Imperial Irrigation District customers in Mecca will have an opportunity Friday to attend an open house offering information regarding projects to improve services, as well as apply for access to energy payment assistance programs.
IID’s “Powering Our Community Together” tour, running until April 29, is slated to make its first stop in the Coachella Valley at 6 p.m. Friday in the Mecca Family & Farmworkers’ Service Center, 91-275 66th Ave.
“These open houses are about building trust, sharing information and showing our customers that we’re here for them,” IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader said. “Whether it’s help with a bill, questions about rates, or learning how we’re preparing the power grid for the future, this is a chance for our communities to connect with us face-to-face.”
The non-profit utility, which has a 6,500-square-mile service area covering most of Imperial County and a large swath of eastern Riverside County, has undertaken a 15-year infrastructure modernization program that’s expected to cost roughly $3.34 billion to complete, according to officials.
The program encompasses more than 270 individual projects, which are centered on upgrading the region’s aging electrical grid, requiring replacement of transmission lines, re-engineering outdated generation plants and refurbishing hydro turbines.
“Staff will be available to answer questions about recent rate adjustments, which are helping keep power costs among the lowest in California,” the district stated.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to procure details on energy cost reduction options, for which they can apply on-site.
“Applicants are encouraged to bring income verification for all adults in the household, Social Security numbers, identification and recent tax returns,” according to the district.
There will be 15 stops during the monthlong tour. Along with Mecca, IID officials also plan to visit locations in La Quinta and Indio.
The full schedule is available at www.iid.com/about-iid/together.