Established in 2000, the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is a multi-issue and multi-strategy organization that uplifts the lives of youth, families, individuals, and workers. They work on a wide range of issues, including tenant rights, community planning, Filipino language access, and worker’s rights. They also provide culturally competent direct services, including tenant counseling, family support, youth empowerment, employment, and health and wellness activities.
SOMCAN’s mission is to uplift the voices of immigrants, people-of-color, and low-income communities so that they can be heard in local policy-making decisions, making government officials more accountable to their needs.
Earlier this year, SOMCAN partnered with Power Saver Rewards to build climate resiliency among the Filipino community in San Francisco. Through the Power Saver Rewards program, California residents can earn credit on their energy bill for reducing energy use during a Flex Alert. This represents a critical step in changing incentives to encourage behaviors that protect local communities and help prevent a power outage.
Go PowerSaverRewards.org to your utilities sign up page. There you can register for free and even see if you are automatically enrolled. It only takes a couple of minutes, and once you’re signed up, you never have to re-register. To receive the benefits of Power Saver Rewards (a credit on your electric bill) you must reduce your energy use during a Flex Alert.
A Flex Alert is a call for California residents to voluntarily conserve energy when there is a predicted shortage of energy supply to match demand. Flex Alerts are issued during heatwaves when energy use is at its peak and there is insufficient energy supply to meet the increased demand. This generally occurs between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m. If too few Californians reduce their energy use and the energy supply is in the red, it could result in a power outage.
Flex Alerts only occur when a preventable power outage is on the horizon, which means each of us can make a difference by reducing our energy use to help prevent a power outage. When a Flex Alert is issued, each of us must take action and spread the word with family and friends. The grid operator will generally announce a Flex Alert the day before it occurs, giving you time to plan how you will cut back on energy use.
Some of the most common ways to reduce energy use during a Flex Alert include pre-cooling your home and holding off on energy-intensive tasks like running the dishwasher or laundry machine. If you are able, you can reduce energy use by setting the thermostat to 78 degrees. The air conditioner is the number one energy consumer during a heatwave, so using it less during a Flex Alert has an outsized impact. Instead, try to stay cool by using fans which use less energy and closing window coverings.