The National Weather Service is predicting a stormy day for the southeastern U.S. on Saturday, and particularly for North Alabama. This was part of the Tennessee Valley Authority weather advisory that was sent to co-ops Friday morning:
"A significant outbreak of tornadoes is possible Saturday and Saturday night across the service territory along the I 65 corridor eastward to the Appalachians. Another update with more specifics on Saturday will be issued this afternoon."
The updated advisory on Friday afternoon hasn't changed, indicating the storm system on Saturday will be capable of producing a widespread outbreak of tornadoes with potential strong to violent long track storms.
If we should experience storm damage and power outages, here are a few reminders:
1. To report an outage, call 256.737.3201 or 1.800.242.1806. If you follow the instructions, your outage will be automatically recorded and reported to our dispatch center.
2. If you have a weather radio, make sure it is turned on throughout the day and have batteries ready.
3. Flashlight & batteries
4. Be sure you have a storm emergency plan for your family.
We will keep you updated throughout the day via Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to follow us on either one or both if you are not doing so already.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Nuclear energy will have to play a major part in meeting our future energy needs
Ran across a good guest column in the Seattle Times, discussing the energy future of our country and the role nuclear power will have to play.
Visit The Seattle Times website to read the whole column, but the following excerpt has several highlighted portions that stood out:
"Those who haven't been monitoring the industry's progress since a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 might think all of the attention is unwarranted. But a lot has changed since then. Importantly, there hasn't been a single serious safety lapse, thanks to improved safety measures and regulations.
"Meanwhile, our nation's energy demand has soared, and it's projected to surge another 23 percent by 2030. Nuclear energy is in a prime position to deliver that payload — and in an environmentally responsible way.
"As Obama is fully aware, nuclear energy quietly powers one out of every five U.S. homes and businesses. But because nuclear plants produce virtually no carbon emissions, they contribute a disproportionate amount of our emissions-free electricity — nearly 75 percent. No other electricity source comes even close.
"Some of the industry's critics maintain that every dollar spent on nuclear energy is a dollar taken away from truly renewable sources such as solar or wind. The problem with these "either-or" comparisons is that even under the rosiest of scenarios for our future electricity supplies, our country is going to need "all of the above" when it comes to meeting our surging energy demand.
"In fact, a recent Energy Information Administration analysis concluded that the nation will need to double its reliance on nuclear energy by 2030 to keep consumer costs down and meet the emissions goals established in the House's Waxman-Markey climate bill."
Visit The Seattle Times website to read the whole column, but the following excerpt has several highlighted portions that stood out:
"Those who haven't been monitoring the industry's progress since a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 might think all of the attention is unwarranted. But a lot has changed since then. Importantly, there hasn't been a single serious safety lapse, thanks to improved safety measures and regulations.
"Meanwhile, our nation's energy demand has soared, and it's projected to surge another 23 percent by 2030. Nuclear energy is in a prime position to deliver that payload — and in an environmentally responsible way.
"As Obama is fully aware, nuclear energy quietly powers one out of every five U.S. homes and businesses. But because nuclear plants produce virtually no carbon emissions, they contribute a disproportionate amount of our emissions-free electricity — nearly 75 percent. No other electricity source comes even close.
"Some of the industry's critics maintain that every dollar spent on nuclear energy is a dollar taken away from truly renewable sources such as solar or wind. The problem with these "either-or" comparisons is that even under the rosiest of scenarios for our future electricity supplies, our country is going to need "all of the above" when it comes to meeting our surging energy demand.
"In fact, a recent Energy Information Administration analysis concluded that the nation will need to double its reliance on nuclear energy by 2030 to keep consumer costs down and meet the emissions goals established in the House's Waxman-Markey climate bill."
Friday, April 16, 2010
Speaking of Energy Star...
Some people might have heard the story recently about Energy Star taking one on the chin after an undercover investigation found that a bunch of bogus products and companies were able to receive Energy Star status or certification.
Ouch.
The reason the report really stings is that Energy Star has worked very hard over the past several decades to earn the brand recognition as the premiere stamp-of-approval for energy efficiency. Energy Star products usually cost a little more, but consumers make up that difference in the money they save on their electric bill (and for some people, it also comes with the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping conserve natural resources and save the environment). No matter what the reason, Energy Star's credibility took a major hit. No point in spending extra on that fancy energy-efficient refrigerator if it's not really saving me any money each month, is there?
So, changes have been made to ensure this type of silly business doesn't happen again in the future.
Here is the official Energy Star press release for your reading pleasure.
Ouch.
The reason the report really stings is that Energy Star has worked very hard over the past several decades to earn the brand recognition as the premiere stamp-of-approval for energy efficiency. Energy Star products usually cost a little more, but consumers make up that difference in the money they save on their electric bill (and for some people, it also comes with the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping conserve natural resources and save the environment). No matter what the reason, Energy Star's credibility took a major hit. No point in spending extra on that fancy energy-efficient refrigerator if it's not really saving me any money each month, is there?
So, changes have been made to ensure this type of silly business doesn't happen again in the future.
Here is the official Energy Star press release for your reading pleasure.
A great weekend for window shopping
If you have been seriously considering a major home appliance purchase (clothes washer, refrigerator, dish washer, freezer, room air conditioner), now is the time to get serious.
If you have ever thought about upgrading from your old appliances to newer, energy efficient models, now might be the right time.
Starting Monday, April 19, The State of Alabama will implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. The program is scheduled to begin April 19, 2010 and will run for three weeks. If funds remain after this initial program, the state may hold a second rebate period in October 2010 during Energy Awareness Month.
The state has $4.4 million in rebate money available. When it's gone, it's gone. The money is part of the federal stimulus package. Some states have already started their appliance rebate program, and Alabama is about jump on board.
Here are the general guidelines and rebates available:
Air Conditioners (Room) — $25
Clothes Washers — $100
Dishwashers — $75
Freezers — $50
Refrigerators — $150
Of course, the appliances have to be ENERGY STAR® qualified to get the rebate
So, spend some time this weekend checking out what's on the market, and head back to the stores on Monday once the rebate program has started.
Here is a link to the official web site.
If you have ever thought about upgrading from your old appliances to newer, energy efficient models, now might be the right time.
Starting Monday, April 19, The State of Alabama will implement a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. The program is scheduled to begin April 19, 2010 and will run for three weeks. If funds remain after this initial program, the state may hold a second rebate period in October 2010 during Energy Awareness Month.
The state has $4.4 million in rebate money available. When it's gone, it's gone. The money is part of the federal stimulus package. Some states have already started their appliance rebate program, and Alabama is about jump on board.
Here are the general guidelines and rebates available:
Air Conditioners (Room) — $25
Clothes Washers — $100
Dishwashers — $75
Freezers — $50
Refrigerators — $150
Of course, the appliances have to be ENERGY STAR® qualified to get the rebate
So, spend some time this weekend checking out what's on the market, and head back to the stores on Monday once the rebate program has started.
Here is a link to the official web site.
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