CURRENT TIMES May 2008

News for members of White River Valley Electric Cooperative

Contact Us

Ava(417) 683-4134

Gainesville(417) 679-4916

Ozark(417) 485-6012

2449 State HWY 76 EPO Box 969

Branson, MO 65615(417) 335-93351-800-879-4056

Stone County(417) 272-0181

C ar crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 3 – 14 in the United States. In a cooperative effort to save lives, White

River Valley Electric Cooperative, through the Operation Round Up program, has donated $1000 for a second year to the Stone County Health Department to help fund the Child Passenger Safety Program. The grant will allow Kim King, public health educator and certified child passenger safety technician for Stone County, to provide education and car seats to Stone County families with child passenger safety issues. King believes that the program is vital. “The car seat program will

and are more equipped to survive a car crash.” King went on to add, “We appreciate so much the support from White River. This is an important program that has a crucial impact on children’s lives. It would be terrible if it ceased due to lack of

funding.” The Operation Round Up program is in its 14th year at WRVEC and to date has returned more than $1.2 million back to the community. Cooperative members allow their bills to be rounded-up to the next dollar and the end result is that average collections total approximately $14,000 each month. The money is allocated for area families struggling with the financial burden of long-term illness, tragic accident or devastating

For Stone County residents with questions or concerns about car seats, booster seats and seat belts, contact Kim King at the Stone County Health Department in Galena (417)357-6134 or toll

free at (877)357-6134. Appointments are necessary. Taney County residents may call Kara Miller at the Taney County Health Department at (417)334-4544. In Christian County, call

Becky Turpin at the Ozark Police Department at (417)581-6600. For Ozark County residents the contact is Jenni Garrison at (417)679-3334, the Ozark County Health Department. Douglas

County residents may call Lori Minor at the Traffic Safety Alliance at (417)891-1514.

reduce unintentional injuries among infants, children and adolescents by providing education about proper installation and use of approved car seats and seat belts,” she said. “Since October of 2006 I have checked 105

fire, and also for area community needs such as rural fire departments, senior citizen centers, food pantries and children’s health programs. If you would like more information about Operation Round Up contact Cindy

Kim King, public health educator and certified child passenger safety technician

for Stone County, holds a $1000 check from WRVEC’s Operation Round Up program. The funds will be used for

the Child Passenger Safety Program, a program that is also in Taney, Christian,

Douglas and Ozark counties.car seats. Only two of those came close to being installed properly. After receiving just 45 minutes of instruction, these families travel much safer now

Rains by calling (417)335-9335 or e-mail crains@whiteriver.org. To download an application visit www.whiteriver.org.

Keeping kids safeOperation Round Up donates to Child Passenger Safety Program

T he Energy and Education Pro-Am golf tournament and Business After Hours (BAH) are just around the

corner. The 2007 tournament generated approximately $60,000 to benefit local children’s charities, with nearly $30,000 going directly to the White River Valley Electric Trust Scholarship fund, which helps local students obtain a higher education. The Pro-Am will be held on July 13th at Branson Creek Golf Club. This National Tour satellite tournament will consist of 28 teams that will include a tour pro and four players. For more information about the 7th Annual Energy and Education Pro-Am or BAH call WRVEC’s Branson office for details by calling 1-800-879-4056.

Energy & Education Pro-Am nears

www.whiteriver.org

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Our Energy, Our FutureStarting a dialogue with America

“We need a plan people can live with today while we deal with the climate change problem of tomorrow.”

- Chris Hamon CEO

Integrity

P ressure is mounting in Congress to do something about climate change. And while political debates

in Washington, D.C., may seem far away, the outcome of environmental legislation will have a direct impact on White River Valley Electric Cooperative – and on you, the cooperative member. Climate change is one aspect of a looming energy crisis created by increasing demand for electricity and decreasing capacity to meet that demand. Experts now say some areas of the country will be short of power within one or two years. And yet energy supply isn’t an issue our elected representatives are spending a lot of time on. These forces, the desire by government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly and the growing demand for power by consumers, are about to collide. Some people say we can meet demand through efficiency and renewable energy. The reality is we need all the efficiency and renewable energy we can get, but that will not be enough. To avert an energy crisis, the federal government must exercise true leadership, the same leadership that got Americans to the moon in the 1960s. Without that leadership – without a sound, responsible plan – government risks not only the reliability of our electric system, but literally the ability of many Americans to be able to afford to pay their electric bill. We, as electric cooperative members and constituents, must call on our elected officials to provide this leadership. That’s why I want to encourage each of you to contact your elected officials.

Now. By doing so, you will start a discussion with policymakers that might help them to look for solutions to meet environmental objectives while limiting the impact on electric bills. You don’t need to be an energy expert to ask questions. Asking questions helps find the answers to solve the problem of balancing climate change goals with keeping your lights on and your electric bills affordable. Currently, members of Congress as well as state elected officials are hearing from lots of different interest groups who have ideas about how to address climate change. No one is talking to electric consumers, however. We need a plan people can live with today while we deal with the climate change problem of tomorrow. We also need your help to find the answer to a basic but critical question: What are they doing to make sure we’ll have the power we need in the future? All you have to do to start the conversation is visit www.whiteriver.org, click on “Our Energy, Our Future” and plug in your address. From there, you will be able to ask your representatives in Washington a series of questions about climate change. The website will formulate a letter for you to send as an e-mail. It will also give you the option to print your newly created letter to drop in the mail. Far too often questions don’t get asked by policy makers until plans go wrong. We believe it makes sense to know the answers before the laws are passed. You can help your elected officials and yourself by having this conversation. We’re all in this together.

