Date: May 22, 2001
To: Board of Supervisors
Subject: Sheltering Seniors from the Summer Heat
Summary:
The California Public Utilities Commission reports that barely half the
state's low to moderate income ratepayers who are eligible for rate
assistance programs, which includes many seniors, have enrolled in such
programs. State regulators blame the low figure on less-than-diligent
outreach efforts by the utilities.
The County must take steps to ensure the health and safety of this most
vulnerable population. Today's action will create countywide "cool zones"
at senior centers and community centers where seniors can escape summer
heat without running up expensive utility bills. Also, today's action
will urge San Diego Gas and Electric to enhance its efforts to enroll
seniors in utility rate assistance programs. Additionally, today's
action seeks to bring energy efficiency programs to the region's fixed
and low-income residents.
The County is experiencing an influx of calls from fixed-income seniors
who fear for their health and safety during California's on-going
electricity crisis. Utility rate increases have discouraged the use of
air-conditioning. Seniors, particularly those in our region's inland
areas, are worried about the medical effects of summer heat. These
effects include dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps
and in extreme cases, brain damage and death. Several seniors already
admit to sacrificing prescription medication and groceries to compensate
for high utility bills.
RECOMMENDATION:
SUPERVISOR JACOB:
1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify and prepare
"cool zones" throughout the County which might
offer respite from summer heat and use CTN and
other County media resources to develop a public education
campaign to make older
adults aware of such "cool zones" at libraries, community and
senior centers and
private sector and faith-based facilities.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter to San
Diego Gas and Electric,
urging the utility to increase rate assistance awareness efforts
to the public,
especially seniors and asking the utility to work with seniors to
ensure that service to
older adults is not terminated for financial reasons this summer.
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to investigate ways to
bring energy
efficiency programs to San Diego County's fixed and low-income
residents. Return
to the Board in 30 days with an implementation plan and possible
funding sources.
Fiscal Impact:
These actions can be performed within the existing budget.
Background:
San Diego residents and businesses are struggling to withstand the
state's worst power crisis in history. Light rainfall, tight power
supply, the high price of natural gas and unscheduled generator
maintenance have compromised the state's unsteady electricity market.
Summer heat is upon us and the County now is experiencing an influx of
calls from fixed-income seniors who fear for their health and safety
during the summer power crunch. Utility rate increases have discouraged
seniors from using air-conditioning, risking dehydration, heat
exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps and in extreme cases, brain damage
and death. Several seniors already admit to sacrificing prescription
medication and groceries to compensate for high electricity bills.
San Diego County has been working diligently to help the region
withstand the state's power crisis. In anticipation of the summer power
shortage, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a massive
conservation effort which includes the elimination of unnecessary
lighting and the installment of cost-effective and motion-sensitive
lighting in County buildings.
The Air Pollution Control Board also directed APCD staff to locate and
help permit all back-up generation sources countywide. Also, The Board
of Supervisors approved a project to convert landfill gas into
electricity by installing micro turbines at the Jamacha Landfill in
Rancho San Diego.
Despite these efforts, our region is experiencing high utility bills and
rolling blackouts. In an effort to shelter our vulnerable senior
population, we must link older adults with rate assistance programs
which will help them manage electricity bills and keep electricity on.
We must provide places where seniors can gather to avoid high
temperatures. These "cool zones" can be sited at community and senior
centers, libraries and private sector and faith-based facilities.
By creating "cool zones" for seniors to escape dangerous heat, urging
our region's utility to increase rate assistance outreach efforts to
seniors and helping seniors weatherize their homes to deflect intense
heat, the County strives to protect our region's most defenseless
residents. I urge your support.
Respectfully Submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District
