The Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy keeps a close eye on what's happening with the climate change debate, and legislation that could impact people here in Alabama. PACE was organized and is run by Lance Brown, who sends out e-mail updates every once in a while, and we'll start sharing them with you. Check out the PACE website to learn more.
PACE NEWS (12/15/09)
Renewables Meet Reality: From Earthquakes to Bats, Ambitious Projects Hit Roadblocks
According to a New York Times article from December 12th, "the company in charge of a California project to extract vast amounts of renewable energy from deep, hot bedrock has removed its drill rig and informed federal officials that the government project will be abandoned."
According to NYT reporter James Glanz, "the project by the company, Alta Rock Energy, was the Obama administration's first major test of geothermal energy as a significant alternative to fossil fuels and the project was being financed with federal Department of Energy money at a site about 100 miles north of San Francisco called the Geysers." The abandonment of the project by AltaRock comes on the heels of a permanent shut down of a similar project in Basel, Switzerland, that caused damaging earthquakes in 2006 and 2007. The geothermal project at the Geysers relied on $6 million from the Department of Energy and five times that amount in venture capital.
On the other side of the country, a major wind project in West Virginia has been stopped in recent days by a smaller - and furrier - concern: bats.
On December 8th, a federal judge in Maryland concluded that "there is a virtual certainty that Indiana bats will be harmed, wounded, or killed imminently by the Beech Ridge Project...", located in Greenbriar County, West Virginia, and operated by Beech Ridge LLC. The company planned to build and operate 122 wind turbines along 23 miles of ridgelines. According to published reports, 40 of the wind turbines are already under construction.
According to this first-of-a-kind ruling, Beech Ridge LLC did not properly determine whether Indiana bats were present at the project site. Acoustic data later revealed that Indiana bats were likely to be present at the project site in the Spring, Summer, and Fall and would be endangered by the wind turbines. The bats hibernate in Winter.
"Whether it's the shut down of geothermal in California or wind in West Virginia, I think we are starting to see that the build-out of renewable energy can be a treacherous road," says Lance Brown, PACE Executive Director. "It should make us think at least twice about whether aggressive national renewable mandates are even achievable in the proposed timeframes, much less equitable or affordable."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Another update from Capitol Hill
Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has written another opinion column, updating the status of climate change legislation moving through Congress.
As was the case with his previous guest column, we decided to publish it online because the situation in Washington, D.C., is constantly changing, and his words today might not clearly reflect that situation by the time our next issue of Alabama Living magazine is published.
Climate change remedies need change
By Glenn English
We’ve heard a lot about climate change and the impact Congressional action will have on electric bills. Affordability must be a top priority, and electric cooperatives are fighting to make sure Congress keeps this in mind as they work through a number of climate change proposals.
So far, more than 600,000 electric cooperative consumers from across the United States have asked Congress to craft climate change legislation that’s fair, affordable, and technologically achievable. Our message is clear, and our elected U.S. senators must hear us out.
Over the last few months and as recently as early November, electric co-ops urged members of a key U.S. Senate committee to look out for the interests of consumers as they convened hearings on climate change legislation. Electric cooperatives expressed our commitment to help produce legislation that would substantially improve upon what was passed by the U.S. House in June—and help craft climate change legislation that would be economically and politically sustainable over the many years it would be in effect. We offered concrete ideas on how to get this important job done right.
But an early measure passed by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee —S.1733—has ignored these voices and included unachievable emission caps and timelines, inadequate technology development incentives and, most importantly, no guarantee that your electric bill will remain affordable. Rather than moving climate change goals toward a solution that protects consumers, the 959-page measure took a big step backward.
While 11 of the 100 U.S. senators voiced support of S.1733, several other Senate committees and 89 senators have yet to weigh in with their own climate change proposals. In this critical time we must continue to make our voices heard, contacting our senators with one simple message: let’s get this right. Let’s keep this affordable.
Electric co-ops support climate change goals that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting consumers, promote investment in new technologies, and spur economic goals. Our senators must remember to keep climate change goals fair, affordable, and achievable as legislative debate proceeds.
Contacting your U.S. senators at this point is crucial, and calling or writing to them is easy through the Our Energy, Our Future™ campaign. Spend a few moments today making your voice heard. For more information, please visit, www.ourenergy.coop.
Glenn English is the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
As was the case with his previous guest column, we decided to publish it online because the situation in Washington, D.C., is constantly changing, and his words today might not clearly reflect that situation by the time our next issue of Alabama Living magazine is published.
Climate change remedies need change
By Glenn English
We’ve heard a lot about climate change and the impact Congressional action will have on electric bills. Affordability must be a top priority, and electric cooperatives are fighting to make sure Congress keeps this in mind as they work through a number of climate change proposals.
So far, more than 600,000 electric cooperative consumers from across the United States have asked Congress to craft climate change legislation that’s fair, affordable, and technologically achievable. Our message is clear, and our elected U.S. senators must hear us out.
Over the last few months and as recently as early November, electric co-ops urged members of a key U.S. Senate committee to look out for the interests of consumers as they convened hearings on climate change legislation. Electric cooperatives expressed our commitment to help produce legislation that would substantially improve upon what was passed by the U.S. House in June—and help craft climate change legislation that would be economically and politically sustainable over the many years it would be in effect. We offered concrete ideas on how to get this important job done right.
But an early measure passed by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee —S.1733—has ignored these voices and included unachievable emission caps and timelines, inadequate technology development incentives and, most importantly, no guarantee that your electric bill will remain affordable. Rather than moving climate change goals toward a solution that protects consumers, the 959-page measure took a big step backward.
While 11 of the 100 U.S. senators voiced support of S.1733, several other Senate committees and 89 senators have yet to weigh in with their own climate change proposals. In this critical time we must continue to make our voices heard, contacting our senators with one simple message: let’s get this right. Let’s keep this affordable.
Electric co-ops support climate change goals that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting consumers, promote investment in new technologies, and spur economic goals. Our senators must remember to keep climate change goals fair, affordable, and achievable as legislative debate proceeds.
Contacting your U.S. senators at this point is crucial, and calling or writing to them is easy through the Our Energy, Our Future™ campaign. Spend a few moments today making your voice heard. For more information, please visit, www.ourenergy.coop.
Glenn English is the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
NRECA boss gives legislative update
Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), has written a guest editorial addressing the progress of climate change legislation in Congress. Because the situation on Capitol Hill is fluid, we thought it best to share his comments with you here. If we waited until our next publication date, what English has to say now might no longer be accurate or relevant.
Please pass a link to the story along to anyone you know who might feel the impact of higher energy prices due to climate change legislation (that would be everyone you know...)
Co-ops Bring Postcard Blitz to Capitol Hill
By Glenn English, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO
Here in our nation’s capital, elected officials are hunkered down for a legislative marathon many observers believe could stretch to Christmas Eve. With health-care and financial services reform, as well as energy and climate legislation, on active tracks, I cannot remember a time when so many ambitious and potentially game-changing proposals have been in play simultaneously.
