Appropriate technology: HSU brings the fantasy of sustainable living into reality

Energy: Where's the COLA for energy prices?

Dennison named to Aging Commission

It takes a community to raise a grandchild

New city council service begins

Del Norte Senior Center: New director creates and shines

Crescent City to Garberville: Federated Women's Clubs serve their communities

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Energy
Where's the COLA for energy prices?
by Barbara Clark

No one really knows until our PG&E bills come in during January what the predicted increases will look like. I know that at my house, we're turning the heater down by a couple of degrees and turning lights off. We're concerned about it.

Senior News has dedicated a number of stories to this question, and what's to be done. Our lead story about the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology lets us know that going "off the grid" is possible, but most people aren't going to do that. Redwood Community Action Agency has some energy rebates for low-income people which will be funded by mid January. The City of Eureka has some programs that would replace windows and roofs, but those apply to a limited area in Eureka. A couple of intrepid women are going face-to-face to raise people's awareness. See these stories on pages 6 and 7.

State Assembly Member Wes Chesbro said that the legislature was working to help the situation. Last August construction was approved for a half dozen clean burning power plants to be operational in 18 months. These plants by independent energy producers will have a net reduction of pollution and increase in the electrical supply.

"We will reexamine deregulation to see about the role it is playing in the current situation and decide what amount of re-regulation is necessary to protect consumers," Chesbro said. "The governor has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to help California bring an end to the profiteering by wholesale energy suppliers."

He said that the legislature has reinstated the rate caps in San Diego. "That should provide reassurance to the rest of the state that the legislature doesn't intend to let the burden of increased prices fall on the lower income users and homeowners." But he added, "It's not just a problem with deregulation, because other states that haven't deregulated are facing some of the same shortages..

"I think one of the underlying causes is that for the past 20 years we have accommodated California's growth through alternative energy and conservation. But no new power plants have been built in the past ten years."

Chesbro continued, "The past two years' increase in the use of electricity, by businesses primarily, has dramatically increased the demand for electricity, way over what was projected. One new data processing business can use as much as several small cities.

"We can't let this make rate payers increase their costs to heat and light their homes. We can't allow deregulation to go forward in its current form.

"One solution we should be looking at is to have the large consumers produce their own electricity on site for what they use. We should ask those creating the new demand to be responsible for creating some of the new supply.

"Personal incentive programs have shrunk over the past decade," Chesbro added. "I'm looking into legislation to reestablish and reinstate conservation and renewable energy incentives. These could be both national and state."

Chesbro was adamant that the legislature would act this year to "see that people won't have rate increases that keep them from having warm and lighted houses."
But in the meantime, he said, prices are going up. "I want to make sure that people have access to weatherization programs that help insure their safety and comfort. There are also financing programs to help people replace hot water heaters." Finally, he said, he would look into the possibility of increasing the amount of money for the energy rebate program because more people will have the need.

RCAA programs

Energy rebates
The one state funded energy rebate program is operated by Redwood Community Action Agency. Funds could be received as early as mid-January, said Charlotte Stewart, RCAA energy services specialist. All Humboldt County households can apply for a single annual rebate if they meet the income guidelines at the end of this section.
Meanwhile, RCAA has developed a two-track method of contacting the program. The general public must call on Mondays at 9 a.m. and wait for a callback to schedule an appointment to fill out the paper work. These people should call 444-3834 and keep calling on Mondays until they receive their callback.

Seniors, however, have a special system. They call Stewart's extension, RCAA staffers will handle the paper work over the phone and follow up with a home visit for the seniors' signatures. Seniors only should call 444-3831, ext. 202.

Energy rebates on PG&E bills last year ranged from $116 to $180. Propane rebates were $200; and wood-burning clients received two cords of wood for free. The amounts of rebates for the coming year won't be certain until later in January, Stewart said. More people will be eligible this year, she added, because the eligibility requirements were changed. See income ranges to the right. The rebate is paid as a credit on the PG&E or propane bill.

"Unfortunately," she added, "we can no longer give rebates to people whose electric and gas bills are part of their rent payments, like in Silvercrest senior residence. We can give rebates to people in mobile home parks whose gas and electric are sub-metered."

"The sad thing is that not everyone who needs it gets help," Stewart said. "Every year our funds are cut back more and more, and we don't know what the new administration will do to this program."

RCAA Weatherization
The RCAA weatherization program is making a list of names for service when the new funding comes in, Stewart said.

In that program RCAA staff tests gas appliances, installs a carbon monoxide detector, checks doors and windows for air leaks, replaces broken windows, checks hot water heaters for jackets, checks attic and under the house for proper insulation; places gaskets in wall sockets and installs sink aerators and low-flow shower heads.
RCAA income guidelines

Every energy program offered through the Redwood Community Action Agency is based on specific income guidelines: for a one-person household, the maximum income is $1,435.66 monthly; two people, it is $1,877.41; three, $2,319.08; and four $2,760.83.

Other programs

City of Eureka low interest loans
The City of Eureka Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program offers property owners the chance to make much needed repairs to their houses at below-market interest rates. This financial assistance is funded by a variety of sources including the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

Through this Paint Up Fix Up grant program any property owner who occupies or has rental property located within selected Eureka neighborhoods who meets the program income requirements is eligible for a grant of $2,500. The owner must pay 20 percent of the work done.

This grant can be used to install double paned windows and new roofs, some of the elements that make a more energy efficient dwelling. For information, call 442-4214. A city spokesman said that while funds for this grant are available, the work load is already scheduled well into the new year.

PG&E contractor program
By calling Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Smarter Energy Line, 800-933-9555, home, condo and mobile home owners in PG&E's service area can participate in the Residential Contractor Program for Energy Efficiency.

These are cash incentives for owners to get a home's heating system tuned up and for taking other energy-efficiency steps. The program is administered by the various state utilities.

Area Agency outreach
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is working to inform seniors about their rights if someone phones you to offer a new electric service.

AAA's Rosemary Moore and Barbara Denney were at all the senior centers in December giving people information and getting signatures on petitions. AAA received a grant through RCAA and the California Public Utilities Commission to conduct the educational program.

They want people to know that they have the right to change their minds for three days after signing a service contract; that all prices, terms and conditions of service agreements must be in writing and understandable prior to signing; that comparative pricing information must be provided, that any cash deposit cannot exceed three months' energy cost; that companies can't charge hidden fees like a switching fee and other essential information.

These changes have arisen since January 1998 when the state legislature opened up the electric service market to competition in an effort to lower prices. It gives people the opportunity to choose a new electricity provider or stay with your current provider.
Barbara Clark is editor of Senior News.