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☆ Mountain Fire in Ventura County prompts Californians to flee their homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Karina Tsui | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

At least 132 properties have been destroyed by the fire, while 88 have been left damaged, Ventura County Fire Department officials said Thursday evening. Ten people endured non-life-threatening injuries from the Mountain Fire, which are mostly related to smoke inhalation, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said. “We see it over and over and over: People have the best intentions to stay and defend their home right up until the time the fire hits their home,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. Red flag warnings have expired for the Los Angeles area and will expire for the Los Angeles and Ventura County Mountains by Friday at 11 a.m. PST. The cause remains unknownThough reasons for the Mountain Fire’s rapid spread are clear, its cause remains unknown, a Ventura County fire official said Thursday morning.

Persons: CNN — Terrie Morin, Dave, Morin, ” Morin, “, ”, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, couldn’t, ‘ Dave, ’ ” Morin, Fryhoff, Dustin Gardner, Steven Snyder, ” Snyder, Snyder, Johnson, ” Johnson, don’t, CNN’s Taylor Romine, Rebekah Riess, Mary Gilbert, Robert Shackelford Organizations: CNN, Fire, Cal Fire, Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff, Ventura County Fire, fireproofing, Firefighters, Los, Southern California Edison, Ventura County – Locations: Camarillo, California’s Ventura County, Ventura County, California, Los Angeles, Southern California, Southern

☆ Southern California wildfires: 27 million people face ‘life-threatening’ fire warning
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Karina Tsui | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning until 6 p.m. Thursday – which is used to describe “extreme and life-threatening fire behavior.” The warning is expected to affect 27 million people in Southern California and the greater San Francisco Bay area. More than 14,000 people remain under evacuation orders, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Kapoor added that fires are part of the “Los Angeles reality” and all professors could do was follow guidance from emergency officials and reassure students. The Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California, has damaged or destroyed several homes, officials said. More than 11,000 Southern California Edison customers across five counties had power shut off Wednesday morning.

Persons: Dustin Gardner, Trevor Johnson, haven’t, Gavin Newsom, Christina Noren, Paul Boutin, Boutin, ”, Noren, Catherine Opie, Nathan Oliveira, Brent Estabrook —, she’ll, Paul, Qian Weizhong, Komal Kapoor, Kapoor, CNN’s Taylor Romine, Emma Tucker, Robert Shackelford, Chris Boyette, Mary Gilbert Organizations: CNN, National Weather Service, Montecito Fire Department, Ventura County Fire, Emergency Management Agency, California’s Department of Forestry, Fire Protection, Ventura County Sheriff’s, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles Fire Department, Montecito, Cal Fire, Southern California Edison Locations: Southern California, San Francisco Bay, Ventura County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa, Camarillo, California, Camarillo Heights, Pismo Beach, Noren . California, Malibu, Angeles, Ventura County , California, Southern

☆ Southern California wildfires: Firefighters battle 2 wildfires amid ‘particularly dangerous’ fire weather event
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-06 | by ( Chris Boyette | Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Firefighters are battling two fast-growing wildfires in Southern California Wednesday as the state experiences a “particularly dangerous” fire weather event. “Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts,” VCFD posted. A rare “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning, the most extreme form of fire weather warning, is also in effect for Southern California into Thursday. More than 11,000 Southern California Edison customers across five counties had power shut off Wednesday morning. A gust of 85 mph was recorded by Wednesday morning on Magic Mountain with gusts over 70 mph in the nearby Transverse Ranges in Southern California, according to the weather service.

Persons: VCFD, “, ” VCFD, LACoFD, Shutoffs Organizations: CNN — Firefighters, National Weather Service, Storm, Fire Department, Los, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Angeles County Sheriff’s, NWS, Pepperdine University, Malibu, NWS Los Angeles, Southern California Edison, Southwest Wednesday, CNN, Santa Ana Locations: Southern California, Santa, Los Angeles, Ventura, Ventura County, “, Malibu, Angeles, Pepperdine, NWS Los, Northern California, Southwest California, Southern, California, Mount St, Helena

☆ Electric bill: Home heating costs expected to rise this winter
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Consumers who heat with electricity will be hit the hardest, with their costs projected to rise 13.6% to $1,208 for the winter season, the association found. The expense of maintaining and upgrading the electric grid is driving up costs, particularly in the West, where fires have ravaged the grid and electric heating costs could soar nearly 23%. The price tag for heating with propane will rise 7.3% to $1,442 this winter, while natural gas users will see a 7.2% increase to $644. Natural gas prices have stabilized but are expected to rise over the winter as US exports increase, said Mark Wolfe, the association’s executive director. But those who heat with oil will catch somewhat of a break after a pricey heating season last year, with costs expected to rise only 6.1% to $1,963 this winter.

