Consumer Alert: Don’t be scammed by bogus charitable organizations

Board of Equalization Chairman, Jerome E. Horton, encourages potential charitable donors, interested in providing financial relief to the victims of the Boston Marathon and Texas fertilizer plant explosions, to beware of charity scams operating in the wake of these tragedies.

The fraudulent schemes involve a variety of tactics such as telephone solicitations as well as social media, email, and face–to–face requests for charitable donations. Individuals operating bogus charities operate by randomly contacting people by telephone to solicit money or financial information. Emails are also used to steer people to fraudulent websites to solicit funds, allegedly for the benefit of the affected victims. The fraudulent websites also mimic the sites or use names similar to legitimate charities.

Fraud also occurs when bogus organizations claim affiliation with legitimate charities to persuade members of the public to send money or provide personal financial information. Scammers are then able to use that information to steal the identities of the donors which is used to steal money that is intended for the victims.

Chairman Jerome Horton offers the following tips to help taxpayers who wish to make charitable donations to victims of the recent tragedies in Boston and Texas:

• Donate to qualified charities. Use the Exempt Organizations Select Check tool at IRS.gov to find legitimately qualified charities. Only donations to qualified charitable organizations are tax–deductible. You can also find legitimate charities on the Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site at FEMA.gov.
• Be wary of charities with similar names. Some phony charities use names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. They may use names or websites that sound or closely resemble those of legitimate organizations.
• Don’t give out personal financial information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card and bank account numbers and passwords to anyone who solicits a contribution. Scam artists use this information to steal your identity and your money.
• Don’t give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the donation.
• Report suspected fraud. Taxpayers suspecting tax or charity–related fraud should visit IRS.gov and perform a search using the keywords “report phishing.” For more information about tax scams and schemes visit IRS.gov using the keywords “scams and schemes.”

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) furlough dates

Chairman Jerome Horton would also like to take this time to advise you that the IRS will close all of its public operations on five days through the end of August because of employee furloughs.

The IRS will be closed and almost all employees will be furloughed on May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22, and Aug. 30. As many as two additional furlough days may be imposed in August and September.

The closing will affect operations, including the IRS toll–free lines and taxpayer assistance centers. If you are conducting business with the IRS, please be advised of the aforementioned furlough dates to prevent any possible frustration.

Source: State Board of Equalizati​on

FREE Women and Girls Health Fair at APAIT Health Center May 10, 2013

APAIT Health Center Celebrates Mother’s Day with “Our Health, Our Power” or “Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Poder” A Free Health Fair for Women & Girls.

APAIT Health Center proudly kicks off “Our Health, Our Power” on Friday, May 10 to honor Mother’s Day.  Free health check-ups and education will be provided.  Participants will receive free blood pressure screenings as well as blood sugar, anemia and bone density evaluations.  Women will also be given referrals to mammography services and free consultations with a medical provider.  All participants will have the opportunity to schedule further follow-up care if needed. Free goodie  bags will be given out while supplies last.

“As caregivers, women often put the needs of their families before themselves,” said Organizer Mayon Yen, “but we want to spread the word that women need to remember to care for themselves as well.”

APAIT Health Center promotes the good health and well-being of all women and girls because healthy women supports a healthy community. “Our Health, Our Power” women’s health fair is a positive step in improving women’s access to vital and preventive health education and services.

Community partners participating in the fair include the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Central Health Center; the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Office of Women’s Health; the American Heart Association; St. Vincent Medical Center; California Hospital Medical Center; and the Pico-Union Neighborhood Council.

“Our Health, Our Power”  will happen on May 10, between 2-6pm at APAIT Health Center, 1730 W. Olympic Blvd.  Free parking is available on Burlington.  Pre-registration is encouraged by calling 213-553-1830.