Needless to say, the stakes are high and competition fierce. As you might expect with so much going on, it’s difficult to be heard above the din of paid media advertisements, “astroturf” public relations initiatives, and partisan political punditry. That’s why in August, in anticipation of a crowded congressional fall schedule and inevitable consideration of a climate change bill by the U.S. Senate, NRECA’s Our Energy, Our Future™ campaign launched an aggressive “postcard blitz.” The goal: urging senators to work with electric cooperatives to minimize the cost of curbing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and asking that they fight for provisions that are fair, affordable, and achievable.
The postcards entered the mail stream in late August, arriving at the homes of electric co-op consumers directly or stitched into statewide publications. The results of this effort have been immediate and overwhelming.
During the last week of September — literally hours before U.S. Senate leaders released their first draft of climate change legislation — delegates from electric co-ops across the nation converged on Capitol Hill to hand-deliver more than 500,000 signed postcards. These postcards serve as a physical representation of politically aware and engaged electric co-op consumers, demonstrating the incredible depth and breadth of our grassroots strength much more than any e-mail string or electronic petition. As a result, they effectively drive home the point that folks back home are watching how senators vote on this critical issue.
The initial draft of a climate change bill in the U.S. Senate, however, missed the mark. Electric cooperatives have significant concerns with the Senate bill and changes will need to be made.
The economic impact of climate change remedies will be enormous, ultimately driving up the price we pay for electric power. Just how high monthly electric bills will soar has become a matter of some debate. But the Congressional Budget Office — the non-partisan arm of Congress entrusted with determining the price tag of federal legislation — estimates that H.R. 2454, the climate change measure passed by the U.S. House in late June, would cost the average American household $175 a year by 2020. That works out to about $14 or $15 a month: an average that will vary depending on where you live.
Congress needs to ensure that consumers are protected from soaring increases in electric bills because of the legislation they consider. Now is the time to shape this legislation into something electric co-op consumers can afford to live with, and already we are seeing discussions that could make the bill more realistic in its goals and timelines. The Our Energy, Our Future campaign can keep the discussion going.
If your voice has not yet been heard, please get involved. I urge you to visit ourenergy.coop and join with the hundreds of thousands of co-op members who have already sent postcards. If you have taken the time to fill one out and mail it in, thank you.
Please pass a link to the story along to anyone you know who might feel the impact of higher energy prices due to climate change legislation (that would be everyone you know...)
Co-ops Bring Postcard Blitz to Capitol Hill
By Glenn English, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO
Here in our nation’s capital, elected officials are hunkered down for a legislative marathon many observers believe could stretch to Christmas Eve. With health-care and financial services reform, as well as energy and climate legislation, on active tracks, I cannot remember a time when so many ambitious and potentially game-changing proposals have been in play simultaneously.
Needless to say, the stakes are high and competition fierce. As you might expect with so much going on, it’s difficult to be heard above the din of paid media advertisements, “astroturf” public relations initiatives, and partisan political punditry. That’s why in August, in anticipation of a crowded congressional fall schedule and inevitable consideration of a climate change bill by the U.S. Senate, NRECA’s Our Energy, Our Future™ campaign launched an aggressive “postcard blitz.” The goal: urging senators to work with electric cooperatives to minimize the cost of curbing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and asking that they fight for provisions that are fair, affordable, and achievable.
The postcards entered the mail stream in late August, arriving at the homes of electric co-op consumers directly or stitched into statewide publications. The results of this effort have been immediate and overwhelming.
During the last week of September — literally hours before U.S. Senate leaders released their first draft of climate change legislation — delegates from electric co-ops across the nation converged on Capitol Hill to hand-deliver more than 500,000 signed postcards. These postcards serve as a physical representation of politically aware and engaged electric co-op consumers, demonstrating the incredible depth and breadth of our grassroots strength much more than any e-mail string or electronic petition. As a result, they effectively drive home the point that folks back home are watching how senators vote on this critical issue.
The initial draft of a climate change bill in the U.S. Senate, however, missed the mark. Electric cooperatives have significant concerns with the Senate bill and changes will need to be made.
The economic impact of climate change remedies will be enormous, ultimately driving up the price we pay for electric power. Just how high monthly electric bills will soar has become a matter of some debate. But the Congressional Budget Office — the non-partisan arm of Congress entrusted with determining the price tag of federal legislation — estimates that H.R. 2454, the climate change measure passed by the U.S. House in late June, would cost the average American household $175 a year by 2020. That works out to about $14 or $15 a month: an average that will vary depending on where you live.
Congress needs to ensure that consumers are protected from soaring increases in electric bills because of the legislation they consider. Now is the time to shape this legislation into something electric co-op consumers can afford to live with, and already we are seeing discussions that could make the bill more realistic in its goals and timelines. The Our Energy, Our Future campaign can keep the discussion going.
If your voice has not yet been heard, please get involved. I urge you to visit ourenergy.coop and join with the hundreds of thousands of co-op members who have already sent postcards. If you have taken the time to fill one out and mail it in, thank you.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Outage tonight will impact more than 10,000 members
Cullman EC, the Cullman Power Board and TVA will be working at the North Cullman substation tonight, and starting at 11 p.m., an outage lasting 20 to 30 minutes will take place.
The outage is to fix a "hot spot" inside the substation. We regularly use infrared cameras to look for hot spots in substations. If equipment overheats, it can cause a major power outage — usually at a time that is most inconvenient for everyone. During a check earlier this week, a hot spot was discovered, and the decision was made to fix is ASAP.
The outage will effect North Cullman as well as all of the substations that it feeds along a 46 kv line. Among those are Trade, Trimble, Jones Chapel, Holy Pond, Berlin to name a few.
The outage is to fix a "hot spot" inside the substation. We regularly use infrared cameras to look for hot spots in substations. If equipment overheats, it can cause a major power outage — usually at a time that is most inconvenient for everyone. During a check earlier this week, a hot spot was discovered, and the decision was made to fix is ASAP.
The outage will effect North Cullman as well as all of the substations that it feeds along a 46 kv line. Among those are Trade, Trimble, Jones Chapel, Holy Pond, Berlin to name a few.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Climate change comes with a high price
Interesting guest column today in the Washington Post, written by Bjorn Lomborg, director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center and the author of "Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming."
Click on the link above to read the whole article, which is very interesting, but below are some excerpts that we found particularly interesting.
...Imagine for a moment that the fantasists win the day and that at the climate conference in Copenhagen in December every nation commits to reductions even larger than Japan's, designed to keep temperature increases under 2 degrees Celsius. The result will be a global price tag of $46 trillion in 2100, to avoid expected climate damage costing just $1.1 trillion, according to climate economist Richard Tol, a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change whose cost findings were commissioned by the Copenhagen Consensus Center and are to be published by Cambridge University Press next year....
