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6-25-2009 | IID Announces 2009 Summer Energy-Savings Campaign
IID Announces 2009 Summer Energy-Savings Campaign El Centro, CA – Imperial Irrigation District (IID) energy customers can save money, stay cool and help maintain energy reliability by using energy wisely and avoiding energy-intensive tasks during the peak hours from 1–7 p.m. IID’s “Smart Energy Use” campaign promotes energy efficiency and off-peak power usage. The promotional effort will include radio, print, outdoor and other forms of communication to help convey the message to the utility’s customers. “Like last year, our customers need to be more cost conscious than ever,” noted Rosa Maria Gonzales, General Superintendent of IID’s Communications. “Using energy wisely—particularly when the demand for expensive resources is at its highest—helps reduce energy costs, protect the environment and maintain reliability.” Reliability is vital to maintaining comfort when temperatures soar to 115° F or above in the desert. The increased use of power can create excessive demand on the electrical infrastructure. To allow customers to monitor the condition of its system, IID posts its status at www.iid.com. Simply click on the “ELECTRIC SYSTEM STATUS” button. Updated hourly, this site provides a snapshot of IID’s electrical system load plotted against the daily demand forecast for energy. To help customers reduce energy consumption, IID offers several energy-saving tips to help save money. They encourage residential and business customers to visit their Web site at www.iid.com, or call 1-800-303-7756. “By educating customers about making simple adjustments to their energy use habits, we’re hoping we can help them save on energy costs,” concluded Gonzales. About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 145,000 customers in the Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley and part of San Diego County. The third largest public power utility in California, IID controls 1,100 megawatts of energy derived from a diverse portfolio of resources.
media_kit_09.pdf |
6-25-2009 | IID awards college scholarships
IID awards college scholarships Imperial Irrigation District presented $6,500 in scholarship awards to eight graduating seniors from various Imperial Valley high schools during its June 23 board of directors meeting. The top scholarship of $1,500 was awarded to Southwest High School’s Jack Mills. He is the son of Cydney and Tommy Mills. Mills intends to study biological sciences at the University of California, Davis. Scholarships valued at $1,000 were presented to Laurena Aguilar and Aimee Gutierrez.Aguilar, an Imperial High School graduate, is the daughter of Yolanda Infante and Jose A. Aguilar. She intends to study music at California State University, Bakersfield.Calexico High School’s Aimee Gutierrez is the daughter of Lesvia and Noe Gutierrez. She plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona to study exercise biology. Additional scholarships were awarded to:
• $750 to Brawley High’s Ashley Perez, daughter of Kristine and Julian Perez. Ashley will attend California State University, San Bernardino to study kinesiology.
• $750 to Holtville High School’s Mallory Samaha, daughter of Mary and Ritchie Samaha. Mallory has enrolled in San Diego State University to study nursing.
• $500 to Brawley High’s Paul Ingram. Son of Annegret and Kenneth Ingram, Paul plans to attend Augustana University in South Dakota to study sociology and exercise science.
• $500 to Southwest High School’s Michelle Juarez. Daughter of Maria and Benjamin Juarez, Michelle plans to study communications at San Diego State University.
• $500 to Holtville High School’s Morgan Samaha, daughter of Mary and Ritchie Samaha. Morgan is enrolled in SDSU to study kinesiology. Each scholarship recipient went through an application and interview process conducted by a review committee.