About APAIT Health Center: APAIT Health Center has offered culturally and linguistically appropriate services to the community since 1987. APAIT Health Center provides its clients in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas with health education and risk reduction programs, housing assistance, mental health support, substance use services and primary medical care. For more information visit http://apaitonline.org/

This article is brought and sponsored in part by Diversity News Magazine Cares.

Consumer Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Begins This Sunday

Customers Reminded to Reset Clocks and Timers to Save Water, Power and Money

LOS ANGELES — With Daylight Saving Time beginning at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2013, LADWP reminds customers to turn clocks forward and reset lighting timers, programmable thermostats and sprinkler timers.

In the City of Los Angeles, outdoor watering is restricted to hours before 9:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. Customers should note the change in time and adjust their automatic sprinkler timers accordingly. With spring and summer approaching, and the accompanying warmer temperatures, LADWP encourages customers to be mindful of their water use, both indoors and outdoors.

LADWP also encourages customers to reset their lighting timers to turn on only after daylight hours and to remain lit only as long as necessary. Energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and long-life LED lights are recommended for installation wherever possible. CFL and LED lights may cost a little more at the outset, but they use less electricity, last longer and save customers money in the long run.

The time change presents a valuable opportunity for LADWP customers to review their energy and water routines at home and in the workplace to seek out efficiency opportunities. Efficiency can help customers better manage utility costs and save money. For efficiency tips, and information on the Department’s many water and energy efficiency solutions, please visit www.ladwp.com.

Source and graphic credit: LADWP

New 2013 Taxes Laws Be Educated When Selecting a Tax Preparer

February 19, 2013 — Sacramento– The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) remind California taxpayers who use a tax professional to make sure they have the proper information to choose one carefully.

CTEC, a non-profit corporation established by the California legislature, and FTB have partnered to educate taxpayers about tax preparer’s legal responsibilities, and to make sure those preparers are complying with the law. While more than 41,000 registered tax preparers are ready to assist California taxpayers, some operate outside the law and run the risk of penalties for themselves and their clients.

FTB advises taxpayers to avoid tax preparers who:

• Claim they can get larger refunds than other tax preparers.
• Base their fee on a percentage of the refund amount.
• Refuse to sign the tax return as the paid preparer even though it is required by law.
• Do not provide a copy of the tax return for the taxpayer’s records.

FTB Publication 982, How to Select an Income Tax Return Preparer offers more guidance on choosing a tax professional. Taxpayers should make sure their preparer is a licensed CPA, enrolled agent, attorney, or a registered tax preparer.

The following organizations provide information about licensed and registered tax professionals in California:

• California Board of Accountancy dca.ca.gov/cba.
• California Society of Certified Public Accountantscalcpa.org.
• State Bar of California calbar.ca.gov.
• California Society of Enrolled Agents csea.org.
• California Tax Education Council ctec.org.

California requires anyone preparing state and federal tax returns for a fee and who is not an attorney, CPA or enrolled agent to register as a tax preparer with CTEC. Each CTEC-registered tax preparer must complete courses on federal and state tax laws each year, plus obtain a $5,000 surety bond to protect clients against fraud.

Unregistered tax preparers are issued a $2,500 penalty, which doubles if the individual continues to prepare returns. Last year, FTB assessed 122 tax preparers with penalties for failing to be properly licensed or registered.

If taxpayers suspect a tax preparer is fraudulent, they should inform FTB online at ftb.ca.gov by selecting “Report Tax Fraud” under the online services, or by calling 800.540.FILE (3453). If a tax preparer cannot be verified as either an attorney, CPA, CTEC-registered tax preparer, or enrolled agent, consumers are asked to fill out a “Noncompliant Complaint Form” at www.ctec.org.

Source: State of CA Franchise Tax Board

Plano Texas Police Department Officer Wraps $100 Bill In Traffic Ticket

Plano, Texas – On December 11, 2012 CBSDFW.COM reported that a traffic stop in Plano ended unlike any you’ve ever heard about before.

