IID to provide power for customers during pandemic, even if they can’t pay

Many essential industry employees are still hard at work providing the things we depend on daily, including those at the Imperial Irrigation District (IID). 

The company says they’re committed to keeping the power on and bills low. “We have working crews out in the field that are available to address any issues 24/7,” said Emmanuel Martinez, Government Affairs Specialist, IID. 

IID says they’ve made the necessary changes to keep customers with power during the coronavirus crisis. Their employees are equipped with masks and cleaning supplies; they have also moved board meetings online. The public can listen in remotely. 

“We’re making sure that our customers have power especially during this pandemic when people are home,” Martinez. 

IID also says they’re gearing up for increased power needs in summer knowing more people are home than usual, and hot weather is on the way. “We have more people that are home that are utilizing power and it’s going to start getting hotter, but we are prepared,” said Martinez. 

Martinez further explained that all the closed businesses not using power right now should help balance the grid: “There are a lot of small businesses, for instance, that are closed so that has decreased the load.”

The company says if customers can’t pay their bills due to the pandemic, they won’t turn the power off. Customers should call 1-800-303-7756 to make an arrangement with the company to pay at a later date.

“We want to make sure that they’re not disconnected from this essential service so they can maintain a healthy place at home,” said Martinez.