Save Energy, Go Green and Save Money!

Going Green and saving money! These two concepts are rarely in the same sentence together, but here at Ernst & Haas Management we are always discovering new ways to bring these two concepts together. The summer season is behind us so for most of the country their utility bills will be decreasing, but in Southern California it’s summer all year round. So how can we save energy, go green and save money? I have collected some information from the utility companies to help you save energy, go green and save money. Southern California Edison (electricity) CARE/FERA Rate Programs – The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers income-qualified customers a discount of 20% or more off their monthly electric bill. Energy Assistance Fund – The EAF program assists income-qualified customers with their electric bill once in a 12-month period. Energy Management Assistance Program – The Energy Management Assistance (EMA) program pays for the cost of purchasing and installing energy efficient appliances and equipment for income-qualified customers. Temporary Energy Assistance for Families – The Temporary Energy Assistance for Families (TEAF) program may provide a one-time bill credit to help qualified families who are having difficulty paying their Southern California Edison bill. For more information and to enroll in these programs, please go to: http://www.sce.com/residential/income-qualified/ Rebates & Savings – Southern California Edison has multiple rebates for purchasing energy saving appliances, lighting and heating & cooling products. Please go to http://www.sce.com/residential/rebates-savings/ to see if you qualify for rebates. Long Beach City Gas Department (gas) Low-Income Discount Customers who qualify will receive a 5% discount on their gas bills at their primary residence or non-profit group home. Eligible customers include: Low-Income Households: Households that meet certain qualifications and income requirements. Non-Profit Group Living Facilities: Includes nonprofit group living facilities and non-licensed facilities such as homeless shelters, women’s shelters, and group homes. Each resident must meet income requirements for a one-person household. Additional information on eligibility is available by calling (562) 570-2068. You may obtain an application at the Long Beach City Hall, Lobby Level; the Main Library and Branches; the Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Avenue; Long Beach Gas & Oil, 2400 East Spring Street, or by calling (562) 570-2068. Applications should be returned to the address listed on the application. Low Income Senior or Disabled Program Utility Users Tax Exemption Program: Utility Users Tax Exemption Program includes the following benefits: • Five percent (5%) discount on gas services • Exempts customer from paying the five percent (5%) Utility Users Tax on gas, water, electric, and telephone bills • Provides a discount on Tier I water usage • Exempts customer from paying sewer service charges • Provides reduced refuse/recycling rate • Reduces $35.00 service establishment fee to $15.00, if you qualify within six months of establishing service Utility Users Tax Refund Program: This program applies to qualified seniors and disabled customers, whose utilities are supplied through a master meter. These customers do not pay individual bills. • Gas, water and electricity are covered utilities. • Applications are accepted once a year, from January 1 to February 28. • You must re-apply every year to receive your refund. • The refund amount is $2.25 per month, per utility, times the number of months each utility was supplied through a master meter. Eligible customers for either program include: Low-Income Senior Citizens: Customers must be at least 62 years of age, and meet certain income requirements. Low-Income Disabled: Customers who have a qualifying disability as defined in Section 223 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423) and Section 102(b)(5) of the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act [42 U.S.C. 6001(7)], and meet income requirements. Applications are accepted at any of the locations listed below. Prior to applying, call for guidelines and required proof of eligibility. For application by mail, please call the Long Beach Senior Center, at (562) 570-3533 or 3534, and ask for details. Please allow up to four weeks for processing. Locations: Senior Citizens Center 1150 East Fourth Street (562) 570-3533 Assistance provided 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday El Dorado Park Community Center 2800 Studebaker Road (562) 570-3225 or 570-3229 By Appointment Only Houghton Park Senior Center 6301 Myrtle Avenue (562) 570-1640 Assistance provided 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday Home Energy Assistance Program (H.E.A.P.) This is a federally funded program that assists qualifying, low-income household in paying their winter gas and electric bills. A bill does not have to be delinquent for qualified persons to apply for assistance. H.E.A.P. runs from October 1st through September 30th each year. Customers may apply for H.E.A.P. assistance once each program year. To obtain an application, contact: Veterans in Community Service, Inc (VICS) Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Phone (866) 675-6623 Additional Baseline Therm Allowance for Certain Medical Conditions: Persons with a qualifying medical condition may receive additional therms of gas at the baseline rate. A physician must certify the medical condition. Third-Party Notification: For elderly, disabled, or eligible persons with special health risks or medically necessary equipment, this service allows a customer to designate an additional individual to be notified prior to termination of services for non-payment of a utility bill. Final notice is posted on the customer’s property providing additional time to pay. Level Pay Plan: Bill averaging program to assist Long Beach residents and most business owners with high winter gas bills. Monthly bill amount is determined by averaging previous 12 months’ of bills, and generally results in lower bill payments during winter months. For additional information or to enroll in any of the Additional Assistance Programs, contact: Commercial Services Bureau, Utility Services Division Long Beach City Hall - Plaza Level 333 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802 or call (562) 570-5700 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Gas department is also giving away free water heater inspections. Please contact the City of Long Beach’s gas department to schedule an inspection. For applications and more information on these programs, please go to: http://www.longbeach.gov/commercial/content/utility_assistance.asp

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Save Energy, Go Green and Save Money!

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