It started when Hayden Carlo was pulled over for an expired registration sticker.

Carlo says he’s been struggling to support his wife and two small children.

“You get paid, pay your bills, and there’s your money. It’s gone.”

He told the officer he had no excuse for the expired sticker.

“I said ‘there’s no explanation for why I haven’t done it, except I don’t have the money.’ I said ‘it was either feed my kids or get my registration done.”

The officer wrote a citation and handed it to the 25-year-old. Carlo says when he took it, he could not believe what he saw. “I opened it up and there’s a 100 dollar bill. I broke down in my car what else could I do.”

The officer never told anyone about the $100 gift. But Carlo’s grandfather, Billy McIntire, was so moved by the kind gesture he wrote a letter to the department. “I get emotional when we talk about this type of thing,” McIntire says. “You just don’t find that many officers who would do this type of thing.”

While other officers around the country have recently been recognized for similar acts, this officer wants to remain anonymous. His coworkers plan to honor him anyway.

“As he told me, this man needed it more than him, and it was the right thing to do,” says fellow officer and department spokesperson David Tilley.

Carlo was able to update his the registrations on his car and his wife’s car with the money. He’s now driving to a new job and providing for his growing family, after a gift from the last person he would have expected to help during tough times.

“He helped me out when I needed it and I appreciate that. I’ll never forget that man,” Carlo says. “It definitely restored my faith in God.”

Source: CBSDFW.COM

Editor’s Note: This is a something to commend and to thank the officer for showing that he cares. We hope other police departments to follow this great example of humanity and caring for others, especially The Los Angeles Police Department.

National Society of Hispanic MBAs Inaugural Multicultural and Multigenerational Forum

To Explores the Dynamics of the 21st Century Workplace set for Friday, January 18 ^th 2013, at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas.

DALLAS, Dec. 4, 2012 – The U.S. workforce has never been so diverse. With a melting pot of cultures and the Greatest Generation working alongside Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials, it can make for an interesting, but challenging workplace dynamic.

The National Society of Hispanic MBA’s (NSHMBA) inaugural Multicultural and Multigenerational Forum will give managers and executives the opportunity to hear from renowned diversity experts. They will identify the challenges and benefits of the modern-day workforce: best practices, strategies, action plans and how to transform today’s talent into inclusive leaders of the future.

“With four generations working side-by-side for the first time in history, and more cultural diversity than ever before, many companies struggle to manage this unique cultural and generational mix,” said Manny Gonzalez, NSHMBA Chief Executive Officer. “As the premier Hispanic organization, we are proud to present our inaugural Multicultural and Multigenerational Forum, offering the insights and advice that professionals need to hear to ensure stability and stimulate innovation in the workplace.”

Speakers include:

• Audra M. Bohannon, Principal, Global Novations – author, business consultant, leader, coach and facilitator.
• Isaias Zamarripa, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Darden – diversity initiatives specialist.
• Robert Rodriguez, Ph.D., President, DRR Advisors – author, creator of the 4C ERG Assessment Model and recently named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Latinos in America” by Hispanic Business Magazine.
• Luisa Kurtz, Vice President, Global Resources and Solutions Delivery, Global Novations – management consulting, design and facilitation expert.

Event details and tickets are available online at www.nshmba.org/page/mcmg. Exclusive NSHMBA member pricing: Executive – free, other members - $45-$75, non-members - $250. Become an Associate member for free at www.nshmba.org and take advantage of the discounted rates.

Want to find out more about NSHMBA and what is planned for the organization’s 25^th anniversary year? Stay for the free NSHMBA 2013 Kick-off event on January 18 ^th, at 6:00 p.m., Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio. Learn about NSHMBA’s top-class career management events and the largest Hispanic career expo in the country, which will be held in San Antonio in 2013.