...Today, coal accounts for almost half of the planet's electricity supply, including half the power consumed in the United States. It keeps hospitals and core infrastructure running, provides warmth and light in winter, and makes lifesaving air conditioning available in summer. In China and India, where coal accounts for more than 80 percent of power generation, it has helped to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
There is no doubt that coal is causing environmental damage that we need to stop. But a clumsy, radical halt to our coal use -- which is what promises of drastic carbon cuts actually require -- would mean depriving billions of people of a path to prosperity.
To put it bluntly: Despite their good intentions, the activists, lobbyists and politicians making a last-ditch push for hugely expensive carbon-cut promises could easily end up doing hundreds of times more damage to the planet than coal ever could.
Click on the link above to read the whole article, which is very interesting, but below are some excerpts that we found particularly interesting.
...Imagine for a moment that the fantasists win the day and that at the climate conference in Copenhagen in December every nation commits to reductions even larger than Japan's, designed to keep temperature increases under 2 degrees Celsius. The result will be a global price tag of $46 trillion in 2100, to avoid expected climate damage costing just $1.1 trillion, according to climate economist Richard Tol, a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change whose cost findings were commissioned by the Copenhagen Consensus Center and are to be published by Cambridge University Press next year....
...Today, coal accounts for almost half of the planet's electricity supply, including half the power consumed in the United States. It keeps hospitals and core infrastructure running, provides warmth and light in winter, and makes lifesaving air conditioning available in summer. In China and India, where coal accounts for more than 80 percent of power generation, it has helped to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
There is no doubt that coal is causing environmental damage that we need to stop. But a clumsy, radical halt to our coal use -- which is what promises of drastic carbon cuts actually require -- would mean depriving billions of people of a path to prosperity.
To put it bluntly: Despite their good intentions, the activists, lobbyists and politicians making a last-ditch push for hugely expensive carbon-cut promises could easily end up doing hundreds of times more damage to the planet than coal ever could.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Phone scam — members beware!
Word is spreading across the electric co-op world of a billing scam that some co-op's are dealing with. So far, none of Cullman EC's members have reported such an incident, but we wanted to share this with everyone so you are aware and prepared.
Here is the e-mail Cullman EC received Tuesday morning:
All, just an FYI that NRECA is getting some reports from various states where co-op consumers are receiving phone calls from fraudsters posing to be from the co-op and asking the consumer to provide credit card or other financial account information and personally identifiable information over the phone. (Co-ops are not alone here, this is hitting utilities of all stripes.) There are at least two flavors of this scam -- one is to say the consumer owes on his/her account and will have service shut-off unless payment information is provided immediately. The other appears aimed more specifically at seniors. The caller claims the consumer can receive Federal stimulus dollars to pay their utility bills or some sort of a bill credit but the consumer must first provide his/her personal information (e.g. Social Security Number and utility account number).
As a reminder, here is a link to Cullman EC's bill pay policies. Please know that no employee from Cullman EC will ever call you and demand payment over the phone or make unsolicited attempts to get information about your credit card or bank accounts.
For more information on protecting your identity, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website page on identity theft.
Here is the e-mail Cullman EC received Tuesday morning:
All, just an FYI that NRECA is getting some reports from various states where co-op consumers are receiving phone calls from fraudsters posing to be from the co-op and asking the consumer to provide credit card or other financial account information and personally identifiable information over the phone. (Co-ops are not alone here, this is hitting utilities of all stripes.) There are at least two flavors of this scam -- one is to say the consumer owes on his/her account and will have service shut-off unless payment information is provided immediately. The other appears aimed more specifically at seniors. The caller claims the consumer can receive Federal stimulus dollars to pay their utility bills or some sort of a bill credit but the consumer must first provide his/her personal information (e.g. Social Security Number and utility account number).
As a reminder, here is a link to Cullman EC's bill pay policies. Please know that no employee from Cullman EC will ever call you and demand payment over the phone or make unsolicited attempts to get information about your credit card or bank accounts.
For more information on protecting your identity, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website page on identity theft.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Hurricane season comes to life
After 2 1/2 months of inactivity, the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season saw it's first three names storms — Ana, Bill and Claudette — develop over the weekend. Ana appears to be of no concern to residents in Alabama and other Gulf Coast states. Bill has reached hurricane level and could be a major storm (category 3 or higher) by the middle of the week, but he's a long way from the U.S. mainland right now.
Claudette is been downgraded this morning to a tropical depression as it moves inland over South Alabama. Cullman and Winston counties can expect the possibility of some rain this afternoon or evening and a slight tropical breeze, but not much more.
For anyone interested, here is a link to the National Weather Service Hurricane Center.
Claudette is been downgraded this morning to a tropical depression as it moves inland over South Alabama. Cullman and Winston counties can expect the possibility of some rain this afternoon or evening and a slight tropical breeze, but not much more.
For anyone interested, here is a link to the National Weather Service Hurricane Center.
PowerSouth CEO warns of "cap & trade disaster"
PowerSouth president & CEO Gary Smith wrote a guest column that was published in the Andalusia Star News over the weekend that is worth reading.
PowerSouth is the major electricity generation and transmission company for South Alabama and much of the Florida Panhandle. The column mentions some specific statistics in terms of the future cost increases that would be felt by consumers if the current version of the climate change bill is passed. Cullman Electric Cooperative is a distributor of TVA-generated electricity, not PowerSouth, but our members can anticipate a similar increase.
A link to the full column is above, but here are some excerpts from Smith's column:
— "Current proposals for a government auction of carbon allowances under a cap-and-trade program basically represent an energy tax on consumers designed to transfer wealth and provide funding for government spending. Making energy substantially more expensive would be a regressive tax on the poorest Americans, slowing economic growth and our economy as a whole."
— "By 2012, PowerSouth would need to purchase 2.7 million carbon dioxide credits, and estimates are that the credits will be $20 each, which translates into an additional $54 million burden for our members. Even the bill’s supporters concede that it will cause electricity costs to skyrocket, yet the bill’s subsidies don’t make up for the price increase consumers would face. For consumers served by PowerSouth’s member cooperatives, the passage of the Waxman-Markey Bill in its current state could mean a 6.78 percent increase in monthly power bills beginning in 2012."
PowerSouth is the major electricity generation and transmission company for South Alabama and much of the Florida Panhandle. The column mentions some specific statistics in terms of the future cost increases that would be felt by consumers if the current version of the climate change bill is passed. Cullman Electric Cooperative is a distributor of TVA-generated electricity, not PowerSouth, but our members can anticipate a similar increase.
