Edison offers discount plan

Southern California Edison is encouraging customers to enroll in its Summer Discount Plan now so that they can be eligible for bill credits during the summer months, June through September, in return for allowing SCE to interrupt their air conditioner during power-supply emergencies.

A small, radiocontrolled device installed by SCE on the air conditioner temporarily turns it off when needed. The program only turns off the designated air conditioner and leaves on the power for lights, fans, cooking, entertainment and other appliances.

The plan was prompted by a California Public Utilities Commission order directing SCE to secure an additional 225 megawatts of demandresponse capacity by summer 2007. Demandresponse programs lower the consumption of electricity when supplies are tight. A megawatt is enough electricity to power approximately 650 homes.

"Having your air conditioner possibly shut off for a few hours on a hot day doesn't sound very appealing," said Lynda Ziegler, SCE senior vice president for customer service. "But, historically, our air conditioner program has only been activated a few times a year, on average about three times annually."

There are two residential plans available. The Base Plan allows for a maximum of 15 possible temporary shutdowns per year for up to a $100 bill credit, and the Enhanced Plan provides twice the base credit amount for allowing an unlimited number of times per year for the possible cycling of a customer's air conditioner for a credit of up to $200.

For information, call (800) 497-2813 or visit www.sce.com and click "Rebates & Savings." Information and applications can also be obtained by contacting SCE region manager Rudy Gonzales at (805) 497-5616.