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Illinois Rep. Shimkus defends co-ops U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-20, Collinsville) spoke out in defense of consumer-owned electric co-ops during a recent debate over federal deregulation legislation. Rep. Shimkus asked the other members of the U.S. House of Representative's Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Power to drop amendments that would have increased rates for electric cooperative members. For example, one proposed amendment would have raised the rates electric co-ops pay to federally-owned power marketing authorities. Another amendment attacked the tax status of not-for-profit electric co-ops and another would have limited the ability of electric cooperatives to bring new services to their communities through subsidiaries. H.R. 2944, the Electricity Competition and Reliability Act, was approved by the subcommittee in late October after more than 30 hearings. While the electric co-ops of Illinois hope that deregulation will benefit rural consumers, there are still some concerns over this national legislation. For example, the legislation limits utility merger review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It also repeals the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA). PUHCA was enacted in 1935 to stop market power abuses in the utility industry at a time when only eight holding companies controlled 67 percent of the country's power generation. Co-op leaders are concerned that a concentration of market power by large electric utilities could diminish competition. If Congress repeals PUHCA, new consumer protection measures should be enacted that allow consumers to guard against market power abuses and ensures that consumers are not denied the benefits of competition.
The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) will continue to keep the Subcommittee members aware of issues that could impact electric co-op members. The AIEC will also continue to work closely with the Illinois municipal utilities in protecting the interests of consumer-owned utilities in Illinois. U.S. Rep. Tom Bliley (R-Virginia) has indicated that the full committee will begin work immediately on the legislation and hopes to complete action on the bill by spring. WIU Peace Corps Fellows seek sponsors, returnees The Peace Corps Fellows program at Western Illinois University is looking for a few good towns — and a few good people. "We're trying to locate five new sites for January, 2000 postings," says A. Lee Eavy, interim director of the Peace Corps Fellows program, "and we're also beginning process of recruiting community sponsors for the June, 2000 class of Fellows internships." In addition to towns to provide funding in exchange for economic development help, the program is also looking for returning Illinois Peace Corps veterans to take part in the program. Interested towns and potential Fellows can contact Eavy at Stipes Hall 518, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. The phone number there is (309) 298-2237; fax is (309) 298-2142. You may also contact them through E-mail at iira@ccmail.wiu.edu, and program has a web page at the www.iira.org. 6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING DECEMBER 1999 Geothermal heat pumps hit pay dirt Geothermal heat pumps use the earth's natural energy to provide heating, cooling and hot water. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates savings of 40 percent for homes that are retrofitted with geothermal heat pumps. It's a simple idea, just take advantage of the earth's constant ground temperature of around 62 degrees. That stable year 'round temperature makes it easy for a geothermal heat pump to provide comfortable temperatures, stable humidity control, improved indoor air quality and all with a lower monthly energy bill. The Department of Energy also says that geothermal heat pumps create less overall air pollution than any other heating system. And they need less babysitting and fewer repairs. DOE's Federal Energy Management Program has made geothermal heat pumps a part of the Super Energy Savings Performance Contract program. The technology will play an important role in meeting President Clinton's Executive Order 13123 to reduce energy use and significantly increase the use of renewable energy in federal facilities. Both air-to-air heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps are taking advantage of new technology. Variable-speed compressors can adjust their output to match the heating and cooling needs. Scroll compressors reduce noise and have higher efficiency ratings at lower temperatures. Although geothermal heat pumps cost more to install because of the ground loop heat exchanger, they typically pay for themselves in seven years or less. The payback will depend somewhat on the size of your home and the size of your family. If your present air conditioning and heating system is 10 years old or older it is worth considering replacing it with a geothermal heat pump. To find out more call your local electric cooperative, geothermal heat pump dealer or check out www.geoexchange, www.waterfurnace.com, www.eren.doe.gov/ geothermal, or www.enertechinc.com.
