Bush signs 'energized' Farm Bill

President Bush signed a six-year agriculture policy bill on May 13 that authorizes $405 million for new energy development and energy conservation programs in which electric co-ops can participate.

"The success of America's farmers and ranchers is essential to the success of the American economy', said President Bush.

The bill provides $23 million a year in grants for renewable energy development and energy efficiency projects. That includes assistance for farmers and ranchers to buy renewable energy systems and improve energy efficiencies, plus a program to support energy audits and renewable energy development assessments.

This is the first time an energy title has been included in the farm bill.

As part of its approach to energy improvement, the legislation also makes co-ops eligible for grants for energy audit programs to assist farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses in improving energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has estimated that energy audits could save consumers more than $12 million in annual fuel costs.

In addition, it offers:

• $5 million for education on biodiesel fuels;

• $75 million for research into new uses for agricultural commodities;

• $100 million in loan guarantees and other financial support to bring high-speed broadband service to rural communities; and

• $80 million to bring rural communities local TV programming via satellite.

"One of the most important aspects of this bill is its focus on rural development," NRECA CEO Glenn English said, noting that it fully funds water and wastewater projects and the business-industry loan program.

"Completion of the 2002 farm bill demonstrated that Congress can put aside partisan political agendas and make real progress when the rural economy is on the line," English added.

Source: Electric Co-op Today, Jerry Lipson

Consumer Reports says deregulation a disappointment

Sometimes what we think will be good for us turns out to be bad. That's the conclusion of a report by Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports, released in early June. According to the report, deregulation of different industries has not worked, resulting in few gains for consumers.

The report details failures of the deregulation for each industry — airlines, banking, cable television, telecommunications and electricity.

With regard to electricity, the report had more tentative conclusions. "It's too soon to meaningfully assess electricity deregulation because it has not honestly happened yet" since rate reductions that did happen were due to government mandates rather than the free market. What gains were made—billing rights and anti-slamming provisions—were overshadowed by little or no gains in service, safety, choice or innovation. The report found cases of electric bills more than doubling and consumers being abandoned by energy traders that pulled out of deregulated marketplaces such as Pennsylvania.

The report recommends electric-service-reliability standards and tough financial penalties for failing to maintain adequate generating-capacity margins.

According to the study, airline passengers suffered the most at the hands of deregulation because fares fell just as much before deregulation as after, and now passengers have to contend with more restricted fares, connecting flights, delays, cramped seats and limited service.

"Deregulation should never be no regulation. Free markets are ever changing, and players are always devising new mischief. Government must remain vigilant of abuses and respond swiftly," concluded the report. Source: Consumer Reports

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Drilling our way out of energy an energy shortage

You don't have to drill for oil to tap into the earth's energy. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of the earth's natural stored energy, using a closed loop of pipe buried in the ground. Geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA found that geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy consumption — and corresponding emissions — by more than 40 percent compared to air source heat pumps, and by more than 70 percent compared to electric resistance heating with standard air-conditioning equipment. Combining geothermal heat pumps with other energy-efficient measures, such as window or insulation upgrades, can increase these savings even further.

Call your local electric cooperative or geothermal heat pump dealer for more information or go to www.geoexchange.org.

Illinois 13th best state for entrepreneurship

The Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC) released its annual rankings of the states according to their respective policy climates for small business and entrepreneurship in the Small Business Survival Index 2002. Illinois ranks 13th. SBSC is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit small business advocacy group with more than 70,000 members.

Since small business is the true driving force behind economic growth, every state and local lawmaker should be concerned with the well being of small business.

Even in good times, half of all small businesses fail within four years, yet these are the very businesses we look to create three-quarters of all new jobs.

Illinois benefits from fairly low personal income and capital gains taxes, and ranks very well in terms of health care costs and the number of government bureaucrats. It also imposes no added death taxes. However, Illinois ranks poorly in terms of property taxes.

When it gets its policy mix right, a state is well positioned to compete both nationally and globally, with policies geared to help economic growth accelerate, incomes increase, and job creation improve.

Source: SBSC's Web site www.sbsc.org.

The cheapest way to save big bucks

Air leaks in your home cause uncomfortable drafts, but they also waste energy and move moist air into the walls and attic causing condensation. Sealing many of these leaks is very inexpensive and an easy do-it-yourself fall project. The return on this small investment will show up in a big way on your energy bills both in the summer and winter.

Small air leaks around doors, windows, and molding may be the most noticeable, but large unnoticed air leaks are usually the biggest energy wasters. These air bypasses allow air to travel through hidden openings in your home's attic, walls, or basement. Sealing these larger air leaks is much more important than sealing smaller leaks around windows and doors.

