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Sierra Madre Chamber of Commerce Weekly E-Newsletter |
Greetings!
Please feel free to forward this to people that might have an interest, and encourage them to sign up using the subscribe link. |
Electric Bills To Increase For Summer, Programs Available to Help Reduce Costs
 I had the opportunity last Thursday to attend SCE's Small Business Outreach workshop at their Irwindale office. These Outreach workshops are among several methods used by SCE to get the word out about the mandatory rate change imposed by the Public Utilities Commission, with implementation begun in October 2009 and required to be completed by 2012. Also on hand were representatives from the Rosemead, Alhambra and Monterey Park Chambers, the LA Economic Development Council, and representatives of several trade associations. Featured speakers for the day were Timothy Davis, Director of the Customer Business Service Unit for SCE, Betty Jo Toccoli, President of the California Small Business Association, Ernesto Valle, Manager of SCE's Business Customer Division, Kim Rodriguez, Manager of SCE's Market Segment Solutions (who by the way, happens to live in Sierra Madre), and Linda Yamauchi, Manager of SCE's Consumer Affairs Dept.
According to Valle, the PUC has mandated a rate shift for small businesses to a dynamic pricing structure called a Time of Use (TOU) rate. This rate is going to have a significant impact on businesses as the summer approaches. According to Valle, electricity costs more in summer. SCE obtains power from its cheaper generation sources first, but as demand eventually exceeds supply during summer months, they must turn to less efficient, more costly suppliers, which translates to higher rates. The TOU rate shift means on average, a 17% reduction from the old pricing structure from October to May, but the four months from June to September have a 14% increase over the old rate structure. Over the course of a year, Valle says that there is actually a decrease in cost, between 1 and 2% annually. But that doesn't mean businesses won't be hit with sticker shock when they begin receiving their bills for the summer month. Figuring the 17% decrease over the old rates in May and a 14% increase over the old rates in June, businesses are going to see a jump in their June bills that equates to about a 31% swing. One of the purposes of the Outreach was to try and help spread the word about some of the programs Edison has to help small businesses make the transition. Ms. Rodriguez shared information about several programs, including rebates for equipment that small businesses use that might help reduce their energy consumption, such as lighting, refrigeration, motorsand air conditioning units. Apparently Edison also has a program begining in July that offers 0% interest loans to small businesses on loans from $5,000 to $100,000 for equipment upgrades. And their Direct Install program offers free energy efficiency upgrades for small customers with 100Kw usage or less. You can find out more about these programs at http://www.sce.com/business/ems/express_solutions. In addition, according to Ms. Yamauchi, businesses that are having difficulty paying their bills may qualify for several programs available through Edison's Economic Assistance Outreach Plan. Plans such as the CA Alternate Rates for Energy Discount and the Level Pay Plan are available by calling for commercial service specialists Monday to Friday, 7 to 7, or Saturday, 8 to 5, at (800) 655-4555. Usually customers can also get an extension if they need more time to pay their bill. There's a wealth of information about rates, assistance, and Energy Management Solutions, by visiting www.SCE.com/business. |
Chamber to Sponsor L.A.'s Largest Mixer, Great Opportunity to Showcase Your Business
The Sierra Madre Chamber will be on hand at the Shrine Auditorium on July 22nd as one of the sponsors of L.A.'s Largest Mixer. This annual event last year drew 2,500 attendees to see what its 250 exhibitors (including 35 Chambers of Commerce) had to offer. We will be there this year to promote Sierra Madre and our member businesses. To learn more about L.A.'s Largest Mixer, click here to view the flyer with information detailing how you can become an exhibitor (it's not too late to reserve your space), or click here to view a video featuring interviews with several exhibitors, including our friend Paul Little of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. You can also visit their website at www.LAMixer.com. |
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In last week's E-Newsletter, we discussed the print and online media resources that are available to members through the Chamber. This week's mail brought us the Safety News from the State Compensation Insurance Fund, and we thought we'd share an article that seems timely after the 5.7 earthquake at the Mexican border Monday night.
"Workplace Emergencies can happen unexpectedly, but with an action plan in place and workers trained to respond quickly and appropriately, efficiency can be optimized, damage and injurioes can be minimized, and, in some cases, lives can be saved. An Emergency Action Plan details what actions will be taken to ensure personal safety in an emergency. Review your company's Plan, train all workers in its elements, and update the plan periodically or whenever the plan, personnel, equipment or worksite changes.
Your plan should describe in detail what actions woujld be taken by whom for emergencies likely to occur in your workplace. It should include procedures for reporting emergencies, activating alarms, equipment shutdown, rescue, escape, first aid and employee accounting. Make sure workers know and understand their role in the plan for various emergency scenarios. Training and random emergency drills should be held at least annually to allow workers to practice the response procedures.
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4th of July Festivities
Due to the 4th of July falling on a Sunday this year, we get an extra day of festivities. The Parade will actually be held on Monday, July 5th at 10am, following the traditional Open House at the Sierra Madre Woman's Club. Following the parade will be the old fashioned games in the Park (egg toss, sack race, etc.) and the Night Blooming Jazzmen performing Dixieland jazz over by the Beer Garden.
Festivities kick off on Saturday evening, with the Beer Garden, a concert at 6pm by hometown band Aluminum Marshmallow, and the highly popular bubblewrap fireworks. The next evening at 5:30, classic rock will fill the park, performed by Rocktail, followed by a family Movie in the Park. The Beer Garden will also be open on Sunday evening.
Be sure to join us downtown for a weekend of fun, family and old-fashioned patriotism.
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Utilize the Chamber Calendar
Something new and exciting happening at your business? Let people know about upcoming events at your business by posting it on the Chamber website's calendar of events. Send your information to Tiffany at Info@SierraMadreChamber.com, and she'll see that your event gets posted on the Chamber calendar. |
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