If you own a small business and are finding it hard to keep up with your energy costs this summer, SDG&E has ways to help you save. It’s no surprise that summertime is often coupled with higher temperatures, which means running the AC for more hours than usual. What’s more, if businesses aren’t maintained and fit with energy-saving equipment, energy costs can continue to rise, affecting their bottom line. If you’d like to promote energy conservation at work and save on energy, here are some tips:

1. Upgrade your HVAC component. Doing so will help lower your monthly bill and save energy. And now there are more ways you can earn rebates on your new HVAC unit. Visit sdge.com/EEBRcatalog to find out which rebates are available to you.
2. Get water and energy saving products. With the  Water-Energy Nexus Joint Rebate, eligible businesses can get instant incentives on kitchen equipment such as faucet aerators, free pre-rinse spray valve, ice machines and more. Visit sdge.com/EEBR to learn more.
3. Look through SDG&E’s business energy solutions. Your business can get a complimentary energy assessment and qualify for no- or low-cost energy-efficient upgrades. The increased rebates include LED troffers, interior LED ambient luminaires and more. Visit sdge.com/bes for more details.
4. Take advantage of SDG&E’s 0% On-Bill Financing. On-Bill Financing works in conjunction with SDG&E’s rebate and incentive programs and offers eligible customers 0% financing for qualifying energy-efficient business improvements. Visit sdge.com/OBF to apply.

Making these changes can make a big difference on your energy bill every month and ensure that you’re not only saving but also contributing to a cleaner environment. Visit sdge.com/EEBRcatalog for a list of our rebates.

Free service, remote support and discounted laptops arm students for a successful new year of virtual learning 
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​Contractors, trade professionals, business owners and employees can take SDG&E energy-related webinars at little or no cost. Topics include Codes & Standards, Zero Net Energy Design for Residential, HVAC, Title 24 Requirements and MORE! Check out the list of webinars and register at seminars.sdge.com.  

​All lanes of Oso Parkway now open, construction activities – including direct connection under the new bridge – continue until October 2020
 
IRVINE, Calif. (July 20, 2020) – All six lanes – three in each direction – of Oso Parkway at the 241 Toll Road are open to drivers, marking a significant construction milestone for the Oso Parkway Bridge Project. Sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes on both sides are also open.
 
Crews constructed the Oso Parkway Bridge overcrossing one half at a time, while maintaining drive-through access for commuters and residents. Intermittent daytime lane closures may be necessary over the next few weeks to install traffic detection loops, create permanent striping and relocate traffic signals at each end of the project area.
 
“With the state’s stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, our construction crews continued to work diligently to minimize traffic impacts to the community and ensure all lanes on Oso Parkway were opened in a timely manner, providing an essential service for drivers in South Orange County,” said Dave Speirs, the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Chief Engineer. “Once crews open the roadway under the newly constructed bridge, this direct connection between Los Patrones Parkway and State Route 241 will improve traffic flow, enhance safety and support regional mobility.”
 
When complete, the Oso Parkway Bridge Project and new roadway will allow northbound Los Patrones Parkway drivers to directly access the 241 Toll Road instead of having to use an off-ramp, wait at a signalized intersection and, then, use an on-ramp to access the 241 Toll Road.
 
The final project will improve traffic flow and enhance safety for drivers traveling to and from the 241 Toll Road and Rancho Mission Viejo and surrounding areas. It will also improve access, enhance traffic flow and safety and improve pedestrian access to and from Tesoro High School.
 
“I am proud that TCA has continued its efforts to improve regional mobility by funding this project and partnering with the County of Orange to oversee its construction. The enhanced mobility in terms of driving, walking and biking, along with access to Tesoro High School, is a big win for the community,” said Christina Shea, Mayor of Irvine and Chairwoman of TCA’s Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency.
 
Project construction began in August 2018 and completion is expected in October 2020. Remaining construction activities include final preparations of on- and off-ramps, overhead signs, grading slopes, completing draining, relocating utilities and miscellaneous electrical work. 
 
Orange County Public Works, in partnership with Caltrans, is overseeing the construction contract led by Ortiz Enterprises. The nearly $40-million project is funded by TCA’s Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA).
 
For more information on the project, visit OCPublicWorks.com/OsoBridge. For construction updates, follow The Toll Roads on Facebook and Twitter.
 

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) are two joint powers authorities formed by the California legislature in 1986 to plan, finance, construct and operate Orange County’s public toll road system comprised of the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads.
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Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett is partnering with Saddleback Church to host a South County Grocery Distribution event on Wednesday, July 29th, from 9am-11:30am, at the Outlets At San Clemente to help provide sustenance to residents experiencing food insecurity as a result of impacts from COVID-19. For more information, please visit: saddleback.com/getfood.

Now that summer is here, it’s a great time to make sure your building’s energy performance is in top shape. The actions below have the potential to help your business save energy, while maintaining or improving occupant comfort. 

1. HVAC temperature setbacks. HVAC systems consume nearly 30% of a business’ electricity use. Adjusting temperature settings can provide substantial savings. A simple 1° to 2° Fahrenheit change in temperature will frequently go unnoticed by occupants but can amount to considerable savings. Remotely turn temperature settings up after business hours or on weekends when you install programmable thermostats. Right now, if you purchase up to 4 qualifying smart thermostats and enroll in SDG&E’s Smart Thermostat Program for Business, you can get up to $50 for every thermostat you register. SDG&E will can remotely adjust your thermostat(s) when an event day is called when demand for energy is high. Learn more at sdge.com/business-thermostat.

