Environment

Energy Savings: Ways to Save This Summer

Published

6 years ago

June 1, 2018

By Genoa Barrow | California Black Media

Whether or not temperatures will hit triple digits remains to be seen, but Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has tips to keep customers from getting burned on their bills this summer.

The energy company’s website offers lots of warm weather advice, from using a microwave or an outside grill to cook on hot days instead of cooking in the oven to painting walls in light colors to keep rooms cooler. Small things can lead to significant savings, says Allen Fernandez Smith, PG&E’s Manager of Low-Income Programs and Strategies.

“One of the easy ways to save is setting your thermostat,” Fernandez Smith shared.

“Set the temperature on your thermostat a little bit higher so that your air conditioner turns on maybe a degree or two higher than you’re used to, which still may be comfortable for many folks, they may not even notice it, but it can save money,” he continued.

Washing in cold water instead of hot saves customers up to $40 a year, according to PG&E. Using and switching off power strips can save someone up to $75 a year. Manyappliances and devices draw power even when they’re off, so unplugging coffee makers, cell phone chargers,televisions and entertainment systems helps to avoid unnecessary energy uses. PG&E’s website also has tips for parents with children who will be out of school for the summer using more energy than a household would typically see during the week in order to entertain themselves.

California residents can also avoid higher bills by going to cooling centers that open during the summer when temperatures soar. These centers can be used as an alternative to leaving on air conditioning and fans for extended periods of hot weather. PG&E helps fund suchcenters throughout the state.

“That’s a really great thing that’s being used by many families,” Fernandez Smith said, adding that some centers even offer transportation.

The summer savings tips are part of the energy company’s overall effort to help customers. The company also offers different programs to those who may need extra assistance in paying their bills every month. “We’re here to support all of our customers,” Fernandez Smith said.

“We understand that California is a very diverse state and our customers are also very diverse with many different needs and we want to make sure we’re meeting their needs by providing safe, reliable, affordable clean energy,” he continued.

PG&E has a Communities of Color Initiative and works with a network of community-based organizations and faith-based leaders to spread the word and encourage customers who are eligible to apply for the saving programs.

“It’s a two-way street. Part of it is us being able to provide these organizations and leaders with tools and tips so that they can share with their communities, but also it’s for us to get feedback from them,” Fernandez Smith said.

“Are the messages that we’re putting out there, can people understand them? Are they in the languages that are necessary? Are they (done) in a way where they’re culturally relevant to these communities? We want to hear directly from our customers on how we can better serve them,“ Fernandez Smith shared.

Online resources include www.pge.com/saveenergymoney and www.pge.com/coolingcenters.

Oakland Post

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

2 weeks ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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Business

Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Tackle Rising Electric Bills

Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help alleviate the financial burden of skyrocketing electric bills on residents. This directive instructs the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission to identify strategies to lower electricity costs and prevent rapid increases in the future.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Among the key actions proposed, the governor emphasized a closer examination of utility expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, which accounts for about 13% of residential electric bills.

Newsom underscored the state’s commitment to balancing affordability with environmental goals.

“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” said Newsom. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”

California now has the second-highest electric rates in the country, trailing only Hawaii, with residential bills having surged as much as 110% over the past decade. The largest utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have seen rate hikes of 20% to 50% in just the last three years, approved by the state’s regulatory bodies.

The executive order also directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to explore increasing the California Climate Credit, which provides some relief on energy costs for residents. Additionally, the PUC is urged to pursue federal funding opportunities to further reduce electric expenses.

While consumer advocates welcomed the governor’s focus on lowering costs, concerns were raised regarding potential cuts to essential clean energy programs. CALPIRG, a consumer group, pointed out that the real issue behind high utility bills is wasteful spending by utilities and urged greater accountability.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

California Ports to Receive Over $1 Billion in Federal Funds to Decarbonize

Last week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate over $1 billion to seven California ports for zero-emission (ZE) infrastructure and climate management plans. In an Oct. 29 press release, Padilla said this funding, part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports nationwide.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

In an Oct. 29 press release, Padilla said this funding, part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports nationwide.

Among the grants, the Port of Los Angeles received over $411 million, the largest award in the country. California ports are vital to the national economy, handling about 40% of containerized imports and 30% of exports.

“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment in our ports is a major step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Padilla.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka and fellow port officials echoed Padilla’s sentiments, with plans to acquire over 400 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, reducing emissions by 41,500 tons annually.

“This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change while accelerating the port industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Seroka.

Other ports, including Oakland, Stockton, San Diego, and San Francisco, will also use their grants to transition to ZE operations, improve regional air quality, and create job opportunities.

The EPA’s funding will support various projects, from electrifying cargo terminals to establishing the first high-speed zero-emission ferry network in the U.S. Ports will collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure these investments benefit their surrounding communities.

The port of Hueneme in Ventura County and the Port of Redwood City on the Southern San Francisco Bay will also receive funding, respectively.