A link to the full column is above, but here are some excerpts from Smith's column:
— "Current proposals for a government auction of carbon allowances under a cap-and-trade program basically represent an energy tax on consumers designed to transfer wealth and provide funding for government spending. Making energy substantially more expensive would be a regressive tax on the poorest Americans, slowing economic growth and our economy as a whole."
— "By 2012, PowerSouth would need to purchase 2.7 million carbon dioxide credits, and estimates are that the credits will be $20 each, which translates into an additional $54 million burden for our members. Even the bill’s supporters concede that it will cause electricity costs to skyrocket, yet the bill’s subsidies don’t make up for the price increase consumers would face. For consumers served by PowerSouth’s member cooperatives, the passage of the Waxman-Markey Bill in its current state could mean a 6.78 percent increase in monthly power bills beginning in 2012."
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Maybe nuclear power isn't so bad after all
Interesting article. Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore is saying that his group made a mistake in the 1970s and ’80s in opposing nuclear power plants.
“We got a lot of things right in the early years of the environmental movement,” Moore said, as he described Greenpeace’s battles against nuclear weapons testing and toxic waste and its Save the Whales campaign, but also made the mistake of tying its opposition to nuclear weapons with its position on nuclear energy as though everything nuclear was evil.
“If it hadn’t been for the environmental movement back then, there would be a lot less coal plants and a lot more nuclear plants in the United States and around the world today,” he said. “It was a serious error.”
Here is a link to the entire article from the CFC Solutions News Bulletin.
“We got a lot of things right in the early years of the environmental movement,” Moore said, as he described Greenpeace’s battles against nuclear weapons testing and toxic waste and its Save the Whales campaign, but also made the mistake of tying its opposition to nuclear weapons with its position on nuclear energy as though everything nuclear was evil.
“If it hadn’t been for the environmental movement back then, there would be a lot less coal plants and a lot more nuclear plants in the United States and around the world today,” he said. “It was a serious error.”
Here is a link to the entire article from the CFC Solutions News Bulletin.
TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment going down... again.
TVA's Fuel Cost Adjustment has been reduced for the third consecutive quarter, effective July 1. To see the full press release, visit the Cullman Electric Cooperative website.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Climate change bill debated in House today
Watch/listen to the House debate on the American Clean Energy & Security Act on C-SPAN
The House debates the American Clean Energy & Security Act, Pres. Obama's climate change legislation. The bill centers on a renewable electicity standard, encouraging the use of renewable energy, and a cap-and-trade policy, creating financial incentives to limit carbon emissions.
The House debates the American Clean Energy & Security Act, Pres. Obama's climate change legislation. The bill centers on a renewable electicity standard, encouraging the use of renewable energy, and a cap-and-trade policy, creating financial incentives to limit carbon emissions.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Congress continues to look for the right solution
Here are two interesting article from the most recent news cycle.
The first covers some of the changes to current climate change legislation and why Congress doesn't think it will be able to pass legislation that meets President Obama's goals for renewable energy.
Here's another article with details of a climate change plan crafted by Republicans in Congress.
The first covers some of the changes to current climate change legislation and why Congress doesn't think it will be able to pass legislation that meets President Obama's goals for renewable energy.
Here's another article with details of a climate change plan crafted by Republicans in Congress.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Climate change bill passes House committee
Here are some more updates and opinions on the Waxman-Markey climate change bill.
House panel advances global warming bill — Associated Press
Climate change bill addresses job losses — The Heritage Foundation
House panel advances global warming bill — Associated Press
Climate change bill addresses job losses — The Heritage Foundation
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Climate change legislation moving through Congress
The Waxman-Markey energy and climate bill has received plenty of headlines in recent weeks. Climate change legislation is a popular topic for journalists and bloggers, so we've decided to share links to what is being written.
For the record, electric cooperatives are opposed to the bill. As it is currently written, the Waxman-Markey bill would cause the monthly electric bill of co-op members across the country to jump up significantly, and that is something co-ops cannot and will not support.
Co-ops absolutely support Congress in its efforts to address climate change, but we are working to make sure any legislation that is passed does so without causing the cost of electricity to become unaffordable. Earlier this month, more than 3,000 co-op employees from 48 states converged on Washington D.C. to meet with their respective representatives. The Alabama contingent had more than 120 people that met with all seven congressmen as well as Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby.
Look for continued updates as new articles appear on the internet. Here are a few we found today (some relating directly to the Waxman-Markey bill, and others concerning climate change and energy policy in general):
Cap-and-Trade Debate Drags On in House Energy Committee — The Washington Post
U.S. Lawmakers reject nuclear in renewable power goals — Reuters
Thinking about cap and trade — The Atlantic magazine
Climate Bill: Plenty of Sound and Fury in Waxman-Markey Hearings — Wall Street Journal blog
The Waxman-Markey Global Warming Tax — The Heritage Foundation
For the record, electric cooperatives are opposed to the bill. As it is currently written, the Waxman-Markey bill would cause the monthly electric bill of co-op members across the country to jump up significantly, and that is something co-ops cannot and will not support.
Co-ops absolutely support Congress in its efforts to address climate change, but we are working to make sure any legislation that is passed does so without causing the cost of electricity to become unaffordable. Earlier this month, more than 3,000 co-op employees from 48 states converged on Washington D.C. to meet with their respective representatives. The Alabama contingent had more than 120 people that met with all seven congressmen as well as Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby.
Look for continued updates as new articles appear on the internet. Here are a few we found today (some relating directly to the Waxman-Markey bill, and others concerning climate change and energy policy in general):
Cap-and-Trade Debate Drags On in House Energy Committee — The Washington Post
U.S. Lawmakers reject nuclear in renewable power goals — Reuters
Thinking about cap and trade — The Atlantic magazine
Climate Bill: Plenty of Sound and Fury in Waxman-Markey Hearings — Wall Street Journal blog
The Waxman-Markey Global Warming Tax — The Heritage Foundation
Friday, April 17, 2009
Energy Secreatry says coal, nuclear are here to stay — for now
One of the Obama Administration's top energy advisors said recently that coal and nuclear technology will remain a key part in U.S. energy production for at least the rest of this century.
That's pretty big news from a major player, considering all of the talk out of Washington, D.C., in recent months.
If you have not had a chance to check out the Our Energy, Our Future campaign website, here is a link. The idea behind the movement is to make sure your elected officials are asking the important questions that must be answered in the energy crisis/climate change debate.
Co-ops are not opposed to expanding renewable energy sources, but we have to make sure those decisions are being made with a full understanding of the issues. The biggest issue for co-ops is the cost. Unrealistic mandates for production and use could cause prices to skyrocket for consumers, and that is something co-ops do not want to see happen.
That's pretty big news from a major player, considering all of the talk out of Washington, D.C., in recent months.
If you have not had a chance to check out the Our Energy, Our Future campaign website, here is a link. The idea behind the movement is to make sure your elected officials are asking the important questions that must be answered in the energy crisis/climate change debate.
