At a Crossroads

Curtis Condon

Residents of Deadwood, Oregon, gather outside their post office to rally in support of it. They cluster in tight knots of humanity not only to brace against the weather, but also as a show of solidarity.

They are joined by people from nearby Swisshome, Yachats and other far-flung towns who believe in their cause. Many of them face the same uncertain future.

Temperatures are frigid and an occasional drizzle wets the crowd, but the fire inside of them makes them oblivious to the cold. Some carry signs, others chant, but everyone signs the petition to save the post office.

That event took place last December. However, the fervor with which supporters continue the fight has not waned.

Deadwood normally is a quiet, unincorporated town in the foothills of Oregon’s Coast Range. Like most small towns, the post office is the de facto hub of activity and community identity.

Unfortunately, Deadwood—and thousands of other communities across the country—is in danger of losing its post office, as the U.S. Postal Service grapples with a multibillion-dollar funding crisis that has festered for years.

More than 3,600 underutilized, underperforming or redundant post offices are on a list of facilities being studied for possible closure as a cost-saving measure. The doors of those post offices could be locked forever, beginning as early as this month.

Collateral Damage

If the Deadwood Post Office closes, it likely will be consolidated with the Mapleton Post Office 14 miles away. That means a 28-mile round trip for Deadwood residents, or an even longer drive for those living outside of town.

Michelle Holman believes closing the Deadwood Post Office will hurt more than just individual families. She is a board member for the Mapleton School District. Her concern is about the impact the closure will have on communications with parents.

“We use the post office for many things involving the school district, including posting meeting agendas, lunch calendars and menus,” she says.

Budget tightening already has forced the district to eliminate its school newsletter, which Michelle describes as “a great conduit” for getting information to area parents.

“We are already dealing with a loss of communication, and losing a meeting place like the post office would make things even more difficult,” she says.

Some of the post offices slated for closure will be consolidated with nearby offices. Others will be supplanted by “village” post offices operated by existing businesses in the communities.

The closures and service changes will affect millions of Americans. The trade-off is significant cost savings, counters the Postal Service. It estimates the plan will save the agency $1 billion annually. Yet that figure represents only a fraction of the savings needed to staunch the flow of red ink.

From the Frying Pan Into the Fire

The Postal Service lost $5.1 billion in 2011. It marked the fifth straight year of losses.

The agency’s financial situation shows no sign of improving. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 alone, the loss was $3.3 billion. Despite ongoing cuts, retirements and other cost-saving measures, plummeting mail volume and rising gas prices—among other factors—have the agency on track to lose even more money this year than in 2011.

The Postal Service’s fiscal problems are compounded by the fact it is not a typical government agency. It hasn’t been since the Postal Reorganization Act was signed by President Richard Nixon in 1970. It has operated as an independent agency the past 42 years, with oversight from the U.S. Congress.

“Contrary to the understanding of most Americans, the Postal Service is not supported—at all—through taxpayer dollars,” said U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, addressing the National Press Club last November. “We generate all of our revenues from the sale of postage, products and services. Unfortunately, while we have a mandate to operate like a business, the reality is that we do not have the flexibility under current law to function as a business.”

The Postal Service calculates that roughly 80 percent of its more than 32,000 post offices operate at a loss.

“We have thousands of post offices that bring in less than $20,000 in revenue in a year, but cost more than $60,000 to operate,” Donahoe said, adding that no business would or could allow those kinds of losses to continue.

Dollars and Sense

Opponents of the closure plan dispute it will save $1 billion, or even that the Postal Service should be run like a normal business, given its mission and universal service mandate. Most of them assert closing post offices is about more than just money.

“Many vulnerable populations depend on the local post office,” says Steve Hutkins, founder of the Save the Post Office website. He is a literature professor who teaches place studies at the Gallatin School of New York University.

The Internet has long been blamed for the Postal Service’s troubles, at least in terms of the continuing decline in first-class mail volume. However, Steve points out that not everyone has access to the benefits of the Internet.

“People on the other side of the digital divide depend on the post office as a primary means of communications,” he says, adding seniors, rural residents, small businesses and the poor are most vulnerable to the closures.

“But perhaps more than anything else, each post office is part of a vast infrastructure,” he says. “That infrastructure helped build the country, and even though we’re using the Internet and email more and more, that infrastructure continues to bind the country together.”

Steve is not alone in his views or his determination to stop the closures. Hundreds of other blogs, websites and online movements have brought attention to the situation.

Customers across the country threatened with the loss of their post offices also have become involved. Grassroots efforts of every kind have been under way since the list went public last summer. They have held rallies at local post offices, vocalized their opposition at public meetings and pressured their congressional delegations. As a result, a few post offices have been removed from the list; most have not.

Steve credits the magnitude of the effort to the fact the post office is at the center of American life, and it is “a key part of the identity of the town.”

“Many people feel like their town was born when it got a post office, and they fear that losing the post office will make the death of the place,” Steve says.

Retired school teacher and Deadwood resident Les Benscoter is one of them. He helped organize the December 2011 rally outside of the Deadwood Post Office. It was part of a statewide effort carried out at 23 Oregon post offices as a way for people to show their support.

Les lives right down the road from the Deadwood Post Office. He worries about what life in the community will be like if it is closed.

“It’s not just about me,” Les explains, regarding the effort to stop the closures. “It’s about the community and the future of Deadwood.”

Freelance journalist Kalie Eyman contributed to this article. For a list of the proposed closures and more information, visit www.usps.com or www.savethepostoffice.com.

Be Safe, Not Sorry

By Hailey Hawkins

The use of electricity continues to grow. At the same time, many electrical systems are more than 20 years old, often presenting wiring hazards that are both a major cause of electrocutions and home fires, killing hundreds and injuring thousands of people each year.

Misuse of surge suppressors, power strips and extension cords also threatens users with electrocution or fire. Contact with power lines and major appliances contribute to hundreds more deaths annually, both at home and in the workplace.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International says although the possible causes of electric disasters are numerous, more tools and better technology can make our reliance on electrical power less hazardous. Investing in ground fault circuit interrupters, arc fault circuit interrupters, circuit testers and, where necessary, personal protective equipment can significantly reduce risk.

In the end, it is your awareness and knowledge of potential hazards at home, work and outdoors that can make the biggest difference in staying safe while using the great benefits electricity offers.

Ten Tips to Avoid Indoor Hazards

Potential electrical hazards lurk all around your house. Pay attention to these:

Never overload sockets. Try to use just one plug in each socket. The more cords you plug into an outlet or extension cord, the greater the chance for damage to the house electrical system or for a fire to start.

Make sure all electric cords are tucked away. Pets can chew on the cords and people can trip on one.

Never allow electric wires or cables to trail over kitchen appliances such as toasters or stove tops.

Always avoid mixing liquids and electricity. They should be kept as far apart as possible. Touch your appliances with dry hands only. Do not put water or other liquids on top of appliances.

Avoid taking major electrical appliances into a bathroom. Always check for wire coding on appliances such as hair dryers or radios that are used in bathrooms.

Make sure your children do not walk into the house directly from the rain or your swimming pool. Your home is full of electrical sources and can pose a threat to their safety. Get them to dry off completely as soon as they enter the house.

Don’t yank an electrical cord from the wall. Pulling on a cord can damage the appliance, the plug or the outlet.

Periodically check the condition of plugs and sockets in your home. Pay attention to any burned or frayed wires on appliances. Have a professional electrician fix such problems.

Make it a habit to turn off electric games and appliances when they are not in use.

Never throw water on an electrical fire. Water conducts electricity, so throwing water on the fire can cause it to get larger. Instead, use a chemical fire extinguisher.

Ten Tips to Avoid Outdoor Hazards

Common pitfalls to watch for when working or playing outdoors:

Never use electrical equipment or tools near a pool or other wet areas.

Always look up and beware of overhead power lines when carrying or setting up a ladder or using a long-handled tool. Assume all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume a wire is safe to touch, even if it is down or appears to be insulated.

Fly kites and model airplanes in open areas well away from trees and power lines. Never use metallic material in your kite.

Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers for frayed power cords and cracked or broken housings. If the product is damaged, stop using it and have it repaired. All tools should be unplugged when not in use and stored in dry areas.

Before trimming or pruning trees or tall shrubbery, look for overhead power lines that may be hidden in the foliage.

Never use electric-powered lawn mowers on wet grass. Use an extension cord designed for outdoor use and rated for the power needs of your mower.

Use appliances and electrical equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not use extension cords wrapped in electrical tape or with loose ends. Replace severely damaged cords.

Be certain you use products and equipment approved by independent testers such as Underwriters Laboratories.

Children should never climb the fence around a substation. If a toy or pet gets inside the fence, call the electric utility. They will retrieve it for you. n

Clean AC Coils Lead to Higher Efficiency

James Dulley

Q: I want my old air conditioner to run as efficiently as possible. If my cooling costs are still too high, I may replace it. What can I do to tune it up myself?

A: It is wise to make sure your existing central air conditioner runs as efficiently as possible to reduce your electric bills. Because actual cooling costs depend on weather conditions, they vary significantly, making accurate comparisons difficult.

The easiest way to determine the savings from installing a new air conditioner is to compare the seasonal energy efficiency ratio of your existing model to that of a new model. You can be pretty sure your existing unit is not operating more efficiently than when it was new, so savings will be on the conservative side.

Installing a more efficient model offers additional savings. Electric utilities must provide enough electricity generation capacity to meet peak demand. If peak electricity demand can be decreased by homes running newer, higher-efficiency air conditioners, fewer power plants will have to be built. The enormous cost of building a power plant is a factor in rates.

You can do some things yourself to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. This does not preclude having regular professional service calls. Technicians have special equipment and pressure gauges to check internal components of the system, which is impossible for homeowners to do on their own.

It helps to understand how an air conditioner works. It operates on a delicate balance of air flow rates over the indoor and outdoor coils and proper pressures of the refrigerant. The compressor makes the refrigerant very hot. The hot liquid is hotter than the outdoor air, so it loses heat to the air through the condenser coils.

The cooler refrigerant then goes through an evaporator, which makes it very cold. This is similar to how your skin cools off when perspiration evaporates. The cold refrigerant flows through the indoor coil. The blower moves indoor air over the cold coils, which cools your house air. At the same time, water condenses on the cold coils so the indoor air is both cooled and dehumidified.

Getting adequate air flow through the outdoor condenser coils is important for efficiency so refrigerant will be colder when it gets indoors. Make sure weeds and shrubs do not grow too close to the outdoor unit and impede air flow. Don’t rest rakes or other items against the unit, which also may block air flow.

Switch off the circuit breaker to the unit and remove the outdoor cabinet. Clean out debris that has accumulated inside it, which may block the coils. You don’t have to make it spotless. If fins are bent over in spots, try to straighten them enough so more air gets through.

It is important that all of the screws holding the cabinet sections together are tight when you reinstall the cabinet. Even if it is clean, and you do not remove the cabinet, check all of the screws. If they are loose, leaks will draw air in gaps instead of through the coils as designed.

Just as the proper amount of air flow is important through the outdoor coils, it is also important through the indoor coils. With the circuit breaker still switched off, remove the side cover on the indoor unit to expose the evaporator coils and the blower. When you reinstall the cover, make sure to tighten the screws.

A lot of dirt can accumulate on the indoor coils because the coils get damp when the air conditioner is running and dirt sticks to them. The dirt blocks air flow and insulates the coils from the air. Wipe the coils and use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to clean them and the blower as well as possible.

Although you often hear the blower filter should be changed regularly, most people don’t do it. At the beginning of the cooling season, change the filter whether you think it is dirty or not. A dirty filter increases air flow resistance, which reduces efficiency. Check the joints in the ducts for any air leaks. Seal them with aluminum tape or black Gorilla duct tape.

Lobbying for Your Interests

By Jennifer Brown

Lobbyists. This single word can evoke black-and-white images of shifty-eyed businessmen in suits, making shady deals in exchange for their own personal gain.

But lobbying—the process of meeting with legislators to inform them about positions on important issues—is not only a sophisticated process, it benefits members of electric cooperatives.

“My job is to stay in touch with state and federal legislators, meeting them and telling our story,” says Ted Case, executive director of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “Rural electric cooperative members can take comfort that each year leaders from local co-ops visit with legislators, advocating on their behalf.

“It’s not glamorous work, but it pays dividends for cooperative members in the form of lower electricity bills and reliable service,” he says.

Legislative Conference

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization for more than 900 not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives and public power districts. Every May, NRECA welcomes co-op grassroots advocates to Washington, D.C., for the annual Legislative Conference.

The electric cooperative advocates come from across the United States to spend time on Capitol Hill talking to their congressional delegations and congressional staff about legislative issues that affect co-ops and their member-owners.

The focus of this year’s event, which was April 29 through May 1, was on increasing electric cooperatives’ grassroots strength to prepare for legislative battles in 2013 and beyond.

Among other agenda items, attendees heard perspectives from former members of Congress; discussed effective grassroots advocacy strategies with Congress; and heard preliminary results of an audit of electric co-op grassroots programs.

Defining Grassroots

For electric co-ops, “grassroots” starts with the activists who participate in the political process to protect their co-op from harmful legislation and regulation, and promote the value of co-op ownership to their legislators. These activists include directors, managers, employees and member-owners.

Grassroots involvement also can mean communicating with local, state and federal legislators on issues affecting electric cooperatives. It can mean efforts by co-op supporters through the Action Committee for Rural Electrification to help candidates committed to protecting electric cooperatives and the mission of co-ops.

Historically, electric cooperative board members and employees lobby to keep power affordable and reliable, and maintain local control.

These leaders not only are well-versed on the issues, but are guided by doing what is right for co-op members rather than by profit.

The Issues by State

Following are some of the issues that are top priorities in states in Ruralite country.

Alaska: The Alaska electric utility industry is focused on the need for funding mechanisms for power projects and utility infrastructure; the need for a Cook Inlet gas management plan; and continued funding of a grant program for renewable energy projects.

“There is also a focus on continued funding for the Power Cost Equalization program that provides economic assistance to customers in rural Alaska, where the kilowatt-hour charge for electricity can be three to five times higher than the charge in more urban areas of the state,” says Crystal Enkvist, director of member and public relations at Alaska Power Association.

Arizona: Maintaining the $6.1 billion funding for electric loan programs is an important topic in Arizona, says Tom Jones, chief executive officer of Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association.

Other hot topics include regulatory issues as they relate to the Environmental Protection Agency’s clean water and clean air rules; the endangered species act as it relates to rights of way; and pension reform.

California: A greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program—a central element of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32)—is critical in California, says Jessica Nelson, general manager of Golden State Power Cooperative. The program covers major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, such as refineries, power plants, industrial facilities and transportation fuels. The regulation includes an enforceable GHG cap that will decline over time. The Air Resources Board will distribute allowances—which are tradable permits—equal to the emission allowed under the cap.

Idaho: Transmission, siting, tax incentives for energy production, ownership of renewable energy credits, use of road rights of way and eminent domain issues are among the issues important in Idaho, says Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Executive Director Will Hart.

ICUA represents 23 rural electric cooperatives and municipal power companies in Idaho.

“Ninety-six percent of the power we purchase for our members we buy from the Bonneville Power Administration, so we are always very involved with decisions that may affect BPA negatively or actions from BPA that affect our customers,” says Hart.

Nevada: Co-op customers in Nevada continue to seek a common goal: reliable, affordable electric service.

“The utilities work at trying to deal with the big energy issues of the day, like renewable portfolio standards and other mandates, hoping to achieve a balance of what society has identified as important and meeting the goals of reliability and affordability for our members,” says Clay Fitch, Wells Rural Electric manager.

Oregon: As in years past, BPA—which sells clean, renewable electricity to cooperatives from dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers—and its rates remain of top interest to co-op members in Oregon, Case says.

Washington: Maintaining operational control at the local level is a priority in Washington, says Kent Lopez, general manager of the Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

“We work very hard to minimize mandates from the legislature,” says Kent. “We emphasize that one size doesn’t fit all.”

There are more than 60 utility companies in the state, ranging from 500-member co-ops to million-customer businesses.

“One idea might work well for a larger utility, but a new mandate can be daunting for a smaller co-op,” Lopez says.

The Bottom Line

The goal of electric co-op lobbyists is to keep electric rates affordable, power supply reliable and government interference at a minimum.

State government regulates the big utilities to protect the interest of consumers. That kind of regulation is not necessary for member-owned utilities, Lopez says.

“Customers are already doing that,” he says. “They’re running them the way they see best.”

Do-It-Yourself Outdoor Lighting

James Dulley

Q: I need efficient outdoor lighting by my deck and landscaping. Are low-voltage lights efficient, and what types are best?

A: The big advantage of low-voltage lighting is you can install it yourself. There is a huge variety of styles and accessories available at nearly every home center and hardware store.

Another advantage is safety using metal garden tools. Many gardeners accidentally cut through wire insulation while working. Because the wires on the ground carry only 12 volts, you will not be shocked if you nick one.

The energy efficiency of low-voltage lighting is similar to standard 120-volt outdoor lighting. Slightly more electricity may be used, but it is not a significant difference. If you want to brightly light a large area, line-voltage lighting fixtures, such as low-pressure sodium, are the most efficient.

The most efficient low-voltage landscaping lighting uses LEDs instead of standard incandescent bulbs.

LEDs are still considerably more expensive than other lighting alternatives, but they use less than one-fifth as much electricity as equivalent incandescent bulbs and last at least 10 times longer. LED light is more directional, so multiple LEDs are often used inside one fixture for broader lighting and brightness.

Each LED fixture may use as little as 1 watt of electricity compared with about 11 watts from a typical snap-in wedge-base low-voltage bulb. Some brighter fixtures, such as bollards, use a 2-watt LED, and floodlights use three LEDs.

The most difficult part of installing a low-voltage lighting system is making sure the total wattage of all of the fixtures on a line does not exceed the rated output of the transformer. The maximum 12-volt output wattage will be listed on the transformer. Instructions for the fixtures should list individual wattages.

If you buy a prepackaged low-voltage lighting kit, it will include the proper size transformer for the number and types of lights. If you add more or assemble your own lighting kit, do not exceed the transformer’s output maximum or ever go above 300 watts. If a lighting layout requires more than 300 watts, do not connect two transformers together. Set up two separate wiring layouts to stay below 300 watts on each.

When buying a low-voltage system, select a transformer with a built-in mechanical or electronic timer or photo-eye control. These are common in many kits and easy to find.

With a timer, there is no chance of leaving the lights on all night and wasting electricity.

For general lighting where the fixture is not noticeable, inexpensive plastic fixtures are fine. For more exposed areas, decorative metal fixtures with stained and etched glass are attractive.

The following companies offer low-voltage lights:

Argee Corp.

(800) 449-3030

www.argeecorp.com/

Idaho Wood

(800) 635-1100

www.idahowood.com

Kichler Lighting

(866) 558-5706

www.kichlerlighting.com

Malibu

(888) 295-7348

www.malibulights.com

Nightscaping

(800) 544-4840

www.nightscaping.com

Troy Landscape Lighting

(800) 677-6811

www.troylandscapelighting.com

Power Supply Puzzle

Mike Federman

In the old days—pre-October 2011—public utilities in the Northwest bought most or all of their wholesale electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration. There were fluctuations in products based on a utility’s specific needs, but for most consumers, the federal hydro system was a reliable source of low-cost power.

