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Circuit - March 2024

March Circuit 2024 Header

IID seeks public vigilance to protect energy infrastructure

hand with cell phone calling 911

Due to recent attacks on power stations and energy infrastructure across the nation, IID is seeking the public’s help in exercising increased awareness of any suspicious circumstances and situations occurring around IID facilities and to report any such instances.


Attacks and suspicious activity at U.S. power stations reached a decades-long high in 2022, showing an increase in physical attacks at electrical facilities, a continuing trend since 2017. Twice in the last year, the Department of Homeland Security warned “a heightened threat environment” remains for the nation, including its critical infrastructure.


In 2023, and currently, IID’s Security, Claims and Investigation Unit has put IID employees on alert, with an emphasis on field personnel, to have an increased awareness of any suspicious activity occurring in the district’s service area.


“All of us in IID’s service territory depend on reliable electric service,” said Kyle Bryant, Assistant Energy Manager for System Operations. “Any targeting of electrical facilities, be it through direct sabotage, random acts of vandalism or misplaced revelry, can end up being extremely costly, not only to the district and its ratepayers, but to those who are responsible.”


Such attacks on energy infrastructure have the potential to be penalized severely by law enforcement.


In addition to power outages, vandalism or sabotage to energy infrastructure costs each ratepayer, not just in equipment replacement, but also in repair time and manpower.


IID asks that special attention be paid when vehicles or people are seen around IID energy facilities, substations, transmission and distribution lines.


If you see an immediate threat to public safety, a threat of possible sabotage, a vandalism in-progress or theft to any infrastructure, please contact 911, followed by a call to IID’s Security, Claims and Investigations Unit at 1-760-339-9102 for the Imperial Valley and 1-760-398-5866 for the Coachella Valley. For after-hours, please contact 1-760-482-3688.


IID appreciates your assistance in keeping district facilities safe so we can continue to keep the lights on.

See you at the fair


Heading to the Imperial Valley California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta? Be sure to red, white and moooooove over to the IID booth located in the Preble Building. Dippy Duck will be making a special appearance on Saturday and Sunday between 2-4:30 p.m. Get your cameras ready for some epic selfies! See you there!

Dippy Duck See You At The Fair

Sign up for third party notification - it's free!

woman with her grandmother

Did you know that IID offers a Third Party Notification Program?


Third party notification allows an IID customer account holder to designate that copies of final notices of delinquency regarding their electric bill be shared with a third party.


For example, third party notification is generally used by elderly, senior citizens who designate an adult, son, daughter, caregiver, etc., as a third party. If the customer’s electric account becomes delinquent and/or subject to disconnection, this designee will receive copies of these notices, allowing for early intervention.


If you have someone you care about, let them know that IID’s Third Party Notification Program is available at no charge. For vulnerable customers, this can help ensure that the power will stay on.


All that is required is that a Request for Third Party Notification form be completed and submitted to IID’s Customer Accounting Department. The form requires the customer’s name, account information, address, signature and name and address of the third party.


The Request for Third Party Notification forms are available over www.iid.com under Customer Service, Forms and Publications menu, and also over the telephone by contacting IID at 1-800-303-7756.


This service is free to all IID Energy customers and is completely voluntary.

Weatherization Ad.jpg

IID Residential Weatherization Program can help customers save

The Imperial Irrigation District continues to offer its popular Residential Weatherization Program for its residential customers.


Through the Residential Weatherization Program, participating IID electric customers can receive up to $1,000 in recommended energy saving services and equipment.


IID customers currently enrolled in the district’s income qualified Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP) can also receive an additional $500 in installed products and services.


The no-cost services may include: smart programmable thermostat, high efficiency air conditioning motor, duct leak sealing, ceiling fan, door weatherstripping and more.


The program is open to all IID residential customers on a first-come, first-serve basis until program funds are exhausted.


To participate, please visit www.synergycompanies.com and select “Request Appointment” or call Synergy Companies at 1-800-818-4298. More information is also available at www.iid.com/weatherization.

Did you miss the public workshops in February?

