County Urged to Raise Electricity Budget 40%

Orange County’s government, which already spends $12 million annually for electricity, should budget 40% more for the next fiscal year to keep pace with soaring power rates, a consultant said Wednesday.

The recommended increase would be in addition to a $2.5-million increase approved by the Board of Supervisors for the current year, said Vicki L. Wilson, director of the county’s Public Facilities and Resources Department.

Wilson also recommended that county workers take new conservation measures, such as lowering office thermostats to 70 degrees, turning off lights in unoccupied areas and prohibiting portable heaters and microwave ovens.

The county employs more than 15,000 people at more than 200 buildings.

The county participates in the Southern California Edison Co. program allowing big customers to buy electricity at a reduced rate in return for cutting power during energy alerts. It paid $121,700 in penalties last year because it was not able to shut some buildings, including the Registration and Elections Department during election operations, Wilson said.

“For example, if Edison calls on us to shut down certain buildings at 2 p.m. and we don’t shut down until 3 p.m., we get penalized. It shows up on the bill,” she said.

Edison ordered 17 shutdowns last year, she said. It has asked for 11 so far in 2001, “and we’re only 24 days into the year.”

Though the county has saved $1 million over nine years by participating in the program, Wilson said she may recommend withdrawing when new rules are initiated in March.

The county is contemplating other cost-cutting measures, such as alternative power sources and alternative work schedules, under which employees begin at 6 a.m. and leave at 3 p.m. to reduce peak afternoon power consumption.