The good news is the hydro system is still a reliable source of low-cost power. The bad news is the hydro system has reached capacity, which means utilities experiencing population or economic growth in their service territories will have to expand their baseload needs with energy generated from somewhere other than Northwest dams.

The options are to buy market power at higher rates than federal hydropower or build utility-owned generating facilities. A few years ago, it looked as though utilities would be racing to find new resources, but then a national recession intervened.

“We thought initially BPA wouldn’t have enough power to cover the load, but as the economy went down over the past two or three years, there was not the kind of demand for load increase we expected,” says John Saven, CEO of Northwest Requirements Utilities, an association of 50 consumer-owned utilities that rely on BPA as their primary or exclusive source of power. “We will have to see how the economy turns around before we know how utilities will be affected.”

Some NRU members do not have the luxury of a grace period. They agreed to a three-year power contract with Shell Energy that took effect in October. Shell’s obligation is to acquire power and deliver it to a point of receipt in the BPA transmission area. From there, appropriate loads are transferred and credited to NRU members who need them.

“This is for utilities with an above high water mark type load,” Saven says. “It is a market purchase agreement. They (Shell) are in this to make money just like anyone else.”

NRU has 22 members who have agreed to meet at least half of their load growth needs from nonfederal sources. Northwest Energy Supply Cooperative is made up of 11 electric cooperatives. Northwest Intergovernmental Energy Supply is made up of 11 municipalities and public utility districts.

The strategy of these coalitions is to serve the initial modest load obligation with market purchases, but consider other options beginning in fiscal year 2014, Saven says.

“Utilities have a longer-term view of resource commitments that could lead to ownership or the right to control the resources they use,” he says. “Right now they are renters, not owners.”

Market prices are favorable today, especially for natural gas, where supply is greater than demand. Market power also consists of a “fairly large component” of nonfederal hydropower from the hydroelectric system in British Columbia, Saven says.

Generation resources that have low or no carbon emissions are important to utilities in states where renewable portfolio standards require a percentage of electricity comes from green power.

“These utilities have to go out and get a resource that would be more expensive than just going out and buying the cheapest thing they can find,” Saven says. “There are some utilities that prefer cleaner sources of energy.”

A New Business Model

BPA is still the largest wholesale power supplier in the Northwest. The majority of its customers have retained the agency as their power broker for all of their load growth needs. Many of those utilities have yet to surpass their high water mark and still serve their consumers with power from only traditional BPA resources.

BPA did a market forecast through 2015, but has not gone through a rate case for the 2014-2015 period, says BPA spokesman Mike Hansen.

“We have to play in the same market as every-one else,” he says. “We need a long lead time to observe the market and make augmentation to the transmission system to serve additional load. We are looking three years in advance for long-term contracts.”

Hansen stresses that by establishing a two-tier rate structure and not melding federal resources with higher-priced market purchases, BPA preserves the low-cost power of the hydro system for its preference customers.

Today, the cost of Tier 1 hydropower is about 1.6 cents per kilowatt-hour lower than Tier 2 market power purchased through BPA. That difference will increase to nearly 1.9 cents in 2013.

“This sends a signal to the Northwest that we will need more resources to meet future energy needs, and we will have to do something about getting those facilities built,” Hansen says.

Another message to take away from this new era of wholesale market power is the less you use, the more you save.

“There is an incentive for utilities to engage in conservation and energy efficiency because it delays when they have to purchase Tier 2 power or how much they have to buy,” Hansen says. “If utilities have to go to the market, either by themselves or through BPA, their costs will likely be higher.”

Attention-Grabbing Gadgets

Mike Teegarden

If you spend too much time on your couch surfing the net or watching TV, you might not be aware of some of the latest in technology that automates tasks around your home, which, well, might help you spend more time relaxing on your couch.

From keeping your home comfortable and cooking quick meals to harnessing the power of the sun and fostering the next crop of inventors, this list offers a variety of ways to use the latest technology.

Nest
Thermostats rarely rate as gotta-have gizmos, but Nest is different. Invented by a former Apple designer after being frustrated by programming his own thermostat, Nest is the first device that learns your schedule and creates a program based on what it learns. After a week of learning, Nest is ready to take over, and offers ways to help you cut your energy bill.

The sleek design and simple controls give the device a futuristic look compared with other thermostats on the market.

An outer dial ring sets the temperature. The thermostat displays blue for cooling and orange for heating. It also displays how long it will take to reach the set temperature.

Sensors built into the thermostat can determine room activity, relative humidity and light levels. The Auto-Away feature uses this information to sense when the home is unoccupied. Nest’s built-in Wi-Fi allows control of the home HVAC system through a computer or smartphone app.

Returning home from a trip? Turn on the heat or air conditioning from the airport so your home is comfy when you get there.

Easy to install, Nest requires connecting four wires.

$249, additional thermostats $25 each at http://www.nest.com.

Egg-and-Muffin Two-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher
If you like fast food breakfasts, but hate to hit the drive-through in the morning, this might be your new best friend. In four minutes, the Back-to-Basics egg and muffin toaster can toast two muffins, poach or steam-scramble two eggs and heat a slice of meat.

But wait, there’s more. It also can boil up to four eggs at once. Adjusting the amount of water controls how hard the yoke is cooked.

$33 at Amazon.com.

Stop Vampire Leaks
The Belkin Conserve Socket uses a simple three-setting timer to shut off power to any device plugged in to it. It is simple in looks and operation. Timer settings include six hours, three hours and a half hour. Plug it in and set the timer on the side. It is perfect for managing charging devices, where you don’t want to leave it going once the device is charged.

$9.99 at Amazon.com.

Fizz, Bubble & Flash!
We wouldn’t have some of the cool gadgets on this page without inventors. Help channel the inner inventor in your son or daughter with "Fizz, Bubble & Flash!: Element Explorations & Atom Adventures for Hands-On Science Fun!"

Discover what you have in common with party balloons, footballs, computer chips, pizza dough, table salt and TV screens; "Break" a water molecule; produce fluorescent light (without using a switch!); enjoy a half-life snack; compare antiperspirants; separate the iron from your breakfast cereal; find out why broccoli smells, and soda makes a coin shine; and discover the secret of static cling and what makes a smoke detector work.

$12.95 at Amazon.com.

Nourishing Noshes

By Mike Teegarden

Snacking is something just about everyone indulges in. Whether it is to calm cravings between meals or for a quick boost of afternoon energy, it is easy to reach for whatever is handy. That can lead to some less than ideal choices, but it doesn’t have to be that way with this assortment of snack recipes.

In-Home IQ Expands

By Megan McKoy-Noe

Does your refrigerator have Wi-Fi or a door with a view? Select dishwashers self-dispense detergent and clean based on the number of dishes. And you might be surprised to learn some ovens double as refrigerators. Leave dinner in the oven in the morning, then send a text message for the oven to switch from cooling to cooking mode.

“When it comes to appliances in the kitchen, things are getting smarter,” says Kevin Dexter, senior vice president of home appliance sales and marketing at Samsung Electronics America. “We’re listening closely to consumers and adding improvements that busy moms want.”

During the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, Samsung unveiled several appliance twists, including an LCD refrigerator featuring Wi-Fi with a grocery app and a Flex Duo Oven using a “smart divider” to cut wasted cooking space.

Samsung isn’t alone. Other manufacturers also are looking for twists to make appliances smarter and keep consumers happy.

“At GE Appliances, we’re rapidly expanding our Energy Star offerings because it’s what consumers demand and it’s the right thing to do,” says Rod Barry, director of efficiency and environmental relations. He claims a kitchen equipped with GE’s ecomagination appliances reduces electricity use by 20 percent compared to standard models.

But with so many cooks in the kitchen, not all innovations make energy sense. Appliances use 13 percent of a home’s energy—a hefty chunk. Public electric utilities are evaluating emerging technologies to find the recipe for innovative appliance success.

Manufacturers constantly enhance appliances to comply with consumer requests and to meet ever-evolving federal efficiency standards. These standards, first enacted in 1987, drive efficiency innovations and are credited with saving more than $300 billion in electric bills during the past quarter-century, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

Current standards set the bar for furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, motors, lamps and other products. In 2011, a U.S. Senate committee considered tightening appliance standards even more, but the bill has not moved forward for a vote.

After an influx of appliance rebate funds—almost $300 million—from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, many consumers bought efficient appliances in 2010 and 2011. Although rebates also were offered for HVAC systems and water heaters, kitchen and laundry workhorses were the clear favorites, garnering 88 percent of all redeemed rebates. About 586,000 consumers added refrigerators, 551,000 added clothes washers and 297,600 dishwashers were updated.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates this influx of efficient appliances will save $48 million in energy costs annually. But these savings are only realized when consumers follow the adage, “Out with the old, in with the new.”

Unfortunately, a national electric cooperative survey shows that is not always the case.

“A lot of folks buy these great new Energy Star refrigerators, then put the old energy hog model in the basement as a soda fridge for the kids,” says Brian Sloboda, a program manager for the Cooperative Research Network, a division of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association that monitors, evaluates and applies technologies to help electric cooperatives control costs, increase productivity and enhance service to their members. “As a result, a lot of potential savings are lost. Sure, it’s convenient to have the extra space, but these folks are paying significantly more just to have cold drinks handy.”

CRN partnered with E-Source, a Colorado-based efficiency group, to conduct a national survey of appliances. The study found 19 percent of American homes plug in two refrigerators, and 40 percent of households run a stand-alone freezer, adding expensive cold storage to electric bills.

Older models drain energy dollars. A refrigerator from the 1970s costs $200 more to operate every year than a current model. A 1980s fridge is not much better, wasting $100 in energy dollars annually.

Consumers should look beyond fancy bells and whistles and research appliances to guarantee energy savings, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The agency enforces mandatory EnergyGuide labels to help consumers compare brands and shop effectively.

“Most of the differences are on the inside—in the motors, compressors, pumps, valves, gaskets and seals, or in electronic sensors that make appliances ‘smarter,’” warns the FTC. “Even if two models look the same from the outside, less-obvious inside features can mean a big difference in monthly utility bills.”

Appliance Aid

Most states have exhausted their allocated appliance rebate funds. As of January 30, 2012, Alaska, Oregon and California still had federally approved appliance rebate programs. Some states and local utilities provide rebates and appliance loans. Check http://www.dsireusa.org for local incentives or contact your local electric utility to see if appliance aid is available.

Megan McKoy-Noe writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

The Rising Cost of Power

By Megan McKoy-Noe

Thirty-five years ago, disco was king, personal computers were born and Americans needed more electricity.

To meet this demand, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric utilities—in partnership with their wholesale power suppliers—built or invested in power plants, mostly coal or nuclear.

Unfortunately, many of these plants may be forced to make expensive changes to meet increasing environmental regulations—and as electric demand climbs again, new generation will be needed to keep the lights on.

Some coal-fired power plants may require modifications so severe it will be more cost effective to shut them down.

Accelerating Factors

Adding more plugged-in devices daily, consumers already are paying more for electricity. The average annual residential electric bill has risen $263.40 since 2005, with electricity use outpacing efficiency efforts.

Despite the recession, the average U.S. home used an additional 50 kilowatt-hours every month between 2009 and 2010; retail electricity sales rose 4.4 percent.

Americans are not the only people using more power. As worldwide energy use grows, resource competition—and prices—shoot up.

By 2035, global energy consumption, primarily in China and India, will jump 53 percent from 2008 levels.

Despite increasing energy needs, 37,600 megawatts of older coal-fired power plants are slated for retirement by 2018. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)—the organization charged with overseeing reliability of the electric grid covering the United States, most of Canada and the Mexican state of Baja California Norte—predicts a worst-case scenario of environmental regulations could force coal plants generating up to 54,000 MW of additional power to shut their doors by 2018.

New power plants could offset this loss, with natural gas taking center stage. The National Energy Technology Laboratory—a branch of the U.S. Department of Energy focused on advancing national, economic and energy security—predicts 20,000 MW of natural gas facilities will start operating this year, with another 28,000 MW proposed for 2013. A strong breeze from wind project proposals may add 42,000 MW this year and 28,000 MW in 2013—but only if federal production tax credits continue.

Shifting Fuel Focus

While about half of the nation’s electricity comes from burning coal, co-ops outside the Northwest rely more heavily on it—about 80 percent. Why the difference? Most co-op coal power plants were built between 1975 and 1986, when using natural gas was prohibited by the federal Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act.

Now, a series of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations impacting cooling water intake structures, coal ash disposal, interstate transport of air pollutants and hazardous air pollutants such as mercury are affecting all electric utilities.

In most cases, co-ops will need to retrofit coal-fired plants with costly pollution control equipment; in others, co-ops could opt for early plant retirements.

"Time is tight," says Kirk Johnson, senior vice president of government relations for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the service organization for the nation’s 900-plus electric cooperatives. "Improvements take time and new technologies have to be tested before going mainstream.

"We’re deeply concerned that EPA’s strategy to require significant change within very compressed timelines may be unachievable and could damage the economy of rural America and affect service reliability."

Seeing the handwriting on the wall, co-ops have taken action. During the last decade, power supply co-ops have invested $3.4 billion to boost plant performance and limit emissions. In fact, since 1990, power plant emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides—compounds formed by burning fossil fuels—dropped at least 67 percent nationally, even as electricity use climbed 38 percent.

The large-scale expenditure is not finished. Another $4 billion has been slated for upgrades through 2021, with the bulk of the money—$2.18 billion—marked for work this year and next.

Regulation Risks

NERC’s 2011 Long-Term Reliability Assessment reports that "environmental regulations are shown to be the number one risk to (maintaining electric) reliability over the next one to five years."

Why the concern? Steps required by EPA rules have the potential to cost the industry billions of dollars and do not provide enough time to comply.

"Regulation on top of regulation, and court decision on top of court decision, have compounded the situation to the point that we now have contradictory regulations and court decisions that don’t make any sense," says NRECA CEO Glenn English.

NRECA has actively urged EPA through comments, testimony and litigation to consider the negative impacts of increased electric power costs on consumers as it moves forward with its rulemakings.

"Our nation needs to adopt a balanced, common-sense approach to environmental protection that factors in electric reliability and affordability," English says.

Megan McKoy-Noe writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for NRECA. Steve Johnson and Jennifer Taylor contributed to this article.

Leaders of Tomorrow

By Mike Federman

Whoever coined the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” must have been talking about a public electric utility.

Nowhere is that phrase more appropriate than in how local utilities participate in educating young people in the communities they serve and giving them opportunities to succeed they might not otherwise have access to.

Utilities provide scholarships, offer job shadows, support FFA and 4-H through purchases at junior livestock auctions, and prepare students for public service careers by sending them to youth rallies in California, Idaho and Washington, D.C.

“We make sure our members know that what separates us from big, for-profit, investor-owned utilities is a local focus, with investment back in the communities we serve,” says Angela Perez, communications and government relations specialist with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, based in Baker City, Oregon.

OTEC will award 28 scholarships in 2012 to people in its service territory. Two of the scholarships are specified for lineman school. OTEC also sends a group of high school juniors to join 1,500 other students from across the country at the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour each June in the nation’s capital.

The youth tour was inspired by an address to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in 1957 by then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson, who said, “If one thing goes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”

Besides learning about the legislative process and how electric cooperatives operate, students visit museums and other landmarks in Washington, D.C., during a week of activities.

“When we promote the youth tour, we let our members know we’re providing an opportunity for students in an economically depressed rural area who might not otherwise ever have a chance to experience an educational opportunity like this,” Perez says. “That’s an investment directly into this region. These students will bring rich experiences back home from D.C. or from college to share with and inspire others. Some of these students will return home to work, creating an educated work force that is so vital for communities to thrive. These kinds of long-term investments are what keep the concept of the ‘cooperative difference’ relevant in the 21st century.”

OTEC is one of the largest electric cooperatives in the Northwest and serves consumers in four Eastern Oregon counties. On the other end of the spectrum is Nespelem Valley Electric Cooperative, based in Nespelem, Washington, which is one of the smallest public utilities in the Northwest.

Despite its size, NVEC supports its area youth through participation and sponsorship of junior rodeo, high school career day and job shadows at the co-op.

NVEC also sends students to the Youth Energy Seminar, or YES camp, each July in California’s Sierra Nevada. This year, the camp will move from the Truckee area to the Grizzly Creek Ranch near Portola.

Besides high-energy outdoor activities and confidence-building exercises, YES camp is similar to the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in that participants create and manage their own cooperative.

“It is important for our youth to know what a co-op is and how it operates as a member-owned utility,” says NVEC General Manager Laura McClure. “Every one of them comes back and says how much fun they had with all of the activities. More than anything is the students go by themselves. Some of them have never flown on an airplane before. It gives them a chance to meet people from other parts of the country.”

YES camp is sponsored by the Nevada Rural Electric Association. North across the border, the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally at the College of Idaho in Caldwell draws participants from as far away as Alaska.

The youth rally helps teens develop leadership skills and teaches them how their co-ops operate, how electricity is produced and distributed, and how co-op managers deal with issues affecting the electric industry. Teens hear motivational speakers, tour the Idaho Capitol, visit Swan Falls Dam, attend a formal dance and perform in a talent show.

“It’s one of the best services we provide for our members and leaves a lasting impression on participants,” says Ralph Williams, retired manager of United Electric Cooperative, based in Heyburn, Idaho, who helped organize the first rally in 1986. “It’s amazing to see the self-confidence they develop by week’s end. They’re all in a new environment with no stereotypes of who they are. They’re encouraged to step out and be who they want to be. With self-confidence and the new knowledge they have, they’re set up to be a leader. Many who were introverted at the start of a rally come back the following year holding some type of leadership position in their school.”

After attending a youth energy conference, students can speak knowledgeably to family, schoolmates or the community about transmission and distribution lines, wholesale power supply and the benefits of the cooperative business model.

Participants in past youth events in Idaho, California and Washington, D.C., have returned home to become employees at the same utilities that invested in their futures.

Their experiences are shared with others and are used to inspire the next generation of public servants and community leaders.

Ruralite writer Dianna Troyer contributed to this report.

Nothing Says Love Like Chocolate and Cherries

By Mike Teegarden

Savor the pleasure on Valentine’s Day with recipes that are sure to please. From updated classics to a gluten-free delight, these delicious creations are the perfect choice for your Valentine.

There is no denying that when love is the secret ingredient, your baking will be the best. In addition to what comes from the heart, home bakers add special touches to their recipes, with simple ingredients, such as flavored gelatin, maraschino cherries, cinnamon, sweetened condensed milk and dates.

Avoid Air Invasions

By Magen Howard

We all know the symptoms of a house that is leaking air. Drafty halls in winter lead to rooms that suffocate in summer. Then there is the most uncomfortable pain of all: high electric bills.

Talk to an energy-efficiency expert from your local electric utility, and one of the first things he or she will do is ask about insulation in your house.

What type do you have? Is it in the attic, walls and floors? How about the basement or crawl space?

Chances are leaky homes are not properly insulated. But it takes more than a roll of the familiar pink fiberglass to stop air invasions.

A “thermal building envelope” separates you from outside elements. It is like wearing a coat when it is cold. If you zip up your coat, it is nice and warm, but if it hangs open, you are left freezing.

The way to avoid the chill is to properly seal the building envelope and create air barriers, then install insulation. This will keep hot air out in summer and cold air out in winter.