IID-awards-academic-scholarships.pdf |
6-9-2009 | Swarthout to Head Up Government Affairs at IID
Swarthout to Head Up Government Affairs at IID Patrick Swarthout, an Imperial Valley native and current resident of La Quinta, will become the Imperial Irrigation District’s government aff airs offi cer on July 1. He will be assisted in his new position with the district by business control analyst Jennifer Goodsell, who will serve on an interim basis as government aff airs specialist. Both appointments were announced by Brian Brady, IID general manager. “Pat brings great experience to this critically important position,” Brady said, “not only in the Coachella Valley but also within Imperial County. He will help to raise our profi le in the communities we serve, particularly at the local government level.” Swarthout has more than 22 years of experience in public aff airs, the last 11 as a representative of the Gas Company. He will be based in the district’s La Quinta offi ce, but his work will routinely bring him to the Imperial Valley. In addition, he will be responsible for both water and energy legislative outreach and issues management. “I am pleased to be joining IID at this pivotal time in its history,” Swarthout said. “I’m familiar with the district’s operations in both valleys and am confi dent that I can make a positive impact in approaching the government aff airs function as an extension of board policy.” Both Swarthout and Goodsell will be coordinating their efforts at the state and national levels with the district’s lobbyists in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. The goal of the district’s government affairs program, Brady said, will be to track legislative matters and anticipate emerging issues on behalf of the organization and its ratepayers. “I think we can be a lot more proactive in working with our elected officials and others in the policymaking arena,” said Brady, “and the team we now have in place is capable of making that happen for the district and the public it serves.” # # # #
Swarthout-to-head-up-government-affairs-at-IID.pdf |
5-14-2009 | IID invests in added transmission capacity
IID invests in added transmission capacity; new transformer increases system reliability and supports renewable growth (El Centro, Calif.) The Imperial Irrigation District announced today the completed installation of a new 300 million volt-amp (MVA) transformer at the utility’s El Centro switching station, which will increase its system reliability and expand import and export transmission capacity by more than 150 megawatts.* “In total, IID has more than 1,600 miles of transmission and interconnection points to the north, south, east and west making our transmission system a critical link to the western grid,” stated assistant energy manager Juan Carlos Sandoval. “Projects such as this increase our overall system reliability and support the growth of green energy in the service territory.” In total, the three-and-a-half-year project cost $7.6 million to complete and was funded through the IID’s capital budget. “With more than 40,000 megawatts of renewable potential, our region is poised to be a world leader in renewable energy generation. Recognizing the importance of adequate transmission resources, IID has made it a priority to plan for future projects that will help propel California’s shift to a clean energy future,” stated Sandoval. Other projects the utility has under way include Phase 1 of the Midway-to-Bannister project, which consists of the construction of an eight-mile portion of the planned 35-mile transmission project near the Salton Sea between the existing IID Midway substation and the proposed Bannister substation. Part of IID’s GREEN PATH transmission expansion plan, the new line will increase the reliability of IID’s transmission infrastructure while spurring the growth of the Imperial Valley’s burgeoning renewable energy industry. *One megawatt provides enough energy to power more than 750 homes. About IID
IID is one of the fastest-growing utilities in the nation and provides electric power to over 145,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. |
4-30-2009 | All-American Canal Lining Project reaches critical milestone
All-American Canal Lining Project reaches critical milestone The Imperial Irrigation District, San Diego County Water Authority, California state Department of Water Resources and the Bureau of Reclamation today dedicated the All-American Canal lining project, an innovative and collaborative effort that will play a key role in helping California conserve much-needed water supplies. “This is a project whose time had clearly come,” said IID General Manager Brian Brady. “The era of limits on the Colorado River imposes new expectations – and responsibilities – on all water users.” The dedication, held along the new concrete-lined canal in the eastern Imperial Valley desert, celebrated the completion of the concrete lining of the mainline canal structure, an important construction milestone. While paving of the transitional structures between the earthen All-American Canal and the new concrete-lined section will continue through March 2010, the construction is a year ahead of schedule and the projected water conservation has begun sooner than anticipated. The canal-lining project will conserve an estimated 67,700 acre-feet of water per year. Water conservation from the project began in 2008, when two segments of the project were completed, and an additional amount of conservation will occur this year with the completion of the last section of the canal. Full realization of the project’s ultimate water savings will occur in 2010. The majority of water recovered through the lining project will be allocated to the water authority for a period of 110 years, with 11,500 acre-feet of the conserved water designated to the San Luis Rey Settlement Parties annually. The new water supply will help the water authority enhance short-term and long-term water supply reliability for the San Diego region. This year, water from the project is being used to help reduce shortages caused by supply cutbacks from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta. “This project is a critical component of the water authority’s diversification strategy,” said San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Maureen Stapleton. “We are already realizing the benefits from this innovative partnership. It is helping us meet the challenge of providing a reliable supply of water to support our region’s 3 million residents and our $171 billion regional economy at a time when drought and regulatory restrictions are impacting other supplies.” For IID, the AACLP helps the Imperial Valley water provider meet its goals as set forth in the Quantification Settlement Agreement, a 2003 pact that called on California to live within its Colorado River basic annual apportionment of 4.4 million acre-feet of water per year. “The water that will be conserved as a result of this project will enable the water authority to meet its needs without impacting the available water supply in the Imperial Valley,” said IID Board President James Hanks. For the state, the AACLP is extending California’s available water supply at a time when drought and regulatory restrictions on pumping water from Northern California are causing significant water shortages in many parts of the state. The AACLP also stands as a model as to what can be accomplished when local water agencies, the state and the federal government work collaboratively to conserve vital water supplies, according to both Hanks and water authority Board of