Circuit - June 2023

IID asks its customers to do their part this summer to voluntary conserve electricity, especially between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m.

IID encourages customers to take simple energy conservation steps to stay cool while helping take stress off the local electric grid, such as:

• Give major appliances a break between the hours of 4 and 9 p.m.
• Set your AC to 78 degrees or higher.
• Use floor and/or ceiling fans.
• Charge your electric car before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Turn off unnecessary lights.
• Close blinds to block the sun from overheating your home.

Through energy conservation, we can all help maintain reliable electric service for everyone and avert rotating power outages.

In May, IID awarded $64,400 to local school districts through its Special Projects Grant Program.

Since 2005, the district has been providing funding each year to local school districts through the grant program. All Imperial Valley school districts are eligible to apply. The program enables funding from property tax revenues, related to IID’s purchase of about 42,000 acres of Western Farms land in 2004, to remain within local school districts.

In conjunction with the Imperial County Office of Education, IID developed the Special Projects Grant Program, agreeing to make in-lieu payments in an amount equal to the property taxes that would have been paid by a non-public entity owner.

This year, IID received 16 applications, presenting $64,400 in awards to those school districts that applied and qualified for the program. The awards were made to the following entities based on the acreage in the school district’s area:

$1,000 – Brawley Elementary School District, Seeley Union School District, Westmorland Union Elementary School District, San Pasqual Valley Unified School District, Meadows Union School District, Heber Elementary School District, El Centro Elementary School District, Holtville Unified School District, Imperial Unified School District.

$1,500 – Central Union High School District.

$2,000 – McCabe Union Elementary School District.

$2,600 – Imperial County Office of Education.

$3,500 – Calexico Unified School District.

$5,400 – Mulberry Elementary School District.

$6,400 – Brawley Union High School District.

$34,000 – Calipatria Unified School District.

IID customers in Imperial County may qualify for utility assistance through the Campesinos Unidos HEAP program. Campesinos Unidos has received state funding to assist low-income clients with their electric or gas bill. To check your eligibility and apply for this program, contact Campesinos Unidos or attend the June utility assistance events at the IID pay stations in El Centro, Brawley and Calexico.

For more information, please click below:

Utility Assistance Flyer - June 2023

With all the exciting upcoming celebrations like graduations, Father's Day, and end of the school year parties, let's not forget to keep safety in mind especially when celebrating with Mylar balloons. Remember to keep them tied or weighed down. Loose balloons can easily become entangled in power lines, leading to power outages. Let's ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for all by keeping these balloons secure.

Discover the awe-inspiring story behind Hoover Dam, an iconic man-made marvel that has captured the world's imagination. This captivating video chronicles the tireless efforts of El Centro Congressman Phil Swing that resulted in the building of Hoover Dam.

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COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE

Much accomplished by working together

The Imperial Irrigation District has come a long way since its inception well over a century ago. As a long-serving member of the IID Board of Directors involved in charting the course for the district over the last 16 years, I’m so very proud, and know you can be too, of where IID is today, what it has accomplished and the many opportunities that are ahead.

At its core, IID is an organization established by our early pioneers to be by, and for, the people – putting the public first. That remains an ardent fact that is alive, well and holds fast today as IID has risen to be the largest irrigation district in the nation and the third largest public power provider in California, all while focusing on meeting local needs.

IID Board President Alex Cardenas and Director Javier Gonzalez attended the New River Improvement Project Groundbreaking Ceremony in Calexico in May. Many other dignitaries were in attendance, including Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and representatives from the California Environmental Protection Agency, California Natural Resources Agency, State Water Resources Control Board, Imperial County, local cities and community organizations.

The construction of the E Lateral Delivery 24 Reservoir is nearing completion. Located east of Calipatria and just south of Young Road, it's set to conserve approximately 400-acre feet per year for the System Conservation Program, while also providing operational flexibility to growers on the E Lateral, supporting IID's On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program. The total storage capacity of this reservoir will be 40 acre feet with a forebay desilting basin and is still on schedule to be completed in the later part of June. As the first smaller off-line storage reservoir constructed through IID's System Conservation Program, this project is designed to provide improved water management on the lateral while supporting on-going conservation efforts.

IID directors and staff attended the very informative 23rd Annual Law of the Colorado River Conference where they presented and participated in critical discussions about the river’s management and future. (From left: Senior Water Resources Planner Justina Gamboa-Arce, IID Directors Hamby, Eugenio and Dockstader, Water Manager Mike Pacheco and General Counsel Geoff Holbrook).

Thank you to everyone who visited the IID booth at the El Centro Community Senior Club Health Fair. We had a great time playing bingo with everyone and sharing information about how energy customers can save energy and money.

Another productive two-on-two meeting, this time between IID and the City of El Centro. Important matters of mutual interest were discussed. In attendance were IID Board President Alex Cardenas and Vice President JB Hamby, El Centro's Mayor Martha Cardenas-Singh and Council Member Edgard Garcia who were joined by City Manager Cedric Cesena.

IID Directors Hamby and Eugenio participated in two very productive meetings in May to discuss regional priorities and legislation. Thanks to California State Senator Steve Padilla and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia for their leadership and continued advocacy.

The IID Board of Directors held its regular meetings in May, discussing various items including accepting the audited financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022.

The IID Board of Directors has recognized Construction Resources Worker Foreman Victor T. Cesena as the Employee of the Month for May 2023.

Mr. Cesena, who works out of the district’s All-American Canal Maintenance Division, came upon a vehicle accident north of Bowker Road near the McCabe intersection on March 23.

As he stopped to lend assistance, he noticed a man trapped in his truck and observed diesel fuel leaking from the vehicle. Mr. Cesena stopped and provided aid. Utilizing a piece of rebar, he and other good Samaritans also at the scene were able extract the driver safely.

IID is proud and deeply appreciates Mr. Cesena’s quick action. Good Samaritans like Victor are one in a thousand and deserving of special recognition.

June 6, 1 p.m. | IID Board of Directors Meeting

June 8, 12 p.m. | Agricultural Advisory Committee Meeting

June 19, 6 p.m. | Energy Consumers Advisory Committee Meeting

June 20, 1 p.m. | IID Board of Directors Meeting

June 21, 4 p.m. | Coachella Valley Energy Commission Meeting

July 4 | Offices Closed: Independence Day

July 6, 1 p.m. | IID Board of Directors Meeting