Sealing your home’s thermal envelope involves applying caulk and foam to cracks and gaps, and correctly installing insulation. If the insulation is not installed properly, it will not be as efficient. Typically, incorrectly placed insulation leaves gaps between walls and doors or windows, or where the ceiling meets the walls.

If there is a gap in insulation, heat gets through, warns Peter Criscione, a manager with E Source. The company works with the Cooperative Research Network, a division of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association that monitors, evaluates and applies technologies to help electric cooperatives control costs, increase productivity and enhance service to their members.

“It comes down to finding quality installers,” Criscione says.

Understanding air infiltration is only half the battle. You have to find and stop the invaders.

Because heated air rises and will work its way out of the living space, capping the home is important to prevent heat loss.

If your electric utility offers home-energy audits, take advantage of them. Your co-op’s energy adviser will determine if your home needs a blower-door test—one of the best ways to find out how much air goes in and out of your residence every hour.

If a thermal imaging camera is available, the auditor can pinpoint exactly where your home loses air. Typical culprits include the roof, around doors and windows, recessed can lights, attic hatches and pull-down stairs, and unfinished basements or crawl spaces.

Don’t overlook the obvious. Check where ceilings and floors meet the walls, too. Do you routinely have to clean a cobwebby corner? That’s a good indication of air infiltration because insects like fresh air.

Caulk, weather stripping and expanding spray foam should take care of problem areas listed above. You also can make a box of rigid foam board for the attic pull-down stairs.

But insulation does no good if you don’t have proper air barriers—if your house jacket isn’t zipped. While loose-fill fiberglass or fiberglass batts keep heat from moving in or out of your house, they do little to stop air flow.

In fact, if every single joint and crack is not sealed with caulk or expanding foam, your fiberglass batt insulation does little more than catch dust.

Insulation that is discolored or has blackening around the edges indicates there is air infiltration—dust being blown through the fiberglass and getting trapped.

Cellulose, made from recycled newspapers and blown in, provides good attic insulation because it does more to stop air flow. Foam insulation, while the most expensive, also boasts the highest R-value—the effectiveness rating given to insulation—and completely blocks air.

The information box above will help you determine what type of insulation is right for your home. Your utility’s energy professionals can help.

Check the website EnergySavers.gov for more information about insulation. It has tools for making smart decisions about insulation and other topics related to energy efficiency.

Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

2012 is the Year of the Co-op

By Megan McKoy-Noe

Is it possible to change the way people eat a fruit? Could cheese unite communities? Can electricity transform the future of a country? It’s possible—with a little cooperation.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 2012 as International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2012), under the banner “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World.” The resolution recognizes the vital role cooperatives—democratically governed businesses that operate on an at-cost, not-for-profit basis—play in the economic and social well-being of nations around the globe, and encourages countries to foster cooperative development as a way to generate local wealth, employment and marketplace competition.

“At a time when folks are losing faith in big corporations, International Year of Cooperatives 2012 offers us a great opportunity to showcase the many ways the local, consumer-owned and member-controlled cooperative form of business benefits communities all over the world,” says Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “It gives cooperatives a perfect venue to contrast how we differ from profit-driven companies.”

Co-ops Are Everywhere

If variety is the spice of life, co-ops are a zesty bunch. Every day, more than 29,200 cooperatives supply essential products and services to American consumers, touching our lives in almost every way.

Tomorrow at breakfast, check your morning paper. Many of the articles may be labeled “Associated Press” or “AP.” Those stories were written by individual reporters, but distributed by a cooperative news organization.

If your breakfast includes freshly squeezed orange juice, it may be from a Sunkist product. Sunkist is a cooperative formed by California and Arizona citrus growers.

And the list goes on. Land O’ Lakes butter, Ocean Spray cranberry juice, Sun-Maid raisins, Welch’s grape jelly, Nationwide Insurance, Blue Diamond almonds, Ace Hardware and REI outdoor gear are all cooperatives. In fact, one out of every four Americans claims membership in some type of cooperative, including 91 million served by credit unions and 42 million connected to more than 900 electric cooperatives in 47 states.

Although many in number, cooperatives differ from typical businesses in one big way: They are organized for the benefit of their members, not single owners or stockholders.

“Co-ops are established when the for-profit, investor-owned commercial sector fails to meet a need, either due to price or availability of goods and services,” says Martin Lowery, NRECA executive vice president, external affairs and chairman of the Washington, D.C.-based National Cooperative Business Association Board of Directors. “The co-op business model works in housing, utilities, and in both rural and urban settings. Co-ops empower people to take control over their own economic destinies.”

Dallas Tonsager, undersecretary for rural development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, points out that co-ops “are only as good as the people running them and only succeed when members support them. But well-managed, democratically run co-ops have proven time and time again that when people unite to achieve a common goal, they can accomplish anything.”

On the Cutting Edge

Odds are you have orange juice in your refrigerator. But before a 1916 advertising campaign by Sunkist, oranges were only eaten by the slice. By the end of World War I, however, Sunkist’s “Drink an Orange” push had increased the average per capita serving size from half an orange to almost three.

This pioneering co-op tradition continues in many ways today:

Credit unions fought off the destructive cycle of payday loans by creating salary advance loans with low rates that placed part of the borrowing into a savings account helping members escape a cycle of debt.
Marketing cooperatives added food nutrition labels to products long before it was required by federal law.
Electric cooperatives lead the way in smart grid implementation. Close to half have installed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), with 30 percent integrating AMI or automated meter reading devices with various software applications, such as outage management and geographic information systems.

It is hard to conceive of America without cooperatives, Tonsager reflects.

“Agricultural co-ops have made our nation the breadbasket of the world,” he says. “This occurred, in part, through lending from the farmer-owned, cooperative Farm Credit System and power supplied by electric co-ops. Today, electric and telephone co-ops are playing a vital role in deploying the advanced distribution, transmission and telecommunications infrastructure that rural America needs to prosper and stay competitive.”

Building a Better World

The IYC 2012 theme, “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World,” embodies NRECA International Programs, a division of NRECA that celebrates its golden anniversary this year.

Since its creation in 1962, NRECA International Programs has assisted with electrification endeavors that have resulted in increased agricultural output, millions of new jobs and an enhanced quality of life for more than 100 million people in 40-plus nations.

“More than 2 billion people worldwide still lack electricity and millions more must depend on unreliable and unsafe power,” says Ingrid Hunsicker, manager of international program development for the NRECA International Foundation, a charitable organization that has partnered with more than 300 electric cooperatives in the United States to bring power and economic development to rural villages overseas. “In many countries, traditions of self-help, self-government and joining together to achieve a common goal don’t exist.”

Because circumstances vary widely, NRECA International Programs adopted the slogan, “Electrifying the world, one village at a time.” Outreach relies on the time-tested electric cooperative approach, giving people experience in the democratic process and entrepreneurship so they can launch local services.

“One of the challenges we face in many countries is building a rural business culture,” Hunsicker says. “When electric cooperative employees and volunteers arrive, they outline how to create a business plan, how to conduct meetings, how to collect the full amount due from consumers, what type of electric generation system to invest in and everything in between. It’s all about discovering and building on what works. Best of all, we show the best face of not only who we are as co-ops, but who we are as Americans.”

Megan McKoy-Noe writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Little Things Save a Lot

By Magen Howard

It is easy to get overwhelmed by two words: energy efficiency. What should I do? How should I do it? Do I have to replace my entire heating and cooling system to see savings?

The easy answer is no, you can do a lot of upgrading with little money.

On your next trip to the home improvement or local hardware store, take this shopping guide with you. It lists five areas where a few simple energy-efficiency investments will produce savings right away.

Lighting

Since lighting accounts for about 11 percent of home energy use, switch your traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). An Energy Star-qualified CFL uses about 75 percent less energy than a traditional bulb, lasts up to 10 times longer and can save about $40 in energy costs over its lifetime. A four-pack of 14-watt CFLs (equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent) runs about $6.

Filling the Cracks

A tube of caulk and a roll of weather stripping can go a long way toward saving money on your electricity bill. It is easy to find where cold air leaks in around doors and windows. Simply hold your hand out and feel. Caulk around windows, dryer vents and fans for about $2 a tube, and weather strip around doors for about $4 a roll.

There are also some not-so-obvious places for air to flow in and out of your home, notably outlets and behind switch plates.

To see if you have air flowing through your outlets or switch plates, light a stick of incense, hold it in front and watch for the smoke to be disrupted. You can find special sealing kits for outlets and switch plates for about $2.

And don’t forget about applying weather stripping around your attic hatch or pull-down stairs. You also might want to install an insulator box to place over the opening. A kit costs around $40.

Sealing these cracks can save you around $200 a year, according to TogetherWeSave.com. The website, operated by Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, shows how little changes add up to big savings.

Programmable Thermostat

Beginning at $40, a programmable thermostat becomes a larger investment, but you could save $180 a year with the proper settings. For the biggest impact, program your thermostat to raise the temperature during summer and lower it in the winter while you are out of the house. You also can program it to dip lower at night while sleeping. The thermostat can be set to automatically revert to a comfortable setting shortly before you arrive home or wake up.

While programmable thermostats are helpful, they are not for everyone. These gadgets are best for people who are away from home for extended periods throughout the week.

Sealing Ductwork

More than 40 percent of your home’s energy use goes for heating and cooling, so it is important to keep that air in the home. Leaky ductwork remains one of the main culprits of hot and cold air loss.

If your home’s ducts are exposed, inspect them for leaks and seal them. Look for holes and joints that have separated, and then seal them with foil-backed tape, about $6 a roll, or mastic, a type of sealant that costs about $12 a tub.

You can apply the mastic with a regular paintbrush. Make sure the tape is marked with the Underwriters Laboratories UL symbol, which means it has been independently tested for safety.

Properly sealing ductwork can save about $170 a year, according to TogetherWeSave.com.

Water Heater Insulation

Blankets are not just for keeping people warm. A water heater blanket can save you 4 percent to 9 percent in water heating costs—a big ticket item because 12 percent of your home’s energy use goes toward water heating.

How do you know if your water heater needs more insulation? Touch it. If it is warm, wrap it. Choose a blanket with an insulating value of at least R-8, which runs about $20.

TogetherWeSave.com also reports that you can also save more than $70 a year by keeping your water heater’s thermostat set at 120 F.

Larger Projects

If you want to make larger investments in your home, adding insulation or upgrading appliances are great starters. For more information on insulation, visit http://www.EnergySavers.gov. To learn about the most energy-efficient appliances, visit http://www.energystar.gov.

Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Maintaining Your Budget and Waistline

By Mike Teegarden

By cooking at home, you can manage your budget and, more importantly, your health and the health of your family. By carefully choosing nutritious ingredients, you can help reduce the risk for heart disease and obesity while still enjoying satisfying and delicious meals. Making good food choices will benefit you and your family for years to come.

Beyond Swirly Bulbs

By Megan McKoy-Noe

Children love chasing fireflies and catching them in jars. The real magic begins as the intermittent glow captivates the captors. That same sense of wonder is found in labs as scientists refine the process of making light-emitting diodes—highly-efficient light bulbs comparable to the glow of fireflies.

Manufacturers are searching for economical ways to contain a colony of LEDs in a single lighting shell. Just as children attempt to gather enough fireflies to make a lamp, an LED "jar" would create enough light output (lumens) to match that of traditional incandescent bulbs.

The research is part of a national effort aimed at redefining household lighting. Starting in January 2012, 100-watt incandescent bulbs—a technology developed in the United States by Thomas Edison in 1878—must become more energy efficient.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates 13.6 percent of our nation’s energy supply is used to keep the lights on. A lot of that power is wasted. If you have ever touched a traditional light bulb when it is on, you realize much of the energy—90 percent—is released as heat. That leaves a lot of room for improvement.

In 2007, Congress passed phase-in legislation that requires household light bulbs using 40 to 100 watts to consume at least 28 percent less energy by 2014 than traditional incandescents, saving Americans an estimated $6 billion to $10 billion in lighting costs a year. The law also requires light bulbs to become 70 percent more efficient than traditional bulbs by 2020.LEDs already exceed this goal.

"With shifting lighting options and consumers looking for every opportunity to save, navigating lighting solutions has never been so important," says David Schuellerman, GE Lighting’s public relations manager.

The act does not actually ban incandescent bulb technology.

"It’s equivalent to standards passed in the 1980s to make refrigerators more energy efficient," says Brian Sloboda of the Cooperative Research Network, a division of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. "Refrigerators use less than one-third of the electricity today than they did in the mid-1970s, but consumers can’t tell a difference in how their food is cooled. The premise is, why not do the same for light bulbs?"

The improved efficiency requirements apply only to screw-based light bulbs. Specialty bulbs for appliances, heavy-duty bulbs, colored lights and three-way bulbs are exempt.

Look for New Labels

Consumers must switch from thinking about light bulbs in terms of watts (energy used) to lumens (light produced).

"Lumens, not watts, tell you how bright a light bulb is, no matter the type of bulb," says Amy Hebert of the Federal Trade Commission. "The more lumens, the brighter the light."

The FTC has designed a "Lighting Facts" label and shopping guide that compares bulbs with traditional incandescent bulbs based on wattages and equivalent lumens. Beginning in 2012, labels on light bulb packages will emphasize a bulb’s brightness in lumens, annual energy cost and expected lifespan.

Residential bulbs will largely fit into three categories:

Halogen incandescents, which use 25-percent less energy and last three times longer than regular incandescent bulbs.
Compact fluorescent lamps, which use 75-percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
LEDs, which use 75-percent to 80-percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer.

"CFL, halogen and LED technologies all offer energy savings, but at different intervals, and all with their own pros and cons," says Schuellerman.

For consumers comfortable with their old incandescent bulbs, halogen incandescents will be an easy first step. Featuring a capsule of halogen gas around the bulb’s filament, they are available in a variety of familiar colors and can be dimmed.

"Halogen offers a big efficiency advantage over standard incandescent bulbs," says John Strainic, global product general manager of GE Lighting. "It consumes fewer watts, while delivering a precise dimming capability and a bright, crisp light."

The most familiar options on the market today—and most economical—are CFLs. The bulbs are available in an array of colors and some can be dimmed. Always check the package to make sure a bulb meets your needs.

According to Schuellerman, CFLs generally are best used where lighting is left on for extended periods and full brightness is not immediately necessary. As with all fluorescent bulbs, CFLs contain a small amount of mercury—five times less than a watch battery—but should be recycled. Many retailers offer free CFL recycling. For details, visit http://www.epa.gov/cfl.

Although still developing, LED lights, recessed fixtures and some lower wattage replacement bulbs are on store shelves.

"LEDs are the up-and-coming solution," says Schuellerman. "As they come down in price, homeowners will embrace them. Currently, most residential LEDs are used for outdoor lighting, where fixtures are left on for extended periods and changing bulbs is not easily done. LEDs are also great for linear applications like undercabinet lighting."

LEDs are more expensive than other options: a replacement for a 60-watt incandescent bulb costs $30 to $60. Costs will fall as manufacturers respond to growing consumer demand.

But LEDs are not without their problems. They have to stay cool to operate efficiently, and when several bulbs are placed together for a brighter, more consumer-friendly light, lifespan decreases. Many manufacturers are accounting for this by adding cooling elements. Some bulbs feature a spine design to allow air to flow around the base; others have fans built into the ballast.

Can You See a Difference?

Some consumers believe more efficient bulbs will not provide the same warm look and feel as classic bulbs. Schuellerman disagrees.

"Lighting technologies are advancing at such a rate that consumers won’t notice a marked difference in the color of light from different technologies or how that light is dispersed," he says. "You also won’t necessarily see a difference in bulb shape. Some consumers don’t like the look of twist-shaped CFLs, for example, so we offer covered CFLs that look just like incandescent bulbs. We also have an LED bulb that is a replacement for a 40-watt incandescent, as well as halogen bulbs, that both are housed in incandescent-shaped shells."

The difference will be found on your monthly electric bill. More efficient bulbs use 25 percent to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescents, and last much longer.

The U.S. Department of Energy says each household can save $50 a year by replacing 15 traditional incandescent bulbs.

"With these new technologies, homeowners will be spending less on electricity bills for lighting and changing fewer bulbs," says Schuellerman.

To learn more about lighting options, visit http://www.energysavers.gov/lighting. For details on the change and shopping tips, visit http://www.ftc.gov/lightbulbs.Megan McKoy-Noe writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Gifts From the Kitchen

By Mike Teegarden

This year, spend a little less time in the stores and a little more time in the kitchen, baking up some holiday gifts. These tasty treats can be fun for the entire family to make together. Attach a recipe card to each gift.That way, your friends and family will know how to bake up some holiday cheer, too.

The Faces of Electric Cooperatives

By Kalie Eyman

Every October, cooperatives across the country from a variety of industries celebrate cooperative month. 2012 will mark the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives.

With this yearlong campaign, the United Nations hopes to increase public awareness about cooperatives and their contribution to socioeconomic development, and to encourage the support and growth of cooperatives.

The International Cooperative Alliance and the United Nations strive to promote and celebrate a business model that benefits both members and owners instead of shareholders.

Here are just a few faces out of the 100 million jobs provided by cooperatives around the world, according to the International Cooperative Alliance.

Wayne Hawes, Foreman at Surprise Valley Electric

Wayne has been a foreman at Surprise Valley Electrification Corp. in Alturas, California, for 20 years. His favorite part about working at a co-op is the opportunity to work outside and meet different consumers in the community.

"I was a mechanic for several years, but I was just stuck in a shop," Wayne says. "So I decided to take a leap of faith. I started out as an apprentice and just learned the ropes and experiences after being here for quite a while and working up the ladder.

"Now I get to work outside, and looking back I don’t have any complaints at all. I like what I do and it’s pretty easy to come to work. I love getting to meet people in the community and working outdoors with the consumers. Most of our work is in rural areas so we get to be outdoors, and it’s just a bunch of nice people to work with."

Wayne’s typical day consists of going out and either repairing lines, or building new lines.

"We also do right of way clearing," he says. "At this co-op we do everything that needs to be done or that the supervisor asks us to do: substations, tests, regulator checks, we do it all ourselves. As foremen we do what we can to add stability and try to keep the rates as low as possible. We maintain what needs to be worked on so power can be stable, and we work hard not to tear up our equipment.

"It’s a balancing act to maintain our equipment and keep the rates low in this economy. If you have a good board like we have, they just take in what people’s needs are. They balance what we need as foremen and what the consumers need, and meld everything together to come up with the best product."

John Gerstenberger, General Manager at Hood River Electric

John began his career at Hood River Electric in Odell, Oregon, in January 1986 as the head of operations and engineering. He later was offered the position as general manager. Before he joined HREC, he worked with the co-op as an employee at a local engineering firm. He found that job through an ad in Ruralite magazine.

"Our co-op is one of the smallest," John says. "As a result, my role is quite diverse. I get involved in most aspects of the business. Working for a co-op means you get to work with folks—members, board of directors, employees.

"As a small organization, our structure is relatively flat. I am not isolated from the day-to-day activities or our members. Members are appreciative of the work we do on their behalf and often express that sentiment verbally, with a short note or by dropping off a tray of cookies at the office.

"We need to have our finger on the pulse of our communities and the things that are important to them. The co-op business model is very consistent with the neighbor-helping-neighbor attitudes of our agricultural economic base, which is mostly tree fruit: pears, apples, cherries. A number of co-op businesses in our area provide other essential services, such as fruit storage, packaging, marketing, agricultural supplies and irrigation water supply.

