Awareness and action.

These two characteristics of today’s world are becoming more ingrained in all aspects of day-to-day life. The three utilities serving Fountain Hills and the Northeast Valley – Salt River Project, Arizona Public Service and Southwest Gas -- have adopted policies to help their customers and make the world a better place.

All three utilities have Web sites that offer information about cost-saving programs, energy saving hints, advice on technological advances in home and business energy.

Salt River Project

SRP provides electric service to Fountain Hills. Programs are available to help customers save money on electric bills. There are pricing plans and options, as well as product discounts and specials offered by the company.

A popular plan is to sign up for “off-peak” hour use. Customers do laundry, dishes and run the pool pump during the times of day that electricity costs are lower.

SRP provides extensive information on appliances and their efficiency (or inefficiency). The company also provides rebates and incentives for customers to buy more energy efficient products.

SRP also offers a “Home Energy Manager” online. The feature provides a number of analyses of appliances, insulation, coolers and heaters, air leaks and other items in the home to calculate how much each appliance or situation costs the resident and how to save money making changes.

“PowerWise” offers energy savings advice and information on buying products to ensure customers get the most value for their money. The program generally outlines the options available to consumers, providing them with ways to save.

Salt River Project is actively participating in the green movement and offers customers a number of ways to participate in alternative power sources. With its EarthWise Energy program, SRP produces electricity from renewable resources. Customers can participate in the production of clean energy by electing to pay a small added amount on their monthly electric bill. Customers can support the program in $3, $6, $9 or $12 increments per month.

Using renewable sources such as solar, wind, water and others reduces dependence on fossil fuels. Salt River Project, with a long history of environmental stewardship, has ongoing research into alternative energy sources and environmental projects.

“As the nation’s oldest multi-purpose reclamation project, Salt River Project is committed to employing sustainable strategies that reflect our vision of environmental stewardship as we work to help our customers and shareholders use water and electricity wisely,” said SRP’s Associate General Manager of Environmental, Richard Hayslip.”

SRP’s Web site is www.srpnet.com. The site enables customers to see their bills online, pay their bills online and sign up for various programs. For additional information by phone, call (602) 236-8888.

Arizona Public Service

APS is another electric service provider in the Valley. A portion of Northeast Scottsdale is served by APS. The Phoenix company also provides programs to help its customers save on electricity costs and benefit the environment.

APS has its “Green Choice Rates” program, offering customers options to use energy from renewable resources. APS offers three Green Choice Rate choices for customers. Customers can select the amount of energy in 100-kilowatt blocks that would come from renewable resources. Each KWh is priced at a premium of $0.01 plus tax over and above the normal monthly charge.

A percentage option also is available where customers select the percentage of monthly energy that comes from renewable resources. Residential customers can choose percentage increments from 35 percent to 100 percent.

APS also offers a Total Solar Option on Green Choice Rates for customers who want solar energy but don’t want to install a solar PV system. Each kWh is $0.1666 plus tax in addition to the regular monthly charge. Customers may choose 50 or 100 percent of their energy to be generated by solar.

For cost savings, APS offers incentives to its customers to install solar features such as a photovoltaic system or solar water or space heating systems. Rebates are available to customers who change to solar, and additional tax incentives are available as well.

APS also offers a program for customers to take advantage of “off peak” hours to do high use tasks such as washing or running the pool pump. There are equalizer payments available to budget the monthly payments, as well as other payment methods.

Analyzing home energy use online provides a good picture for consumers to see where they can save. APS also provides practical energy saving tips for customers.

APS’ Web site is www.aps.com. A user friendly site, customers can find details on any number of choices available to their customers. The telephone number is (602) 371-7171.

Southwest Gas

Southwest Gas Corporation is the state’s natural gas provider. There are pockets of homes in Fountain Hills and Northeast Scottsdale that have natural gas availability, but not every neighborhood has access to the service.

SWG has energy efficiency programs to help its customers save money and energy. Some of its programs include a high-efficiency water heater rebate program, and a combined heat and power program. The water heater program reimburses customers who have a qualifying natural gas water heater $75 for a limited time.

Customers may qualify for financial support of up to 50 percent of installed costs for qualified combined heat and power systems.

The gas company also provides its customers with energy and cost savings tips, as well as other incentives to lower their costs and usage.

Visit Southwest Gas online at www.swgas.com. For more information, call (877) 860-6020.