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Jobs for rural Illinois

Many people don't realize it, but cooperatives are helping build more than electric lines for their communities. Here are just a few recent examples.

The Wayne-White Counties Electric Cooperative, Fairfield, received a USDA Rural Economic Development Loan that it loaned at 0 interest for ten years to Yale-South Haven, Inc. This $400,000 loan was used along with other financing to assist the Company construct an 87,000 square foot facility to make parts for the auto industry. Eighty four jobs were created or saved as a result of this project.

Wayne-White also received a $400,000 Rural Economic Development Grant which it loaned to the Fairfield Memorial Hospital to pay part of the cost of a $4.1 million expansion and improvement project. When the loan funds are received back from the Hospital, Wayne-White will use the funds to establish a low interest revolving loan program for economic development.

Paris based electric cooperative EnerStar Power Corp. received a $400,000 Rural Economic Development Grant which it loaned to the Clark Edgar Water District to pay part of the cost of water main extensions to serve rural households, farmers and businesses. Repaid funds will be used to establish a revolving loan fund.

Adams Electric Cooperative, Camp Point, received a $400,000 Rural Economic Development Grant that it will loan to assist with economic development projects at the Baldwin Field Industrial Park. $100,000 of this grant has been advanced so far.

The Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Greenville, received a $100,000 loan from USDA which it loaned at 0 percent interest to the Fayette Water Company to assist with planning and development of a much needed rural water supply and distribution system in rural Fayette County. In addition, the Cooperative received a $400,000 Rural Economic Development Grant that it loaned to the City of Troy to make sewer system extensions, which will facilitate economic development in the area.

The Wabash Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Louisville, received a $65,000 Rural Economic Development Loan that it reloaned to the North Wayne County Ambulance Service to purchase an ambulance and communications equipment.

Cutting trees near power lines

Some of the most serious accidents involving the cutting of trees occur because no attention is paid to the presence of electric power lines.

Carefully survey the vicinity before beginning any tree work. Look overhead and to all sides surrounding the cutting site. Be very sure that the tree you are going to cut will not come into contact with any power line when it falls.

Remember that wood can be a conductor of electricity. Above all, if you do cause a tree to fall into a power line or you come across a tree that has fallen into a line, do not attempt to remove the tree. Call your electric cooperative as soon as possible.

If you would like more information about electrical safety, call your local electric co-op.

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Efficient refrigerators are also the most affordable

Your refrigerator is on and using electricity all the time and the energy efficiency of refrigerators varies greatly with different models.

The good news is that the most efficient models are usually the most affordable. Why? Many of the features that add to the cost of a refrigerator also add to energy consumption — items such as through-the-door ice dispensers.

If you are in the market for a new refrigerator remember these facts:

• Side-by-side refrigerators use about 7 to 13 percent more energy than models with the freezer on top.

• Larger units use more electricity. However, a larger unit may be more efficient on the basis of kilowatt-hours (kwh) per cubic foot. What size do you need?

• It is much less expensive to buy and run one large refrigerator than two small ones.

• Newer models with automatic defrost are almost as efficient as manual defrost models (this didn't used to be the case).

• An automatic ice maker usually adds about $75 to the price tag and increases energy use by 14 to 20 percent.

• Remember to check the "Energy Guide" labels on all new refrigerators. This guide shows the amount of electricity used in kilowatt hours and the energy cost in dollars per year.

For more information about energy-efficient electric appliances, contact your local electric cooperative.

Learn the latest about electric motors

The Illinois Electric Council (IEC) is sponsoring three Electrical Wiring and Motor Workshops in early March. You will learn about: new national electric code requirements, wiring fundamentals, grounding techniques, voltage drop, stray voltage, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), lightning and surge protection, motor protection, load matching, sizing conductors for motors, new energy efficient motors, adjustable speed drives, and Y2k and standby generators.

Workshops will be held: Tuesday, March 2, 1999 at the Ramada Inn & Convention Center, Effingham; Wednesday, March 3, Crowne Plaza, Springfield; Thursday, March 4, Mark Twain Hotel, East Peoria.

To register call Paul W. Benson, University of Illinois (217) 333-9421; FAX: (217) 244-0323 or E-mail: pwbenson@uiuc.edu

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