"Co-ops are people-oriented organizations. They do things on behalf of members rather than just offering a product that may or may not provide the best value or fit the customer’s specific need. Co-ops are free to explore different options and opportunities to best meet member needs and desires."

Vi Stevens, Executive Secretary and Benefits Administrator at Salmon River Electric

Vi has worked at Salmon River Electric in Challis, Idaho, since August 1988, when she was hired as a receptionist. In 1990, she was promoted to executive secretary, a position she will hold until her retirement in 2012.

"Our co-op is very small with only 16 employees, and I like the smaller work setting," says Vi. "After working in California with 600 employees in the county government, I realized that smaller is better. I think working at a co-op brings greater unity among employees than in the private sector. Having a good benefit package that co-ops offer also is very important to me.

"Salmon River Electric is located in Challis, Idaho, a small town with less than 1,000 people. I think concern for community speaks for itself here in that people are willing to help their fellow members through both good and difficult times, be it family or friends. The communities in our service territory are always willing to lend a helping hand.

"Co-ops working together have the opportunity to enhance their businesses. One example is the NRECA list serve option where co-ops can share information among employees to help strengthen their business. By sharing information, they may not have to reinvent the wheel in establishing a policy or they may possibly obtain new ideas on how to increase membership at annual meetings."

Phyllis Clough, Board Member at Alaska Village Electric

Phyllis became involved at the cooperative after her dad served as a board member for 12 years. She first participated as a delegate, and became a board member in 2003.

She has lived in Old Harbor on Kodiak Island in Alaska her entire life, and enjoys representing her community at board meetings.

"We’re the leaders that are responsible for trying to enhance the community," Phyllis says. "We strive for lower dependence on diesel, and just affordability and reliability of power.

"The best part about serving on the board is having the opportunity to work with the AVEC association and watching the cooperation of everyone working together. Through the board we strive to create stable power and develop sustainable options like our wind program.

"The co-op presence is very important because AVEC is so spread out. There is a lot of diversity between the different communities. The main thing is that every one of us board members are from communities, but when we meet as a board, we meet for the benefit of all 53 communities, not just the area we came from."

Calling All Ages

By Kalie Eyman

When Darlene McLeod started working for West Oregon Electric Cooperative 27 years ago, the focus of her job was much different than it is today. Despite the typical changes throughout the years, she says she still enjoys providing the best to members. The types of members involved in the co-op have different needs, and Darlene loves taking on new challenges.

But providing the best to the members at Darlene’s co-op isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

"When I first started here there was a huge member base who understood what a co-op was about, why it was formed and what it meant to be a member," recalls Darlene. "Those members are gone, and the challenge today is to regain that loyalty and trust in our new members."

Faced with new projects and building member loyalty, Darlene’s retirement date keeps getting extended. Since she started at the co-op in 1984, Darlene has worked in customer service, bookkeeping and billing. Now, as the manager of finance and administration, she looks back on her career throughout the years.

"When I was first brought on board, I had no idea how an electric utility operated," she says. "But over the years, I have learned the technical and communication skills required for this business, and how the departments interact and flow."

Older employees bring a level of knowledge and life experience that can only be attained through years of service, Darlene says.

The impending retirement of older employees throughout the utility industry may result in a shortage of workers in coming years. Most education systems don’t provide students with enough engineering focus and interest necessary to draw young generations into the industry, according to the Center for Energy Workforce Development. This can be due to lack of internships and scholarships to promote interest in the industry, and the need for more power engineering faculty to mentor students.

United Electric Cooperative in Heyburn, Idaho, recently replaced an employee who retired. Chris Seibold, who had no previous experience in the electric industry, was hired at the end of 2010. His background in customer service at FedEx Ground lead him to the key accounts manager position at the co-op.

"Every day is different," Chris says, explaining why he enjoys his new job. "I wear many different hats in my position. I’m always involved in a variety of different projects."

Some days, Chris works on an economic development project. Other days, he works on a conservation project. He values the variety.

"The employees have probably noticed that I do some things a little different than the last guy did, which is OK," Chris says. "I think change is good for an organization."

Despite their vast difference in experience in the electric co-op industry, Chris and Darlene agree on one thing: the need for a variety of viewpoints in the workplace.

This can be achieved a number of ways, as everyone has different backgrounds and experiences. But varying age groups are valuable to a dynamic workplace.

Darlene says younger employees usually bring more energy, new ideas and approaches to the table, while older employees offer valuable experience, insight and knowledge.

"We need all viewpoints," she says. "That is the only way we can truly represent what is in the best interest for our members."

In creating a diverse workplace, electric co-ops offer a variety of jobs. Office-related jobs are available in communications, accounting and billing. Outside jobs include the warehouse, linemen and staking engineers, who plot where new power lines will be built.

"Until I began working here, I didn’t realize how many different career paths one could take within this industry," says Chris. "The opportunities seem to be endless out there."

Darlene has found that to be true.

"If I have learned one thing, it’s that you have to be receptive to change, and that can be difficult," she says. "The bottom line is, after working here for 27 years, I have a sense of loyalty to the company and responsbility to the members to do the best we can."

Chris set his sights on a career in the utility industry after he heard about the job opportunities available at co-ops when he was in college. Both Chris and Darlene’s jobs come with a responsibility to members as well as concern for community.

"To me, it means the decisions we make as a co-op cannot only affect our members, but our community," says Chris. "When policies or decisions are made, we consider the effect that it could have on everybody in our community and not just ourselves."

The dedication of other co-op employees motivates Chris to plan a long-term career in the utility industry.

"The employees where I work are here to stay and don’t treat their jobs like just another place to get a paycheck," he says. "It’s a career to them."

The Electric Future

By Kalie Eyman

Long gone are the days when car electricity came from a lead-acid battery and the only device plugged in the garage outlet was a power tool. Electric hybrid technology has come a long way in the past couple of years, and major automobile companies have caught on.

The Toyota Prius has been a staple for the hybrid car movement, but the recent development by several competitors of efficient and reliable plug-in cars could make electric hybrids an increasingly popular choice. In 2011, Chevrolet was the first major American auto manufacturer to release a plug-in hybrid. The Chevrolet Volt, which starts at $41,000, features a 16-kilowatt lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in eight hours from a standard 120-volt outlet.

The key difference between earlier hybrid models and new plug-in hybrids is the battery. For its size and weight, a lithium-ion battery can store more energy for longer when compared with other rechargeable batteries.

Recent hybrid models—such as the 2011 Ford Escape—still use a 330-volt sealed nickel-metal-hydride battery, but many large auto companies plan to release a plug-in hybrid with a lithium-ion battery next year.

The 2012 Ford Escape will have a lithium-ion 10-kWh battery. Hyundai, Audi and Mercedes also plan to release lithium-ion plug-in hybrids in 2012.

Dave Von Tersch, sales manager of Royal Moore Auto Center in Hillsboro, Oregon, says the amount of electricity used to charge an electric car is minimal compared with the electricity used by an average home.

"It costs about $1 a day to charge the car, but that’s only if you completely depleted the charge every day," says Dave. "Knowing the environmental benefits and how this would lessen our oil dependency, it is well worth it compared to gas."

The 2011 Nissan Leaf features a timer the owner can set to stop the car from drawing electricity at a certain hour or when it is fully charged.

The Leaf had been delayed since December due to manufacturing issues and the earthquake in Japan, but now is one of the first 100-percent electric cars on the market, starting at $33,720 without possible rebates and tax savings.

Unlike many of the hybrid plug-in models that include a gas option, the Leaf has no gas motor and, therefore, is emissions free. The Leaf has a driving range of about 100 miles before it needs to be recharged. The Volt can go 35 miles gas-free and up to 375 miles on gas mode.

"In time, the battery pack will have shorter charging times and longer driving ranges," Dave predicts. "In a few years, along major highways you will see charging docks available to the public as well."

Older electric vehicles and plug-in models have a significantly lower driving range on electric mode. One of the most recognizable hybrids—the 2009 Prius—has a full-electric range of about 12 miles.

Although the 2011 plug-in Prius has a lithium-ion battery, it still has a short electric driving range of 13 miles. However, the 2011 Prius charges from a standard outlet in three hours using about 1 kilowatt, and it is about $7,000 cheaper than the Leaf. The shorter driving range of the Prius might not make it a good option for those who commute long distances to work or into town, and want to use the gas-free mode.

For now, plug-in hybrids offer the most realistic option. The Volt gets 60 miles per gallon on gas mode, and more than 90 mpg equivalent mileage on full-electric mode.

A common concern about hybrid vehicles is the battery life and cost of replacement. The average cost of battery replacement for the Prius is $2,500. Nissan has not yet released a battery replacement estimate for the Leaf.

Nonetheless, many consumers are willing to pay the price for the sake of efficiency and the environment. Electricity does not depend on foreign oil, and it is a domestic energy source that can be environmentally-friendly through solar, hydro, nuclear or wind power.

As battery technology advances and charging stations become more prevalent, the new plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds: more efficient energy use and great gas mileage.

A New Way of Buying Power

By Pam Blair

Buying power from the Bonneville Power Administration will get more complicated for your electric utility on October 1, when BPA’s new rate design kicks in. It also will get more expensive.

Costs are going up to pay for operations and maintenance. BPA’s new rate design also will differentiate between power generated from the federal system and supplemental purchases.

Electricity from the network of hydropower facilities along the Columbia and Snake rivers—and the nuclear Columbia Generating Station—will be sold at cost in what is called Tier 1 rates.

Each utility has been granted a share of Tier 1 power. If that is insufficient to meet the utility’s needs now or in the future, the utility can pay BPA the market price to fill that gap at Tier 2 rates, buy from someone else or generate its own power.

In November 2009, BPA’s 135 public utility customers had to specify how they would handle loads beyond their Tier 1 shares for a three-year period beginning in October. By September 30, 2011, they must commit for the 2015 to 2019 period.

If the uncertainty of forecasting power needs so far out isn’t enough of a challenge, consider that Tier 1 rates have three components, each of which will be itemized on the utilities’ wholesale power bills:

Customer charge. A fixed monthly fee charged to each utility to cover BPA’s cost of running the federal system.
Load shaping charge. A credit or charge based on whether the utility’s load comes at a time when the federal system has plenty of power or when BPA must buy power to meet load requirements.
Demand charge. A charge assessed to reflect the utility’s peak usage.

"Bills will be more complicated," says Geoff Carr, assistant director of Northwest Requirements Utilities (NRU). "We have not made life simpler."

Assessing What the Rate Change Means

Utilities are analyzing how the new rate structure will affect them, and working on strategies to deal with it. The urgency varies depending on whether the utility is slow or fast growing.

Hood River Electric Cooperative, based in Odell, Oregon, expects to benefit from the new way BPA will bill utilities.

"With the new Tier 2 structure you can be either a winner or a loser, depending on the timing of the loads," says Manager John Gerstenberger. "We had greater swings under the current rate structure. It flattens ours out. We are not a fast grower."

Jake Eimers, manager of Idaho County Light and Power, based in Grangeville, expects little growth in the near future.

"I am hoping that we have a year or two to see what the impact is going to be and see what other utilities are doing," he says.

Steve Eldrige, general manager and CEO of Umatilla Electric Cooperative, based in Hermiston, Oregon, cannot wait to see. Two large data server farms begin operations in his area this year.

"Our role is not to stand in the way of development by making new members pay based solely on new power supply costs," Eldrige says, noting that would be the result if UEC had them bear the entire burden of Tier 2 rates. "We also do not want one group of members subsidizing another."

That would be the case if Tier 1 and Tier 2 rates were simply rolled together.

With input from member groups, UEC is developing its own tiered rate system. Existing customers or new customers with growth of more than half an average megawatt per year, as calculated on a rolling three-year average base usage, also will fall under Tier 2 rates.

The new BPA rate structure means utilities must think differently, Carr says.

"How do you deal with new industrial customers coming to town?" he asks. "How do you inspire customers to reduce demand at peak times? If you are a winter peaking utility, how do you shift that?"

Strategic Partnerships are Important

Twenty of NRU’s 50 customers joined power purchasing groups created by the organization to work on serving loads beyond Tier 1 allotments.

Sixteen Northwest co-ops are part of PNGC Power—a joint operating entity that acquires, pools and supplies power.

"We have an ability to manage risk in a number of ways," says Doug Brawley, senior vice president of BPA supply and member rates. "That includes helping with demand-side management, conservation programs and developing resources as a group."

Carr says resource development in the region is critical.

"We are only renters of Bonneville Power," he says. "We pay off the investment, and still we are paying the bill. What do we have to show for it? We really need to think about resources."

Making Energy More Affordable

By Pam Blair

Customers in rural parts of Alaska pay three to five times more for electricity than customers in the state’s more urban areas. Other expenses are higher, too.

To ensure the availability of reliable centralized power, the state’s Power Cost Equalization program pays a part of the electricity costs of qualifying customers in rural areas. The program also protects the viability of local utilities.

The goal is to "equalize" the high costs of electricity in rural communities with the lower costs in more urban areas.

According to the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), 183 communities participated in the PCE program during fiscal year 2010—the most recent period for which statistics are available. More than 78,000 people live in those communities.

The program was established in 1984 as part of a statewide energy plan. It provided financial assistance to rural residents at the same time state funds were used to construct major energy projects in more urban areas. It was preceded by the Power Production Assistance Program and the Power Cost Assistance Program.

Most urban and road-connected communities benefit from major state-subsidized energy projects such as the Four Dam Pool, Bradley Lake and the Intertie.

"Communities in areas that are not served by road experience very high costs of producing electricity, usually by diesel, due to high transportation costs and high diesel prices," the AEA notes in the Power Cost Equalization Program Guide. "These high costs must be recovered from the limited number of customers with limited disposable income associated with generally low economic development."

The PCE program was funded at 100 percent in fiscal year 2010, with payments for customers of 84 utilities totaling about $30.6 million. PCE pays on about 30 percent of all kilowatt-hours sold by participating utilities.

Eligibility for PCE Payments

Customer eligibility is based on power purchased. State and federal offices and facilities, commercial customers and public schools are excluded from PCE.

AEA determines the eligibility of community facilities and residential customers, and authorizes payment to electric utilities. Participating utilities are required to reduce each eligible customer’s bill by the amount the state pays for PCE.

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska determines if a utility is eligible to participate in PCE, and calculates the amount per kilowatt-hour payable to the utility. It considers the cost of fuel, including transportation, and non-fuel expenses such as salaries, insurance, taxes, power plant parts and supplies, and interest.

An electric utility participating in the PCE program must:

Provide electric service to the public for compensation.

During calendar year 1983, had less than 7,500 megawatt-hours of residential consumption or less than 15,000 MWh if two or more communities were served.

During calendar year 1984, used diesel-fired generators to produce more than 75 percent of its electrical consumption.

Electric utilities in the Railbelt, Juneau and those that receive electric power from the Four Dam Pool facilities—Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Kodiak, Glennallen and Valdez—are not eligible for PCE.

Residential customers are eligible for PCE credit up to 500 kWh a month.

Community facilities, as a group, can receive PCE credit for up to 70 kWh a month multiplied by the number of residents in a community. For example, a community of 100 would receive credit on up to 7,000 kWhs for its combined community facilities.

Eligible utilities submit monthly reports to AEA that document the eligible power sold and PCE credits applied to customers’ bills. AEA calculates the amount of PCE on a monthly basis and issues payment to the utility based on available funds.

PCE is funded annually through the state operating budget. Part of the funding comes from the state’s general fund and part from the PCE Endowment Fund, created in 2001 by an appropriation from the Constitutional Budget Reserve and the proceeds from the sale of the Four Dam Pool projects. The Endowment Fund has grown by an infusion of funds in 2006 and, more recently, an appropriation of $400 million in the fiscal year 2012 operating budget.

"Reliable lower cost energy enhances the quality of life, standard of living and economic strength of the communities," the PCE program guide states. "Economic development and affordable power go hand-in-hand in the effort to grow healthy economics in rural Alaska."

Continued funding at 100 percent is an ongoing concern for rural utilities.

"Rural Alaskans routinely spend 40-plus percent of their very modest per capita income on energy: electricity, heat and transportation fuel," says Meera Kohler, president and CEO of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative. "Were it not for PCE, their electric bills would be 21/2 to 3 times higher than they are, and life in our remote villages would be even more challenging than it is.

"In the past, it has been an annual struggle to convince the Legislature to adequately fund PCE. With full funding of the PCE Endowment Fund, that battle will hopefully be behind us, and we can focus on bringing down the cost of energy for all Alaskans and their businesses into the future."

Electrical Hazards Can Be Frightening

By Mike Federman

The decorations, fog machines, black lights and animatronics of Halloween make for adventurous, entertaining times for children and adults. With these festivities, though, the risk of fire or electrocution could be lurking around the corner.

It is important to check for electrical hazards before accidents happen. Being proactive is the best way to keep Halloween from haunting you this year.

Use the following tips to prevent electrical hazards:

Inspect electrical decorations. Look for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections.
Read manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation and maintenance. Check the instructions to see how many light strings can be connected together.
Always unplug light strings before replacing any bulbs.
Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, walls or other firm supports. Do not use nails or tacks that could puncture light strings or electrical/extension cords.
Provide well-lit walkways and porch lighting for trick-or-treaters. Make sure the walkways are clear of anything little feet could trip over.
Don’t overload extension cords or place them near, or in, snow or water.
Make sure electrical decorations are approved by a nationally recognized certification organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, and marked for outdoor use if you are using them outside. Check http://www.cpsc.gov or http://www.ul.com for recalls. Many Halloween toys have been recalled in the past by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Do not overload your circuit breakers or fuses.
Plug lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. Test your GFCIs to make sure they work properly.
Make sure decorative lighting is well-ventilated, protected from weather and a safe distance from anything flammable, such as dry leaves and shrubs. Do not coil power cords or extension cords while in use or tuck under rugs or drapes.
Turn out all lights and decorations before leaving or going to bed.
Always have at least one fire extinguisher available and know how to use it.

Sources: Electrical Safety Foundation International, Home Safety Council

Be Prepared For Dark Nights or Chilling Days

In many parts of the country, Halloween marks the beginning of colder, wetter weather. It will not be long before snow, ice and freezing wind descends upon you—if it hasn’t already—with the possibility of power outages.

A home survival kit will help you and your family avoid mishaps when the temperature drops or the lights go out.

The Essentials:

Food: Have a supply of food that requires no cooking or refrigeration, such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods and dried fruits. Remember baby food and formula if you have young children.
Water: In case water pipes freeze or rupture, keep a supply of tap water or purchase bottled water. The recommended amount of water to keep is 1 gallon for each person per day.
Medicines: Roads may be inaccessible for several days due to a winter storm. Make sure to order or refill any prescriptions that family members may need.
Identification: Keep forms of identification with you such as Social Security card, passport, photo ID and driver’s license. In addition, make sure to have bank account information and insurance policies.

Emergency Materials

Dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stove
Kerosene for a kerosene heater
Furnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil)
Electric space heater with automatic shut-off switch and nonglowing elements
Blankets
Matches
First Aid Kit and instruction manual
Multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher
Flashlight
Battery-powered radio, clock/watch
Extra batteries
Shovel
Rock salt
Nonelectric can opener

When creating a winter survival kit for your home, consider factors that are specific to your home and family.

For instance, if your home is isolated or on the outskirts of a residential area, making it more difficult for help to reach you, make sure to stock additional amounts of food, water and medicine. Listening to weather forecasts regularly can provide you with several days notice to allow you to check emergency materials and to stock-up on essential supplies.