About the National Society of Hispanic MBAs:
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988 as a nonprofit organization. Widely known as the “Premier Hispanic Organization,” NSHMBA serves 39 chapters and more than 19,000 members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. NSHMBA is dedicated to building and advancing Hispanic leadership, advocating the pursuit of higher education and providing its members with world-class career management programs. For more information, visit www.nshmba.org.

Source: National Society of Hispanic MBAs
Logo graphic credit to: National Society of Hispanic MBAs

Breaking News: LA City Council Unanimously Supports LADWP’s Federal Lawsuit to Stop the Water Waste in the Owens Valley

On November 1, 2012 LADWP announced that the Los Angeles City Council yesterday unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s lawsuit seeking to halt what LADWP alleges are excessive and unlawful regulations and costs being imposed on Los Angeles water consumers by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (Great Basin) in the Owens Valley area of California.

According to the LADWP lawsuit, Great Basin continues to issue orders to LADWP to further expand the area of dust control beyond that which LADWP is responsible and continues to seek to fund its own operations at the expense of Los Angeles water ratepayers.

“The City Council today stood up for Los Angeles consumers, who are being unlawfully obligated to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate dust beyond that for which Los Angeles is responsible. In addition, fresh water is being wasted to reduce dust when other low-water or waterless options exist,” said LADWP General Manager Ron Nichols. “While LADWP continues to honor our obligations to protect the environment by controlling dust for which we are responsible, we simply will not stand idly by as billions of gallons of LA water are wasted at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to our customers.”

The proposed City Council resolution states that “the City has spent more than $1.2 billion toward constructing and operating 42 square miles of dust controls and has committed to an additional 3 square miles, resulting in 45 square miles.  …[At] the completion of 45 square miles of dust controls the City will have fulfilled its mitigation obligations and illustrated LADWP’s willing interest in addressing the air quality impacts of its water gathering activities on and around Owens Lake.”

The LADWP remains committed to ongoing dust control on the 45 square miles, and seeks to use other proven means to control dust other than by wasting scarce drinking water.  LADWP has objected to orders by Great Basin to once again, expand the dust control area further, at a cost of $400 million to LADWP water customers.

“Already, nearly $10 from every $100 of the average LA resident’s water bill goes towards the work we perform at Owens Lake. This money goes to pay for the 95,000 acre feet of water per year that is poured on the lake bed – more than what is used by the entire city of San Francisco annually – there comes a time when you mast say enough is enough,” said LA City Councilmember Tony Cardenas. “Expanding this project again is an abuse of the residents of Los Angeles, especially when we consider how far they have strayed from the original agreement reached between the city and the Great Basin.”

The City Council resolution also describes various objectionable and unlawful actions by Great Basin, including “continu[ing] to issue orders to the City to control dust arising from Owens Lake in excess of the City’s agreement, causation, and legal obligation” and “unreasonably charg[ing] the City for the general costs of government and excessive costs of outside attorneys.”

The unanimous adoption of the resolution signifies that the City Council “affirms, supports and endorses the legal position and the filing of a lawsuit by the LADWP acting on behalf of water ratepayers.”

More information on this issue can be found at www.ladwp.com/OwensLake.

Source: LADWP

More than 30, 000 People to Fill Streets for 28th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles This Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Pauley Perrette, Andrew Rannells  and Other Special Guests Join 30,000 Participants for
California’s Largest AIDS Fundraiser.

WHAT:  28^th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles (AWLA)

WHEN:  Sunday, October 14, 2012
8:00 a.m.Media Check-In Open (front of stage)

*Please contact Gabriel McGowan (listed below) to reserve a media access pass.
9:00 a.m. Aerobic Warm-Up on Main Stage at San Vicente Boulevard north of Santa Monica Boulevard
9:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony on Main Stage at San Vicente Boulevard north of Santa Monica Boulevard
9:55 a.m. Backstage Photo/Interview Opportunities with Celebrities, Elected Officials, APLA clients
10:00 a.m. Walk Begins                       

WHO:  More than 30,000 participants are expected.

