Call back just before Memorial Day for more details. Anxious residents, business owners and local governments are not waiting that long. For example, Fresno resident Mary Contreras is hauling her family's wash to a coin-operated laundry rather than use her own electric washer and dryer. Her washer and dryer are used almost daily when she's not going to the coin-operated laundry, she says. After washing clothes at the laundry, she dries them on a clothesline at home.
Every little bit helps.
Contreras, who has three children at home, wants to save energy by barbecuing meals. Everything is going to be real bad this summer if something isn't done to stop this. Indeed, for the elderly on fixed incomes, it may be a cruel summer. She has already had difficulties paying in the past. It doesn't leave her much money for food and other necessities, she says.