Persons: Mark Wolfe, Wolfe, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, Northeast, National Energy Assistance, Association, Consumers, Low Income, Energy Assistance Locations: Midwest

☆ California wildfires: Bridge Fire explodes in size, man arrested in connection with Line Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The blaze expanded from Los Angeles County into San Bernardino County, and as of Tuesday evening was 0% contained. “Tragically, homes have been lost,” San Bernardino County’s government said on Facebook late Tuesday, as the county proclaimed an emergency due to the blaze. Video by the San Bernardino County Fire Department showed firefighters and deputies performing rescue evacuations in Wrightwood on Tuesday evening as flames consumed brush and trees. Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, from Norco, allegedly started the fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in the city of Highland on Sept. 5, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said. The Line fire burns through in San Bernardino National Forest, Calif., on Sept. 10, 2024.

Persons: San Bernardino County’s, Justin Wayne Halstenberg, Gavin Newsom, Gina Ferazzi, Paul Holaday, we’re, Brian Fennessey, David Swanson, Newsom's, Davis Organizations: Angeles National Forest, California Department of Forestry, Fire, Facebook, San, San Bernardino County Fire Department, Mount, National Weather Service, San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Sheriff's, Central Detention, Home, National Guard, Los Angeles Times, Getty Images, Orange County Fire Authority, Trabuco Flyers, RC, Getty, U.S . Forest Service of Humboldt, Sierra Locations: Southern California, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, San Bernardino, Wrightwood, San Antonio, East Fork, California, Los Angeles, Norco, Highland, Big, Running, Lake, Forrest Falls, San, Calif, Orange County, Orange, El Cariso, Lake Elsinore, AFP, Nevada, U.S, Davis, Reno

☆ Illegal Eviction Complaints Rise As Police Fail to Enforce
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Cecilia Reyes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +44 min

The nature of illegal lockouts means they are hard to track directly. One of the responding officers calls a sergeant over, who says there's nothing else they can do. While only 14% of lockout calls led to a police report, 86% of calls about shoplifting did. As they walk over, one of the officers tells the other to look up "illegal lockout" on his phone. A 2006 bill that would have defined illegal lockouts for all Illinois residents was defeated.

Persons: Alfred Perry, He'd, Perry, Dan Wright, Perry didn't, Wright, Bridget Bennett, Dan hadn't, I'd, he'd, Charlie Bliss, Matthew Desmond, Lockouts, Jersey City's, haven't, he's, David Leibowitz, Leibowitz, —, Pretium —, Kristi DesJarlais, Siegel, Sean Thueson , , Thueson, Blackstone, lockouts, Pretium, Katherine Kelly, RealPage, Jennifer Bowcock, William Prosser ,, they're, Donna Rossi, Sara Heymann, Meghan Aguilar, Misty Skinner, Skinner, Levi Wilhelm, It's, hasn't, I've, Wilhelm, they'd, Jeffrey Uno, Deirdre Orange, isn't, Daniel Benavidez, Jenny Chavez, criminalizing, Rob Bonta, Eric Carter, John Bartlett, Carter, Fred Fuchs, Steve Cohen, Michael Bennet, Sarah Saadian, Douglas Farrar, Kelly, Fuchs, Heymann, who've Organizations: Labor, Chrysler, Social Security, Business, North Las Vegas Police Department, Child Protective Services, Las Vegas Justice, Atlanta Legal, Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta, Supreme, Department of Housing, Los Angeles Police Department, Houston —, Arizona, Housing Association, Invitation Homes, Siegel, Siegel Group, Blackstone ., Progress, Homes, Union, city's Housing Department, Miami, Police, Houston, Houston Police Department, Phoenix, Criminal, Chicago, Chicago Department, LAPD, Records, Jersey City, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police, Legal, Foundation of Los, Phoenix Police Department, Fulton County Marshal's Department, Avondale Police Department, Avondale Police, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Texas Justice Court, Court Training Center, Illinois, National Weather Service, Democratic, Senate, Income Housing Coalition, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, AGs Locations: Las Vegas, Detroit, Vegas, United States, Perry's, Princeton, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, South Chicago, Phoenix, Jersey, New Jersey, Jersey City, Houston, Nevada, . Texas, Harris County, Texas, Arizona, Washington, city's, Atlanta , Miami, California, New York City, Spring Valley, Spring Valley , Nevada, Las, Foundation of Los Angeles, Avondale , Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia , Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, In Connecticut , Massachusetts, Minnesota , New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Illinois