Confirmed celebrity guests include: Sophia Bush (“Partners”), Christa B. Allen (“Revenge”), Leslie Bibb (“GCB,” “Popular”), Barrett Foa(“NCIS: Los Angeles”), Daisy Fuentes (Television Host), Christopher Gorham (“Covert Affairs,” “Popular”), Dot Marie Jones (“Glee”),Pauley Perrette (“NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service”),Andrew Rannells (”The New Normal,” “Girls”), Jai Rodriguez(“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”), Michael Urie (“Partners”), the cast of MTV’s “Awkward” including Jillian Rose Reed, Nikki Deloach, Jessica Lu, Molly Tarlov, plus a special reunion with cast members from the critically acclaimed TV show “Popular” including, along with Bibb and Gorham, Bryce Johnson, Tamara Mello, and Carly Pope. “The Voice” contestant Jamar Rogers will perform, Norm Lewis (“Scandal”) will close the Opening Ceremony with his performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang, and Chair of APLA’s Board of Directors Tom Whitman will speak about the current HIV/AIDS crisis in Los Angeles County and the vital work of APLA, lead beneficiary of the landmark event.  

Other elected officials expected to attend include: United States Representatives Howard Berman and Adam Schiff; California State Senators Curren D. Price and Rod Wright; California State Assembly members Betsy Butler, Mike Feuer, Isadore Hall, andRicardo Lara; Los Angeles City Council members Paul Koretz,Paul Krekorian, and Jan Perry; Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich; Los Angeles City AIDS Coordinator Ricky Rosales; Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy; and West Hollywood City Councilmembers John J. Duran and John Heilman.

WHERE: West Hollywood Park: San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue.  Venue map. 

General Media Parking: Free parking is available at the locations listed below.

The Beverly Connection: 100 North La Cienega Boulevard (ZIP: 90048). Enter from La Cienega Boulevard.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers: 8631 & 8635 West 3rd St. (ZIP: 90048). Enter off 3rd Street from Gracie Allen Way or George Burns Road. There will be shuttle service available every 30 minutes before and after the event from this location only.          

Street parking is also available surrounding the AIDS Walk Los Angeles venue. Please note that all posted parking restrictions will be enforced.

Broadcast Crew Parking:  Space will be available on San Vicente Boulevard, north of Santa Monica Boulevard, behind the event stage. Enter San Vicente Boulevard at Sunset Boulevard and go south. There will be media parking along San Vicente. Please contact Gabriel McGowan (listed above) to reserve this parking. For day-of-event questions or assistance, McGowan will be available via mobile phone beginning at 5:00 AM.

MORE: Each day, seven Angelenos are newly infected with HIV.More than 60,000 are already living with the disease, and over 11,000 access APLA’s life-sustaining services, which offer medical care, food, housing support, and other vital necessities to those of lowest income. The agency also provides the county’s largest network of HIV prevention programming, testing and counseling, and robust advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. AIDS Walk Los Angeles is the single largest source of support for this critical work.

In addition, for many years, AIDS Project Los Angeles has run paidadvertisements on Big Blue Bus (operated by the City of Santa Monica) for AIDS Walk Los Angeles. These ads help educate and engage the public. But this year, the City of Santa Monica has banned these promotions and all other public service messages from charities. While residents of Santa Monica have taken their city to court to fight this absurd policy and preserve free speech, APLA is encouraging supporters to take a stand for the fight against AIDS and againstsuspect government priorities like this one, which favors commercial interests over the public’s interest.                        

About AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA):  AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), one of the largest nonprofit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education, and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation.  With nearly 30 years of service, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national, and global reach.  For more information, visit apla.org.

About AIDS Walk Los Angeles:  Since 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised more than $72 million for HIV programs and services throughout Los Angeles County, and has grown into one of the largest AIDS fundraising events in the country.  In 2011 alone, 30,000 participants, many of whom were members of 1,600 corporate and community teams, raised nearly $3 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles and 20 other AIDS service organizations.  For more information, visitaidswalk.net.