IID conducted several public workshops to share the new changes for 2024 with electric customers, explaining how these changes can help customers this summer. If you missed the workshops no worries. You can catch up on the important information anytime, anywhere by watching on demand. The informational fact sheets provided during the workshops are also available below.

public workshops watch now on laptop
WATCH NOW
What_s New for 2024 Factsheet

FACT SHEET

What's New for 2024 (English)

What_s New for 2024 Factsheet SPA

FACT SHEET

What's New for 2024 (Spanish)

Factsheet Average Bill Payment Plan

FACT SHEET

Average Bill Payment Plan

REAP Factsheet 2024 English

FACT SHEET

Residential Energy Assistance Program (English)

REAP Factsheet 2024 Spanish

FACT SHEET

Residential Energy Assistance Program (Spanish)

AROUND THE DISTRICT

IID team attends successful APPA Legislative Rally in DC

Another successful trip to Washington DC for this year’s American Public Power Association Legislative Rally. Director Alex Cardenas, Director Karin Eugenio, General Manager Jamie Asbury and other members of the executive team participated in the conference and met with legislators and Department of Energy representatives to advocate for federal infrastructure funds and other priorities of public power.

APPA Legislative Rally Washington DC photo 2
APPA Legislative Rally Washington DC photo 6
APPA Legislative Rally Washington DC photo 3
APPA Legislative Rally Washington DC photo 4

IID advocates for water users at ACWA 2024 in Washington DC

The Association of California Water Agencies 2024 Washington DC Conference is officially in the books! Director Gina Dockstader and Government Affairs Officer Antonio Ortega were in attendance and had an opportunity to advocate on behalf of the district’s water users but also learn about critical water policy and legislative matters. We heard from excellent speakers including Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton, U.S. Forest Service Associate Chief Angela Coleman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott, Congressman Ken Calvert and Congressman Jim Costa.

ACWA 2024 Washington DC Conference photo 3
ACWA 2024 Washington DC Conference photo 2
ACWA 2024 Washington DC Conference photo 4
ACWA 2024 Washington DC Conference photo 1

Spectacular rainbow captured at IID's Fish Farm

Talk about an incredible sight! After a brief sprinkle one February morning, a massive, breathtaking rainbow stretched across the sky. Photo taken near Imperial Irrigation District’s fish farm. 

rainbow at the fish farm

IID directors attend CMUA's Capitol Day

IID Directors Alex Cardenas and Gina Dockstader, along with staff, traveled to Sacramento in February to participate in the California Municipal Utilities Association’s 2024 Capitol Day. Another great opportunity to advocate for district priorities and highlight the important work of public power providers.

CMUA 2024 Capitol Day photo 2
CMUA 2024 Capitol Day photo 1

IID's CN & CL Transmission Line Upgrade

The work to upgrade IID’s CN & CL transmission line in the Coachella Valley continues to move forward as construction crews reinforce and install new steel lattice towers. The multimillion-dollar investment in upgrading infrastructure from the Coachella Valley Switching Station to the Coachella Substation will significantly benefit local communities and tribes by enhancing reliability and load-serving capabilities for IID customers. We appreciate your cooperation in this effort to better serve you. Project completion is expected in late April.

CN and CL Transmission Line Upgrade Project photo 11
CN and CL Transmission Line Upgrade Project photo 10
CN and CL Transmission Line Upgrade Project photo 21
CN and CL Transmission Line Upgrade Project photo 4

IID Board recognizes district's 181 engineers

In February, the IID Board of Directors adopted a resolution recognizing the district’s 181 engineers for their ongoing contributions and dedication to the trade during Engineers Week, Feb. 18-24, 2024.

Engineers Week photo

District hosts public workshops across service area

In February, the district held a series of public workshops to share with customers what's new for 2024, visiting Calexico, El Centro, Brawley, Mecca, La Quinta and Indio. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the insightful discussions.

