Countywide Cool Zones Help Bring Down the Temp This Summer
(Source / SDGE June 2022)
Need an air-conditioned break to beat the heat this summer?
Stop by a San Diego County designated Cool Zone. They are places like public libraries and community centers that will be open to provide much-needed relief from elevated temperatures. Cool Zone sites, mostly located in the hottest areas of the County, help older adults and others keep cool and save on energy costs.
Yesterday, during the County’s annual Cool Zone kick-off, SDG&E’s Manager of Business Services Alexandria Moffat joined San Diego County Supervisor Vice Chair Nora Vargas and other dignitaries to raise awareness of these designated sites. They are now open through October 31. The County will follow the California Department of Public Health’s guidance for COVID-19 protocols which could include face coverings – please check the County’s Cool Zone site for current requirements.
Aging and Independence Services, a division of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, manages the Cool Zone program in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric. The Cool Zone initiative has been in existence for 21 years. In 2001, Board of Supervisors created the program out of concern for seniors and disabled persons with health concerns that could be complicated by extreme heat. It is a natural fit for SDG&E to support a program that enhances the safety and the comfort of our customers.
Cool Zones are a way for residents to lower individual utility usage and help conserve energy for the whole community. At Cool Zones, SDG&E will have literature and applications for our Customer Assistance Programs, which offer monthly bill discounts to those who meet income and other eligibility criteria. For example, if you or someone in your household has a qualifying medical condition or a need for a certain medical device, the Medical Baseline Allowance Program provides an additional amount of gas and electricity at the lowest rates. Learn more about our Customer Assistance Programs when visiting a Cool Zone.
For additional information please visit the County’s webpage, here.