About MZA Events: AIDS Walk Los Angeles was founded in 1985 by Craig R. Miller and his organization of activists, MZA Events.  Miller is the AIDS Walk originator and has produced hundreds of public service campaigns and fundraising events, generating more than $368 million for major AIDS organizations throughout the country.  For more information, please visit mzaevents.com.

Press Contacts:
Gabriel McGowan
Director of Communications
AIDS Project Los Angeles
213.201.1521 (o)
818.450.6283 (m)
gmcgowan@apla.org

or

Brent Colby
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications
AIDS Walk Los Angeles
213.201.9255 (o)
310.844.3756 (m)
brentc@aidswalk.net

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications, is an Official Media Partner for the second year in a row for the 28th Annual AIDS Walk LA 2012.

Board of LADWP Commissioners Approves 2-Year Electric Rate Increase

Legal Mandates and Aging Infrastructure Drive Need for Rate Increase.

LOS ANGELES – September 12, 2012, The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners moved forward today with a proposed 2-year electric rate change to pay for investments needed to comply with legal mandates that are driving a complete transformation of LADWP’s power supply, to invest in replacing rapidly aging infrastructure to maintain reliability and expand customer opportunities through additional investment in money-saving energy efficiency programs which also comply with state requirements. The rate action, which requires approval by the Los Angeles City Council, would increase LADWP’s system average rate by 11.1% over two years, or 1.4 cents per kilowatt-hour (KWh).  Typical residential customers who use 500 KWh per month would see an increase half that amount (5.5%) over the two years, and pay $3.65 cents more per month on the current average monthly electric bill of $65.79 in the second year of the rate increase.

“It is never easy to raise our customers’ rates, but the Department has made the case that these investments are needed to comply with legal mandates and to invest in replacing aging infrastructure that is essential to maintaining reliable service to our customers,” said Thomas Sayles, President of the Board of Water & Power Commisioners.

The Board also concurred with a recommendation by General Manager Ronald O. Nichols to defer action on a proposed 5% water rate increase that would have taken effect in July 2013, to allow time for the city’s independent ratepayer advocate, Dr. Fred Pickel, to further analyze proposed changes in the water rate structure and capital program. Nichols said unanticipated financial savings realized this summer will enable LADWP to continue critical capital projects for now while further analysis is completed, but that future water rate increases will eventually be needed.

The proposed two-year electric rate increase approved today by the Board follows over 16 months of community outreach and an independent review by the Ratepayer Advocate. The Ratepayer Advocate’s report confirmed that the proposed rate increases are necessary and warranted to comply with legal mandates and invest in basic reliability.  It also credited the Department with cutting costs and made recommendations to further cut costs beyond the immediate 2-year rate period.
The Ratepayer Advocate has recommended further evaluation of future costs beyond the 2-year rate period to seek reductions in levels of future rate increases.

“This was a rates process like no other in the Department’s history. We achieved a level of transparency that is unprecedented, providing more information on what is driving our costs and about the basis for the needed rate increase to the public and to the ratepayer advocate than ever before,” said LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols. “We listened to what our customers and other stakeholders expected from the Department of Water and Power, and supported their priorities in our recommendations.  As a result, we will more than double last year’s investment in energy efficiency to help our customers save money and launch the full 150MW Feed-in Tariff demonstration program to more aggressively expand solar on LA rooftops and include more of our customers.”

Key drivers of the power rate increase include investments needed to keep LADWP on track to meet 33% renewable energy by 2020; stay on schedule with State of California requirements to eliminate the use of ocean water cooling at its coastal power plants; and, ramping up investments in energy efficiency over the next two years to put the Department on the path to achieving at a minimum, the required 10% reduction in electricity use  by 2020.  These efforts, among others, will position LADWP to transition out of coal generation when current contracts for coal power expire, or sooner.