2. Daylighting controls. Daylighting control systems use sensors to adjust electric lighting levels in response to available daylight. These controls can reduce your lighting energy consumption by 20% to 80% and lower cooling costs. If you have areas where natural daylight is prevalent, consider installing such controls. Or, if you already have a daylighting control system, check it to make sure they are properly calibrated and working as expected. 

3. Cool down at night. If your building has an automation system, consider cooling the building at night with outside air. This strategy lowers the temperature of the overall building, resulting in a smaller cooling load during the day. Studies have shown that this strategy can save between 5% and 20% of overall cooling energy, depending on the climate. It can also result in improved occupant comfort by improving air quality. 

4. Clean the condenser coils. When the condenser coils in your air-conditioning equipment get dirty, their ability to effectively transfer heat decreases. Check your condenser coils for any natural or artificial debris that has accumulated to make sure they’re working as efficiently as possible. Thoroughly wash the coils twice a year for preventive maintenance. 

5. Change the filters. Filters should be changed on a regular basis, especially during summer months, to make sure the air-conditioner fan isn’t using more energy than necessary and trying to push air through clogged filters. If your building is located next to a highway, construction site or other location where the air is dirtier than usual, consider changing filters several times each month. 

6. Check the economizer. Many air-conditioning systems use an economizer that draws in cool outside air, when it is available, to reduce the need for air conditioning. However, if not regularly checked, the linkage that opens and shuts the economizer damper can seize up or break, potentially resulting in large energy waste. An economizer that is stuck in the fully open position can increase a building’s annual energy bill by as much as 50%. ​

Get information on SDG&E energy-saving programs, tips and pricing plans at sdge.com/business-summer.

Many businesses, especially small businesses, are facing new challenges due to COVID-19 and still have ongoing expenses during the pandemic. SDG&E wants to help during these difficult times and offers these solutions and resources.

1. Flexible payment arrangements are an option. Call SDG&E’s Business Contact Center at 1-800-336-7343.
2. Find the right pricing plan for your business on sdge.com/bizplans.
3. SDG&E’s Economic Development Rate (EDR) Program offers a 12% electric discount to businesses to help retain jobs and continue or expand operations instead of moving your business out-of-state. Learn more at sdge.com/EDR or email EDR@sdge.com.
4. Visit SDG&E’s Business Customer Resource Center at sdge.com/recovery and get information on how to:
   1. Improve your cash flow and working capital with the Supplier Quick Pay Program.
   2. Connect with suppliers offering Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
   3. Take a free training webinar on topics such as green building design, home performance and rebate and incentive programs. Find out more at sdge.com/EIC.
   4. Check out various external community organization and chamber resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
5. If your income has been impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a discount on your home energy bill of 30% or more. Learn more and apply at sdge.com/care.

As we move closer to the deadline of Tax Season, we wanted to share a few Tax Tips that will help you when filing your Tax returns.
 
Direct deposit for refunds

• It's free.
• It's secure.
• Taxpayers can deposit their refund into not only one, but also two or three accounts.
• Combining direct deposit with IRS e-file is the fastest way for taxpayers to receive their refund.
• When using direct deposit, there's no risk of having a paper check stolen or lost.
• The IRS uses the same system to deposit tax refunds that Social Security and Veterans Affairs use to deposit benefits into millions of accounts.

Seniors and Retirees can file their taxes for free

• Each Free File partner sets its own eligibility standards. These are generally based on income, age and state residency. All taxpayers whose adjusted gross income was $69,000 or less will find at least one free product to use.
• Taxpayers can use their smart phone or tablet to do their taxes. They just need to go to IRS.gov/freefile on their device. All Free File products are enabled for mobile devices.

 
Tax payers must only pay what they owe

• When taxpayers complete their tax returns, some of them will owe money when they file. Here's the thing…they have the right to pay only the amount of tax that is legally due.
• File for a refund if the they believe they overpaid.
• Submit an offer in compromise, asking the agency to accept less than the full tax debt, if the taxpayer believes they don't owe all or part of the debt.

Tax season stress busters straight from the IRS

• Start with IRS.gov. The IRS website is an excellent resource available 24/7. Taxpayers can click on the Filing tab for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions, and IRS forms and publications. The IRS Services Guide outlines the many ways to get help.
• Use online tools. The IRS website is home to many useful online tools. One of these is the Interactive Tax Assistant, which provides answers to many tax questions. It gives the same answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone. 
• File electronically. Most taxpayers file electronically these days for its ease and convenience. The tax software uses the taxpayer's responses to complete the Form 1040 and any needed schedules. For taxpayers who filed paper returns in the past, this may be the year to consider the benefits of filing electronically. 
• Get free help. Taxpayers can use IRS Free File, Free File Fillable Forms, or get help from trained volunteers at sites around the country.
• Explore other filing options. Taxpayers have many options to file. They can self-prepare or use a tax preparer. IRS.gov has resources to help people choose a tax pro. The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers provides information on who has a professional credential or participates in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program.