Directors Chairman Claude A. “Bud” Lewis,“This project is a testament to the effectiveness of a truly cooperative effort by public agencies to protect such an important resource,” Lewis said. “This is a project we can all take pride in.” The All-American Canal has been a critical means of water conveyance into the Imperial and Coachella valleys for decades. It was authorized as part of the Boulder Canyon Act in 1928 and constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1938. The earthen canal extends approximately 82 miles from the Colorado River through the Imperial Valley. The project to line portions of the canal was authorized by Congress in 1988 and a federal record of decision was issued in 1994 calling for a 23-mile section of the earthen canal to be replaced by a concrete-lined canal. In 2003, IID, the water authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Coachella Valley Water District, along with the state of California and the U.S. Department of the Interior completed a series of complex agreements – collectively known as the Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement – to conserve and transfer water. One of those key agreements included the AACLP and a similar project, the Coachella Canal Lining Project; the latter was completed in 2006 and is providing 21,500 acre-feet of water annually to the water authority. All together, the canal lining projects are expected to provide nearly 80,000 acre-feet of water supply annually to the San Diego region. As part of the AACLP, the state of California and the water authority share the nearly $300 million in construction costs while IID provides construction management and ongoing operation and maintenance of the canal. The Bureau of Reclamation maintains ownership of the canal. AACLP construction began in 2007. The project was divided into three reaches or segments — Reaches 1, 2 and 3. The reaches were identified based on their proximity to IID’s hydroelectric energy generating facilities (Drops 1, 2 and 3) along the existing earthen canal. The new canal covers an area from the Algodones Sand Dunes in the Imperial Valley’s eastern desert to a point west of the canal’s Drop 3. Ames-Coffman Joint Venture was awarded the contract for Reaches 2 and 3, which will conserve 18,080 acre-feet of water per year. Kiewit Pacific was the contractor for Reach 1, which will conserve the largest amount of water within the 23 miles of lined canal. The project also entailed the building of an off-line storage reservoir — built out of the original earthen canal — that will be able to store approximately 1,200 acre-feet of water for IID’s use. In addition, serious attention was given to the environmental impacts in the area. Mitigation efforts include the building of a wetlands area in the Imperial Valley and future sand dunes restoration. As work continues toward its completion in 2010, the next critical step for the AACLP is the Bureau of Reclamation secretarial determination. That will establish the total amount of water to be conserved annually by the concrete-lined canal. The secretarial determination is expected within the next few weeks. # # # |
4-16-2009 | IID recognized as Climate Action Leader by the California Climate Action Registry
IID recognized as Climate Action Leader by the California Climate Action Registry Earlier this month, Linda Adams, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Climate Action Registry recognized Imperial Irrigation District as a climate action leader for its efforts in solving climate change. “This is an example of how IID and the energy industry can take a proactive role in solving the problem of climate change,” said assistant energy manager Henryk Olstowski. To be eligible for the award, IID performed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the years of 2006 and 2007. These inventories, which took months to complete, provide information on the activities that cause emissions and information on what can be done to reduce emissions, as well as background on the methods used to make the calculations. “Creating a greenhouse gas inventory is one of the first and most important steps in reducing emissions of greenhouse gas,” said assistant engineer Claudia Fierro, who spearheaded IID’s inventory efforts and was on hand to receive the award. “Policy makers use greenhouse gas inventories to track emission trends, develop strategies and monitor progress while scientists use them to model the effects of climate change.” Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period. Scientists believe that during the past century humans have substantially added to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. These added gases are contributing to the earth’s natural greenhouse effect, and are likely causing an increase in global temperatures and related climate change. The CCAR is a private nonprofit organization originally formed by the state of California that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas registry to protect and promote early actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by organizations. CCAR members voluntarily measure, verify and publicly report their GHG emissions. IID became a member of CCAR recently and received certificates for reporting emissions for the calendar years of 2006 and 2007. To view these reports, please visit http://www.climateregistry.org/ About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 145,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. |
4-15-2009 | IID and SEP partner to distribute CFLs to Calexico residents
IID and SEP partner to distribute CFLs to Calexico residents The Imperial Irrigation District and Students for Environmental Protection (SEP) joined forces this week to distribute more than 5,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs to families in the Calexico area. “This is a great example of how IID and the community can join forces to promote something that is worthwhile for all of us,” stated IID board director Anthony Sanchez. “CFLs use 66 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer. They can be used almost anywhere standard incandescent bulbs are used—including lamps, recessed lighting fixtures and specific outdoor fixtures.” SEP began distributing the bulbs and will continue the distribution process throughout spring break. Targeting the Kennedy Gardens area, the students are going door-to-door offering an exchange of five free CFLs for five inefficient incandescent bulbs. “The students truly enjoy participating in this project,” stated SEP president Aaron Rodriguez. “They find it very rewarding to be helping families conserve energy.” About SEP
Students for Environmental Protection (SEP) is comprised of college age students from Imperial Valley College. Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of families by spreading information about energy efficiency. About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 145,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. |
4-13-2009 | IID and SEP partner to distribute CFLs to Calexico residents
MEDIA ADVISORY
IID and SEP partner to distribute CFLs to Calexico residents WHEN: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Kennedy Gardens Elementary School
2300 Rockwood Ave., Calexico
WHO: SEP President, Aaron Rodriguez
IID Director, Anthony Sanchez
IID Superintendent of Demand-Side Management, Gary Ambach
WHAT: The Imperial Irrigation District and the Students for Environmental Protection (SEP) are working together to distribute 5,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs to disadvantaged families in the Calexico area.
