LAKE COUNTY
PG&E tips: Five ways to save energy and money this winter
As the temperatures drop during the winter, natural gas usage tends to go up due to increased heating needs. The heating system, water heater, and washer/dryer account for more than 70% of winter energy use in the typical home.
The increase in energy usage, combined with a spike in natural gas prices, may be contributing to higher-than-normal energy bills.
We understand any increase in energy bills can be challenging. That’s why PG&E is offering the following tips to safely reduce the costs associated with these natural gas appliances.
Ways to save energy this Winter
- Enhance Furnace Efficiency: Check furnace filters regularly. Change out filters if dirty- or at least every three months. A clean filter will prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system which can lead to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
- Improve Duct Performance: In a typical house about 20% to 30% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Make sure all connections at vent registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceilings. These are the common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork. Many homeowners choose to work with a professional contractor for duct improvement projects.
- Lower the temperature on your water heater: The recommended temperature is 120°F. For every 10ºF reduction in temperature, customers can save from 3% to 5% on water heating costs. Also take shorter showers and don’t leave water running.
- Wash Clothes in Cold Water: Use the cold water setting on the clothes washer to use less energy on water heating, wash full loads, and longer spin times to reduce the amount of drying energy needed. Water heating makes up about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer.
- Don’t Over Dry Clothes: If the dryer has a sensor that automatically turns it off when the clothes are dry, use it. Dry full loads and clean the lint trap before every load.
As the weather and temperatures warm up, usually during March and April, usage and bills are expected to decrease.
There are several things that can be done to help control energy costs besides simply using less natural gas. One of the ways to use less energy is to replace old, inefficient appliances with new, more efficient ones. PG&E’s Marketplace is an online resource for customers shopping for energy-saving appliances and electronics. And, for more tips on saving energy this winter, visit www.pge.com/winter.
—Submitted
LAKEPORT
Preliminary hearing to be held today for suspect in gross vehicular manslaughter case
Late in the evening of January 16, Patricia Martha Murphy, 31, of Lucerne, was the driver of a 2012 Volkswagen that hit a parked Ram truck, killing her passenger, Justin Dale of Lucerne.
The crash occurred on Highway 20, east of Lake Street in Lucerne.
While Mr. Dale succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Murphy suffered minor injuries and was taken and treated at Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Murphy is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The defendant has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter with vessel while intoxicated and DUI (alcohol) while causing injury.
During a hearing last month, the defendant entered a not guilty plea to all counts, denying the special allegations.
Defense counsel, Sterling Thayer Jr., requested the defendant be released on her own recognize, but the People requested no bail in this matter be set.
After the matter of bail was argued, the Court set the bail at no bail with a preliminary hearing to be held this morning at 8:15 a.m. in Department 3.
During a recent hearing, the Court confirmed the preliminary hearing for today.
The defendant was also convicted last July for a charge of alcohol related reckless driving and the violation of probation matter will also be heard on that same day with the preliminary hearing.
—Lori Armstrong
WASHINGTON D.C.
USDA announces $50 million in grants awarded to states to support the seafood industry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an investment of approximately $50 million in grants to support seafood processors, processing facilities and processing vessels through the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program (SPRS).
This grant funding, to be distributed through state agencies, will help defray costs incurred by seafood processing facilities and processing vessels preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. SPRS recipients include state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, fisheries, wildlife, seafood, commercial processing, or related commerce activities within multiple states including California, as well as the territory of American Samoa. This program is funded by the Pandemic Assistance provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
AMS supports U.S. food and agricultural products market opportunities, while increasing consumer access to fresh, healthy foods through applied research, technical services, and Congressionally funded grants. To learn more about AMS’s investments in enhancing and strengthening agricultural systems, visit www.ams.usda.gov/grants.
—Submitted