☆ Extreme heat is making residential power cutoffs by utilities a matter of life and death, and new political target
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Kevin Williams | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

That's when Virginia joins the small but growing ranks of states protecting disconnects during extreme heat. "We have to account for extreme heat outside the normal months of the year that are increasingly hotter now," Aird said. I predict we will see more places experiencing heat crises and heat emergencies. Nearly three million people have their electricity shut off annually because they cannot afford to pay monthly bills, according to the Energy Justice Lab. A majority of states (40) have statutory-based utility disconnection protections that cover specific times of year and vulnerable populations, according to the Energy Justice Lab.

Persons: Virginia sweltering, Lashrecse Aird, Aird, David Konisky, Konisky Organizations: Indiana University, Energy Justice Lab, Energy Justice, Energy, Washington D.C Locations: Virginia, That's, Petersburg

☆ Opinion: America needs a paradigm shift in how we respond to extreme heat
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Opinion Mark Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: Mark Wolfe is an energy economist and serves as the executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, representing the state directors of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and co-director of the Center on Climate, Energy and Poverty. Triple-digit temperatures have hit the western states, with the Northeast, Midwest and Great Lakes regions expected to see extreme heat waves this week. Weather-related deaths from extreme heat are more common than from those from hurricanes, floods, extreme cold and other natural disasters. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,220 people die from extreme heat every year. During periods of extreme heat, cooling is not just a luxury that provides comfort, but a necessary measure that helps families across all income brackets, and especially low-income families, stay safe.

Persons: Mark Wolfe, That’s Organizations: National Energy Assistance, Association, Income, Energy Assistance Program, Energy, CNN, Triple, US Centers for Disease Control, Center for Energy, US Energy Information Administration, Low Income, Energy Assistance, Twitter, Facebook, Federal Locations: United States, Midwest, Great, Washington, Connecticut

☆ As the heat goes up this summer, so do cooling costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The groups projected that the average cost across the country could be $719, a nearly 8% increase from the same period last year. In some regions that figure is higher; in Southern states like Texas, the average cost could hit $858. The forecast for summer cooling costs is based on federal data on regional electric prices, summer temperatures, and residential air conditioning, Wolfe said. Related stories"We are assuming a higher rate of temperature change, and recent heat waves are bearing this out," Wolfe said. Those who do may not turn it on in an effort to avoid higher bills, Wolfe said.

Persons: —, Mark Wolfe, May, Wolfe, Louis — Organizations: Service, Business, National Energy Assistance, Association, Center for Energy, Southwest, US Energy Information Administration, Low Income, Energy Assistance Locations: Southern, Texas, Phoenix, El Paso , Texas, York

☆ Summer heat will likely bring higher electric bills amid rising temperatures
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Many Americans may get hot under the collar when they open their electric bills this summer, but for some, the consequences of rising utility costs can be a lot more serious. He pointed to the National Weather Service’s prediction that much of the country will probably have above-normal temperatures this summer. The difference in projections stems from the association assuming higher rates of usage because of hotter temperatures, Wolfe said. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, has $4.1 billion to help consumers with heating and cooling costs, down from $6.1 billion in the prior fiscal year. “Because of the lack of a coherent policy to address summer cooling, people will die this summer from heatstroke,” Wolfe said.