Members of the media are invited to shadow volunteers and participate in a photo opportunity on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
About SEP
Students for Environmental Protection (SEP) is comprised of college age students from Imperial Valley College. Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged families by spreading information about energy efficiency. About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 145,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. ### |
4-1-2009 | IID implements changes to the Residential Energy Assistance Program
IID implements changes to the Residential Energy Assistance Program
Free energy efficiency workshops being held In an effort to promote energy efficiency, enhance low income services and put customers in control of their energy bills, IID is restructuring the Residential Energy Assistance program. Starting in April, the basic REAP discount is being lowered to 15 percent. However, IID now offers an additional 10 percent Energy Efficiency Bonus Plan to customers who lower their energy usage through simple efficiency efforts. “By combining the REAP discount with basic energy efficiency and the bonus plan, customers have the potential to lower their energy bills,” stated Gary Ambach who manages IID’s low income programs. IID will continue to offer the current 30 percent REAP discount to qualifying seniors age 65 or older. While seniors are not eligible for the Energy Efficiency Bonus Plan, they can still reduce their overall usage through simple energy efficiency measures. To help customers with low-or-no cost efficiency measures, IID is hosting a series of free energy efficiency workshops throughout the Imperial and Coachella valleys. For a complete list of workshops, visit http://www.iid.com/Energy/FreeEnergyEfficiencyWorkshops. “All of the workshops are being held in both English and Spanish and we are scheduling them in schools and community centers throughout our service area,” said IID conservation specialist Samuel Marquez, who is conducting the workshops. “New dates are being added every day and I encourage anyone wishing to lower their energy costs and consumption to attend.” In addition to the discount changes, REAP customers will be automatically enrolled in IID’s Average Bill Payment program starting in April. This will help customers avoid erratic summer bills by spreading costs throughout the year. Later this year, REAP participants will also be asked to participate in the utility’s upcoming Energy SwingShift program. For more information, customers can contact IID’s Public Programs office at 760-339-9032 (Imperial Valley) or 760-391-5951 (Coachella Valley). About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 140,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. |
3-10-2009 | IID board approves changes to interconnection tariff
IID board approves changes to interconnection tariff The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors recently approved a proposal to change the deposit structure of IID’s open access transmission tariff. Generator interconnection queue management has become a major problem for electric utilities across the country, particularly in areas where known renewable energy resources exist, such as the IID service territory. The changes will help minimize the practice known as “queue hedging,” which costs legitimate projects time and money. “Since the Salton Sea resource area was identified as the leading competitive renewable energy zone by the state, IID has seen a large spike in the number of renewable energy providers who are interested in interconnecting with the IID system,” said Jesse Montaño, who manages interconnection requests for IID. “The problem is that some of these projects are not viable and they take valuable resources away from projects that are.” To combat this problem, IID staff reviewed what other transmission providers have done when facing similar problems. IID developed what it believes to be a solution. “Instead of doubling up on fees as other providers have done, we are simply changing the structure of our deposits and using a front loading system,” stated Montaño. Up to this point, IID required a $10,000 up-front deposit to reserve a space in the interconnection queue. Under the new structure, the initial deposit has increased to $50,000, but deposits later on in the process have been decreased. IID also has streamlined internal study practices and procedures to aggressively meet deadlines established in the tariff. Many times conceptual projects do not provide adequate technical data to initiate studies. IID will call for responsiveness from interconnection customers throughout the study process. If technical data is not provided within an adequate period, a project could be removed from the interconnection queue. “We are working to insulate viable projects from running additional studies that prolong the study period and could increase project costs,” added Montaño. In 2007, IID adopted the Federal Energy Regulatory Compliance pro-forma large generator interconnection procedure, which standardizes the progression in which transmission providers process generator interconnection requests. FERC recently allowed transmission providers to modify their tariffs in order to streamline the interconnection process. To review IID’s revised open access transmission tariff, please visit http://www.iid.com/Media/IID_OATT_(Rev._03-03-09).pdf. About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 140,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. |
