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Tax credit for geothermal heat pumps This past April, the U.S. Senate approved its version of a comprehensive national energy plan. During initial debate on the bill, Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, a long-time supporter of geothermal heat pump technology, introduced an amendment that would include, for the first time in the federal tax code, a credit specifically for geothermal heat pumps. Although he initially proposed a tax credit of 15 percent of the cost of geothermal heat pump equipment up a maximum of $2000, the Senate Finance Committee reduced that amount due to overall budget constraints. As a compromise, the committee agreed to a $250 tax credit for geothermal heat pumps that achieve an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 21 or greater.
Illinois housing development benefits with geothermal heat pump Shamrock Villa, located in Codova, Illinois, is using geothermal heat pump technology to help keep energy costs down in its apartments, which are specifically built for affordable housing for the elderly. The first set of ten apartments was available for occupancy in July 2001, and the second phase is currently under construction. The units are all-electric and each has its own geothermal heat pump system. Electric bills average about $50 per month. The construction is being performed through an Illinois Housing Development Authority program. Conserve energy and resources by recycling Each year in Illinois, we join the nation in celebrating "America Recycles Day" on November 15. "Our goal is to instill in our young people a strong sense of environmental awareness, and the importance of recycling today to protect the earth's future," says Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) Director Pam McDonough. The average American generates nearly 1,500 pounds of trash each year, creating more than 200 million tons of waste annually in the United States. However, because more Americans are recycling, the nation's recycling rate is now more than 28 percent. This means the steel, aluminum, paper, glass, and plastic items we place at the curbside or drop-off centers are really making a difference in reducing our nation's waste. Each November 16 is America Recycles Day — a day when millions of Americans join to celebrate and make the commitment to keep recycling. Communities across the country, including our own here in Illinois, plan events to encourage residents to recycle and communicate that there's one more step we need to take - buying recycled. There are thousands of recycled-content products, everything from bicycles and appliances to laundry detergent bottles and carpeting. Recycled-content products are equal or superior in quality, and usually cost the same as products made from non-recycled materials. Buying recycled helps conserve resources, reduce waste, and creates opportunities for economic development in Illinois and across the nation. For more information go to: www.americarecvclesday.org. www.epa.gov/msw/reduce.htm, www.epa.state.il.us/kids/. www.commerce.state.il.us./www.ipcb.state.il.us. 6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.aiec.org Consumers give high marks to Touchstone Energy® co-ops Touchstone Energy Cooperatives deliver on their promise of providing quality customer service. That was confirmed when they scored head and shoulders above the nation's investor-owned utilities in the most recent report of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). In overall consistent customer satisfaction, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives received an 82 and lead the electric utility industry. Touchstone Energy's Co-ops' score is higher than the 29 largest investor-owned utilities in the country, and a full 11 points higher than the average score for utilities, which is 73. ACSI is a national system that tracks and measures consumer satisfaction and connects it to economic performance. It's managed by the University of Michigan Business School. The latest results cover the second quarter for the industry. A total of 4,632 telephone interviews were conducted in May and June among the residential customers of energy utilities representing more than 75 percent of all residential customers in the U.S. "Our scores are just extraordinary," says Jim Bausell, chief operating officer for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, based in Arlington, Va. "They reflect that we continue to be locally run and focused on our members - the customers we serve." Bausell adds that scores for other industries and companies have been reported, with FedEx being one of the few companies to match the satisfaction level of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. Touchstone Energy is a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to customers large and small. Close to 550 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 39 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to more than 16 million customers every day. Touchstone Energy cooperatives serve their members with integrity, accountability, innovation and a longstanding commitment to communities, www.touchstoneenergy.com.
Tips for a bright, safe holiday lighting season
If you're planning a holiday lighting display, Safe Electricity reminds you to avoid potential safety hazards as you place holiday lights. "Lights on a tree or other places add so much to the enjoyment of the season, but they need to be checked and used properly," says Molly Hall, director of the Safe Electricity program. Safe Electricity encourages using these tips when decorating with lights: • Use only lights that have been safety tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory (UL). • If you use a fresh tree, water it frequently and place it away from heat sources. • Before plugging in lights, check each string for broken sockets, frayed cords or faulty plugs. • Make sure extension cords are in good condition. • Keep electric cords out of high-traffic areas. Don't hide them under rugs or carpets. • Always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving your home. Read the label on both the cord and the appliances that are plugged into it to make sure the cord can handle the load. If it can't, change to a higher-rated cord or unplug some appliances. While some people may load up an extension cord to free outlet space over the holidays, remember that extension cords are meant for temporary, not permanent, use. Visit www.SafeElectricity.org to learn more. NOVEMBER 2002 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 7 The Forgotten War no longer Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library located in central Illinois
