Dozens attend town hall meeting on power crisis

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- In an attempt to allay residents’ concerns about

rising natural gas prices and the state’s energy crisis, Assemblyman Tom

Harman (R-Huntington Beach) called a town hall meeting at Rodgers

Seniors’ Center.

“About 95% of the letters we’ve received are from residents who are

terribly concerned about how they’re going to pay their rising bills,

both for gas and electricity,” said Donna Klein, Harman’s district

manager.

The meeting Saturday afternoon attracted about 70 people, including

members of the City Council and the Planning Commission, as well as

representatives of AES Corp., Southern California Edison Co. and Southern

California Gas Co.

The meeting was intended to update residents on the power situation

and to serve as a conduit between Harman and his constituents, Klein

said.

Harman told residents that among the important energy issues facing

the city and state are the need increase the available power supply as

well as conservation.

“We all need to become more aware of how to save energy,” he said. “If

one person in 10 in California installed three fluorescent light bulbs in

a home, it would save about 500 megawatts a year.”

Officials with Edison, which supplies power to about 11 million people between San Diego and Santa Barbara, stressed that electricity prices

have not risen in six years and are set at about 7 cents per kilowatt

hour.

Tina Javid, a spokeswoman for the Gas Co., acknowledged that natural

gas prices have increased recently for residents and businesses.

Exploration and drilling projects, however, are underway to increase

the supply, the long-term effects of which should keep prices down, she

said.

Some residents were concerned with AES’ plans to start up two

previously unused generators after a retooling project to bring them up

to date.

In addition to seeking permits for the project from the California

Energy Commission, the power company hopes a proposed bill in the state

Legislature will be passed to put the retooling project on the fast

track.

Ed Kerins, a resident and city planning commissioner, said the city

should have some sort of jurisdiction in the permitting process to insure

that its chief concerns, regarding air and water pollution as well as the

aesthetics of the AES plant, are addressed.

FYI

Some energy-saving tips handed out at the meeting:

* Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees when your home is occupied and

to 55 degrees at night or when the home is unoccupied.

* Close the damper and cover the fireplace when it is not in use.

* Close off the heating to rooms and areas that do not require heating

or are unoccupied.

* Set your water heater to 120 degrees or 140 degrees if you have a

dishwasher.

* Wash clothing in full loads. Use the energy-saving setting is

possible.

* Wash dishes in full loads. Use the energy-saving setting if

possible.

* Open curtains and blinds during the day to let sunlight in for

additional heat. Close curtains at night to act as additional insulation

for windows.

* Take showers instead of baths.

* Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs.

* Seal heating ducts.

* Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket, especially

if it is in an unheated area of your home.

* Fix dripping faucets.

* Clean the coils on the back or bottom of your refrigerator. Don’t

let children stand in front of the refrigerator door with the door open.

* Change your heating system filter once a month. Have your central

heating/air conditioning system checked by a professional every one or

two years. On the average, 20% of heat is lost through leaks in the

ductwork.

* Check insulation and weather-stripping.

* Avoid using gas grills and other optional gas and electric

appliances.

* Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Use appliances such

as washing machines outside peak demand hours.