Calexico IID Public Workshop photo 2
Calexico IID Public Workshop photo 1
Brawley IID Public Workshop photo 4
Brawley IID Public Workshop photo 3

IID at the Holtville Carrot Festival and Parade

We had an incredible time at the Holtville Carrot Festival and Parade! 🥕 IID Board Vice President JB Hamby, Dippy Duck and Heavy Equipment Operator Alexis Alcazar brought smiles to everyone's faces in the parade, while Maria Rosas and Darrin Marquez shared IID information with festival-goers at the booth. What a fantastic day full of community connection!

Holtville Carrot Festival Parade photo 1
Holtville Carrot Festival photo 1
Holtville Carrot Festival Parade photo 3
Holtville Carrot Festival Parade photo 2

Inspiring the next generation

Thank you, Dogwood Elementary, for the wonderful opportunity to be a part of your “Careers on Wheels” event. Armando Silva, lineman leader, and Javier Paredes, power troubleshooter foreman, had a blast representing IID and inspiring future professionals. The thank you signs from the students were incredibly thoughtful and appreciated!

Dogwood Elementary Careers on Wheels
Dogwood Elementary Careers on Wheels photo 3
Dogwood Elementary Careers on Wheels photo 4
Dogwood Elementary Careers on Wheels photo 2

Community connection at Riverside County Date Festival and Parade

IID had a blast participating in the Riverside County Date Festival and Parade. Huge shoutout to our Troubleshooter Foreman, Andrew Vasquez, for driving IID's energy safety mascot, Lineman Dippy, in the parade! Thank you to all who stopped by the IID booth.

Riverside County Fair _ National Date Festival Parade photo 1
Riverside County Fair _ National Date Festival photo 1
Riverside County Fair _ National Date Festival photo 3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING RECAP

February Meetings

The IID Board of Directors conducted public meetings in February, discussing various items, including the adoption of a resolution recognizing the district’s 181 engineers for their ongoing contributions and dedication to the trade during Engineers Week, Feb. 18-24, 2024.

Watch Online Board Meeting 2.7.2024
Watch Online Board Meeting 2.20.2024
Board meeting agenda packets and approved meeting minutes are available at www.iid.com/government/board-meeting-documents. Recorded board meetings can be viewed at www.iid.com/government/board-meeting-documents/live-recorded-meetings.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Board salutes System Conservation Implementation Agreement Team as February Team of the Month

The IID Board of Directors recognized the district’s 2023 System Conservation Implementation Agreement Team as the February Team of the Month during the board’s meeting of Tuesday, March 5.


The team, consisting of two individuals – Water Department Manager Tina Shields and Deputy General Counsel Joanna Smith Hoff – were recognized for their countless late-night hours, weekends and holidays devoted to overcoming challenges to complete the critical tasks associated with the 2023 System Conservation Implement Agreement.


Through their extraordinary efforts, on December 1, 2023, the IID Board of Directors officially sanctioned the 2023 System Conservation Implement Agreement in a commendable display of commitment, expressing IID’s willingness to enhance its Quantification Settlement Agreement conservation goals by up to 250,000 acre-feet per year, contributing to a total of approximately 750,000 acre-feet per year.



Given the historically low water levels in the Colorado River basin and the critical decline in Lake Powell and Lake Mead water elevations, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner urged collective action from all water users along the river. IID’s efforts are part of California’s proposed additional 400,000 acre-feet per year of conservation to support Lake Mead reservoir elevations through 2026.

February 2024 Team of the Month.jpg

From left: IID Board Vice President JB Hamby, Director Gina Dockstader, team members Joanna Hoff Smith and Tina Shields, Director Karin Eugenio, Board President Alex Cardenas and General Manager Jamie Asbury.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

March 14, 12 p.m. | Agricultural Water Advisory Committee Meeting


March 14, 3 p.m. | Coachella Valley Energy Commission Meeting


March 18, 6 p.m. | Energy Consumers Advisory Committee Meeting


March 19, 1 p.m. | IID Board of Directors Meeting


April 2, 1 p.m. | IID Board of Directors Meeting

1-800-303-7756 • Call center hours: Monday through Friday • 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. • www.iid.com
Customers may experience longer wait times on Mondays.
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This is an official publication of the Imperial Irrigation District.