Persons: Mark Wolfe, ”, Wolfe, Diana Hernandez, Hernandez, “, ” Hernandez, arrearages, ” Wolfe Organizations: CNN, National Energy Assistance, Association, Center for Energy, US Energy Information Administration, Department of Health, Human Services, Energy, Columbia University, Income, Energy Assistance, US Census Bureau, District, Columbia, National Weather Service Locations: Pacific, Chicago, heatstroke

☆ California regulator allows PG&E rate hike for wildfire mitigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The state's biggest utility, PG&E, serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. The APD set the 2023 revenue requirement at $13.52 billion, reflecting an 11% increase from 2022. According to the regulator, customers would see an increase of $32.62 on their bills, compared with PG&E's request of $38.73. One of the main wildfire mitigation efforts PG&E has been undertaking is undergrounding, or burying power lines. This lessens the need for public safety power shutoffs — a last resort during dry, windy conditions to reduce the risk of sparking a wildfire.

Persons: Seher, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: California Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Gas, E, Thomson Locations: Northern, Central California, powerlines, Bengaluru

McLaren has sold about 40 custom snow globes since the writers went on strike, at $299 a piece, through his Etsy shop. Since the writers strike began, 3,124 people joined or reactivated their Cameo accounts, the company said. When the actors strike began, she signed on to help them sell images to photo agencies, including celebrity-fueled rallies and picket lines in the strikes. Her husband's salary as an engineer helps, but it doesn't get them all the way there in paying their bills. ___For more on the ongoing actors and writers strikes, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/hollywood-strikes/

Persons: Ryan Meyer's lifeblood, Meyer, ”, Joe's, “ We've, ” Meyer, “, Jesse McLaren, “ Jimmy Kimmel, “ They’ve, McLaren, “ I’ve, “ I’m, ” Keith McNutt, It's, Autumn Monroe, ” Monroe, Monroe, Vince Vaughn, Shadi, Petosky, I’ve, ” Petosky, Bethany Layla Johnson, Briza Covarrubias, doesn't, Covarrubias, we're Organizations: “, Entertainment, Writers Guild of America, Alpha Kappa Alpha, “ Parks, Recreation, Netflix, WGA Locations: Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Manhattan, York, hollywood

☆ Hawaiian Electric takes expert help but says goal not to restructure
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Homes damaged by fire are seen in Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 14, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia Acquire Licensing RightsAug 18 (Reuters) - Hawaiian Electric Industries (HE.N) is seeking expert advice amid growing scrutiny over its role in the Maui wildfires, but the largest power supplier in the US island state said on Friday that the goal was not to restructure the company. The company did not clearly outline the purpose for which it was seeking expert advice. "Like any company in this situation would do, and as we do in the normal course of business, we are seeking advice from various experts," it said in a filing. It did not include around 2,600 homes and businesses that were destroyed, which represent less than 1% of its customers.

Persons: Jorge Garcia, Arshreet Singh, Arunima Kumar, Arun Koyyur Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Moody's Investors Service, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Honolulu, California, West Maui, Bengaluru

Homes damaged by fire are seen in Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 14, 2023. The company said in its filing that shutting off power was not part of its high-wind management protocol. Analysts have said Hawaiian's situation is reminiscent of that of PG&E Corp (PCG.N) and wildfires in California. PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection in 2019, and subsequently restructured, citing potential liabilities exceeding $30 billion stemming from California wildfires that were blamed on its equipment. As of Thursday, about 1,900 customers in West Maui remained without electricity, Hawaiian said.

Persons: Jorge Garcia, Wells, Jonathan Reeder, Arshreet Singh, Arunima Kumar, Shreyashi Sanyal, Caroline Valetkevitch, Arun Koyyur, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Electric, Moody's, E Corp, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Honolulu, American, California, West Maui, Bengaluru, New York

The new lawsuit, first obtained by NBC News, alleges that Hawaiian Electric helped set the stage for the monstrous wildfires last week. The plaintiffs allege years of inaction and negligence by the utility company, and argue that the firm should have had plans in place to shut down power systems before fierce winds blew across Hawaii. "Hawaiian Electric is not just responsible and they weren't just negligent," said Mikal Watts, a lead attorney on the case. Hawaiian Electric Company declined to comment on the pending lawsuits, saying that would violate an internal policy. Darren Pai, a spokesperson for the company, said Hawaiian Electric was aware of the allegations but remained focused on restoring power to Maui.

