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The Imperial Irrigation District is inviting residents to a series of open house events aimed at educating customers on upcoming improvements to the region’s power infrastructure, changes to electric rates, and programs designed to help lower energy costs.
The free events, scheduled across multiple communities in April, will provide attendees with take-home resources, complimentary refreshments, and direct access to IID representatives who will answer questions and discuss key initiatives.
The open house sessions will cover IID’s ongoing efforts to enhance power infrastructure for improved service reliability, provide updates on electric rates and their potential impact on customers, and inform attendees about assistance programs available to help reduce electricity bills.
IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader emphasized the district’s commitment to transparency and community engagement during a recent discussion on future outreach efforts.
“One of our goals is to be very informative, more open, and have better communication with the public,” Dockstader said. “I envision events like these happening more often, where we are out in the community. Over the last year, especially with initiatives like our Christmas lights, we have made strides in being present at different community events. Whether it’s a funeral, a baby shower, or a luncheon with residents, our board members serve as ambassadors, informing the public about infrastructure projects and other important matters.”
Dockstader highlighted ongoing discussions about renewable energy and cost concerns. “People often assume that because we have renewable energy here, we can use it freely, but it’s expensive. We are conscious of our ratepayers—we can’t rely solely on geothermal, or our prices would quadruple. When people understand that, it helps the entire community.”
She also confirmed that outreach efforts will continue to be bilingual in English and Spanish.
IID Director Karin Eugenio highlighted the district’s challenge in expanding outreach to vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with community organizations.
“The easiest thing for us as an organization is to expand our programming, but the most difficult part is reaching the most vulnerable populations,” Eugenio said. “One of the things we’ve discussed internally is finding ways to connect with these communities by working with organizations like food banks and other nonprofits that have already qualified individuals for resources. This ensures we reduce redundancy in the process and effectively reach those in need.”
IID General Manager Jaime Asbury addressed concerns about recent rate increases and highlighted the district’s efforts to assist vulnerable residents through financial assistance programs.
“The board wasn’t thrilled about having to raise rates, but after reviewing IID’s assets, we realized we needed to act quickly to avoid serious consequences,” Asbury said. “We understand that this impacts our most vulnerable customers, which is why we offer several assistance programs.”
She encouraged residents to take advantage of available aid. “Our ‘Ready’ program, formerly known as REAP, provides a 30% discount for income-qualified seniors and a 20% discount for other income-qualified customers. We also introduced the Shield program for seniors with high medical expenses who may not meet traditional income requirements.”
Asbury acknowledged that many eligible residents are unaware of these programs. “We don’t want people to be overburdened. Too often, I meet elderly residents who say they didn’t know about these programs, and that’s not what we want. We are working to ensure everyone has access to this support.”
She also outlined IID’s commitment to transparency regarding infrastructure projects. “We will have a dedicated website for these projects, with regular reports to the board so the community can see how funds are being used. Development phases take time due to environmental and permitting processes, but we want the public to follow the dollars and hold us accountable.”
Addressing questions about why rates were raised despite receiving grant funding, Asbury explained the strict conditions attached to federal funds. “If you’ve ever borrowed money or received a government grant, you know the reporting requirements are very strict. Those funds are designated for specific projects, like the $1.2 million congressional earmark secured by Congressman Raul Ruiz for the Kine Hardening Project. We must spend the money first, then request reimbursement. We will continue aggressively pursuing grants, but there’s uncertainty with changing administrations.”
Asbury reassured residents that IID remains committed to financial responsibility and infrastructure improvements. “We are working to strengthen our grid, including replacing vulnerable wooden poles with stronger infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. These projects take time, but they are essential for long-term reliability.”
The open houses will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at various locations throughout the region, starting on April 1 at the William R. Condit Auditorium in El Centro, followed by the Lions Center in Brawley on April 2 and the Seeley Elementary School Gym on April 3. Additional sessions will take place on April 4 at the Mecca Family & Farmworker’s Service Center, April 7 at the Calexico Woman’s Improvement Club, and April 8 at the Indio Senior Center. The series continues on April 9 at Imperial’s Veteran’s Memorial Hall, April 10 at the El Centro Community Center, and April 15 at the La Quinta Board Room. Other scheduled locations include the Holtville Civic Center on April 16, Calipatria Community Center on April 21, the City of Coachella Library on April 22, Westmorland Youth Hall Center on April 24, Niland Chamber of Commerce on April 28, and concluding on April 29 at the Teresa Estrada Community Center in Heber.