Energy Efficiency

[Beauregard Hooligan]

Just so you folks don't think that everything that happens to me is bad, I came across something very nice that happened.

A person called me from the electric and gas company that serves my home (Pacific Gas & Electric) the other day and asked if I would be willing to have a tech come out and evaluate my home to see if my house was energy efficient. The fellow came today and, among other things, said that my old and inefficient refrigerator and hot water heater needed to be replaced. He asked about my age and income. I'll be 60 in August and live on a fixed income. I went online and printed out last months bank statement while he was filling out forms, and after he looked at my statement, he determined that I qualify for the program! In two to three weeks a crew will call and set an appointment and come and seal my windows, doors, and blow more insulation in my attic. They are also going to replace my refrigerator and hot water heater for free. I may also have my central air heater rebuilt or replaced at no charge. The tech also informed me that because of my age and income, I also qualify for a reduced rate on my energy cost. He gave me forms to fill out and submit, and once the paperwork is done, my gas and electric rates will be cut by 30%. I think that is pretty cool! In this time where energy savings is critical for our collective future, they are going to step in and help me reduce my usage by replacing my inefficient appliances that I can't afford to buy, and further cut my utility bill each month. This will help my finances considerably, and the energy savings will help us all in the long run. This is a program that I never knew existed, and is a model for ways utility companies can help people with fixed income, and help the environment as well. This is a company that is sincerely trying to make a difference in the lives of people like me, and reduce wasted energy. I am really impressed! BRAVO PG&E!!!

[Major 2]

That is  fricking wow !  good for you , hope your on the mend 

My Sister 71 and on a fixed income, had her Insurance (State Farm) agent call, seems her wind damage Ins. increased by $900 a year.
But if she had an inspector out to check her Roof & Shingles @ her cost of $90, she might qualify for a reduction in the wind damage Ins.

Her home is 20 years old, however the Roof (Shingles) were replaced after the trio of Hurricanes in 04 hit us.
It was gamble , as I saw it but she call the inspector.... the roof passed code... she'll save $700 of the $900 a year.

I expected she be out the $90 and still have to pay the full increase, but I'm a sinic 

[GunClick Rick]

I hope it's all good,get names ,employee numbers and make sure to protect yourself and make sure it's good product not something they need to get rid of,AT&T did it without asking and people have to pay more for less.My sat tv had a pop up on it yesterday that said "NO ACTIVITY reciever will go to energy saver" That was new to me and they didn't ask either.Wer'e from the government ,were here to help.They were giving away free solar panels they couldn't sale or get rid of to so called low income,but they won't pay for the maintenence.But i hope i am wrong in this case just watch your back..

[Bugscuffle]

Hmmmmmm....... I guess that some of those "government entitlement programs" actually do some good for those of us that can't afford things like that. Good for you Beauregard Hooligan and good on the agency that did this for you, because it wasn't PG&E all by themselves. They most certainly cooperated in this venture, and should be lauded for their concern and cooperation, but it had to take some government agency, state or federal to finance it. It just isn't possible for a public utility with regulated rates and mandated regulations to do thois all on their own.

[Beauregard Hooligan]

Hmmmmmm....... I guess that some of those "government entitlement programs" actually do some good for those of us that can't afford things like that. Good for you Beauregard Hooligan and good on the agency that did this for you, because it wasn't PG&E all by themselves. They most certainly cooperated in this venture, and should be lauded for their concern and cooperation, but it had to take some government agency, state or federal to finance it. It just isn't possible for a public utility with regulated rates and mandated regulations to do thois all on their own.

It's my understanding that it is a program that runs under an agreement with the Dept. of Energy, which picks up approximately 50% of the cost, and PG&E is able to defray the rest of the cost through tax incentives. On paper it seems to be a very well intentioned way to provide the service to folks with low fixed income. When my wife died on February 5th, 2005, seven years and 13 days ago, it cut the household income by 45%, but the debts and bills stayed the same. Also, since then everything has become more expensive, the amount left covers less and less. I've read the material I was given several times, and despite me looking for the hook, or a downside lurking to be discovered, say something lost in the fine print, the program seems to do what it's set up to do. I'll let you folks know what comes about when I get an appointment for the change over, and what the process is like.

I feel like a line in a Waylon Jennings song, "If I thought I'd live this long, or I'd have taken better care of myself." 

[Bugscuffle]

I have no idea what department is actually helping out with this. I was just speculating that it is probable that there was some form of help coming from somewhere. It just seems to me that if the energy company could afford to do that on it's own, then they would have already lowered the price of energy to all of us, especially considering how public utilities are so price regulated. It's just really good to see that on occasion an agency of the government will come through for the ordinary person.

[Two-Step]

NICE !!!
It isn't often that we get "volunteer" information about programs. For a lot of us, it seems like they hide what is available. It is nice to see somebody who actually needs it, can get something.

I am all for "assistance" programs, providing it is actually used properly and not abused. We pay a butt load of taxes and it is nice to see that some of it is actually coming back to some of us that ACTUALLY need it.


I used to work for a private company, under the Arkansas Waiver Program.
As it turns out, there are actually companies that specialize in finding government programs for people... they even get government contracts to do it. When I worked in the home health care field, there where all sorts of programs for helping people get education, homes, medical equipment, and even special purpose vehicles.

[GunClick Rick]

Yep here's another one

http://revolutionarypolitics.tv/video/viewVideo.php?video_id=15915

[Bugscuffle]

Please remember that this is NOT a judicial proceding, it is television entertainment and Judge Judy in this instance is NOT a Judge but rather a television entertainer. She has forgotten or does not know that fungibility is a principle atribute of money. That makes, "You were given "X" amount of money for rent and you did not spend that "X" amount of money on the rent." a specious argument and is without stature in this case.

[GunClick Rick]

Tell that to Judge Judy She'd be singin Bug nuts roasting on an open fire~~~~~~~

[GunClick Rick]

I may need to rent a place ya got anything?

[Rye Miles]

Our taxes at work!