Persons: Mikal Watts, Darren Pai, Watts, Pai Organizations: NBC News, Electric, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Maui, California, Lahaina

☆ Hawaiian Electric stock plunges 40% after lawsuit alleges it failed to shut power off ahead of the Maui wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The suit alleges that Hawaiian Electric Industries “chose not to deenergize their power lines during the High Wind Watch and Red Flag Warning conditions for Maui before the Lahaina Fire started,” despite knowing the risks of sparking a fire in those conditions. The company and subsidiaries “also chose not to deenergize their power lines after they knew some poles and lines had fallen and were in contact with the vegetation or the ground,” the suit alleges. He added that Hawaiian Electric does not have a formal shut-off program in place, and precautionary shut-offs have to be arranged with first responders. Despite this, Hawaiian Electric (HE) did not enforce a public safety power shutoff, a temporary pause of service to certain areas due to increased fire risk. These included an $11 billion insurance settlement, as well as $1 billion paid to affected local governments.

Persons: ”, “, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, CoreLogic, Josh Green, Hawaii’s, – CNN’s Andy Rose Organizations: New, New York CNN, Electric Industries “, Hawaiian Electric, CNN, Hawaii Gov, National Weather Service, Western Fire Chiefs Association, Electric, Pacific Gas and Locations: New York, Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, Honolulu, California

Those winds also battered power lines on the island, and dramatic videos show lines swaying and being toppled in the gusts. Now, some locals are casting blame on Hawaiian Electric, the state’s biggest utility, for not shutting off power to high-risk areas – and claiming that its power lines could have sparked the deadly fire. State officials were well aware of the danger posed by downed power lines during hurricanes. A 2021 state report noted that “downed power lines” and “residential and wildland fires” were hazards related to hurricanes. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said Thursday that power lines that were “still energized” had fallen on the roads.

Persons: Shane Treu, Treu, ” Treu, kindling, Lisa Treu, –, ”, “, Hurricane Dora, “ inexcusably, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, Kelly, Richard Bissen, Yuri Iwamura, hydrants –, Cole Millington, Millington, Bradford Ventura, Adam Weintraub, ” Weintraub, Jill Tokuda, Keahi Ho, John Stufflebean, Josh Green, Anne Lopez, ” Green, “ It’s, Dora, Abby Frazier, Dora inched, Josh Stanbro Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters, Electric, National Weather Service, Hawaiian Electric Company, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Maui, Volunteers, Getty, Facebook, Bradford, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Democrat, New York Times, Maui County Department of Water Supply, Times, Government, Hawaii Gov, Clark University Locations: Mauna, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, County, California, Paradise, West Maui, Maalaea, AFP, “, Maui County, United States, Massachusetts

☆ A 72-year-old woman in Phoenix got her power cut over a $51 bill when it was 107 degrees — and she died. Her memory is behind efforts to stop future deaths.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Stephanie Pullman, 72, died after her power was shut off over a $51 late bill. Pullman's death in 2018 led to changes in how power companies deal with overdue bills in the summer. A recent heatwave in Arizona has the governor asking power companies to put policies in writing. The medical examiner's office said Pullman died from "environmental heat exposure " combined with cardiovascular disease after the shutoff. Electric utilities can choose to pause disconnections from June 1 through October 15 or pause them on days forecasted to be above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Persons: Stephanie Pullman, Stacey Champion, Pullman, Patrick T, Fallon, Katie Hobbs Organizations: Service, Arizona Public Service, Getty, Arizona Corporation Commission, APS, Tucson Electric Power, ACC, National Weather Service, Gov Locations: Arizona, Wall, Silicon, sweltering Arizona, Phoenix, Mohave, Santa Cruz, Maricopa County, shutoffs

☆ We can’t air-condition our way out of America’s heat crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Extreme heat in the summer has become America’s brutal new reality. It would also include building code changes that require multi-family homes provide cooling the same way they do heating. Heat waves and mirage create an impressionistic scene on Sierra Highway during a scorching day on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Cities are warmer than their surrounding areas, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect, and they need to be better designed to keep people cool, researchers say. They were designed 40 years ago when summer temperatures were much cooler,” Mark Wolfe said.

