Mayor Villaraigosa and LADWP Launch Program to Distribute Energy Efficient Refrigerators to Low Income LADWP Customers

NEWS RELEASE
April 26, 2007

Mayor Villaraigosa and LADWP Launch Program to Distribute Energy Efficient Refrigerators to Low Income LADWP Customers

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, along with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Board of Commissioners President David Nahai today launched an initiative to distribute 50,000 free refrigerators to low-income families in the City. Replacing older, high energy using refrigerators with energy efficient models will assist low-income customers in managing their energy bills and help to reduce energy demand. Under the program, LADWP will pick up the customer’s old refrigerator and replace it with an energy-efficient model.

“Replacing energy-guzzling refrigerators for our low-income customers is just one of the many measures the City is undertaking to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “This program also assists those City residents who may wish to utilize new energy-efficient appliances, but do not have the financial means to do so.”

Participating customers are expected to save approximately 62 kilowatt-hours per month, about $60 per year through the program. Over the life of the refrigerator, each customer will save approximately $1,000 on their utility bills.

“As a City, we must do all that we can to improve our environment and reduce our energy consumption. By replacing out-dated refrigerators with new, energy efficient models at a low cost, we are creating an opportunity for community members across our city to participate in this effort and work toward a greener future for Los Angeles,” said Councilwoman Jan Perry who chairs the City Council’s Energy and the Environment Committee.

The 50,000 refrigerators are being purchased as part of a $25 million agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA). The entire exchange program is scheduled to save 675 gigawatt-hours of energy or roughly 2.8% of projected annual sales for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. This will save an estimated $37 million in fuel costs, resulting in a savings to the LADWP of $12 million.

“Replacing refrigerators for low-income customers with more efficient models is just one of the innovative ways that the LADWP is moving to reduce energy demand and reduce greenhouse gases,” said LADWP Board President David Nahai. “Reducing energy demand and increasing our energy generation sources with renewable sources are a means of realizing the City’s goal of making LA the greenest city in America. The LADWP is well on its way to achieving 300 gigawatt-hours in efficiencies next year, which will result in CO2 emission reductions equal to removing 40,000 automobiles from LA’s streets.”

The LADWP Energy Efficiency staff will conduct phased, targeted mailings starting next week to offer a new energy efficient refrigerator to every Low Income Discount Rate residential customer in Los Angeles. There are currently about 80,000 customers receiving the Low Income Discount Rate and approximately 2,500 a week will be targeted to take part in the program. It is expected that it will take about 8 to 10 months to reach all of the qualifying customers.

Each month the mailing will target a specific neighborhood or area in order to streamline the refrigerator delivery process. It is expected that approximately 50,000 customers will qualify for the refrigerators.

Participants will need to meet the following requirements:

Should it be found that a customer does not have a grounded outlet, the customer will be given time to correct the situation in order to qualify for the energy efficient refrigerator.

Customers who feel that they qualify for the Low Income Discount Rate Program, but are not currently on the program, can learn more about the program by calling 1-800-DIALDWP. In order to qualify, customers must provide income documentation.

The Low Income Refrigerator Exchange Program is just one of the programs under the LADWP Green LA Environmental Programs umbrella. Other programs include the Consumer Rebate Program, the Refrigerator Retire Program, the Trees for a Green LA Program (in conjunction with Million Trees LA), CFL distribution, the Green Power Program, the Solar Incentive Program and more. Information on these environmental and energy saving programs is available at www.ladwp.com or by calling 1-800-Green LA.

The largest municipally owned utility in the nation, the LADWP was established more than 100 years ago to provide water and electricity to meet the needs of the City’s residents and businesses. LADWP currently serves more than 3.9 million people in the City of Los Angeles.

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LADWP,
Kim Hughes, (213) 367-4417

(213) 792-9599 cell phone