Energy crisis hits Golden West in the pocket

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH --To close or not to close. That has been the

question the recent power crisis posed for Golden West College.

And Golden West officials have opted for the latter, resulting in

about $500,000 in fines.

The college has a contract with Southern California Edison’s

interruptable energy program, which charges a reduced price for energy.

In exchange, the school agrees to cut back or shut down power within 20

minutes during power shortages or be penalized. Edison charges the school

$10,000 per hour if the school keeps the power on.

Since the summer, the school has paid close to $500,000, said Kenneth

Yglesias, president of Golden West College. A bill for the 122-acre

campus that is normally about $60,000 a month skyrockets by the

thousands.

“It always hurts,” Yglesias said. “Any time you don’t have planned

budgets, you have to dip into the reserves.”

But school officials prefer to maintain their purpose of serving

students by continuing with classes, Yglesias said.

“It is worth it from a student’s standpoint,” said Marie McHerrin,

spokeswoman for the college. “It’s a sacrifice, but a well-worth

sacrifice.”

Of the 18 times the school was asked to close during the last year, it

complied 11 times. The college was asked to shut down every day last

week. Golden West closed for 24 hours, which started the morning of Jan.

17.

“This is the first year in the 15 years that we have been called to

shut down,” Yglesias said.

Yglesias makes the decision based on the time of the day, scheduled

events, how many students and staff members are on campus and what’s

essential for health and safety.

“We do shut down what we can when we’re asked to shut down

completely,” Yglesias said.

Classrooms are combined, some employees are sent home, empty

classrooms are closed. The heating system has been turned off.

“It’s a difficult program to manage, but we’re in a difficult

situation,” Yglesias said.

Unfortunately, the college is locked in to the Interruptable Service

Program contract with Edison, Yglesias said.

“We wanted to get out after the first incident in the summer,”

Yglesias said.

However, state legislators passed measures preventing the college from

discontinuing the contract.

“We’re stuck with it until legislation says we can get out,” Yglesias

said.

Yglesias is hoping the state will eventually help to pay for some of

the penalty costs. Coast Community College District will consider helping

the college out with its fines, said C.M. Brahmbhatt, the district’s vice

chancellor of administrative services, who said the district supports

Yglesias decisions to stay open.

“It hurts college programs, the ability to carry out our mission,”

Yglesias said. “It’s difficult to get through all this and still serve

students in the best way you can.”

For now, the school is trying to conserve as much energy as possible,

McHerrin said.

The new semester will begin Monday. School officials will keep phone

lines, as well as the three new marquees, updated to keep students

informed of closures.