Persons: haven’t, ”, Mark Wolfe, hasn’t, ” Wolfe, Myung J, Chun, Rushad Nanavatty, National Weather Service hasn’t, Kelly Turner, “, Turner Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Energy Assistance, ’ Association, Southland, Los Angeles Times, RMI, Cool Coalition, United, US Department of Energy, Centers for Disease Control, Low Income, Energy Assistance, nonpayment, LIHEAP, CDC, National Weather Service, Solutions, UCLA, Environmental Protection Agency Locations: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, United Nations, Washington, DC, Arizona, Maricopa, Yuma, York City, Miami, Dade County

☆ Amazon is inundated with shoppers desperately trying to cool off
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

On Amazon, sales of air conditioners increased 248% during the 30 days ending July 14, according to data from Jungle Scout, a data and analytics platform for Amazon sellers. Searches on Amazon for “single room AC units” and “portable misting fans” also spiked triple digits during the period, according to Jungle Scout. On Wednesday morning, a sun shade for car windshields was listed as the best-selling product on Amazon’s automotive page. In the Northeast, where the wildfire smoke was worst, air purifier sales jumped 119% in June. The cost of home energy bills this summer will increase by 11.7% to an average of $578, up from $517 last summer, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

Persons: ”, windshields Organizations: New, New York CNN, Scout, National Energy Assistance, Association, Louisiana — Locations: New York, United States, East Coast, Circana, Texas, Louisiana

☆ Power shutoffs: Sweltering Americans have fewer protections this summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Despite the growing concern of heat-related illnesses and climate change, people have far fewer protections from power shutoffs during the summer than they do in the winter. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, has about $6 billion in funds for fiscal 2023, which runs through September. The association is calling on Congress to provide an additional $3 billion for cooling assistance this summer, which would help about 6 million households. And it is asking utilities to voluntarily suspend shutoffs this summer for those behind on their bills. Florida Power & Light, for instance, has a longstanding policy that it won’t disconnect customers if it’s 95 degrees or higher.

Persons: David Konisky, ”, Konisky, Mark Wolfe, That’s, Wolfe, it’s, Bianca Soriano, Soriano Organizations: New, New York CNN, National Weather Service, Center for Energy, National Energy Assistance, Association, Energy, Indiana University, Centers for Disease Control, Income, Energy Assistance, Lawmakers, US Energy Information Administration, Louisiana —, Florida, Customers Locations: New York, United States, Washington, DC, Delaware, Nevada, Colorado , Missouri, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Florida

☆ Meta exec calls Apple Watch Ultra 'infuriating' because of accidental shutoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Andrew Bosworth, Meta's CTO, shared his thoughts on the Apple Watch Ultra during his Instagram Q&A. The exec, who goes by Boz, said he's frustrated at how the watch keeps shutting off mid-workout. A Meta executive has some qualms with the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone maker's most advanced smart watch to-date. Andrew Bosworth, the chief technology officer of Meta, was asked to share his thoughts on Apple's smart watch during a Q&A he hosted on his Instagram. The $799 Apple Watch Ultra is the company's most advanced smart watch to-date.

Persons: Andrew Bosworth, Boz, he's, It's, Apple's, Bosworth, Apple, Christopher Allbritton, Allbritton, Antonio Villas, Boas, Song Organizations: Apple, Morning, Apple Watch, CNN

☆ How to stay warm in the winter without breaking the bank
▼ + stars: | 2021-01-29 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Here are 25 ways to stay warm this winter — with or without indoor heating — that won’t break the bank. How to warm your bodyPortable electric warmers are one way to temporarily keep parts of the body warm. “If you warm the core you can warm the hands and feet. It is harder to warm the core by warming the hands and feet.”Be careful that you don’t burn yourself, Benjamin said. Physical activities like indoor exercise or dancing can help you warm up, but don’t get to the point where you’re sweating, Smith said.

Persons: Georges Benjamin, JohnEric Smith, Benjamin, “, don’t, Smith, ” Smith, Snuggles, ” Benjamin, johns Organizations: CNN, American Public Health Association, Mississippi State University Locations: United States, kinesiology

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