seniors will be one of the most vulnerable Currently, the DCA Energy Division is compiling a list of groups during the rolling blackouts this sunnner," said all non-energy assistance applicants to evaluate once the Lois J. Carson Executive Director for the DCA. To help program is expanded, research this target population,the DCA is working with County Adult Protective Services,the Office on Aging,the Once applicants are identified for the program, an LifeSaver Program,Yes I Can, and the Riverside County inspector will inspect the home to insure that the electrical Regional Medical Center. systems and outlets will be compatible with the new replacement appliances. Aimua declared, "We want,to An added benefit for recipients of the generators, they will insure that homes will be safe from potential problems that be able to purchase the generator for a fee of$50.00. If can be caused by faulty wiring and old fixtures." the$50.00 fee is too high for the recipient,the DCA will provide them with a$45.00 scholarship to offset the cost. DCA has also purchased 1450 "Energy Star" compliant Any revenue generated by the sale of the generators will fluorescent bulbs for replacement distribution as well. be applied to purchasing additional generators for other recipients. For information on the appliance replacement program you may contact the DCA Energy Division at,909-955-6448 or For information on the generator program you may contact 1-800-999-5584. the DCA at(909) 955-4900 eontuuuutq action : 3fePpih# Jeapee...efianging .C'kw 6 ACTION*GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 Around the County, State and ration IN THE NATION... IN THE STATE... IN THE COUNTY... Job losses worst since last Slowing economy forces Redistricting draws anger recession revised budget from county residents In June, the nation's jobless rate California Governor Gray Davis Some residents in the county are not jumped to 4.5 percent increasing fears blamed a plummeting stock market happy with the current redistricting of an economic downturn across the and an economic downturn for the cut plan. Under the new plan, country. The manufacturing sector of over$3 billion in the states budget. Supervisorial District 5, (Tom Mullen) was the hardest hit with its eleventh The budget was also impacted by the would be expanded to include the straight month of job cuts. Over the state's Energy Crisis which forced cities of Banning, Desert Hot Springs past year,manufacturing companies officials to increase spending on and Canyon Lake,which are presently have cut more than 780,000 jobs energy related items.With the cuts the located in District 3. Supervisor Jim because of a decrease in demand for states budget will be $102.9 billion. Venable's District 3 would extend to goods. Other important economic the south to include the cities of data in the Department of Labor's The Desert Stin Temecula and Murrieta that are now report includes increases in situated in Bob Buster's 1" unemployment for Blacks, Hispanic Supervisorial District. and Whites and for teenagers, who's rate jumped from 13.6 percent to 14.3 California's economy now percent in June. ranks fifth County's economy showing The Associated Press Statistics show that the state of mixed signs California has the fifth largest economy in the world. Valued at The second quarter of this year shows $1.33 trillion,the state is only a mixed firture for the economy of Gap widens between haves surpassed by.the economies of the - Riverside. In June and July the and have-nots United Kingdom($1.42 trillion), counties unemployment rate rose to 5 Germany ($1.89 trillion), Japan($4.61 percent. However,the Purchasing According to a recent poll,most trillion, and the United States ($9.96 Managers Index(PMI), an index Americans see that the economic trillion) which is used to measure growth in divide between the haves and the the numi facturing sector,rose to 52.2 have-nots has increased during the The Associated Press which indicates an expansion of the economic boom of the 1990's. The local economy. The national PMI survey, conducted by the Pew was 44.7. Research Center for the People &the Press, stated that 52 percent of the Housing shortage hits the state The Press Enterprise Americans surveyed felt that the economic boom helped the upper Since 1980 the California home- middle-class and wealthy,but had building industry has fallen over little affect on the financial conditions 800,000 homes behind demand, Riverside County may lose of the individuals malting less money. according to state estimates. Only 1 millions in aid in 3 Californians can afford a median The Associated Press priced home worth over$250,000. In Because of an undercount in the 2000 order to qualify for a home of this Census, the County of Riverside could value you would need to have a salary lose an estimated$49.5 million in of over$80,000. Officials wain that state and federal grants over the next \s states must provide more affordable 10 years. According to the U.S. houses and rental properties soon in Census Monitoring Board's order to end the shortage problem. presidential members,the Census count missed 18,848 of the county's residents. eonuntuzM Clctian: XzE pin#Jeopee... 'e ian#ing .ehW_6 7 .ACTION*GRAM SPECIAL ENERGY EDITION 2001 Calendar of Events September: 7 15"'Animal Children's Network Conference, Cal State San Bernardino 8 Family Village Festival,Riverside. For information call (909)-826-5273 18 DOVIA Meeting,DCA,Riverside 20 Grant writing workshop: Budgeting,DCA,Riverside 20 Community Action Commission Meeting,Banning i October: 18 Grant writing workshop:Writing,DCA,Riverside 18 Community Action Conunission Meeting,Banning DCA 26 "Parents Count"Parent Mini Conference,Riverside 2038 Iowa Avenue Suite D-102 Riverside,CA 92507 Please note that all Grant writing workshops are subject to change. (909)955-4900 Fax(909)955-6506 For schedules and information contact the Riverside County Department of Community Action at(909)955-4900 Community Action Commission Art Garcia,Chairman Surfin'the Web Low-income Sector: Private Sector: Public Sector: Virginia Denney-Fox Javier Hernandez Rita Rodgers The County of Riverside: Ron Von Medlin Wraymond Sawyerr Anneal Moore wlv\v.co.Riverside.ea.us Debra Franklin Art Garcia Rod Oden Judith Shea Juan De Lam *The California Public Utility Commission Mary Appleman-Thonnpson John Hunt www.CPUC.ca.sov EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EDITOR Southern California Edison Lois J.Carson Tom Vitzelm www.SCE.com State of California's Official Website ActionGram is published quarterly by the County of www.state.ca.us Riverside Department of Community Action for its stakeholders.The goal of this publication is to inform interested parties about issues and initiatives related to alleviating poverty.To be placed on the mailing list contact Tom Vitzelio, Community Liaison,at(909)955-4900. Comity of Riverside Department of Community Action 2038 Iowa Avenue, Suite B-102 Riverside, CA 92507 6wnunuq Qdz=: m,et7.pit4 Jeapee...61attaina kim a