The sound of gunfire, the flash of exploding grenades and the horror of death and destruction will be forever stamped in the memories of many Korean War veterans. But the rest of America may never have known of their sacrifices and courage but for the action of a few veterans who were determined that the Korean War would not be forgotten. The Korean War took place as America was just recovering from World War II. Citizens were tired of war and many ignored the battles taking place in the tiny, mostly unknown country of Korea. Korean War veteran Ray Walker is a frequent writer of war information on the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library Web site. He says, "At the end of the war there was merely a sigh of relief in America. There were no parades, no show of national pride or support for the veterans. We just came home, and when discharged, went about building our lives." The war is still ignored by many, including its veterans and so has been dubbed "The Forgotten War." According to the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library official newsletter, The Forgotten Voices, the Korean War was the bloodiest in America's history after the Civil War, in terms of percentage of casualties. Of the men and women sent to Korea, 8.1 percent died in the 37 months of the war. That is compared to 5.7 percent in World War I, 6.7 percent in World War II and 3.1 percent in Vietnam. More than 33,000 U.S. military personnel died in the Korean War. Of those, the list of Illinois casualties reached 1,741. Today more than 4,000,000 Korean War veterans are still living. In August 1997, a small group of Korean War veterans and others met and decided that the war should no longer be overlooked, ignored or forgotten. They began the movement to build the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library in Tuscola. Sharon Corum, executive secretary at the museum, feels that this recognition of Korean War veterans is long overdue. A retired teacher, Corum says, "Our main target is research and education." A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 2000 on the 22 acres purchased on the east edge of Tuscola to house the proposed 70,000 square foot, two-story building. The museum will contain a remembrance wall, exhibits, a large research library, a war machine gallery and an 11-acre battlefield replica of the frontline. The new building is going to take a lot of work and a completion date has not been planned. Corum says more funding is needed to complete the project. The museum will be among the first of national scope devoted to one war. It will be the only national repository to house artifacts and information about the Korean War. Literature concerning the museum states that, "The museum will not glorify war. Instead, it will explain that war has often been necessary to safeguard freedom." Although the new building has not yet been built, the museum is already open to the public in an alternative building in Tuscola. The museum is currently housed at the Factory Stores of Tuscola, Suite C500 Tuscola Blvd, Tuscola, IL 61953. It is now open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (217) 253-5813 or (888) 295-7212, visit the Web site at www.theforgottenvictory.org or e-mail kwmuseum@theforgotten victory.org. 8 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.aiec.org Intriguing Colors of Fall by Anige Bates, AIEC Intern In the fall, leaves on the trees transform into a variety of beautiful colors, ranging from red, purplish-red, brown and russet to orange, bronze and golden yellow. This transformation has been regarded as a work of art since ancient times. The first document came from Greek philosopher and natural scientist, Theophrastus, who deemed the falling of leaves as phenomenal. In Indian legend, the celestial hunters killed a great bear in the autumn sky, and while its blood fell to the earth, the leaves that were touched became red. When the hunters cooked the meat, the fat would splatter out of the kettle, hence the remaining leaves became yellow and orange. In more recent tales, Jack Frost is thought to be the most popular fictional character to blame for the changing colors. Legend has it that he would sweep through the forests, grasping the leaves with his icy fingers and turn the leaves red and purple. The brown, golden, and yellow colors are mixed upon his paint palette and applied as he quietly moves through the forest to decorate. Scientists today offer a more reliable explanation as to why the leaves on the trees change colors. Tree leaves contain chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. The leaf is full of chlorophyll during the summer so that the tree may eat, capturing sunlight to make its own food, commonly known as photosynthesis. The leaves contain so much chlorophyll at this time that the green color covers the other pigments present in the leaf. Following the summer solstice, with shorter days and colder nights, the chlorophyll production slows down and progressively stops. When this occurs, we are able to see the other pigments in the leaf, known as cartenoids. This pigment can also be found in carrots and in the eyes, scales and feathers of certain animals. The orange and yellow colors are the result of the cartenoids' ability to capture light energy and transfer it to the primary chlorophyll pigment.
Anthocyanins, which give the red and purple appearance, are produced in the fall because of excess plant sugars, receiving of bright light, temperature and water supply.
The last pigments associated with leaves changing color are known as Tannins. Tannins are the same pigments that flavor and color tealeaves. They also make unripe persimmons sour to our taste buds. Another factor that determines the fate of the leaf is the geographical location, which in turn, gives scientists an accurate prediction of weather conditions and growth habits. The four places in the world known for the best vibrant fall colors are the eastern U.S., southeastern Canada, minimum mountainous locations scattered in western North America, and areas around Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. The weather conditions that are best for brilliant colors are warm sunny days ending in cool nights with a temperature below 45 degrees, but not freezing. Heavy frost and below freezing temperatures will exterminate the vibrancy of the fall color by impairing the leaves before their pigments are fully developed. When the leaves fall to the ground, they still serve a purpose. The leaf will decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients. The decomposing leaves make a rich layer to help protect the roots of other plants on the forest floor, and they absorb and retain rainwater. Mulching with chopped leaves can provide a yard or garden with root protection and nutritious soil for the spring to come. Another purpose that falling leaves can serve is making leaf prints, a great favorite for those interested in trees or a fun and easy activity for any school-age child. Directions from Thomas A. Monaghan, University of Mississippi are as follows: Simply mix oil paints to match the colors of the leaf you want to print. Apply these colors to the under side of the leaf, copying the exact colors from the brighter upper side. Work swiftly so the first colors put on will not dry before the last are applied. Then place the leaf, vein or painted side down, on a white sheet of paper cover the leaf with another sheet of paper on top. Hold the leaf very still and rub it hard with your fingers. When the upper sheet of paper and the leaf are removed, there will be a copy of the form and colors of the original leaf. Using ink instead of paint may also make black and white prints. NOVEMBER 2002 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 9 |
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Maple trees that receive a great deal of rain with a high pH may even have purplish-blue hues, and if the tree takes in a great deal of rain with a low level of pH, the leaves will be red or even pink.