Energy Costs Soar for California Groups

Nonprofit groups in Silicon Valley are struggling to cope with soaring energy costs by conserving electricity and seeking additional funds, according to a new report by the Community Foundation Silicon Valley and United Way Silicon Valley.

The Community Foundation Silicon Valley said that it had created a $100,000 Energy Crisis Response Fund to help nonprofit groups in the region make their facilities more energy-efficient and to help them purchase equipment that uses less power.

In a survey of 54 nonprofit organizations, 24 that pay utility bills directly — rather than having those costs included in rent — reported that their energy costs for March were, on average, 46 percent higher than in the previous year. The average increase in their monthly electric and natural-gas bills was $1,713.

More than 90 percent of the 54 organizations surveyed said they had tried to lower their energy consumption by turning off lights in their offices and other facilities. More than three-quarters said they had decreased their use of air conditioning and heating and had turned off office equipment.

And most groups plan to cut back further over the summer, according to a spokeswoman for the Community Foundation Silicon Valley.

Despite their conservation efforts, about half the charities said they would need to raise additional funds to pay the increased energy costs, and more than a third said they planned to dip into financial reserves to make up the difference.

For a free copy of the report, contact Community Foundation Silicon Valley, 60 South Market Street, Suite 1000, San Jose, Calif. 95113; (408) 278-2200; fax (408) 278-0277. The report is also available at http://www.cfsv.org.