In an effort to assist in combating triple-digit temperatures in Texas, Dallas-based TXU Energy recently pledged $120,000 to People Attempting to Help (PATH). As the number of Texas residents and families in need of utility assistance grows, TXU has offered continuous contributions for the past 20 years, helping organizations such as PATH ensure that low-income families can afford to use their air conditioners.

With TXU assistance, PATH has developed an Energy Aid Program specifically for the 2.1 million TXU customers in Texas. According to an article by Kelsey McKinney in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, the demand for electricity in many low-income homes means that other essentials such as food and rent are shelved in order to keep up with the hefty cost of cooling Texas residences.

"There are many people who put their lives at risk by not turning their air conditioner on because they know they cannot pay the bill," said Christina Fulsom, executive director of PATH.

With more than 50 reported deaths in 2005 due to exposure to heat, and the recent August temperature climb into triple digits, the demand for air-conditioning assistance is daunting. PATH directs as many people as possible to local, air-conditioned shelters open to the public, and every summer conducts a box-fan drive to offer some reprieve from the deadly heat. But, unfortunately the fans are only mildly effective, so the need for monetary assistance to provide viable cooling options grows each year.

Oncor, a subsidiary of TXU Corp, distributes electricity to more than 3 million homes and businesses, and according to a recent TXU press release, began preparing for summer 2007 in 2002, budgeting more than $80 million for projects.

"Oncor trains year-round for the Texas summer marathon," said Rob Trimble, president and chief operating officer, Oncor. "New, innovative technology combined with old-fashioned, ongoing maintenance keeps Oncor ready to deliver power when it's needed. Until now, rainy weather has kept temperatures below normal, but the heat and humidity expected this week will make it seem like triple digits, even if it's not."

With the preparation for summer heat being Oncor's top priority, and TXU's recent donation to PATH, Texas families can rest assured that there are actual options for keeping their homes sheltered from the deadly summer temperatures.

For more information see TXU news.

According to a recent article by Angela Ward from the Longview News-Journal, East Texans have significantly reduced the amount of energy they are using these past two summers. Scott McCloud of AEP/Southwestern Electric says that the dip in energy usage is due to unusually low temperatures in June and July of this year.

"We've only had five days in which the temperature was over 95 degrees and none when it was over 100 degree," McCloud said in the article. "That's very unusual. We also had 22 days during June and July when the temperature didn't even rise into the 90s."