Co-ops are not opposed to expanding renewable energy sources, but we have to make sure those decisions are being made with a full understanding of the issues. The biggest issue for co-ops is the cost. Unrealistic mandates for production and use could cause prices to skyrocket for consumers, and that is something co-ops do not want to see happen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday lunchtime update
The number of members without power is going down, but there is still a lot of work to do. As of noon Wednesday, approximately 520 members were without power. Most of those are in the southwest portion of Cullman County and southeast portion of Winston County, surrounding Smith Lake.
The line crews are blanketing that area, while a few crews are located in other areas of the service territory finishing up other repairs and outages.
All of the biggest outages have been dealt with (one problem = hundreds without power). It's almost to the point where each repair that is made leads to one member having their service restored. We're not quite there yet, but right now, every repair means several streets or a group of houses has power again.
With a little luck, we could have everyone back on before the end of the day.
The line crews are blanketing that area, while a few crews are located in other areas of the service territory finishing up other repairs and outages.
All of the biggest outages have been dealt with (one problem = hundreds without power). It's almost to the point where each repair that is made leads to one member having their service restored. We're not quite there yet, but right now, every repair means several streets or a group of houses has power again.
With a little luck, we could have everyone back on before the end of the day.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday lunchtime update
Outages are down to 2,700 remaining, still concentrated in the southwest service territory, but hundreds scattered all over.
What is a gravity wave???
According to the story in today's edition of The Cullman Times, and reports from media outlets all across the southeastern United States, a weather phenomenon known as a gravity wave is what produced the strong, sustained winds that caused so much damage Sunday night and Monday morning.
So, what exactly is a gravity wave? Here's the best description we could find, although we're not sure it really explains it easily. From what it says, we can assume that the thunderstorms Sunday night are what triggered the gravity wave.
Here is a pretty cool time-lapse video of a gravity wave. This is what we all would have seen in the skies if the gravity wave had occurred during daylight hours.
ONE OTHER NOTE: In talking with our operations staff, they said the damage from this gravity wave is every bit as bad if not worse than what Hurricane Ivan did to this area in September 2004.
Maybe we should start giving names to gravity waves. Just a thought...
So, what exactly is a gravity wave? Here's the best description we could find, although we're not sure it really explains it easily. From what it says, we can assume that the thunderstorms Sunday night are what triggered the gravity wave.
Here is a pretty cool time-lapse video of a gravity wave. This is what we all would have seen in the skies if the gravity wave had occurred during daylight hours.
ONE OTHER NOTE: In talking with our operations staff, they said the damage from this gravity wave is every bit as bad if not worse than what Hurricane Ivan did to this area in September 2004.
Maybe we should start giving names to gravity waves. Just a thought...
Tuesday morning update
As of 10 a.m., approximately 3,900 Cullman EC members were without power.
Outages are still spread all over our service territory. The highest concentration of outages is located in the southwest portion of Cullman County, including the communities of Arkadelphia, Bug Tussle, Bremen, Sulphur Springs and Trade (just to name a few).
More than 50 Cullman EC employees having been working in the field since 5 a.m. They are being assisted by linemen crews from Cullman Power Board Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, as well as contract lineman crews and tree trimming crews.
Many of the remaining 3,900 members should have their electrical service restored today, but for some people, it's going to be at least another day. Just being honest. Due to broken poles and the distance between many of the outages, there just aren't enough hours in the day to make all of the repairs during the next 12-14 hours.
Outages are still spread all over our service territory. The highest concentration of outages is located in the southwest portion of Cullman County, including the communities of Arkadelphia, Bug Tussle, Bremen, Sulphur Springs and Trade (just to name a few).
More than 50 Cullman EC employees having been working in the field since 5 a.m. They are being assisted by linemen crews from Cullman Power Board Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, as well as contract lineman crews and tree trimming crews.
Many of the remaining 3,900 members should have their electrical service restored today, but for some people, it's going to be at least another day. Just being honest. Due to broken poles and the distance between many of the outages, there just aren't enough hours in the day to make all of the repairs during the next 12-14 hours.
Monday, April 13, 2009
12,000 restored as of 7 p.m.
More than 12,000 of the 17,000 members that were without power caused by Sunday night's thunderstorms and strong wind have power back as of 7 p.m.
There are still approximately 4,900 members without power. Cullman EC's linemen crews will work throughout the night to make repairs. The Cullman Power Board has extended its hand in helping the co-op get everyone back, and several crews from a co-op in Pratville, AL, are scheduled to arrive Tuesday morning to assist as well.
The official press release has now been posted on the Cullman EC web site.
There are still approximately 4,900 members without power. Cullman EC's linemen crews will work throughout the night to make repairs. The Cullman Power Board has extended its hand in helping the co-op get everyone back, and several crews from a co-op in Pratville, AL, are scheduled to arrive Tuesday morning to assist as well.
The official press release has now been posted on the Cullman EC web site.
9,000 down and counting...
As of 2 p.m., power has been restored to more than 9,000 of the 17,000 Cullman EC members who were without power following the Sunday night/Monday morning storms.
Making progress...
Outages are down from 17,000 early this morning to under 9,000 as of 11 a.m. We've still got a long way to go, but every available person is out in the field working non-stop to make all the repairs.
Wind causes widespread power outages
Cullman EC's linemen as well as contract crews and tree trimming crews have been working since the early morning hours to restore power to more than 17,000 Cullman EC members. The thunderstorms that moved through North Alabama last night did not cause as much of a problem as the high winds that came behind it.
As of 8:50 a.m., power had been restored to more than 4,000 members. The co-op's operations center is a hectic place right now, with most of the people working having come in during the middle of the night. From what we could tell during our visit, it will be an all-day process to make the repairs.
This picture was taken just before 9 a.m. Monday morning. Every red, green and yellow dot on the map is a power outage that has been reported. Unfortunately, that is the most "colorful" anyone has seen the map in a long time.
Currently our system is showing 340 reported outages. That means there are hundreds of places Cullman EC's linemen have to go all across the country before everyone will have their power restored. Sometimes, making repairs to one outage will restore power for everyone who is out if, for example, the problem is at the substation that supplies an entire area. But high wind usually leads to trees falling or lots of branches touching powerlines, creating lots and lots of small power outages all over the service territory.
We'll provided updates as they come, and hopefully some pictures of the repair work.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Severe weather expected today
We're not sure what will happen this afternoon, but the weathermen and women all across the region and saying things could get pretty rough. The Weather Channel is saying the worst storms along the I-65 corridor in North Alabama will occur between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. this evening.
Check in throughout the afternoon and evening and we'll give weather updates along with any information on outages, locations, damage and anything else we can pass on.
Hope everyone out there stays safe!
Check in throughout the afternoon and evening and we'll give weather updates along with any information on outages, locations, damage and anything else we can pass on.