1-30-2009 | A unique sports event: IID’s 4th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo
A unique sports event: IID’s 4th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo (Imperial, Calif.) The Imperial Irrigation District is pleased to announce its fourth annual Lineman’s Rodeo on Saturday, February 7, from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. at Cattle Call Park in Brawley. This unique competition showcases professional electric utility linemen demonstrating their agility, skill, speed and safety practices in a variety of events that put their physical abilities to the test. Talented lineman from IID and other neighboring utilities will compete by quickly and safely climbing poles, pole top rescue, performing pole hand set and many other events scheduled throughout the day. At press time, participants competing will be representing Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, Henkels & McCoy, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, Arizona Public Service, IBEW Local 47, Irby Construction, Navopache Electric and IID. “The best of the best will be displaying their talent during the Lineman’s Rodeo,” said Al Minor, IID’s construction and maintenance general superintendent and member of the Rodeo committee organizing this year’s event. The IID-sponsored event is free and open to the public. Cattle Call Park is located at 550 Cattle Call Drive in Brawley. About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 140,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power.
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1-15-2009 | IID proposes rate increase; holds public hearings
IID proposes rate increase; holds public hearings (Imperial, Calif.) The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors will hold rate hearings to consider a proposed rate increase in its electric rate schedule. If approved, the proposed 3.89 percent increase in electric rates would become effective April 2009. The rate increase will apply to most components of the bill, including the customer charge, demand charge, energy charge and the energy cost adjustment factor. “This is a difficult decision for IID, but our rates no longer cover the cost of doing business,” stated General Manager Brian J. Brady. “We must bring our rates in line with the current cost of providing service to the customer and meeting system reliability and environmental compliance standards.” Members of the public are encouraged to learn about the proposal and participate in public hearings. A hearing will be held in El Centro on February 17, 2009, at 5 p.m. in the William Condit Auditorium at 1285 Broadway. A second hearing will be held in La Quinta on February 19, 2009, also at 5 p.m., in the IID Boardroom at 81-600 Avenue 58. The decision on the proposed rate increase will be rendered by the board on March 3, 2009. As with most utilities, IID has been confronted with the increasing cost of providing electrical service to its customers. Also contributing to escalating costs are new regulatory requirements for operating and maintaining its transmission and distribution infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions and meeting renewable portfolio standards. To help avoid a rate increase, IID has implemented a number of cost-cutting measures, including deferring capital and maintenance projects. The rate increase, if approved, means the average IID residential customer using 1,102 kilowatt-hours per month will see an approximate $5.70 increase in his or her electric bill. Even with the proposed increase, IID will retain its competitiveness—26 percent less than San Diego Gas & Electric’s charge to a residential customer using the same amount of energy and 16 percent less than Southern California Edison’s. IID last raised its rates in 1994, which included a 3.5 percent increase to its rate structure; however, due to the addition of the state-mandated Public Benefits Charge (PBC) of 2.85 percent of the customer’s total electric bill, IID shifted energy conservation program costs to the PBC and reduced all electric rates by $0.0003 per kilowatt-hour in 1998. For more information on the rate increase proposal, please visit www.iid.com or contact IID’s rates group in the Imperial Valley at (760) 482-3502 or in the Coachella Valley at (760) 391-5902. About IID
IID provides electric power to more than 140,000 customers in Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. The third largest public power provider in California, IID Energy manages approximately 1,100 MW of energy derived from a diverse resource portfolio of renewable and nonrenewable sources that includes its own generation and purchased power. ### Letter to Customers - Jan 2009 Energy Rate Q&A - Jan 2009 |
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