City of Davis changes hours to help trim use of electricity

By Jennifer Coleman, The Associated Press

DAVIS -- Davis residents looking to apply for a building permit, a dog license or any other city service will have to come early -- as early as 7 a.m., when city employees' summer work days will begin.

The city of Davis expects to save money and power by shifting work hours earlier and shutting down expensive air conditioners by 3:30 p.m. through the hottest time of the year.

"When we looked at the greatest usage of the city's power, that came in the late afternoon, primarily from the air conditioners," said Kelly Stachowicz, the city's interim economic development coordinator.

It not only gets the city's offices off the grid at peak times, it also will help cut Davis' Pacific Gas and Electric Co. bill, which is expected to increase by nearly $700,000 this year, she said.

The city doesn't have an estimate on how much power or money it will save with the policy, said Bob Weir, public works director. "But we will know after the first month, dollar-wise, how much we're saving."

Several other local governments in power-strapped California are also reshaping the workweek to save power either by shifting hours earlier, or by closing on Fridays.

The city of Clovis in Fresno County will close its offices Fridays starting June 11. City officials say that by closing one day a week during the summer, the city can cut its power use by 5 percent over the summer. To keep services available, the offices will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The new hours will affect "the pencil-pusher types" at City Hall and planning and finance departments, said Mike Prandini, Clovis city clerk.

Reaction from the 60 employees have been mixed, he said.

"We're going to be as flexible as we can to accommodate child-care arrangements," he said. "A lot of them say they want to try this at least."

Some residents of Davis, where the policy took effect Monday, grudgingly admitted that it was a good policy.

"It's really inconvenient," said Joan Hogan. "They're usually very convenient, open late. I think the energy crisis takes precedence. It's the right thing to do."

June 6, 2001

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001