Hope everyone out there stays safe!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
President's Carbon Emission Plan Would Force At Least 15 Percent Rate Increase for Co-ops
There is a misconception that power companies are against renewable energy and other "green" energy policies. It's simply not true.
For electric co-ops all over America, our No. 1 priority is to provide our members with the most affordable power possible. Co-ops have spent millions upon millions of dollars in recent years to fund hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, methane and other renewable energy sources as well as research and development of carbon capture technology and other R&D projects.
While the potential for renewable energy to provide an excellent source of electricity is very real, the cost to make it a reality today is going to be steep. Co-ops believe that government cap & trade programs on carbon emissions and mandates on renewable energy portfolios will place unrealistic goals and unfair burdens that will cause prices to increase dramatically.
You, our members, will be the ones that have to pay the extra price, and we don't think that needs to happen.
Co-ops are in favor of expanding the use of renewable energy sources, but we believe it should be done in a smart, calculated manner that will not cause the price of electricity to skyrocket.
We'll continue to follow events in Washington, D.C. and share any good reading we come across, starting with this story...
In a letter to President Obama, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Glenn English voiced strong objections to the Administration’s plan to auction the carbon emission allowances under a cap and trade scheme.
In the letter, English pointed out that “Such a program would only serve as a backdoor, variable tax on consumers. Even worse, the level of the tax would be determined by Wall Street and large multi-national energy companies who would likely be the highest bidders in any auction.”
The read more, and access a copy of Glenn English's letter to President Obama, visit www.nreca.org
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The price of electricity
We got lots of questions (and a "few" complaints) about how much electricity costs and why it is so expensive.
Let me clarify — lots of people complain that their bill is too high, and they think the problem is that we (the power company) are charging too much. In reality, electricity is pretty darn cheap, and here in Alabama we pay right at or below that national average per kilowatt hour (check out the map.)
The biggest reasons people have high bills are because they waste a lot of electricity either through being careless (leaving appliances turned on all day) or have a leaky house that causes their heating and cooling system to work overtime.
Monday, February 16, 2009
State Senate Bill 128
"It is my belief one of the most important jobs of a state legislator is to stop bad bills from becoming law. One such bill in the current session of the Alabama Legislature is Senate Bill 128.
"It seeks to place Alabama’s electric cooperatives under the jurisdiction and control of the state Public Service Commis-sion. I am strongly opposed to this because it would have a negative affect on a system that is working better than most business models today."
State Sen. Lowell Barron (D-Barron), who lives on the Sand Mountain EC system, wrote those words as part of a press release that was published last week by media outlets across the state. Here's a full version of the press release that was published in The (DeKalb County) Times Journal.
If you don't want to read the entire story, here are some highlights:
"Electric cooperatives are not owned by big stockholders, they are owned by the very families who buy the power they distribute. For this reason, electric cooperatives are focused on being responsive to their members’ needs, not on creating huge profits for investors."
"Electric cooperatives are examples of what is right about this country today. At a time when Wall Street’s corporate greed and mismanagement have created an economic crisis across our nation, electric cooperatives show us what corporate accountability, responsibility and transparency look like."
"I want to assure cooperative members that, while Senate Bill 128 is not dead, it is not breathing very well. I will work hard within the State Senate do ensure this bill is defeated.
"Placing electric cooperatives under the jurisdiction and control of the Public Service Commission would create needless bureaucracy and expense for a system that has a proven track record of progress.
"These locally-owned, locally-controlled utilities have improved the lives of people throughout rural Alabama for decades, and I will continue to support the excellent work they do."
"It seeks to place Alabama’s electric cooperatives under the jurisdiction and control of the state Public Service Commis-sion. I am strongly opposed to this because it would have a negative affect on a system that is working better than most business models today."
State Sen. Lowell Barron (D-Barron), who lives on the Sand Mountain EC system, wrote those words as part of a press release that was published last week by media outlets across the state. Here's a full version of the press release that was published in The (DeKalb County) Times Journal.
If you don't want to read the entire story, here are some highlights:
"Electric cooperatives are not owned by big stockholders, they are owned by the very families who buy the power they distribute. For this reason, electric cooperatives are focused on being responsive to their members’ needs, not on creating huge profits for investors."
"Electric cooperatives are examples of what is right about this country today. At a time when Wall Street’s corporate greed and mismanagement have created an economic crisis across our nation, electric cooperatives show us what corporate accountability, responsibility and transparency look like."
"I want to assure cooperative members that, while Senate Bill 128 is not dead, it is not breathing very well. I will work hard within the State Senate do ensure this bill is defeated.
"Placing electric cooperatives under the jurisdiction and control of the Public Service Commission would create needless bureaucracy and expense for a system that has a proven track record of progress.
"These locally-owned, locally-controlled utilities have improved the lives of people throughout rural Alabama for decades, and I will continue to support the excellent work they do."
Friday, February 13, 2009
TVA announces decrease in Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) beginning April 1, 2009
TVA announced on Thursday that the fourth-quarter Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA), which goes into effect April 1, will decrease by about 7 percent.
What does that mean to you? Here's what TVA had to say...
Because the fuel cost adjustment is a per kilowatt-hour charge, amounts that consumers will save depend on the amount of energy they use. While savings will vary across the Tennessee Valley, residential consumers can expect a decrease that ranges from about $4 to $9 in their monthly power bills. Retail billing periods for TVA power distributors also vary, so some April bills will include March usage at the lower rate.
Overall, the decrease for the quarter will be about a 7-percent reduction on total average wholesale rates, and is a reduction of almost 40 percent from the current quarter’s fuel cost adjustment amount. For the quarter beginning April 1, the fuel cost adjustment will decrease about 0.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, from more than 1.3 cents to 0.8 cents per kilowatt-hour.
“In these economically challenging times, we are especially glad lower fuel costs will provide some relief in power costs to the consumers in the Tennessee Valley,” said TVA President and CEO Tom Kilgore. “Unusually cold weather this winter has meant higher consumption of electricity and higher power bills even for people who keep their thermostats low.”
Under the fuel cost adjustment, when the price of fuels used to make electricity decreases, the cost of electricity also decreases. Current economic conditions and increased rainfall also contributed to lower fuel and purchased power costs, Kilgore said.
To view the whole press release, visit the TVA website.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Pictures from Kentucky
Here are a few pictures we've received from guys who spent time in Kentucky. These photos are from Cullman EC lineman Justin Davis. As you can see, when the guys first arrived, the ice storm was still taking place. In fact, Justin said the ground was frozen soild almost 12 inches deep. That helped out at first because many of the poles that needed to be replaced were not conveniently located along the side of the road. Imagine mile after mile of poles running through the country side all snapped due to the ice storm. Then, as the ground started to thaw, the trucks had a hard time moving through the soy bean fields and needed a little help to get going.