The rate increases will also provide needed investments in replacing or repairing aging power distribution infrastructure. “We need to aggressively invest in replacing aging poles, transformers, wires, cables, and cross-arms, as well as build new power distributing stations and repair old ones,” said Aram Benyamin, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager – Power.  This increase will allow us to make a significant investment in reducing our current backlog of repairs to maintain the outstanding power reliability our customers expect and deserve. While additional investment will be needed in the future, this gives us a significant boost toward those efforts.”

Click here to learn more about how the rate increase will affect various types of customers, and here to see how LADWP’s rates compare to other utilities.

For more detailed information and to use the LADWP’s online rates calculator, please visit www.ladwp.com/rates.

Source: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Logo credit to: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Cool Tips for Hot Days from LADWP on How to Stay Cool and Conserve Energy as Summer Heats Up

August 7, 2012 - LOS ANGELES, CA. With high temperatures in the forecast for the next several days in Los Angeles, LADWP offers these tips to help customers stay cool and conserve energy. Energy conservation during high temperature summer days helps prevent strain on power system infrastructure while also helping our customers save money on their power bills.

These simple tips are easy to implement in daily routines and are highly effective conservation measures:

Tips for the Home

• Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems have to work hardest to cool.
• Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day- use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
• Try to avoid using your stove or oven during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
• Ventilate your home at night and early morning by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
• Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) wherever appropriate.
• Close draperies, shades or blinds during the heat of the day to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight.
• Check your home for adequate insulation and for proper sealing of windows and exterior doors.
• Plant shade trees to reduce heat gain inside the house.
• Install / use ceiling fans or “whole house” fans for comfort cooling. A whole house fan will cool down your house early evenings and early mornings for a fraction of the energy cost of operating an A/C unit.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings.
• Clean or replace air-conditioner filter(s) every month to maintain efficiency and air flow.
• Regularly brush or vacuum the condenser coils at the bottom or rear of your refrigerator and check door gasket for tight fit and adjust if necessary.
• When buying appliances, choose energy-saving EnergyStar-rated models.
• Limit the time you run your pool pump during summer to six hours a day, and schedule the run time to avoid operation between 1 pm and 5 pm.
• Unplug “energy vampires” like cell phone chargers, DVD players, microwave ovens and other appliances that use energy even when turned off or in sleep mode.

Tips for the Workplace

• Turn off your desk and overhead lights, and meeting room lights, if they are not needed, or install motion detector switches in each room.
• Keep personal appliance use to a minimum.
• Turn off all computer equipment when you leave the office or when they are not in use for long periods of time.
• Be sure your computer equipment goes into sleep mode when temporarily not in use.
• Go paperless when possible. Reduced printing and copying translates into reduced energy use.

LADWP Energy Conservation Rebate Programs

• Energy Star-Rated Room Air Conditioners. $50 rebate on qualifying models.
• Central Air Conditioners. $100-$120 rebate on an energy efficient model.
• Refrigerator Exchange for Low Income Customers. Qualifying low-income or Lifeline customers can receive a free energy efficient refrigerator in exchange for an old inefficient model.
• Refrigerator Turn-In and Recycle. LADWP customers who buy new Energy Star-rated refrigerators and turn in their old model for recycling can receive up to $115 in rebates.
• Whole House Fans. $200 rebate per unit.
• Energy Star-Rated Residential Window Products. Rebate of $2.00 per square foot of glass for qualifying models.
• Cool Roofs. Rebate of $0.30 per square foot.
• Pool Pump and Motor Replacements. $500 rebate on variable speed models.

For More Information

• How to apply for the above rebates, please click here.
• For energy-saving tips and programs, click here.
• The City of Los Angeles “Ready L.A.” for information on how to prepare for a heat wave.

Source:  LADWP 
Photos credit to: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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