Some modern conveniences, such as space heaters and backup generators, can help you manage inclement weather easier, but be sure to follow instructions on how and where to use them.

Space Heaters

According to the National Fire Protection Association, a home fire occurs every 82 seconds in the United States. To heat your home safely, look for equipment bearing the UL mark for proven safety testing.

Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, including furniture, bedding, clothing and pets.
Turn heaters off when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep.
Supervise children at all times when space heaters are in use.
Check for frayed or split wires, or overheating.
Have all problems repaired by a professional.

Backup Generators

Never connect a generator directly to your home’s internal wiring. The electrical “backfeed” can injure or kill utility workers repairing power lines. When using a generator:

Hire a licensed electrician to install a transfer switch that distributes power from the generator to the home’s circuit box. When the power goes out, you simply crank up the generator and run a single extension cord from it to the transfer switch.
Operate electric generators or other fuel-powered machines outside, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes cannot enter the home.
Use a generator in only well-ventilated and dry areas located away from air intakes to the house. Do not use a generator in an attached garage.
Do not overload the generator by operating more appliances and equipment than the generator can handle. The operating instructions should have an output rating for the generator.

More Work Ahead

By Mike Federman

A federal judge’s ruling in August on endangered fish was disappointing for public power utilities in the Northwest, but not an outright rejection of the federal biological opinion—the blueprint for salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin.

U.S. District Court Judge James Redden accepted the basic structure of the BiOp through 2013, but requested more specific information on salmon habitat restoration for 2014 through 2018.

In a sharply worded opinion, Redden said the BiOp after 2013 “is based on unidentified habitat mitigation measures that are not reasonably certain to occur.” He concluded the plan is “arbitrary and capricious” because federal agencies cannot guarantee “no jeopardy” for salmon under BiOp guidelines.

This is the third time federal agencies will have to reassess their plan for protecting salmon and steelhead under the Endangered Species Act. The working BiOp was first issued by the Bush administration in 2008, then amended by the Obama administration in 2010. Two previous BiOps, in 2000 and 2004, failed to meet Redden’s criterion for ESA protection.

By maintaining the status quo at this time, the judge retains control over the issue, and opposing sides remain at odds over salmon recovery along the Federal Columbia River Power System.

“This is an unfortunate step in that the effect of the ruling appears to keep the region held up in the same pattern of litigation that has plagued it for the last decade,” says Scott Corwin, executive director of the Public Power Council, a policy and advocacy organization that represents Northwest public power regionally and nationally. “The plan, developed through extensive collaboration among the federal agencies, Northwest states and tribes, and found by two administrations to be scientifically sound, should to be allowed to work. We will need to evaluate the impacts of this ruling further and determine our next steps.”

One of those steps could be to appeal the decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but Corwin says it is too early in the process to determine whether that would be prudent.

Corwin called the judge’s decision an “in between-type ruling” that appears to cross the line between judicial and executive decision making.

“What are the proper limits of legal authority?” he asks.

The decade-old court battle has left many Columbia Basin stakeholders—including public power utilities—frustrated by the lack of stability in long-term planning for the federal hydro system, which is a reliable and affordable source of clean, renewable energy. That stability would cross over into other interests, too, such as commercial irrigation and river transportation.

“Planning for this has gone far beyond any effort anywhere else for endangered species, and the cost has been carried on the backs of ratepayers,” Corwin says.

About 30 percent of wholesale power revenue from the sale of hydroelectricity in the Northwest is spent on salmon recovery. That averages out to about $800 million a year the Bonneville Power Administration spends on habitat restoration, hatchery operations and dam improvements.

Physical alterations to dams have been ongoing for several years. Fish slides at Lower Snake and Lower Columbia river dams, a spill wall at The Dalles Dam and avian deterrents are a few of the changes made in recent years to improve juvenile fish passage through the hydro system.

The construction phase is complete, says Dennis Schwartz, a fisheries biologist with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. The job ahead is to determine whether dam improvements achieve performance standards outlined in the BiOp.

“The Corps has been tasked with getting juvenile fish downriver at a certain rate,” Schwartz says.

If data shows fish passage survival rates are being met, it will be paramount in establishing part of the guaranteed accountability Redden has asked for in post-2013 BiOp planning.

Testing is scheduled for spring and summer. Spring testing for 2011 was completed in June, but higher than normal river flows this year prevented summer testing.

“There is too much water in the river,” Schwartz says. “It is not representative of a normal year.”

For a “survival matrix,” biologists need two years of good spring and summer data, Schwartz says, noting the 2011 spring tests are valid and will give the Corps its first glimpse in October of post-dam improvement survival rates.

During the testing phase, acoustic telemetry equipment is used to monitor the route fish take to pass a dam and how quickly they get through. Tagged fish can be followed downriver to near the Columbia’s estuary, Schwartz says.

While testing is on hold for the summer, above-normal river flow bodes well for fish passage.

“Usually in high water events, survival seems very high,” Schwartz says. “We expect that to be the same this year.”

Managing Power Costs

By Magen Howard

After two years of declines, the price tag for building power plants and buying utility equipment has begun to climb again—and an improving world economy and hikes in costs for skilled labor, fuel and raw materials are driving expenses up.

These higher prices likely will affect your electric bill over the long term.

Electric utilities have an obligation to keep the lights on and electric bills affordable at a time when costs for components needed to construct generation, upgrade existing power plants, expand transmission facilities and modernize distribution systems are steadily rising.

"Combined with the costs of complying with new regulations, these pressures will affect electric bills in years to come—all of which are largely beyond the control of local co-ops," says Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Keeping the Lights On

The North American Electric Reliability Corp., the nation’s bulk power grid watchdog, estimates the United States will need to build 135,000 megawatts of new generation by 2017 to meet demand. However, facilities on the drawing board will deliver only 77,000 MW.

Electric co-ops—experiencing average annual load growth well above levels of other electric utilities—estimate they will need to bring about 12,000 MW of new generation on line during the next decade.

"This generation will be the most expensive in history, coming at a time when construction materials like steel, copper and concrete are shooting upward," English says.

In the past 20 years, nations in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East have transformed themselves into economic "tigers"—particularly in the areas of manufacturing, tourism, information technology and financial services. Flush with cash, they have embarked on unprecedented construction binges, erecting thousands of power plants, factories, residential high-rises and office towers.

Projects of this scope commandeer vast amounts of basic resources, and engineering and skilled labor expertise—and push up prices for such things as oil, timber, steel, nickel and concrete.

Commodities Drive Up Plant Costs

After a brief downturn due to the global recession, worldwide commodity prices have rebounded. Steel soared 42 percent between 2009 and 2010, while copper—used for wire and to ground electrical equipment—topped record highs of $4.50 a pound earlier this year.

Overall, nationally, costs for new coal-fired and nuclear power plants jumped 25 percent and 37 percent, respectively, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Capital costs for a pulverized coal plant average more than $2,800 per kilowatt, while a nuclear plant runs about $5,300 per kW.

Wind generation capital costs increased about 21 percent, to an average $2,400 per kW for land-based wind farms and 50 percent, to $5,975 per kW, for turbines placed offshore. Geothermal power plants jumped 50 percent, to $4,140 per kW.

Costs for solar power dropped. Building photovoltaic arrays—which convert sunlight directly to electricity—decreased 25 percent, to roughly $4,755 per kW.

Both wind and solar require backup power from coal or natural gas to be available when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. Natural gas-fired power plants—both peaking units that operate only when electric consumption crests and baseload (full time) facilities—currently boast the most stable costs, ranging from $665 per kW for an advanced combustion turbine to $2,000 for an advanced combined cycle plant.

Because combustion turbines and other natural gas generation equipment is manufactured in a factory and assembled on-site—rather than being built from the ground up, such as a coal or nuclear plant—total costs and time needed to get a plant operating generally are lower.

The bottom line? A portfolio of power plants that cost $100 billion to build in 2000 would cost about $215 billion today.

Dealing With Rising Expenses

For most publicly owned utilities, the single biggest expense involves buying power. Wholesale power purchases can account for as much as 75 percent of a utility’s budget, meaning pressures on generation costs affect electric rates.

But costs for basic operations—everything from replacing poles and wire to maintaining rights of way and fueling line trucks—also continue to escalate.

Looming government regulations also pose a threat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering four major rules that could become game-changers for electric utilities: on cooling water intake, coal ash disposal, interstate transport of air pollutants and using the best available technology to curb emissions from power plants.

The agency also has begun regulating greenhouse gases from new and modified large stationary sources—including coal and natural gas power plants—under the federal Clean Air Act. Most of these EPA regulations are due to court-imposed decisions and deadlines.

"It’s entirely possible tighter emissions standards and other rules will have a multibillion dollar impact on the cost of doing business for electric co-ops," says Kirk Johnson, NRECA senior vice president of government relations.

In Washington, D.C., in May, co-op leaders called for more certainty on how electricity generation will be regulated.

"Co-ops need Congress’ help to break out of the planning gridlock and set the rules for power generation today and in decades to come," says English. "Not knowing the rules is costing us valuable time and delaying critical decisions.

"Until the government provides more certainty, electric cooperatives—along with the rest of the utility industry—are hamstrung in making informed decisions to provide generation and reliable power for our future."

Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for NRECA. Megan McKoy-Noe contributed to this article.

A Windy Dilemma

By Pam Blair

Imagine adding a 350-home subdivision to a 2,800-member rural electric cooperative service area that went 10 years with no new homes, and rarely adds more than a couple a year.

That essentially is what faces Jerry Healy, manager of Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative, based in Heppner, Oregon. But instead of houses, wind turbines are moving into the neighborhood.

Healy already has five wind projects in his north-central Oregon service area that he says buy "up to a half million kilowatt-hours of power from us a month."

The newest, Shepherd Flats, will add up to 900 megawatts, and is expected to become Oregon’s largest wind farm.

"They are a huge new customer," Healy says. "In winter, each turbine uses more electricity than an average-sized home."

About 100 miles down the road in The Dalles, Jeff Davis, general manager of Wasco Electric Cooperative, can commiserate. His 2,980-member utility serves 11 different wind projects encompassing 572 turbines and 1,061 MW—and he is bracing for more. Another 1,100 MW are permitted or going through that process.

Wind development has been a boon for the local economy. As an example, revenues in Sherman County—home to all of the Wasco Electric projects—more than tripled in the past eight years.

Lease payments from wind developers also has been a lifesaver for farmers who have struggled to hold on to land that has been in their family for generations. Healy says the going rate he hears is $10,000 a year for each 1.5-MW turbine. It used to be $2,500, he notes.

As the physical landscape has changed, so has the make up of those two co-ops.

"The wind farms comprise our largest individual consumer," Davis says, noting that together they account for 13 percent of his utility’s load. "They are a signficant part of the revenue of the co-op."

While the power they draw is generated locally, most of the power they produce is shipped out of the area.

Electricity is needed to keep lubricants for the turbines warm, run the computers that reposition blades into the wind, and power offices and substations. All components are fully functioning even when the blades are not turning.

Dale Coyle, manager of Portland General Electric’s 450-MW Biglow Canyon Wind Farm, says that requires
5 to 20 kilowatts a turbine—comparable to the 10 to 20 kW used by a single-family home.

"If we can get one or two turning, we can power the site," Coyle says. "We obviously want to generate more than we use. Last year was a bad wind year, producing 3 to 4 percent less than we’ve had in the past. This year is on a good pace. Forecasting is a big deal and a delicate process."

The same is true for the utilities serving the wind farms—particularly in light of new two-tiered contracts with the region’s primary wholesale power supplier, the Bonneville Power Administration.

Beginning October 1, BPA will implement a new pricing structure. Tier 1 power—allocated based on each utility’s historic loads—will be priced at cost from power generated by the federal system. Any power BPA provides beyond that is Tier 2 and will be charged at market rates.

Healy says Shepherd Flats should pay the Tier 2 rates that Columbia Basin will be charged as soon as the wind farm is operational, rather than "all of our customers paying their electric bill."

Wasco Electric is preparing a cost of service study and considering how to set up its billing structure, Davis says, noting "wind development will be a significant reason we move into Tier 2 power."

Demand charges assessed by BPA due to system peaks from turbines cycling on and off also will be directly assigned to all wind developers, Healy says.

Caithness Energy—the Shepherd Flats developer—objects to Healy’s position and is trying to bypass the co-op and work with a neighboring investor-owned utility.

"That should be our load," Healy says, noting he is considering legal action to protect his service territory boundaries.

Maintaining a Safe Home

Compiled by Pam Blair

Each May, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month to increase public awareness of electrical hazards around us. Check the following areas:

The Heart of the Home

The kitchen is where families gather to cook favorite recipes, share meals and reconnect. It also is where two-thirds of home fires start.

Keep your stove, oven and exhaust hood clean. Keep the cooking area around the stove/oven clear of combustibles, such as towels, napkins and pot holders, and keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces.
Plug counter top appliances into GFCI-protected outlets and unplug them when not in use.
Keep all appliances away from the sink. Do not use electrical appliances that have been wet. Water can damage the motors in electrical appliances.
Make sure there is room behind the refrigerator for air to circulate. Vacuum refrigerator coils.
Even a slight shock from an appliance can indicate a hazardous wiring condition. Turn the power to the appliance off at the circuit breaker. Do not touch it until it has been checked by a licensed electrician.

Plug Into Safety in Your Family Room

The family room is where many people go to unwind and relax, but a lot of appliances are powered there. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the average home has three televisions, two DVD players, at least one digital camera, one desktop computer and two cell phones. Many homes and their electrical systems were built before most modern-day home electronics and appliances were invented.

Make sure electronics and computer equipment have plenty of space around them for ventilation.
Examine extension cords before each use. Replace cracked or damaged cords. Do not place extension cords in high traffic areas, under carpets or across walkways. Extension cords are for temporary use, not as a permanent power supply.
Use a surge protector to protect your computer and other electronics from voltage changes. Look for surge protectors with cable and phone jacks to protect your phone, computer modem and television.
Heavy reliance on power strips is an indication you have too few outlets to meet your needs. Have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician.
Keep liquids, including drinks, away from electrical items such as televisions and computers.

Wake Up to Safety in the Bedroom

The average adult spends one-third of every day in the bedroom. We are vulnerable while asleep. Thirty-six percent of people killed in home fires never wake up.

Before installing a portable air conditioner, make sure the electrical circuit and the outlet can handle the load. Large window units should have their own electrical circuit so the system is not overloaded. Clean the unit at the beginning of every season.
Check ceiling fans for a wobble, which will wear out the motor. To fix the wobble, turn off power to the ceiling fan and tighten the screws.
Replace any lamp whose cord is damaged or cracked. Use the correct bulb wattage in fixtures. Bulbs with wattages too high for the fixture can overheat and start a fire. Always turn lamps off when you leave the room for an extended time.
Unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged. Use the proper charger for the size and type of battery you have.

Build a Foundation of Safety in the Basement

The basement is where some of your most essential—and expensive—home electrical equipment is kept. Heating equipment and electrical distribution systems are two of the leading causes of home fires.

Check inside your electrical service panel to see when your system was last inspected.
Be sure circuit breakers and fuses are correctly labeled with their amperage and the rooms, circuits or outlets they service. Use correct size and current rating for breakers/fuses. Consider replacing standard circuit breakers with AFCI breakers.
Have your furnace cleaned and inspected annually by a licensed professional.
Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside. Install carbon monoxide alarms on each level and outside each sleeping area.
Clean the dryer lint filter after each load. Check periodically for excessive vibration or movement when the washing machine or dryer is operating, which can stress electrical connections.

Electrical Safety Calendar Provides Year-Round Reminders

When a light goes out, it is hard not to notice the bulb needs to be replaced—unless you like sitting in the dark. But how can you tell if your power outlets are working properly? You don’t want an electrical fire to serve as your wake-up call that something is amiss.

"Many homes are equipped with new technologies to help prevent electrical fires and injuries," explains Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). "Unlike a light bulb that goes dark when it needs to be replaced, there may not be any indication when these safety features aren’t working properly. That’s why ESFI recommends testing them every month."

Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets and combination-type arc fault circuit interrupter circuit breakers are just some of the safety features in your home that need regular attention.

"It’s possible an outlet or circuit may work, but the protection isn’t there," says Brenner. "The only way to know is to push the ‘test’ button."

May is National Electrical Safety Month—a time when public utilities educate consumers on ways to stay safe at home and on the job. But safety awareness shouldn’t stop on May 31.

ESFI’s home safety calendar will help you remember when to perform routine maintenance and safety checks around the house. Some things—vacuuming coils and changing furnace or air conditioning filters, for instance—should be done every three months. Other items—such as testing GFCI outlets and smoke alarms—need to happen monthly.

"Taking care of these safety items on the first of the month when you’re paying bills is a great time to knock a few things off the list," says Brenner. "Then you don’t have to worry about them for the rest of the month."

You can put the calendar on your refrigerator as a reminder of simple steps to take every month to keep your family safe.

To learn more about home electrical safety, visit ESFI’s website at http://www.esfi.org or take the virtual home tour at http://virtualhome.esfi.org.

— Megan McKoy-Noe

The Generation Gap

By Magen Howard

Tighter government regulations—and the high cost to comply with new rules—may signal lights-out for many of the nation’s older coal-fired power plants at a time when forecasters predict energy demand will eventually outpace supply.

"Americans could see power shortages by the end of the decade if new generation sources don’t materialize," cautions Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Virginia-based service organization of the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

To meet the challenge, public utilities are using energy-efficiency measures and innovative technology to reduce electric demand. But these measures will go only so far. Eventually, the need to build new generation to keep the lights on will take center stage.

An Investment of Time and Money

The North American Electric Reliability Corp.—the bulk power grid watchdog for the United States and most of Canada—estimates the country will need to build 135,000 megawatts (MW) of new generation by 2017 to meet demand. However, facilities on the drawing board will deliver only 77,000 MW. That will leave an energy gap.

Planning, building and launching a baseload power plant is no small feat. Even if the permitting process is noncontroversial—meaning there are no significant objections to a facility—a coal-fired generating station takes six to seven years from start to finish, a combined cycle natural gas plant three to four years, and a nuclear plant 10 years at minimum, says John Holt, NRECA senior manager for generation and fuels.

While wind farms and large solar projects often require less time to complete—about two years total—they are handicapped by intermittency issues.

Even with a good location, wind generation is available no more than 40 percent of the time. It seldom operates during periods of peak consumption: hot, humid summer weekday afternoons or weather below minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

Solar systems operate only during daylight and are affected by cloud cover.

Wind and solar resources must have back-up "firming" generation—such as natural gas plants—ready to come on-line when the wind stops blowing or the sun stops shining. That adds extra expense.

Federal Rules Impact Energy Prices

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rulemaking will affect electric bills and put affordability and reliability at risk.

According to a report commissioned by NERC, four pending EPA rules would place new and costly hurdles on power generators. In fact, regulations impacting cooling water intake, coal ash disposal, interstate transport of air pollutants and using Maximum Achievable Control Technology to curb emissions from power plants could force electric utilities to retire or retrofit 33,000 MW to 70,000 MW of generating capacity by 2015.

A fifth hurdle—reducing power plant emissions of carbon dioxide—presents an even greater challenge since no viable, commercially tested solution exists.