Check out the Cullman EC photo page on Flickr for more images of Cullman EC's crews working in Kentucky.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Still lots of work to be done in Kentucky
Co-ops across the country are still sending employees to Kentucky to help make all the repairs and get life back to normal ASAP following the ice storm of two weeks ago. Cullman EC's first wave of lineman has returned (we'll posts some of their pictures if we see any). The second crew will return home this weekend and be replaced by a third crew that will be working there all next week.
Here's a video that a co-op in South Carolina made as some employees prepared to leave their homes and families to help co-op members in Kentucky.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Cullman EC crews in Kentucky to help repair ice storm damage
The massive ice storm that covered Kentucky last week has come and gone, but the damage it caused is still being repaired. Last week news reports said more than 525,000 people were without power. This morning, that number is down to 80,000. That's really good news — unless you're one of the 80,000 still freezing inside your home.
Cullman EC sent two construction crews to Owensboro, KY last week. Those eight employees will be heading home later today once eight more lineman from Cullman EC arrive. The reinforcments left Cullman and headed up I-65 around 9:30 Monday morning.
Here's a story from the Cullman Times that was printed this weekend, talking about the lineman from Cullman EC as well as the Cullman Power Board who went to Kentucky.
A press release from Kenergy, the co-op Cullman EC's crews are assisting, said in its service territory (14 counties and 51,000 members) there are more than 2,000 broken power poles that must be replaced, and more than 350 workers from co-ops in Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia helping their crews. As of Monday morning, more than 23,000 Kenergy members were still without power.
Cullman EC sent two construction crews to Owensboro, KY last week. Those eight employees will be heading home later today once eight more lineman from Cullman EC arrive. The reinforcments left Cullman and headed up I-65 around 9:30 Monday morning.
Here's a story from the Cullman Times that was printed this weekend, talking about the lineman from Cullman EC as well as the Cullman Power Board who went to Kentucky.
A press release from Kenergy, the co-op Cullman EC's crews are assisting, said in its service territory (14 counties and 51,000 members) there are more than 2,000 broken power poles that must be replaced, and more than 350 workers from co-ops in Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia helping their crews. As of Monday morning, more than 23,000 Kenergy members were still without power.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Politics closer to home
Writing about events in Washington, D.C. got us thinking about the upcoming state legislative session set to begin down in Montgomery. Here's a link to an article from earlier this month about energy bills that are expected to top the legislature's to-do list.
As the session progresses and we learn more about these proposals, we'll share what we know. In general, any articles we find relating to the future of electric utilities, energy efficiency and what it all means to our members and their monthly bill, we will post on our blog.
As the session progresses and we learn more about these proposals, we'll share what we know. In general, any articles we find relating to the future of electric utilities, energy efficiency and what it all means to our members and their monthly bill, we will post on our blog.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
How will changes in D.C. impact your electric bill?
President Obama took office yesterday. Wow...Can you imagine being in that crowd? No matter how you voted in November, there's no denying Tuesday's inauguration was a historic event.
Speaking of history making events, President Obama's proposed energy policy could have an impact on our country for generations to come. There is a heavy emphasis on renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and lots of other things that, on the surface, are not bad. It's going to cost a lot of money to get it right, but it could be an even bigger expense if things are done the wrong way.
Electric co-ops across the country are working on a campaign called Our Energy, Our Future. The idea behind the grassroots campaign is to have people like you contact your elected officials in Washington D.C. They need to be aware of how decisions they make about our nation's energy policy are going to impact rural America, and they have to know that you want them to keep us in mind when they vote.
At Cullman EC and electric co-ops all over the country, our No. 1 priority is to provide our members with affordable and reliable electricity. Sometimes, we've got to stand up for ourselves and make some noise to make sure folks in D.C. are doing what's best for our members.
That's the whole idea behind the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. Co-ops are not opposed to renewable energy or reducing carbon emissions. What we are opposed to is poorly written laws that set unrealistic mandates and could cause the price of electricity to skyrocket.
The United States needs to make some changes in the way we produce and use electricity, but co-ops want to make sure the need for affordable electricity is not overlooked in the process.
To learn more about the campaign and contact your senator and congressman, visit the Our Energy, Our Future web site.
Speaking of history making events, President Obama's proposed energy policy could have an impact on our country for generations to come. There is a heavy emphasis on renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions and lots of other things that, on the surface, are not bad. It's going to cost a lot of money to get it right, but it could be an even bigger expense if things are done the wrong way.
Electric co-ops across the country are working on a campaign called Our Energy, Our Future. The idea behind the grassroots campaign is to have people like you contact your elected officials in Washington D.C. They need to be aware of how decisions they make about our nation's energy policy are going to impact rural America, and they have to know that you want them to keep us in mind when they vote.
At Cullman EC and electric co-ops all over the country, our No. 1 priority is to provide our members with affordable and reliable electricity. Sometimes, we've got to stand up for ourselves and make some noise to make sure folks in D.C. are doing what's best for our members.
That's the whole idea behind the Our Energy, Our Future campaign. Co-ops are not opposed to renewable energy or reducing carbon emissions. What we are opposed to is poorly written laws that set unrealistic mandates and could cause the price of electricity to skyrocket.
The United States needs to make some changes in the way we produce and use electricity, but co-ops want to make sure the need for affordable electricity is not overlooked in the process.
To learn more about the campaign and contact your senator and congressman, visit the Our Energy, Our Future web site.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Cold weather, outages & "peak demand"
We're not sure what the official low temperature was last night, but several people around the office reported single-digit reading at their home overnight. Tonight won't be much better as the temperature is expected to reach the low- to mid-teens.
The co-op did experience some outages Friday morning, and, yes, the freezing cold weather was the culprit. Approximately 1,800 members experienced power loss. The majority happened between 6:30 and 9:30 in the morning. McDonald's was still serving breakfast by the time our line crews had fixed most of the problems, and were working hard to solve isolated outages in different parts of our service territory.
So, how did the cold weather cause the power to go out? Think of it this way — the power lines can only carry a certain amount of electricity at any given moment. On really, really cold nights, just about everyone have their heater running all night long, which means more electricity is being used than normal. Then, people start to wake up. They turn on lights, take a hot shower, plug in their curling iron and blow dryer, turn on the stove, TV, computer, etc. At the same time, people start going to work — office lights and heaters and computers all kinds of stuff that take electricity get turned on.
When there is more demand for electricity than the power lines can provide, that's when the power goes out. It's the electrical systems way of protecting itself from a major meltdown that could take several days or more to repair. Instead of spreading across the entire system, causing everyone to lose power, only the area that was overloaded goes dark. Although it's a MAJOR inconvenience for people who live there, the isolated outage is easier for line crews to find and fix.
