Submitted by OPALCO

Orcas Power and Light Co-op’s Project PAL provided grants to 255 co-op member households during the 2015-2016 heating season for a total of $44,913 awarded. An independent committee of co-op members distributes the awards with a priority to serve seniors and members with disabilities.

Project PAL is funded through voluntary donations made by co-op members, primarily through the bill round-up program. PAL is designed to help those in need during the heating season and is limited to one grant per year.

In 2016, OPALCO launched a monthly bill credit program for low-income member households. Energy Assist provides a bill credit of between $10-$25 per month, year-round, to qualified households. While Project PAL meets emergency needs during the time that bills are at their highest, Energy Assist is designed to maintain affordability for members who need it every month. In addition, co-op members who qualify for these programs can also receive a monthly credit for internet services on your Rock Island Communications bill.

A low-income needs assessment conducted in 2015 showed as many as 1,500 households in San Juan County could meet the qualifications for both Project PAL and Energy Assist. Only about 10 percent of those households have applied for energy assistance to date and funding is still available. Eligibility for bill assistance is based on federal program qualification; if a household receives other federal assistance (free lunch, SSID, County Property Tax Relief, etc.) they will be qualified for energy bill assistance as well. Fill out an application here or call 376-3500 to see if you quality – and tell your neighbors who may need help.