Light your holiday safely The holidays are coming! If you enjoy decorating with electric lights, indoors or out, be sure to do it safely. Last year 1,114 people suffered injuries related to electrical holiday decorations, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here are some tips to help you avoid injury from holiday light displays: Check every electrical decoration carefully for cracked or frayed wiring and plugs, and loose connections. If a light strand is damaged, don't take chances. Use approved parts from the manufacturer to repair the strand, or replace it. When you put up lights, don't nail or staple through the electrical cords. You could crack the insulation around the wiring, which could lead to shock or electrical fire. If you're using extension cords with your outdoor decorations, make sure they are rated for outdoor use, and be sure to keep them out of water and snow. Also, check to see that your lights are labeled with a certification from a national testing laboratory or agency. Don't put electric lights on artificial trees with metallic parts. Never leave your decorations lighted while you're away from home or after you have gone to bed. Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs or fuses. As a general rule, don't string together more than three strands of mini-lights with push-in bulbs. If you're connecting strands with screw-in bulbs, the attached strands should have a total of 50 bulbs or fewer. Sources: National Electrical Safety Foundation; Toady's Homeowner
Where are they now? We are looking for Youth Tour 'alumni' Since 1957 the electric and telephone cooperatives of Illinois have sponsored groups of outstanding high school students on an annual trip to Washington, D.C. During these tours, hundreds of students have witnessed the federal government "in action" and met presidents, senators and congressmen. Illinois Country Living magazine is seeking information on past participants of these "Youth to Washington" trips for an upcoming feature in the magazine. The story will highlight some youth tour 'alumni' in a "Where are they now?" format. If you or someone you know participated in one of these tours, please send a note or card to Linda Comstock, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. In the note, please provide the name of the participant, year of the tour, participants' current address and phone number, name of sponsoring cooperative, basic family information and present occupation. DECEMBER 1999 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 7 Hamilton, Coleman honored as co-op leaders The electric cooperatives or Illinois make up a small part of the Illinois cooperative family, but their leaders are well represented when awards for excellence are handed out. This year, two representatives of Illinois electric cooperatives received "Director of the Year" and "Manager of the Year" awards from the Illinois Cooperative Council. They are Archie Hamilton of Ava and James E. "Jim" Coleman of Shelbyville. Hamilton, a 30-year member of the Board of Directors of Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA), Steeleville, was named "Director of the Year" by the organization. In addition to his duties as a director of EECA, Hamilton also serves on the board of Southern Illinois Power Cooperative in Marion. He also represents that organization on the board of directors of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, Springfield. He was instrumental in the formation of the Egyptian Water Company, an organization dedicated to providing safe, clean water to area rural residents. Coleman, who has managed Shelby Electric for 10 years, is a 20-year veteran of the rural electrification program. He began his career at Clay Electric Cooperative in Flora, and rose rapidly through a series of more responsible jobs until being tapped for the managership of Shelby Electric some 10 years ago. During his tenure as Shelby CEO, Coleman has been innovative in advancing the co-op, and has led it into a wide range of non-electric services and products for members and non members alike. Residents in the rural areas around Shelbyville now have access to propane, satellite television, radio communications, and cellular service due, to a large degree, to Coleman's progressive leadership. In the interest of promoting rural betterment, Coleman was also involved in the organization and development of Lincoln Prairie Water Co. He also holds several offices in related organizations. It is thanks to leaders like Hamilton and Coleman that the electric co-ops take home a hefty share of honors when leaders are singled out for recognition. Drug dealers have country cousins It's increasingly obvious that rural areas are not immune to drug problems. For example, meth labs are often found in rural Illinois. A common ingredient used in making methamphetamine is readily available from many farms and cooperatives and can easily be stolen or illegally purchased. The ingredient is anhydrous ammonia, commonly used as fertilizer. It is also used to produce a highly potent form of speed in one-third the normal time. Rural areas also give the meth labs better places to hide. Meth has surpassed cocaine and heroin as the drug of choice because of its long lasting high. Anhydrous ammonia bandits typically transfer their booty from on-farm tanks or farm supply company tanks into 20-pound propane tanks like those used for backyard barbecue grills. Awareness is one of the best, and at this point perhaps the only, means of prevention. GROWMARK, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington and Fruit Belt FS, Inc. in Vienna worked with local and federal law enforcement personnel to combat the problem. Video surveillance was added. Since the stakeouts began, the vandalism and thefts have stopped.
Buying an appliance — check out the Web Too many major appliance purchases are made without considering the energy-efficiency. Many times paying a little more upfront for an energy efficient model will pay off in lower utility bills for years to come. It's a good investment. To find out more about energy efficient appliance the Internet provides many resources. For example the Department of Energy (DOE) has a helpful Website at www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/consumer_information/. DOE'S Appliance Standards Program and the economic and environmental benefits of choosing and using efficient appliances are explained. The yellow EnergyGuide label is explained and a straightforward design makes for easy navigation. Also included at the site is information about typical efficiency and the savings possible under the latest DOE appliance standards, tips for buying, and tips for lowering energy usage suggests practical ways to enhance energy savings during everyday use and maintenance The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the DOE maintain a joint Energy Star Web site at www.energystar.gov. It is easy to move through and provides a great detail of information about specific products and energy use. You can search each product by brand, type, or size, or do a search by model number.
Trade associations and some major manufacturers also have helpful websites. Check out the following sites:
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