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Energy Adviser: Gift ideas that will help others

The Columbian
Published: December 17, 2009, 12:00am

This season I’d like to do something o help my neighbors who are out of work. With the economy so bad, do you have any programs to help these folks?

Clark Public Utilities recognizes that financial hardships can happen to anyone. That’s why we offer several ways to help those struggling to pay their electric bill.

We encourage customers to call us when they first know they are going to have trouble paying the bill. That way our trained ComCare representatives can help find needed resources in the community. We also offer our Operation Warm Heart program and electricity gift certificates as a way for customers to help.

We began Operation Warm Heart in 1985 to help customers in crisis pay their electric bills. The program is simple. Customers donate money, which the utility invests to provide an ongoing source of funding to help low-income families in crisis. We screen applicants and award grants up to $350 per household per heating season.

“We’ve provided $2.5 million to more than 11,000 Clark County families since the program began,” said Mat McCudden, Clark Public Utilities’ director of customer services. “Every penny donated directly helps someone in need.”

Fewer federal dollars

McCudden said between January and November of 2009, Operation Warm Heart helped 419 households.

“Clark County has an unemployment rate of more than 13 percent, so we’re hoping customers will once again be generous and help our neighbors,” he said. “Customers are receiving a donation envelop in their December bill to make it easy to donate.”

Another reason to pitch in is because Clark County’s initial allocation from the federally funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIEAP, is $1.6 million less than last year.

“We may see another allocation later, but for now we have far fewer dollars for those needing assistance,” McCudden added.

Clark Public Utilities administers the federal LIEAP program that helps pay winter heating bills of low-income families. The federal government sets strict income limits and the utility issues the grant money to qualifying residential customers in Clark County.

Gift certificates

Another popular way to help neighbors is by giving a gift certificate purchased from the utility. You can purchase any amount for a relative, neighbor or friend that will be applied to their Clark Public Utilities account. The gift can be anonymous too.

“Gift certificates make good gifts for grandparents, struggling students or perhaps a neighbor who is out of work,” McCudden said. The economy has affected everyone in some way, but we hope our customers will once again step up and help those needing a helping hand.”

The Energy Adviser is written by members of the energy counselor team of Clark Public Utilities, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, in care of Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA. 98668. A panel of local energy efficiency and energy product experts will review your questions. Past topics are available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.

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