Christmas will be a little warmer for some.

Last week, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative received $24,495 from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office as a part of a $9 million settlement reached with Enron in 2005. OPALCO will be using the money to support Project PAL, the energy assistance program that gives co-op members a hand up with their heating bills when times are tough. It will also go towards a new weatherization program set to launch in the early spring of 2010.

The settlement funds are targeted for programs that benefit customers who were gouged by the manufactured energy crisis of 2000-2001, the AG’s office said. Allocations are based on the number of customers each utility serves. Utilities are mandated to use the money to support energy assistance programs for low-income households and/or weatherization programs for low-income households to help reduce heating expenses.

Co-op members in need of help with electric bills this heating season may apply to Project PAL by picking up an application at an OPALCO office or by downloading one online at www.opalco.com.