Kyle Baggett, Cullman EC's vice president of engineering & operations, shared this interesting bit of information with us:
"Winter peaks typically occur in the morning hours (7-9 a.m). Most everybody gets up and showers before work during those times and we get hot water heater loads in addition to home heating load. Summer peaks occur in the afternoon (4 to 7 p.m.) — driven by the hottest part of the day and people cooking dinner.
The co-op did experience some outages Friday morning, and, yes, the freezing cold weather was the culprit. Approximately 1,800 members experienced power loss. The majority happened between 6:30 and 9:30 in the morning. McDonald's was still serving breakfast by the time our line crews had fixed most of the problems, and were working hard to solve isolated outages in different parts of our service territory.
So, how did the cold weather cause the power to go out? Think of it this way — the power lines can only carry a certain amount of electricity at any given moment. On really, really cold nights, just about everyone have their heater running all night long, which means more electricity is being used than normal. Then, people start to wake up. They turn on lights, take a hot shower, plug in their curling iron and blow dryer, turn on the stove, TV, computer, etc. At the same time, people start going to work — office lights and heaters and computers all kinds of stuff that take electricity get turned on.
When there is more demand for electricity than the power lines can provide, that's when the power goes out. It's the electrical systems way of protecting itself from a major meltdown that could take several days or more to repair. Instead of spreading across the entire system, causing everyone to lose power, only the area that was overloaded goes dark. Although it's a MAJOR inconvenience for people who live there, the isolated outage is easier for line crews to find and fix.
Kyle Baggett, Cullman EC's vice president of engineering & operations, shared this interesting bit of information with us:
"Winter peaks typically occur in the morning hours (7-9 a.m). Most everybody gets up and showers before work during those times and we get hot water heater loads in addition to home heating load. Summer peaks occur in the afternoon (4 to 7 p.m.) — driven by the hottest part of the day and people cooking dinner.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Welcome to sunny Alaska — formerly known as Alabama
Most of us live in the South because we enjoy the climate. That's a nice way of saying we don't like cold weather.
When it's freezing outside (32 degrees) that means it's too cold. If we enjoyed below freezing weather, we would all live in Chicago.
If we wanted to endure days at a time where the temperature stayed below freezing, we would have moved to Alaska.
Unfortunately, Alaska is coming for a visit this week. Tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 14) the temperature is supposed to drop below 20 degrees. The talking weatherheads on TV have told us it will not rise above 32 degrees until sometime Saturday afternoon. The forecast low for Thursday night is 10 degrees. On Friday night, things will warm up all the way to 15 degrees. The high temperature both days might reach 30.
A cold snap like this can prove to be very costly on your next month's electric bill. Heat pumps are excellent for home heating and cooling here in the South with our warm spring, summer and fall months and our moderate winter. But, when the mercury takes a swan dive, heat pumps have to use strip heating in order operate, and strip heating uses A LOT of electricity.
Our best advice? Turn down the thermostat as low as you can possibly stand it, and bundle up! Wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt or fleece pullover around the house. Curl up in a quilt on the couch. Throw an extra comforter or blanket on the bed. TVA's energy right program recommends setting your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter. Over the next several nights, your home heating system is going to have to work extra hard to maintain that temperature, so every degree below 68 is money you will save and keep in your pocket.
I knew a young man once who lived in a older home that would get frigid inside on the coldest winter nights. He told me he would sleep in sweats with a warm pair of socks on his feet, two blankets and a wool snow cap pulled down over his ears and eyes, leaving just his mouth and nose uncovered. It wasn't pretty (or so I'm told...) but the electric bill didn't break the bank.
We're not suggesting you put your family through episode of Survivorman inside your own home for the next three days. Just be aware that a hard freeze can be hard on your electric bill, but you can find some relief by dropping your theromstat setting a few degrees.
When it's freezing outside (32 degrees) that means it's too cold. If we enjoyed below freezing weather, we would all live in Chicago.
If we wanted to endure days at a time where the temperature stayed below freezing, we would have moved to Alaska.
Unfortunately, Alaska is coming for a visit this week. Tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 14) the temperature is supposed to drop below 20 degrees. The talking weatherheads on TV have told us it will not rise above 32 degrees until sometime Saturday afternoon. The forecast low for Thursday night is 10 degrees. On Friday night, things will warm up all the way to 15 degrees. The high temperature both days might reach 30.
A cold snap like this can prove to be very costly on your next month's electric bill. Heat pumps are excellent for home heating and cooling here in the South with our warm spring, summer and fall months and our moderate winter. But, when the mercury takes a swan dive, heat pumps have to use strip heating in order operate, and strip heating uses A LOT of electricity.
Our best advice? Turn down the thermostat as low as you can possibly stand it, and bundle up! Wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt or fleece pullover around the house. Curl up in a quilt on the couch. Throw an extra comforter or blanket on the bed. TVA's energy right program recommends setting your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter. Over the next several nights, your home heating system is going to have to work extra hard to maintain that temperature, so every degree below 68 is money you will save and keep in your pocket.
I knew a young man once who lived in a older home that would get frigid inside on the coldest winter nights. He told me he would sleep in sweats with a warm pair of socks on his feet, two blankets and a wool snow cap pulled down over his ears and eyes, leaving just his mouth and nose uncovered. It wasn't pretty (or so I'm told...) but the electric bill didn't break the bank.
We're not suggesting you put your family through episode of Survivorman inside your own home for the next three days. Just be aware that a hard freeze can be hard on your electric bill, but you can find some relief by dropping your theromstat setting a few degrees.
website update — we promise; we really are working on it!!!
Well, here we are six months later and the fancy new website we were hoping to unveil in October is still not quite ready.
It's close. Very, very close.
Another couple weeks and it should be up and running. In the meantime, we're going to get this blog fired up so by the time people start to find this, it won't look like another good idea gone bad.
Our vision for this blog is, let's say... open to your imagination. We'll use this to give our guests some insight on how and why things happen in the electricity business, and do it in a way that is quick and easy to read AND actually makes sense!!! We'll use it for breaking news during bad weather. We'll use it as a forum to give answers to your questions that might not fit easily inside the pages of Alabama Living. There might be hundreds of topics that eventually are posted here, but we really have no idea what this will be since we're just getting started.
The one things we'll always aim for is to make it interesting. Be sure to set a bookmark and check in on a regular basis.
It's close. Very, very close.
Another couple weeks and it should be up and running. In the meantime, we're going to get this blog fired up so by the time people start to find this, it won't look like another good idea gone bad.
Our vision for this blog is, let's say... open to your imagination. We'll use this to give our guests some insight on how and why things happen in the electricity business, and do it in a way that is quick and easy to read AND actually makes sense!!! We'll use it for breaking news during bad weather. We'll use it as a forum to give answers to your questions that might not fit easily inside the pages of Alabama Living. There might be hundreds of topics that eventually are posted here, but we really have no idea what this will be since we're just getting started.
The one things we'll always aim for is to make it interesting. Be sure to set a bookmark and check in on a regular basis.
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