KELSEYVILLE >> While sympathetic to rural small business’ rising overhead, PG&E offered no quick solutions to lower daily operation costs except perhaps energy audits that may skim off a bit on everyday fees for local businesses operating in the county.
Carri Beaver, PG&E customer relationship manager and Jason Taormino, PG&E government relations representative visited at the Big Valley Advisory Council (BVAC) meeting Wednesday to inquire how they can best support residents as well as match up customers with programs for those who may deal with financial challenges. But there is not always a cost savings solution, but Beaver pledged to look at rates, at behavioral change, even in small ways which can make a big difference in monthly costs. “We have energy efficient upgrade programs, I don’t think businesses are aware of,” said, Beaver.
“We’ll look at all available programs and matchup programs with a local business.” Yet she also looks at usage since even a small change can a make a big difference in monthly costs. These come in form of energy efficient upgrade programs such as, economic development rates. “But it’s difficult to qualify,” she said. “We have to prove the business is struggling to stay in business, maybe driven to move out of PG&E service area or go out of business completely,” she said. “We’re fighting to expand coverage, but I’ll look at additional campaigns throughout the year and do my best to find a cost savings opportunity. ”
BVAC member Megan Lankford asked Beaver if finically stressed customers must present a profit and loss statement to qualify for a hardship case. Beaver replied there has to be proof of the business failing. Lankford wondered if a financial hardship had to be tied to a PG&E invoice. “What if my PG&E bill went up $1,000 this month and that’s why I need to close the business, does it matter what the cause of the closure is?” Beaver replied they know major reasons for business closures are mortgage or lease payments, insurance of utility fees. “There is a specific PG&E Team that qualifies people for that right now,” she answered. “But if we have a business at risk of leaving or closing, I think it’s worth connecting with our group and see if you can qualify, and I’ll connect you to the right people.”
BVAC Chair Brian Hanson noted he met with local residents juggling business expenses. “If you got a restaurant with a refrigerator or freezer running at peak hours it’s a struggle,” he said. “We’ve had one closed on Main Street. And we have a sandwich shop owner, he’ll need to sell a lot of sandwiches to cover a $5,000 PG&E bill, and that’s not going to cut it. He’ll be out of business before he has time to come to you.” He went on, he hoped there would be a program in place in the next few months to assist small business, because the BVAC serves a struggling economic area.
We’re challenged by the same issues in Mendocino County, my favorite restaurant in Willits just closed,” Beaver said. “There’s other economic challenges we are facing. Fuel costs are prohibitive, vendors getting food equipment and maintenance in our relative difficult service area.” Hanson concurred. “But our farm and Ag communities are getting kicked in the teeth for years and now things cost four times as much,” he said. “There’s lots of things you can point fingers at, but utility bills are the biggest struggle I’m hearing of.”
Lankford asked if PG&E had discussions about not raising rates in a socio-economic depressed locale such as the BVAC area, since they raised rates 25% earlier this year. “We also reduced rates 9 % in July,” Beaver said. But PG&E talks are in the works to raise rates in September/October. The goal is to keep rate increases to 3% annually noted Taormino or no more than 9% for next three years.
Taormino recommended customers sign up for PG&E’s CARE/FERA discount programs. Tens of thousands of income-eligible customers have applied to save 20 percent on their monthly energy bill by enrolling in PG&E’s California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE). The CARE program provides income-qualified households with discounts on their energy bills. To learn more about the CARE Program, visit www.pge.com/care. A family of four can earn up to $52,400 annually to qualify for CARE
Separate from CARE, income-qualified households with three or more persons can apply for the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program for an 18 percent discount on electric bills.