The Electric Power Research Institute, an electric utility research consortium, contends if EPA designates coal ash—a residue produced by coal-fired power plants that is used as a Portland cement substitute—as hazardous, it could cost utilities and consumer electric bills $5.32 billion to $7.62 billion a year.

"Because of these new rules, we’re expecting a number of existing coal plants be shut down," says Kirk Johnson, NRECA vice president of energy and environmental policy. "The cost of compliance will simply be too much."

Only two alternate baseload generation options currently are available to meet America’s demand for safe, reliable and affordable electric energy: natural gas, which is priced in a volatile commodities markets; or nuclear power, which requires a long lead time for construction and continues to bump up against ghosts of the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and issues involving disposal of spent fuel.

At present, natural gas seems like an attractive option to satisfy the nation’s energy appetite. The fuel is relatively cheap, plants that use it can be brought on-line more quickly, and burning gas produces less carbon dioxide than coal.

"But right now, we’re in a natural gas price bubble," Holt cautions. "While economics today favor natural gas, my concern is just two or three years ago natural gas was three times as expensive. So it could easily and rapidly go up in cost. Over the long term, I expect nuclear power—since it only emits water vapor into the atmosphere—will make a comeback. But there are a lot of ifs."

Working to Keep Bills Affordable

To reduce the need for new power plants, electric co-ops are fashioning a variety of innovative solutions to reduce load during times of peak demand. That is the electric utility industry’s equivalent of rush-hour traffic, when wholesale power costs skyrocket.

The strategies include:

Direct control of electric water heaters, air conditioners, electric thermal storage units and other appliances in the homes of volunteer consumers.
Interruptible contracts with commercial and industrial accounts—such as irrigation pumps, large retailers and factories—that are able to temporarily shut down or run emergency generators.
Calling on consumer-owned (distributed) generation to start up.
Personal energy management—notably in-home displays, web portals and smart thermostats—that inform consumers, in real time, when load peaks are happening, allowing them to voluntarily decide when and how to curtail electric use to save money.

Most co-ops also are ramping up energy-efficiency programs. According to NRECA Market Research Services, nearly all electric co-ops offer efficiency educational resources, and 77 percent offer residential energy audits.

To find out about energy-efficiency programs in your state, visit your utility’s website or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org.

Magen Howard writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for NRECA. Her colleague, Megan McKoy-Noe, contributed to this story.

Low-Impact Entertainment

By Mike Federman

In the world of television electronics, change came quickly.

Analog TV sets, in homes since the 1940s, became obsolete in 2009 without a digital convertor.

Television makers now entice consumers with claims of high definition, surround sound and multimedia compatibility.

Bigger screen, better picture, more options—and more energy consumption.

High-definition TV sets generally use more power because of better picture clarity. Energy consumption also relates to screen size. The larger the screen, the more electricity required.

Four general types of TVs are available: cathode ray tube (CRT) plasma, liquid-crystal display (LCD) and rear projection.

CRT televisions are the most difficult to find because they employ old technology. Screen sizes rarely top 40 inches.

Plasma screens often are cited as the largest energy user, mainly because their large 42-inch to 65-inch screens typically draw between 240 watts to 400 watts. Most consume electricity even when turned off.

LCD TVs don’t need much power to operate—111 watts on average. Most LCD screens range in size from 21 inches to 49 inches. These TVs fall into two categories: those with cold-cathode fluorescent lamps to illuminate the screen, and backlit models employing a light-emitting diode (LED). LED units offer several benefits, notably better picture quality, and thinner and lighter screens. They also use slightly less energy, at 101 watts.

Rear-projection televisions tend to be the most energy efficient and boast the largest screen sizes. However, due to their overall weight, rear projection sets are not as readily available as plasma and LCD models.

An American Tradition

Despite the growth of entertainment offerings on the Internet, television enthusiasts have not dimmed.

While overall television viewing in America grew less than 1 percent between 2009 and 2010, time-shifted viewing through the use of a digital video recording device increased 18.4 percent during the same period, according to the Nielson Co.

A 2009 Nielson report revealed the average American watches about 153 hours of TV every month at home.

With all of these televisions burning electricity, finding energy-efficient models is important to consumers who don’t want to burn a hole in their pocketbooks.

A good place to start saving money is at Energy Star, http://www.energystar.gov. The joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency identifies energy-efficient electronics and appliances. The Energy Star label ensures a product meets efficiency guidelines and consumes less electricity than similar products that do not carry the Energy Star label.

Even more consumer information about televisions will be available this spring. Beginning May 11, all newly manufactured televisions must carry an EnergyGuide label. These familiar-looking yellow labels already are required on many home appliances, including washing machines, refrigerators and water heaters.

Because the mix of LCD, plasma and rear-projection televisions vary widely in the amount of energy they use, the Federal Trade Commission determined the label was necessary.

“By comparing information on the EnergyGuide labels, consumers will be able to make better-informed decisions about which model they choose to buy, based on how much it costs to operate per year,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz says on the commission’s website.

The FTC will require a label with two main disclosures on new TV sets: the television’s estimated annual energy cost and a comparison with the annual energy cost of other televisions with similar screen sizes.

The rule requires the new labels to be visible from the front of televisions. Manufacturers can use either a triangular label or a rectangular label.

Beginning July 11, 2011, the amended rule will require websites that sell tele-visions to display an image of the full EnergyGuide label.

Shop For Energy Savings

Consumers in the Northwest can look for the orange “most efficient” label at participating retailers. The Energy Forward program identifies the most efficient televisions, computers and monitors on the market—those that surpass Energy Star ratings by up to 30 percent.

Internet Resources

Energy Forward website: http://www.energyefficientelectronics.org
Efficient electronics ratings: http://www.toptenusa.org
Clearinghouse of efficient products: http://www.energystar.gov
Technology industry online journal: http://www.cnet.com

Consumer Awareness
Televisions manufactured after May 10, 2011, must display EnergyGuide labels so consumers shopping for TVs can compare energy use.

Efficiency Quick Tip
Plug bundled devices—such as a TV and DVD player, or a computer, monitor and printer—into the same power strip. Turn off the power strip when you are not using the devices to conserve energy used by internal phantom power sources.

Brian Sloboda, a program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network, contributed to this report.

High-Wire Act

By Mike Federman

Anyone who has driven through the Columbia River Gorge in the past couple of years can attest to the rapidly changing landscape, as wind turbines have sprouted like rabbitbrush on both sides of the river.

Turbines not only have been raised along the river, but also on rolling hills and through canyons for several miles north and south of the river in Washington and Oregon.

The Bonneville Power Administration has about 3,000 megawatts of wind power running along its transmission system. That is a nearly 2,000 MW increase in two years. To put that into perspective, Bonneville Dam, the first federal hydro project in BPA’s portfolio, has a total generating capacity of just under 1,100 MW.

While the majority of wind power is produced by independent energy companies for markets in California, a few smaller wind farms are operated for public utilities in the Northwest that participated in their development.

The pace of construction is not slowing. Several more wind farms are in the works.

BPA is expanding its transmission system to meet the growth of wind power. The federal agency predicts wind capacity could double by 2013, with as much as 10,000 MW of wind power on its system by 2016, if development trends continue.

“Wind was one of the major driving forces behind requests for more transmission,” says BPA spokesman Doug Johnson.

A potential for other types of power generation, such as natural gas, also is a factor in expanding transmission, Johnson says. With BPA’s traditional energy resources of hydro and nuclear power reaching capacity, new sources of energy in the Northwest will need to be explored. Natural gas is considered one of the least expensive options and one that is quick to develop.

“We are looking at the most strategic and cost-effective way to meet future needs of utilities of all sizes that use BPA transmission lines,” Johnson says. “Anytime you expand the capacity of your network, you improve your ability to serve the needs of our preference customers.”

Balancing Requirements

BPA must address state mandates for more renewable energy, while maintaining its obligation to its customers who buy wholesale power.

BPA’s wind integration program not only assesses line expansion, but how energy producers work within the system, balancing their needs with BPA’s mission of maintaining a steady flow of electricity.

The intermittent nature of wind often creates a generation imbalance that must be met through another resource, typically hydroelectricity. Wind operators in BPA’s balancing authority pay for integration services that use hydroelectricity to balance their loads— one of the reasons California consumers pay a premium for wind power.

The integration program places more burden on wind producers to solve balancing problems.

“As this moves forward, there are pretty good measures in place so that public utilities won’t get hit with costs they shouldn’t have to bear,” Johnson says.

An agreement in 2010 with Iberdrola Renewables compels the multinational energy company to manage its generation imbalance using nonfederal resources. Iberdrola, the largest wind producer in the Northwest, generates about 1,100 MW of wind power in the region. The Iberdrola agreement frees up 300 MW of federal power for flexible use by BPA.

While BPA’s wind integration program is in its infancy, a system where more wind operators supply their own generation imbalance would increase the availability of low-cost hydropower—a potential component of future contract negotiations with distribution utilities in the Northwest, Johnson says.

Job Creation

The federal stimulus bill paved the way for transmission projects by raising BPA’s borrowing authority by $3.25 billion. The total amount of bonds that can be outstanding at any one time is $7.7 billion.

The $246-million transmission line being built between McNary and John Day dams on the Columbia is expected to create 700 construction jobs, according to BPA. The 79-mile McNary-John Day project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

In all, the agency is planning 225 miles of new transmission line. Three other projects in the planning stage must clear public input on placement and environmental reviews before construction begins.

Big Eddy-Knight is a proposed 28-mile transmission line that would connect a substation near The Dalles, Oregon, with a new substation near Goldendale, Washington.

Central Ferry-Lower Monumental is a proposed 40-mile transmission line that would start at a new substation near Pomeroy, Washington, and run to Pasco, Washington.

The I-5 Corridor Reinforcement is a proposed 70-mile transmission line between new substations in Castle Rock, Washington, and Troutdale, Oregon. This would be the first new high-voltage transmission line built in the Interstate 5 corridor near Portland in 40 years.

Electric Highway Upgrade

The United States is linked by 300,000 miles of transmission lines, connecting 3,000 utilities to 10,000 power plants and 1 million megawatts of electricity, according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

There is a national push to repave this electric highway, with the goal of allowing electric systems to operate at peak efficiency, while giving consumers better choices for keeping bills affordable.

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, funding from the U.S. Department of Energy is being used by the Bonneville Power Administration for a smart grid project with 12 Northwest utilities to monitor the efficiency of smart appliances, smart meters, distributed generation, electric vehicles and automated distribution.

Updating the transmission grid with new technology is expected to help meet load growth and reduce demands on the hydro system, according to BPA.

Other Northwest electric coopera-tives—12 members of PNGC Power—are using DOE funds to implement a smart grid project that includes installation of more than 97,000 smart meters, the first step in developing automated two-way communications with consumers.

In Arizona, Southwest Transmission Cooperative, based in Benson, is using DOE funds to add a fiber-optic communications system to its 600-plus miles of transmission that will improve the reliability and efficiency of its facilities, says Bill Riley, co-op manager of transmission, operations and maintenance.

“Fiber optics give us the ability to communicate and transfer vast amounts of data across the system,” Riley says. “We will be able to analyze changes in the system remotely and greatly reduce the amount of time of an outage.”

With greater reliability, Riley says, outage prevention will increase.

Alaskan Independence

While some smart grid technology is universal, big changes to the nation’s grid will bypass Alaska, where utilities are on their own for transmitting electricity from power plants to substations, then to homes and businesses.

Lower 48 utilities are linked by a multistate transmission network. Isolated communities in Alaska, however, have no transmission connection to other regions. The only multi-utility transmission network in the state is the vertical interties between the Kenai, Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The northern portion of the transmission system, beginning at Healy, is owned and operated by Golden Valley Electric Association based in Fairbanks. Construction of the newest segment, the Northern Intertie, began in 2000. The system was energized in 2003.

The Northern Intertie is one of GVEA’s initiatives to improve system reliability. GVEA is the northern control point for the Fairbanks/Anchorage Intertie, which interconnects with the other Railbelt communities. Both interties allow GVEA to augment its 296-megawatt generation capacity with an additional 78 megawatts from the Anchorage area.

GVEA also sends power from its system to the Anchorage area during emergencies, such as one that occurred in November when GVEA supplemented energy to Anchorage when the city lost transmission lines to its largest generating plant.

“We do whatever we can for our neighbors in the south,” says Henri Dale, GVEA power systems manager.

Two separate lines connect Healy and Fairbanks. Both will become increasingly important as the co-op’s energy mix begins to change.

Besides its coal plant in Healy, GVEA is awaiting final approval for a second unit in Healy—the long-awaited clean coal project that would add about 55 MW to GVEA’s system.

“We have enough capacity to meet our needs into the 2020s,” Dale says. “Clean coal will reduce our energy costs, so that is why we are heading in that direction now.”

Once the Healy Clean Coal Plant is operating, GVEA estimates it will decrease the amount of oil used for power generation by 25 million gallons a year, resulting in annual savings of about $10 million. Assuming oil prices will rise again as the economy improves, annual savings could reach $60 million.

Also in development is the 24-MW Eva Creek Wind Farm north of Healy. The project became an economic reality after GVEA was certified through the federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds program. The project calls for the equivalent of 16 turbines rated at 1.5 MW each.

In 2010, GVEA completed a spring avian migration field study, evaluation of turbine siting and selection, coordination of rail access and geotechnical investigation for road and site improvements.

“We’ve done whatever studies we’ve been asked to do,” Dale says.

GVEA has gone to bid for turbines and plans to build tower foundations in 2011.

“Some people in the community have been vocal about having wind power,” Dale says. “We have a goal of getting that in during 2012.”

Incredible Shrinking Credits

By Pam Blair

Did you plan to make energy-efficiency improvements to your home during 2010, but procrastinated so long you lost out on the maximum $1,500 federal tax credit that expired on December 31?

The good news is you still have a chance to cash in on federal energy tax credits, thanks to an extension by the outgoing U.S. Congress.

The bad news is amounts have shrunk dramatically.

With electricity prices likely to increase in the years ahead, doing what you can now to improve the energy efficiency of your home will be worthwhile, regardless of incentives.

A Bit of History

Since 2005, Congress has enacted a series of tax breaks for consumers who take steps to make their homes more energy efficient.

The highest levels came as a result of passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009—the federal stimulus bill.

While the renewable energy tax credit provisions included in that bill do not expire until December 2016, residential energy-efficiency credits did.

However, on December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010.

The far-reaching tax bill extends tax credits for energy efficiency into 2011, but at much lower levels.

It reduces the total lifetime credit that can be claimed on energy-efficiency improvements made between 2006 and 2011—excluding 2008, when no credit was available—from $1,500 to $500.

It also lowers the percentage of efficiency upgrade costs consumers can recover, from 30 percent in 2009-2010 to 10 percent in 2011.

Those are the same levels in place prior to the stimulus bill.

Specific Provisions

Like last year, energy-efficiency improvements must be made to an existing home—your principal residence.

New construction and rentals do not qualify.

If you received $500 or more in energy-efficiency tax credits from 2006-2010, you are not eligible for any more. That is a lifetime limit.

The latest legislation sets maximum allowances for different upgrades. They range from $50 to $300.

Highlights of the limits:

Windows, 10 percent of the cost (not including installation), up to $200.
Insulation, roofs and doors, 10 percent of the cost (not including installation), up to $500.
Water heater, $300 for gas, oil or propane with an energy factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent; 10 percent, up to $500, for an electric heat pump water heater.
Natural gas, propane or oil furnace and gas, propane or oil hot water boiler, $150; must have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of at least 95 percent.
Advanced main air circulating fan, $50; must use no more than 2 percent of a furnace’s total energy.
Air-source heat pump, $300; must have a heating seasonal performance factor of at least 8.5, an energy efficiency rating (EER) of at least 12.5 and a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of at least 15 for a split system and an HSPF of at least 8, an EER of at least 12 and a SEER of at least 14 for a package system.
Central air conditioner, $300; must have a SEER of at least 16 and an EER of at least 13 for a split system and a SEER of at least 14 and an EER of at least 12 for a package system.
Biomass fuel stove, $300; must have a thermal efficiency of at least 75 percent.

Others Benefit, Too

The December bill also reinstates a credit of up to $2,000 for builders of energy-efficient residences in 2011 and retroactive to 2010. The credit had expired in 2009.

To qualify, homes must use no more than half the energy of a 2003 national model energy code home.

Manufacturers of clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators will receive credits ranging from $25 to $225 for efficient models produced in the United States during 2008, 2009 and 2010.

While consumers do not get these credits, they could benefit as manufacturers, state or utility efficiency programs promote the efficient models.

Renewable Credits Remain

Under the stimulus bill, tax credits for renewable energy projects cover 30 percent of the cost of materials and installation for geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, solar water heaters and residential solar panels.

Unlike credits for energy-efficiency improvements, new construction and secondary homes qualify, as do existing and principal homes.

Specific efficiency levels are required to take advantage of the tax credits. Details are available at energystar.gov/taxcredits.

Tax credits directly reduce, dollar for dollar, any taxes you owe. Keep your receipts and your manufacturer’s certification statement—a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit—for your records. Claim the credit on your taxes using IRS Form 5695.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

By Alice Clamp and Pam Blair

Cold showers aren’t a pleasant way to start the day. Hot water plays a big role in cooking and cleaning, too. As a result, water heating has become the second-largest user of energy in an average home, accounting for about 20 percent of residential energy consumption.

To save energy, consumers have wrapped water heaters in blankets or hot water pipes in insulation. While those practices should continue, a heat pump water heater promises to lower energy consumption and save consumers money.

It is the only type of electric water heater to earn the Energy Star rating.

Major water heater manufacturers and appliance companies have introduced a new generation of the water heaters.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a qualified integrated heat pump water heater uses one-third to one-half the electricity of a standard electric resistance model. As a result, it can save the average household almost $300 a year on its electric bill compared with a conventional model. Larger families—which typically use more hot water—can save even more.

This added efficiency comes with a hefty price tag. Integrated heat pump water heaters sell for $1,400 to $2,000—well more than twice the cost of a standard electric resistance water heater.

DOE says the payback can be as little as three years. It is fastest in areas with high energy prices, where a heat pump water heater replaces a lower-efficiency water heater, where more hot water is used, or where cooling and dehumidification is of value. Cool exhaust air can be released into the area surrounding the water heater, helping cool the home, or simply be returned outside via ducts.

In areas with low electricity rates and limited financial incentives, payback can be much longer. The technology does not offer peak efficiency in all climates.

A Bit of Background

A patent for a heat pump water heater was recorded in 1950, but the technology failed to achieve commercial success.

A few small companies produced units in the 1980s and 1990s, but random failures and other issues—such as the need for utilities to install special electric service to power the devices—left consumers sour on the technology.

Because they had no capability to store heated water, heat pump water heaters also posed a problem for electric utilities that offered load management programs dependent on briefly shutting off water heaters during times of peak demand.

Those programs helped keep electric bills affordable, while not inconveniencing consumers, because standard water heaters can store hot water for hours.

How They Work

To understand the concept of a heat pump, imagine a refrigerator working in reverse. A refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels it to the surrounding air. A heat pump water heater takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank.

A low-pressure liquid refrigerant is vaporized in the heat pump’s evaporator and passed into the compressor. As the pressure of the refrigerant increases, so does its temperature. The heated refrigerant runs through a condenser coil within the storage tank, transferring heat to water stored there. As the refrigerant delivers its heat to the water, it cools and condenses, and then passes through an expansion valve, where the pressure is reduced and the cycle starts

A more expensive "integrated" heat pump water heater replaces an electric resistance water heater with one that combines a heat pump and a storage tank. A second type adds a heat pump unit to an existing electric water heater.