The most common air bypasses are around plumbing systems and chimneys. Seal smaller leaks and the edges of big patches with caulking or liquid foam.

Ask a heating contractor to seal gaps around your chimney with sheet metal and high-temperature sealant. Another tricky problem is recessed light fixtures, which are ventilated by design and cause a large amount of air leakage in many modern homes. Source: John Krigger, Saturn Resource Management, www.residential-energy.com. For more visit www.residential-energy.com.

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Illinois coal facts

We all enjoy the benefits of coal. It generates half of our electricity in Illinois and nearly all of the electricity consumed by electric co-op members. Too often we forget the heroes, the everyday heroes who mine that coal. But we were all reminded that they are heroes by the rescue of nine miners in Pennsylvania.

There are 23 mines in Illinois employing 4,500 miners. If you know one of these miners, thank him or her. Here are a few other facts about Illinois coal:

• The Illinois Basin is the largest coal deposit in the U.S. covering southern Illinois, western Kentucky and southern Indiana.

• Illinois' coal industry generates $1.5 billion in sales each year.

• One third of the Illinois mines were lost in the 1990s because of federal clear air rules.

• Illinois is still the 7th largest U.S. producer of coal.

• A typical miner earns $41,500 a year (and deserves every penny.)

• Coal lies under 65 percent of Illinois.

• Chicago is one of the few areas of the state without coal deposits.

• Illinois coal represents more energy than in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

• Illinois' access to the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers allows two thirds of the coal to be exported out of state.

Source: Illinois Department of Coal Development

Take a virtual tour of a coal mine

A new virtual coal mine tour is available on DCCA's Office of Coal Development (OCD) Web site at www.illinoiscoal.biz. The tour is a combination of video, actual underground photographs, animation and sound effects. It was developed for middle school students and interested adults to demonstrate how coal is mined and used to make electricity.

By educating today's students, DCCA is ensuring that tomorrow's adults will understand the importance of coal in the daily activities of Illinois.

Risk in farming is more than financial— it's physical

Recent health statistics show that farming is one of the most dangerous occupations. In terms of death rates among industries, the agricultural industry topped the death rates in 2000, with 22.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers, beating mining with 21.2, construction with 13.6, manufacturing with 3.3, and transportation and public utilities with 11.5.

Many injuries occur when farm tractors roll over on the operator and its passengers. Farm safety audits indicate only half of the farm tractors are equipped with lifesaving rollover protective structures (ROPs) with seat belts. Bypass starter covers, power take-offs (PTOs) master shields and slow-moving vehicle emblems are also missing.

Chemical and environmental hazards also put farmers at risk for health problems. Manure storage and silo gases can result in asphyxiation, irreversible lung damage, and lingering respiratory problems. Agricultural pesticides and anhydrous ammonia can cause serious acute or chronic health problems. Researchers have also documented an increased incidence of skin cancer among farmers.

Another environmental danger is the loud noises that farmers are often exposed to. Research shows that farmers have an increased incidence of hearing loss.

Each year a tragic number of accidents are caused by careless handling of farm equipment around electric power lines. Your electric cooperative urges you to use caution at all times when moving large equipment. Watch for overhead power lines and utility poles and avoid any contact.

Power lines may be present near equipment storage buildings, grain bins or across roads or driveways. Make sure there is ample clearance for combines, fold-up cultivators, equipment with antennas, bailers, front-end loaders, stackers, grain augers or any other piece of large equipment.

Source: National Safety Council, for more information go to www.SafeElectricity.org.

Yellowstone National Park installs fuel cell

H Power Corp., a leading fuel cell development company, has installed a 4.5-kilowatt cogeneration fuel cell system in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

The installation was made through Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative of Ashton, Idaho, a member-owner of Energy Co-Opportunity, Inc. (ECO), H Power's marketing partner. This demonstration project is part of the park's "Greening of Yellowstone" initiative, designed to reduce pollution and the impact of energy use to safeguard one of the nation's oldest and most revered national parks.

The fuel cell system is fueled by propane, and provides electricity to ticket kiosks and an office, where it powers lights, communication equipment and computers. The system's byproduct heat will be used for space heating.

"We're excited about the opportunity to work with Yellowstone and ECO to test and operate an H Power fuel cell," says Dee Reynolds, General Manager of Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative. "We'll be gaining hands-on experience that will be of great value to us when we are ready to offer the fuel cell to more of our consumers. I believe that if we can make the fuel cell work at the high altitude and in the cold weather of Yellowstone, we should be able to make it work anywhere."

Energy Co-Opportunity (ECO) provides electric cooperatives with access to distributed generation technologies, including fuel cells, gas turbines and photovoltaics. For more information go to www.e-coop.org.

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