The electric resistance element in the tank takes over when outside air becomes cold or consumers need extra hot water.

Because a heat pump water heater uses electricity to move rather than generate heat, it consumes less electricity.

Factors to Consider Before Buying

As the air temperature decreases, less heat can be captured. That compromises the efficiency of a heat pump water heater.

In the Pacific Northwest, for example, if the water heater is designed to work at an ambient air temperature of 45 F or higher, the electric element will operate whenever air temperatures drop below that level.

That reduces performance and savings.

According to DOE, heat pump water heaters require installation in locations with a year-round temperature between 40 and 90 F. That excludes Alaska.

They have proven to be most efficient in warm, damp climates, such as Hawaii.

At least 1,000 cubic feet of space is needed around the heat pump water heater to ensure adequate air exchange, so installation is recommended in an open basement, utility room or garage.

Noise should be considered when selecting where to place it. An electric resistance water heater operates quietly, but the noise of a heat pump water heater is similar to a window air conditioner.

Utilities are testing the new heat pump water heaters to determine if they have overcome the problems of the past, and whether they can help consumers save energy and trim electric bills.

Alice Clamp is a technology writer for the Cooperative Research Network, which monitors, evaluates and applies technologies that help electric utilities control costs, increase productivity and enhance service to consumer-members. Pam Blair is an assistant editor for Ruralite.

Living Out Its Commitment

By Pam Blair

Commitment to community is more than rhetoric for public utilities. It defines who they are, and is evidence of how they are different from other types of businesses.

Below are a few ways they and their employees add value beyond providing electricity to the communities served.

Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Ritzville, Washington—Employees and family members participated in seven community parades and are involved in a blues festival, a quilt guild and Relay for Life.

Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op, Junction City, Oregon—The co-op was selected Large Business of the Year by the Junction City/Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce for its support of community events and economic development.

Central Electric Cooperative, Redmond, Oregon—More than 2,000 people witnessed safety demonstrations offered by CEC at the Deschutes County Fair.

Clearwater Power, Lewiston, Idaho—Seventeen staff and family members participated in the United Way Day of Caring. It was the largest showing of volunteers from a single organization. The co-op sent eight high schoolers to the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally.

Coos-Curry Electric Co-op, Port Orford, Oregon—CCEC hosted a Be Prepared Fair during its annual meeting featuring health and emergency responders. Employees and board members donated a quilt that was raffled, with proceeds going to CCEC’s energy assistance fund.

Hood River Electric Cooperative, Odell, Oregon—HREC sponsors the annual drug- and alcohol-free graduation party. Office staff members save stamped envelopes for rehabilitation work with veterans.

Lassen Municipal Utility District, Susanville, California—LMUD hung dozens of banners honoring local enlisted men and women along Main Street.

Midstate Electric Cooperative, La Pine, Oregon—Health screening and tips on living a healthy lifestyle were offered during the annual meeting.

Nespelem Valley Electric Cooperative, Nespelem, Washington—Linemen were involved in career day at the high school and a safety display at the fair. They hang lights and flags in Nespelem and Elmer City. Staff participated in the Mill Pond Days parade. NVEC sponsors several youth and civic programs.

Ohop Mutual Light Co., Eatonville, Washington—The basic charge is waived for seniors 62-plus who qualify based on income level. CFLs, showerheads and faucet aerators are given to members for the cost of taxes and shipping.

Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative, Portola, California—PSREC and its telecommunications subsidiaries donated funds to the county’s search and rescue program and three volunteer fire departments. Employees cooked and served a free community dinner. Several serve as volunteer firefighters.

Raft River Electric Cooperative, Malta, Idaho—The co-op sent 10 students to the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utility Association Youth Rally and donates to the bookmobile and supports.

Salmon River Electric Co-op, Challis, Idaho—SREC donated $15,000 to the Good Neighbor Fund to help members pay their electric bills.

Surprise Valley Electrification, Alturas, California—Staff time and equipment are given to put up decorations and banners, replace lights and install playground equipment.

Tillamook PUD, Tillamook, Oregon—Since 1993, a volunteer group of employees and their families have adopted 15 to 20 families a year during the holidays. Funds come from voluntary payroll deductions and employee fundraisers.

Umatilla Electric Cooperative, Hermiston, Oregon—UEC offers a two-week Hydromania summer science camp for fourth- and fifth-graders. This year, 76 students participated. Each fall, supplies are donated to area elementary schools.

United Electric Cooperative, Heyburn, Idaho—Employees clean up a section of the highway, and collect mittens, hats and food items for Christmas.

Wasco Electric Cooperative, The Dalles, Oregon—The co-op funded economic/community grants totaling more than $10,000. It buys 4-H animals at county fairs and sponsors students to national and regional youth programs.

West Oregon Electric Cooperative, Vernonia, Oregon—Employees voluntarily took a one-year wage freeze in exchange for half of the cost savings being donated to the co-op’s energy assistance program. WOEC helped sponsor the Bear Creek Run, raising more than $2,000 for the local food bank.

Space Heating: An Eye Toward Safety and Efficiency

By Pam Blair

An electric space heater can be an excellent source of supplemental heat for your home, increasing your comfort during cold months—especially in chilly garages, basements, workshops and other areas that may not have central heating.

But don’t blindly accept some manufacturers’ claims that they can significantly cut a home’s heating bill. Understand the advantages as well as the shortcomings of space heaters before deciding what is appropriate at your home.

And always pay attention to safety.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires a year are associated with the use of space heaters, causing more than 300 deaths. About 6,000 people a year receive emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting hot surfaces of room heaters.

Operate Units Safely

Even though electric space heaters don’t have an open flame, the heating elements can get hot enough to ignite nearby combustibles. Periodically check surrounding objects—including carpeting and flooring materials—to see if they feel hot.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offer the following safety tips:

To prevent electrocution, always keep heaters away from water. Never use them in a bathroom or near a sink.
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from household combustibles.
Do not use extension cords, if possible. If absolutely necessary, use a heavy-duty cord of 14-gauge wire or larger.
Check for a secure plug/outlet fit. If the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced.
Inspect the cord for frayed wire or damaged insulation. Replace missing guards and controls. Never operate a defective heater.
Place the heater on a level surface and out of high traffic areas, where people could trip over it.
Do not use an electric heater as a dryer or to thaw pipes.
Do not place the heater where children or pets might play near it.
Buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if the unit is tipped over, and an overheat sensor that shuts off the heater if it gets too hot.
Look for a model with a screen or grill around the heating coil to prevent kids from reaching inside or putting toys in the heater. Make sure the openings are small enough children’s fingers can’t get through to touch the heating element.
Maintain at least one working smoke detector on each floor.
Look for the UL mark. This means samples of the heater have met stringent safety standards.
Turn the space heater off when you go to bed or leave the room.

Maximizing the Benefits

Space heaters work best as a supplement to a furnace or heat pump. Rarely are they used as the primary heating source.

Before purchasing a space heater, determine how and where it will be used, and which type will do the job best.

Combination units are versatile, but you likely will get better performance from a radiant or convection heater. Use a radiant heater if you want heat instantly and will not move from one spot. To warm an entire room, choose a convection heater.

But can a space heater cut your home’s heating bill? Maybe, says Brian Sloboda, program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network, a service of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Most space heaters use 600 to 1,500 watts of electricity. At medium power of 1,000 watts at 10 cents a kilowatt-hour, used eight hours a day, five days a week, it would cost $16 a month, Sloboda says.

But space heaters can only heat a small space. If you turn the thermostat of your central heating system down to as low as 50 degrees and place the space heater in a room that is occupied by people, then close that room off from the rest of the home, this method of "zone heating" will save money, Sloboda explains.

While space heaters have their place in warming a house, they cannot replace energy-efficient central heating or weatherization improvements to the home.

All electric space heaters produce one unit of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, meaning they are 100-percent energy efficient. Those that use natural gas are 80 percent efficient.

By comparison, geothermal heat pumps can produce more than three units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, making them 300-percent efficient.

As with any technology, before buying a space heater, understand how the device is to be used, and understand the energy claims of the manufacturer.

While it technically may be possible to cut your heating bill by 50 percent using a space heater, it generally is impractical.

Save Energy With Layered Bathroom Lighting

By James Dulley

People don’t often think about lighting and energy efficiency when remodeling bathrooms, but it is as important as installing proper plumbing fixtures.

If the lighting in your bathrooms is like most older bathrooms, it consists of an overhead light, perhaps built into a vent fan, if there is no window.

If there is a window in the bathroom, few builders went to the expense of installing a vent fan. Today, vent fans are almost always installed to address indoor air quality concerns in modern, more airtight houses. While remodeling, install a vent fan.

The lighting for your children’s bathroom will be simpler, so tackle it first. A basic overhead light should be adequate until they get old enough to shave or wear makeup. There is likely already an incandescent overhead light-only or fan/light fixture. In either case, replace it with a new Energy Star-qualified fan with a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL). It will use 75 percent less electricity for lighting.

Planning efficient and effective lighting for your master bathroom and dressing area is more complicated. Use the basic lighting design technique called layering to provide proper lighting.

The three basic lighting layers are task, ambient, and accent or decorative. Bathrooms are relatively task oriented— showering, shaving, applying makeup, general grooming—so adequate task lighting is most important. Other than showering or bathing, the task lighting at the mirror and vanity is used most often.

Ideally, place lighting on both sides of the mirror and perhaps on top for three-direction lighting. This eliminates shadows that can be a problem when shaving or applying makeup. If the mirror is not too wide, wall-mounted vertical fluorescent tube lighting on each side of the mirror is best and efficient.

Several companies offer efficient decorative T2 or T5 fluorescent fixtures. Some are designed to be attached to wide mirrors, and decorative sconces with CFLs are effective around narrow mirrors.

Daylight-type CFLs provide the best color rendition for makeup. Halogen bulbs may be used. They offer a longer life, are more efficient and provide a whiter light.

For over-the-mirror task lighting, Kichler offers a new decorative rail light design, which also works well for accent lighting. It is similar to track lighting, with three or four directional fixtures, but is mounted on a rail that hangs down a couple of inches from the ceiling. It mounts to the ceiling over a standard ceiling electrical box. Several of the rail fixtures use super-efficient, long-lasting, white light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

For the bath/shower area, recessed overhead task lighting works well. Consider installing low-voltage fixtures for safety and easy installation.

For ambient lighting, lower-wattage incandescent fixtures—either overhead or sconces—are effective. They can be controlled by dimmer switches to save energy. The new Lutron Eco-Minder dimmer is a good choice. As the lights are dimmed, an LED on the faceplate changes from red to green to remind you to dim the lights to save energy. On some models, the switch also functions as an efficient night light. It is wise to install separate dimmer switches for the various layers of light. Another daytime ambient light is an ODL tubular skylight with a solar-powered remote dimmer.

Bright Idea Still Glows

Moving Toward ‘Green’

By Mike Federman

Today, more than 80 percent of our nation’s 900-plus co-ops and other publicly-owned electric utilities provide electricity produced by green power sources. By tapping resources such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and biomass—including landfill gas, livestock waste, timber byproducts and crop residue—electric co-ops nationally get 11 percent of their power requirements from renewable sources, compared with 9 percent for electric utilities as a whole.

But most new renewable generation is expensive compared with traditional sources of generation. As a result, many publicly owned utilities are hard at work finding ways to integrate renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass into their power supply, while keeping retail rates affordable.

The Price of Wind

Wind power remains the second most prevalent renewable energy resource in the United States, after hydro. More than 35,000 megawatts (MW) of wind generating capacity had been installed by the end of 2009, enough to serve 9.7 million homes. Electric co-ops account for 2,060 MW of that capacity.

Minnkota Power, a generation and transmission co-op based in North Dakota, uses wind to supply 31 percent of its member-owner load—tops among utilities in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2008 Wind Technologies Market Report.

In the Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration expects the region’s nearly 3,000 MW of wind capacity to more than double by 2012. Alaska Village Electric Cooperative has installed wind generating capacity of 2,564 kilowatts (kW). Kotzebue Electric Association, also in Alaska, has 1,155 kW and is contracting for two 900 kW units to be installed next year.

But wind doesn’t always blow when electricity is needed—a condition referred to as "variability." Transporting wind energy from reliably windy spots to where the electricity is needed—population centers sometimes hundreds of miles away—also costs money.

If the nation were to draw 20 percent of its electricity from wind, a huge amount of new transmission capacity would need to be built. For the eastern half of the country alone, this kind of build out could require up to 22,000 miles of new high-voltage transmission, with a price tag as high as $158 billion, according to a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

"It costs less to build transmission on that scale than to build wind turbines built where there’s less wind," explains Jay Morrison, senior regulatory counsel at the Arlington, Virginia-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. "But it will be difficult to get that done. The industry and policy-makers will first have to reach agreement as to how to plan, site and allocate the costs of all of that transmission."

High-End Energy

Solar power also experiences variability challenges. A fraction of 1 percent of the nation’s electricity comes from solar—just more than 500 MW of capacity—although some electric co-ops are finding ways to make the sun work for their members.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, based in Willcox, Arizona, was honored for increased use of solar power based on watts per customer during 2009. Unranked in 2008, the co-op took the top spot in a national top 10 list by the Solar Electric Power Association, with 56 solar watts per customer.

Another Arizona co-op, Graham County Electric Cooperative, ranked 10th, with 14.8 watts. Joining those two in the top 10 for solar capacity per customer in 2009 among cooperatives were Trico Electric, Mohave Electric and Duncan Valley Electric, all of Arizona; Douglas Electric of Oregon; and Anza Electric of California.

Co-ops around the country are tapping into the potential of solar. During the past two decades, Verendrye Electric in North Dakota has installed 200 solar-powered livestock water-pumping systems to serve remote pasture wells, saving the co-op thousands of dollars in line construction costs. Building a power line to serve a well averages $20,000 per mile. A solar water pumping system costs $4,000.

Colorado-based United Power has devised a system that eliminates the headaches and expense of installing a home solar system. Under its Sol Partners program, members can pay $1,050 to have a 21-watt panel added to an array on the grounds of the co-op’s headquarters in a Denver suburb. United Power estimates those who join can earn a 3-percent annual return on their investment, or roughly $32 in electric bill credits. The co-op covers maintenance and liability costs.

"I think a lot of consumers come into solar thinking it’s the answer—and that they won’t have electric bills anymore," says United Power’s Laurel Eller. "This program establishes a living laboratory for demonstrating what they realistically can expect."

Even with such innovative projects, less than 1 MW of electric co-op power nationwide comes from the sun. But a project launched by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association in Colorado will change that. The generation and transmission co-op plans to have a 30-MW solar facility completed by the end of the year. When complete, 500,000 photovoltaic panels on a sunny patch of northeastern New Mexico will generate enough power to serve 9,000 homes.

Another Log on the Fire

Electric co-ops boast a capacity of 255 MW of biomass, which consists of any biological material that can be burned as fuel to produce electricity.

In 2003, the Port of Tillamook Bay constructed a waste digester to biologically process manure from 4,000 of the county’s 30,000 dairy cows. The facility biologically breaks down the manure, converting the resulting natural methane gas to electricity.

The Coffin Butte Resource Project—owned and operated by Power Resources Cooperative, with support by PNGC Power—began operating in 1995, converting gas from a landfill near Corvallis, Oregon, into energy. The 9,000 square-foot plant has a generating capacity of 5.66 MW. The regional landfill takes in about 550,000 tons of waste a year, providing a steady source of landfill gas.

Green Power Electric Membership Corp., a partnership of 38 Georgia co-ops, is purchasing 17 MW from a waste wood-fired biomass generator. A former Fruit of the Loom manufacturing facility houses the power plant, which is creating nearly 100 jobs in a community economically crippled in 2006 when the garment maker left town.

"We will generate cleaner, greener energy, which on its own has tremendous merit," says Green Power’s Michael Whiteside. "But when you factor in the refurbishing of an abandoned plant for a useful purpose and the revitalization of a small town economy, the value becomes untold."

A Clear View On Windows

The best windows improve a home's energy efficiency and its comfort

Windows provide ventilation, light and warmth, but also can drive up your electric bill. Efficient windows can reduce heating, cooling and even lighting costs, while improving overall comfort.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the best window glazings today insulate almost four times as well as the best commonly available windows 20 years ago.

In climates with a significant heating season, windows can be a major source of unwanted heat loss, discomfort and condensation. In climates that mainly require cooling, windows are a major source of unwanted heat gain.

High-performance windows help reduce peak heating and cooling loads. That determines the size of the furnace, heat pump, air conditioner and fans that must be installed. Smaller units can cost less.

Reducing the peak load also benefits your electric utility, which must have enough power to meet customers’ maximum requirements.

According to the Efficient Windows Collaborative, several houses built in Las Vegas with energy-efficient improvements, including windows, allowed the total size of the air conditioning system to be reduced by 30 percent.

Measuring Performance

Key window energy performance measures include:
U-value or U-factor, which measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping. It is similar to the R-value for insulation. The lower the U-value, the better the overall insulating value of the window. Ratings usually range from 0.20 to 1.20.
Windows with lower U-factors result in a higher interior window temperature in winter and greater comfort. Proper installation with weatherstripping also reduces cold air leakage.
An older, less-efficient window with a lower glass temperature feels colder because more heat is radiated from a person’s body to the window. Cold glass also can create uncomfortable drafts as air next to the window is cooled and drops to the floor.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which measures how well a window blocks heat. The lower the SHGC, the less heat gain. Values range from 0 to 1.
In summer, strong direct sunlight strikes people and interior surfaces, creating overheating and discomfort. Windows with a low SHGC reduce the heat coming through the glass.
Air infiltration or air leakage, which is listed in cubic feet of air per minute per foot of window edge. A product with a low air leakage rating is tighter than one with a high air leakage rating.

A Buyers' Guide

When shopping for new windows, look for the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label and compare ratings on Energy Star-labeled windows for your climate.
Look for windows with double panes; low-emissivity coatings; low-conductivity gas-fill between panes; and wood, vinyl or fiberglass frames.
Windows manufactured with low-e coatings reduce energy loss by as much as 50 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
They also reduce the ultraviolet rays that filter through the window by up to 75 percent. That can reduce fading of materials such as carpet, fabrics, paper, artwork and wood.
A special type of low-emissivity coating is spectrally selective, filtering out up to 70 percent of the heat normally transmitted through insulated window glass or glazing.
Both allow the full amount of light to be transmitted.
Windows with warm edge technology and insulating frames have such a warm interior glass surface that condensation on interior surfaces is significantly reduced.
To maximize energy performance, choose windows with larger unbroken glazing areas instead of multi-pane or divided-light windows. If you want to simulate the multi-pane look, use applied grills. They do not reduce energy efficiency.
Choose windows with good warranties against the loss of the air seal. If the glazing seal is lost, window fogging will occur and any low-conductivity gas between the layers of glass will be lost.
To ensure your new windows perform as well as they should, hire a skilled contractor to install them.

For information about the benefits of energy-efficient windows, descriptions of how they work, selection recommendations and links to rebate information, visit the Efficient Windows Collaborative at http://www.efficientwindows.org.

Save Even More With Stimulus Funds

Homeowners can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 for upgrading their primary residence with energy-efficient windows through 2010, reducing their income tax by up to 30 percent of the purchase price, not including installation costs. To qualify, windows must be accompanied with a signed statement certifying they have a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating that does not exceed 0.30.

Take Care to Be Safe

Windows and young children are not a good combination. Keep furniture—especially cribs or anything children can climb—away from windows.
Never leave children unsupervised around open windows.
Play areas in a child’s room should be focused in the center of the room or against a solid wall, rather than near windows.
For ventilation in rooms with young children, open the top sash of double-hung windows so children cannot reach them. Keep the bottom sash (closest to the floor) closed.
Don’t paint shut or nail shut windows. Every window in the home must be operational in case of emergency.
Never allow teenagers to crawl out of windows to sit on the roof, or "pop out" screens to hang items out of the window.
Plant shrubs, grass and "soft landscaping" items like bark and mulch directly underneath windows to help lessen the impact should someone fall out of the window.
When buying new windows, order sturdy, easy-to-operate multi-point locks to provide more protection against intruders and make it more difficult for children to operate.
Teach children window screens are there to keep insects out. They cannot sustain the weight of a child or pet pushing against them.
As people get older, pushing up a double- or single-hung window may be more stressful on the back and hands. Easy-to-operate casement windows require no lifting. The crank-out system with a side-hinged sash opens outward for ventilation. Slider windows also are a great option.
For ease of maintenance, order windows with vinyl frames. You never need to worry about scraping and repainting.
Practice safety drills regularly. Small children tend to "hide" from fire, so make sure children are familiar with escape routes and know how to move quickly out of the home. Make sure safety escape chain ladders are under the bed in every room on the second floor or higher.
If a door is not safe to exit through during a fire, exit through an open window or use an escape ladder. Do not break the glass of the window. It could cause injury.
For added security, order impact-resistant glass in windows.

A Home Buyer’s Guide

By Pam Blair

When designing and building a new home, attention to energy-efficiency details matter. Good decisions will reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, adding up to decreased utility bills and increased comfort.

More than 1 million homes in the United States have been built to Energy Star standards since the program began labeling homes in 1995.

Families living in Energy Star-qualified homes will save more than $270 million this year on their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 370,000 vehicles.

Typical energy savings are $200 to $400 a year per home.

To earn the Energy Star label, a home must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines certifying it as at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code. Typically, they are 20 percent to 30 percent more efficient than homes built to standard codes.

Energy-saving opportunities continue to grow.

A "dream home" in Boise, Idaho, raffled off as a fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital was built as a "net zero" home. That means it produces as much energy as it consumes during a year.

Every component was selected to ensure the home uses as little energy as possible. It is connected to the grid, both to draw power and share surplus generation.

While styles vary, most energy-efficient homes have some common basic elements: a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized and installed heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient appliances.

Thermal Envelope

The walls, roof, insulation, air and vapor retarders, windows, weatherstripping and caulking combine to shield the living space from the outdoors.

An energy-efficient house has much higher insulation R-values than required by local building codes. R-value is the ability of a material to resist the transfer of heat.

Properly installed insulation in floors, walls and the attic ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use and increased comfort. Gaps and compaction of insulation reduce its effectiveness.

Using caulk, weatherstripping, foam and gaskets to seal holes and cracks in the home’s envelope and heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen and noise.

Energy-efficient windows use at least double panes, with protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. Awning and casement styles often close tighter than sliding types.

Controlled Ventilation

Water vapor condensation is a threat to the structure of a house, regardless of climate.

Because an energy-efficient home is tightly sealed, controlled mechanical ventilation is needed not only to reduce air moisture infiltration, but to prevent health risks from indoor air pollution.

Heat or energy recovery ventilators salvage energy from the stale air exhaust and transfer it to fresh air entering from a heat exchanger.

Heating and Cooling

Airtight homes require relatively small heating and cooling systems. Generally, a heat pump is more efficient than separate heating and air-conditioning systems.

In addition to using less energy, energy-efficient systems are engineered to be quieter, reduce indoor humidity and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, the equipment won’t have to work as hard.

In warm climates, light-colored exterior siding and roofing can reduce cooling requirements by up to 15 percent. Carefully selected and placed vegetation lessens cooling and heating loads in any climate.

Appliances

Although higher-efficiency appliances often are more expensive to buy, operating costs usually are lower. That will add up to savings over the life of the appliance—and is especially important for water heaters, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators, which are used often.

All major appliances are required to display an EnergyGuide label. Read it carefully to determine which model is most efficient.

Appliances that also have an Energy Star label exceed the federal government’s minimum efficiency standards.

Make your home even more energy efficient by looking for the Energy Star label when shopping for electronics.

Other Considerations

Before building a home, carefully evaluate the site for optimum orientation.

If you live in a climate that requires heating most of the year, face the windows toward the sun. If you live in a climate more dependent on cooling, position the windows away from the sun.

Although not factored into Energy Star certification, house size matters. The smaller the home, the less energy is needed to heat and light it. n

Because energy-efficient homes require less money to operate, many lenders offer energy-efficient mortgages. They typically have lower points and allow the borrower’s debt-to-income ratio to be stretched.

Get the Ultimate Home Assessment

Does your existing home have drafty windows and doors, and rooms that are too hot or cold? Do you have high energy bills?

Installing replacement windows, a new heating or air-conditioning system, or more insulation may fix part of the problem. But for a truly energy-efficient home, greater comfort and lower utility bills, take a whole-house approach.

Using state-of-the-art equipment, a contractor certified to Building Performance Institute standards will evaluate all components of your home:

Exterior. Inspects for moisture, proper attic and crawl space ventilation and window inefficiencies.
Interior. Inspects for moisture, proper room ventilation, air leaks and insulation levels.
Attic. Inspects insulation levels and ventilation.
Crawl space and basement. Inspects for moisture, insulation levels and air sealing.
Combustion safety. Tests for efficiency and any natural gas leaks or gaseous toxin levels.
Blower door and duct blaster tests. Measures the volume of air leaking from your home and through your ducts, and helps identify locations of leaks.

Senate Climate Bills Seek Cleaner Future

Despite different pathways, proposals claim emissions can be significantly reduced

In a contentious midterm election year, U.S. senators are debating climate legislation on many fronts.

Political pundits joining the fray have predicted Senate legislation could be approved anytime from this summer to long after the election is over.

For several months, Sens. John Kerry, Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham—a Democrat, Independent and Republican, respectively—worked together to develop legislation that included a mechanism for pricing carbon emissions.

Graham dropped out of that coalition in May because of differences, in part, over oil and transportation industry restrictions. His focus now is setting limits on just the electricity sector to supersede regulations proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“That is what I will be pushing next year, a utility-only bill,” Graham said in a Greenwire report in June.

The Kerry-Lieberman bill seeks to reduce carbon pollution by 17 percent in 2020 and by more than 80 percent in 2050. Those benchmarks are identical to goals laid out in climate legislation passed last year by the U.S. House.

Both bills would set limits and establish emissions allowances that companies would be required to hold in the amount of greenhouse gases they produce.

A more recent bill, sponsored by Sen. Dick Luger, seeks emissions reductions without regulating greenhouse gases. Luger’s emissions goals are about half the amount of the Kerry-Lieberman bill.

Luger and fellow Republicans say strict emissions regulations would amount to a carbon tax. He believes reductions can occur, in part, through greater diversity of domestic energy resources and “a voluntary retirement program for the nation’s most-polluting coal plants,” according to his legislative outline.

Investment in domestic resources, especially nuclear energy and wind power, is also a key element of the Kerry-Lieberman bill.

A third option has been proposed by Sens. Maria Cantwell and Susan Collins, a Democrat and Republican, respectively. Their bill would establish “a target amount of carbon from fossil fuels that can be emitted into the atmosphere without disrupting the economy, using a gradually declining ‘cap,’” according to a white paper describing the legislation on Cantwell’s website.

The cap would limit the amount of fossil fuel producers and importers of coal, natural gas and oil can sell into the U.S. economy.

The bill’s “upstream” point of regulation limits regulatory compliance to 2,000 to 3,000 fossil fuel producers and importers, which would include monthly auctions of carbon permits, according to Cantwell.

The emissions allowances in the Kerry-Lieberman bill are similar to the carbon permits, but are arrived at through a different formula and would be required for a much larger group of energy-related companies.

An analysis of the bill by the Peterson Institute for International Economics predicts the cost of carbon emissions per metric ton would start at $16.47 in 2013 and increase to $55.44 by 2030.

Despite a price increase of up to 7 percent by 2030 for U.S. consumers—depending on the type of fossil fuel being used and for what purpose—the overall effect for households could be negligible because of efficiency improvements and returned revenue from emissions allowances, according to the Peterson Institute.

In the Cantwell-Collins bill, the carbon permits could not be traded and would be auctioned only to entities with a compliance obligation.

The Kerry-Lieberman bill’s emission allowances would be used to offset cost increases across several energy-related industries. Even small electric distribution utilities would need allowances to keep rates in check.

The flood of emissions allowances could create a new arm of the finance industry focused solely on marketing those credits, says Scott Corwin, executive director of the Public Power Council, a policy and advocacy group supporting public electric utilities in the Northwest.

“One of our concerns is how does that whole thing get gamed over time, and how does that affect the consumer?” Corwin says. “You could see all kinds of financial investments and hedging.”

Public utilities in the Northwest could be at a disadvantage when the initial allowances are made available because of their historic use of emissions-free energy from nuclear and hydropower.

The federal government will give away several billion allowances at the beginning of the process. After that, allowances would be sold or traded at market price. If a fair system is not established, utilities with historically low use of carbon-based fuels would receive very few allowances to start with, and would be forced to buy more at market price as their emissions increase.

Baseload generation from hydro and nuclear has reached capacity in the Northwest. As utilities grow, they will need to find generation from other sources, including fossil fuels.
“If you look at the (energy) portfolio most of our utilities have, a 10-percent baseload increase met through natural gas could triple their carbon use,” Corwin says. “In seven to 10 years, their emissions will have grown to the point where you will need significant allowances.”

EPA and the Clean Air Act

A 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling determined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

That decision was challenged this year by some lawmakers and the power industry, who say the Clean Air Act is not the proper tool for regulating emissions released from the burning of fossil fuels during electricity generation.

A resolution sponsored by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, to block EPA action on emissions failed to garner the 51 votes necessary for approval during a June 10 vote in the Senate.

Several federal climate proposals, including a bill passed by the U.S. House in 2009, have regulatory limits built into them, although the extent of those limitations vary by proposal.

The EPA announced in May an emissions rule it intends to enforce beginning in July 2011 for stationary sources, such as power plants and refineries.

Existing plants that annually emit 75,000 tons of greenhouse gases or new plants with 100,000 tons of emissions a year would be regulated by the EPA rule.

For comparison, a 500-megawatt capacity coal-fired plant emits about 3 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Several states continue to pursue legal roadblocks, questioning EPA’s stance that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to human health. Other states, however, led by California, have indicated support for federal emissions controls and are looking to implement their own automobile emissions standards.

Read more about proposed climate legislation mentioned in this story at kerry.senate.gov, luger.senate.gov and cantwell.senate.gov.

Rights of Way Are Not Roadways

By Mike Federman

Imagine going to work and finding your workspace cluttered with debris: stacks of other people’s paper, office furniture blocking your computer, heavy industrial bins jammed in front of your power tools or farm equipment, electronics broken and in need of repair.

Before you can begin the workday, you have to rearrange everything and make repairs, possibly causing injury in the process, but certainly wasting time.

This is the kind of scenario utility workers encounter when people abuse rights of way.

The open space around power poles, transformers and meters is necessary for utility workers to do their jobs quickly and efficiently.

When homeowners plant shrubs that block a meter or trees that interfere with power lines, it requires extra work for a utility to provide service. When recreationists rip up rights of way by using them as an off-road race track, it makes access more difficult and creates safety concerns.

Ultimately, additional costs borne of rights of way abuse must be covered by a utility and likely passed on to ratepayers.

A right-of-way agreement with a property owner allows utilities access to utility equipment for service and repairs. The space, however, is still private property and not open to the public.

"We have individuals using them for ATVs," says Nancy Favors, customer service manager at Nushagak Cooperative, based in Dillingham, Alaska. "Running them up and down the right of way upsets property owners. They run ATVs in the summer and snow machines in the winter."

Favors says repetitive reminders that rights of way are off limits to the public is beneficial in maintaining good relations with property owners. It also is important for safety issues.

"Some of our poles have guy wires," Favors says. "If you don’t see the guy wire, you could have an accident. You would not only tear up your machine, but could cause personal injury."

Favors also worries about snow berms that get piled up around power poles. Berms near Dillingham schools that grow during winter become piled so high that children playing on the mounds come dangerously close to overhead lines.

Regular Trimming Minimizes Outages

Maintaining a buffer zone near power poles is always important. Tree and brush trimming is one of the most challenging and expensive maintenance items for utilities that serve areas with many residential trees or have lines passing through forest land.

Trees and tree limbs are conductors of electricity and increase the potential for fires, blinking/dimming lights, power outages and personal injury.

Northern Lights Inc., based in Sagle, Idaho, spends about $1 million a year to clear trees and limbs from overhead and underground power line rights of way.

"Enjoying the lush forests and the trees is a big reason many of us live in northern Idaho," says Northern Lights General Manager Jon Shelby. "But trees and overhead power lines do not mix, especially during wind and snowstorms. Tree-related outages are an inconvenience and expensive for our members. That is why Northern Lights has professional tree contractors and a certified arborist on staff to assure rights-of-way maintenance tree trimming is done in an professional manner."

Electric utilities ask property owners not to trim trees near power lines. If a tree is growing into a line, contact your utility. A crew also will assess the situation for other dead or overgrown vegetation that pose a threat to power lines and work with the property owner to remove it.

Homeowners can take a proactive approach to rights of way maintenance simply by buying trees and shrubs whose growth habits will not interfere with utility equipment and service operations.

When landscaping near power lines, it is important to remember that trucks and equipment need enough room to access electrical facilities. Gardens planted in rights of way can be damaged when utility work is performed.

Fences are important and often necessary for a property owner’s privacy. If a fence is built around the perimeter of a lot so it crosses or runs adjacent to a power line, use the following guidelines:

Do not pile or stack building materials in the right of way.
Do not attach fencing or posts to power poles.
Retain a minimum distance of 10 feet from all poles or underground transformer boxes.
Gates should be at least 12 feet wide for truck access. Utilities will need a lock key or combination for locked gates.

By respecting rights of way, ratepayers can help ensure they continue to receive quality service and an uninterrupted flow of electricity.

Pack Up Energy Savings

When taking a vacation, do you think about giving your meter a break, too?

It’s easy to forget about conserving electricity when you and your family pack up the car to head off on vacation or a lengthy trip. But if you don’t think about it before you leave, you could face an unpleasant—even irritating—surprise when you return.

While it seems to make no sense, your energy bill can be the same or even higher when your home is unoccupied. Some equipment, motors and electrical devices use power, whether or not anyone is home.

Let your meter know you are gone by preparing your home before you leave. Then you can enjoy your vacation knowing you are not wasting energy—or your money.

Preparing the Home for Your Absence

Air conditioning and heating are the top users of electricity. Before you pull out of the driveway, you turn the thermostat to its lowest possible setting, thinking you have effectively turned off the system.

In reality, you have only turned it to the lowest setting—generally 55 degrees. That means it will come on each time the temperature inside the house drops below 55 degrees. In the fall, winter and even spring, that could be every day. The same principle applies to your air conditioning system.

To really disable your heating and cooling system, shut them off at the breaker panel. Before you do that, though, make sure the house won’t get so cold your plumbing is at risk.

If you fail to shut off the breaker, your heating costs could actually rise when you are not home. That is because clothes drying, cooking, bathing and human activity give off heat that contributes to a home’s temperature. Without a human presence, the heating system must work harder.

The second-biggest user of electricity is your water heater. Because it is out of sight, it is easy to forget. If you will be gone for more than two days, turn the heater off at the breaker. Left on, the water heater will work to keep all 50 or more gallons of water in the tank heated to 120 to 140 degrees, 24 hours a day.

Refrigerators and freezers draw electricity to keep your food cold and frozen in your absence. If you will be gone for a prolonged time, empty them out, shut them off at the breaker and prop open the doors to prevent mildew from growing inside.

Anything that uses clocks, memory, remote control, microprocessors and instant-on features—such as televisions and VCRs—consume small amounts of electricity even when turned "off." Unplug those items before you leave.

Rather than leave lights on all day, use a timer.

Detecting Other Reasons for High Bills

Staying home and trying to figure out what is behind an increase in your electric bill? Consider these possible causes:

Did your bills go up dramatically at the beginning of summer or winter, when you regularly began running the air conditioning or electric heat? Perhaps temperatures are extreme. Your system also may need help. Change filters and check window caulking. If that doesn’t stabilize your bill, call your utility or a heating/air-conditioning professional for help with more complicated things, such as thermostat operation and compressor cycling.
A defective water heater thermostat can prevent the heating element from cutting off, causing continuous operation. In two-element heaters, failure of one element can cause the other to operate more.
Do you live in a rural area and have a well? The cushion of air above the water in the pressure tank can be lost, or waterlogged, causing the tank pressure to drop rapidly when the pump cycles off. When this occurs, the pump continuously cycles on and off, causing higher-than-normal electric usage.
Consider your living habits. Do you love gadgets? Most are powered by electricity. Perhaps you have a growing family, and you recently purchased a computer and a dishwasher. Do you love to cook? Do you and your family spend hours surfing the Internet? Did you have guests who stayed for weeks on end, and who left on the lights and did laundry? All of these activities add to your electricity usage.
Has anything changed in your household? Spring or fall cleaning, holiday activities, sickness or convalescence at home, and changes in the size of the family—for example, a new baby or a college student returning home—often result in increased electrical usage.
If you have moved into a new home, consider whether your new dwelling is larger than your former home, is in a location with more extreme temperatures or wind, has a larger water heater and/or heating equipment, is less well insulated, has fewer draperies or has manual heating controls.
Billing periods can vary from month to month. Note whether the month contained five weekends or a holiday—time when usage tends to be greater.
Other causes of bill variations are defective appliances, frost on a refrigerator unit, home repairs, lack of good appliance maintenance, defective house wiring, exposure of pipes and the water heater to cold air, and leaking hot water faucets.

What’s Up With My Electric Meter?

Often consumers faced with higher-than-usual bills wonder if their meter is wrong, if it was read improperly or if it has a short and is running fast.

While those things can happen, they are rare.

Your electric meter is a finely calibrated device that is almost always within the plus or minus 2 percent tolerance range. Meters are regularly tested to ensure accuracy.

High bills rarely are due to a faulty, fast-running meter. In fact, a meter tends to gradually slow with age, benefiting the consumer.

The most common cause of high bills is an increase in electrical usage.

When you are home, you use electricity for lighting, heating and cooling, cooking, cleaning, operating electronics and powering your computer. But the electricity is on even when you are gone, powering your water heater, refrigerator, pumps and all of those electronics that have a built-in clock and automatic "on" function. They are "phantom" power users, drawing a small amount of electricity whenever they are plugged in, regardless of whether they are turned on.

Do the Math

To better understand how you use electricity, read your meter at about the same time each day for one week. Note activities done one day, but not the next, and special circumstances, such as overnight guests. That will help you identify reasons for varying usage. Subtract the previous day’s reading from the current reading to see how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you use during a 24-hour period.