S itting in my home surfing the Internet one rainy afternoon, I came across an article about mercury in compact

fluorescent light bulbs. Since several of my lamps and light fixtures have CFLs, I wanted to know, “What’s going on with them and mercury?” CFLs save money, use less electricity and help promote energy efficiency. But, what if a bulb breaks or burns out? I can easily picture my manic feline, Otis the cat, turning a lamp over and breaking the CFL. Is the amount of mercury in the bulb harmful? How would I clean it up safely? After a quick switch to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site, I learned there were no serious concerns. How do you clean up a broken CFL? According to the EPA, the greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut from the glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to people should a bulb break if it is cleaned up properly: Sweep up, do not vacuum, the glass fragments and particles. Place the broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any remaining stray shards

or particles. Put the paper towel in the sealed plastic bag when you are finished. If weather permits, open the windows and ventilate the room. What should you do with a CFL when it burns out? Like paint, batteries, thermostats and other hazardous items, CFLs should be disposed of properly. The EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and U.S. retailers to expand disposal options. You can search for disposal options online by using your zip code at www.earth911.com, calling (877) EARTH-911 or visiting www.lamprecycle.org Also, check with your local waste management agency. If a disposal site is not available in your area, the EPA suggests placing the burned-out or broken bulb in a plastic bag, which should be sealed before being placed in the trash. Never send a CFL or other mercury-containing product to an incinerator. The benefits of CFLs greatly outweigh the risks. “There is only a very small amount of mercury in CFLs, hardly enough to worry about,” said Jim Stine, Senior Principal, Environmental Policy Department for the

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “On average, the bulbs contain five milligrams of mercury. Compare that to 3,000 milligrams of mercury in older thermostats and 500 milligrams of mercury in a mercury thermometer.” Switching from traditional light bulbs to CFLs is an effective, accessible change every American can make to save energy and help the environment. -Jennifer Taylor, NRECA

What’s going on with CFLs and mercury

According to the Department of Energy, if every household in

America changed one bulb to a CFL, combined efforts would save 5.6

billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year or $526 million a year in

electric expenses. ENERGY STAR®-qualified CFLs use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb

and last up to 10 times longer.

Smart air conditioning use saves $$$$

Cool energy savings for summer

www.acca.org/energystar — The Air Conditioning Contractors of America can help locate a contractor in your area who sells and installs Energy Star-qualified units

www.ashrae.org — The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers offers publications on air conditioning

www.energystar.gov — Check out Energy Star for qualified products and access to installers

www.ari.org — The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute offers consumer brochures

www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/residential/residential.htm — The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Energy Center includes summer cooling tips

www.cement.org/bookstore/profile.asp?itemid=CD044 — This site offers a software program, HVAC Sizing for concrete homes, that provides an alternative means of estimating heating and cooling system needs for homes built with insulated concrete forms

www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/air-conditioners/reports/sizing-worksheet/index.htm — Consumer Reports offers a handy online calculator for helping properly size an air conditioner

www.touchstoneenergysavers.com — From the nation’s Touchstone Energy Electric Cooperatives, this is your one-stop connection to valuable tools, resources and information to help you create a more energy-efficient home.

hes.lbl.gov/ — This Home Energy Savers site includes an energy calculator and other useful information about saving energy in your home; it is sponsored by the Environmental Energy Technologies Divisions of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories

Useful air conditioning and summer cooling

websites and contacts

T he easiest way to save money and energy from cooling is to reduce the need for air conditioning. Here are

some tips from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:Shade or improve windows – Consider horizontal trellises for your east and west-facing windows. Protect south-facing windows with deciduous trees or climbing foliage so you can take advantage of low-angle sun in the winter. New windows on those walls that get the most summer sun should have low-e glazings to block unwanted heat gain.Cool with air movement and ventilation – Circulating air with fans will help cool your house, reduce your air conditioning usage by as much as 30 percent and use very little energy doing it. A ceiling fan in summer can make a room feel as much as 7 degrees cooler by creating a “wind chill” effect. Adjust your ceiling fan so it turns counterclockwise and blows air downward. Think about stepping out of a shower and then sitting directly under a ceiling fan. Do you want to feel cool or warm? Adjust the fan accordingly. Portable fans also can be effective in moving

air. Even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel 3 or 4 degrees cooler. House or attic fans can be an effective way to cool your entire house without central air conditioning. These fans suck air through the house, inducing a strong draft in rooms where windows are open as it pulls cooler,

outdoor air inside. However, before switching on the house fan, consider the temperature and humidity level outside. A house fan may pull in unwanted humidity, resulting in more work for your air conditioner.

Insulate and tighten your house – Make checking insulation levels and air leaks between your living space and the attic your highest priority.Get rid of inefficient appliances – Inefficient appliances emit a lot of heat. Old refrigerators are prime suspects. Also replace incandescent light bulbs, which give off more heat energy than light energy, with compact fluorescents, and unplug electronic equipment not being used.Consider cool exterior finishes – Use light-colored or other cool roofing and siding products that can reduce your peak cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent.

Efficiency standards The U.S. Department of Energy implemented new efficiency standards for residential central air conditioners in January 2006. Since then, central units have been required to have a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 13 or higher. Units manufactured after Jan. 23, 2006, are 30 percent more efficient than the previous minimum standard of SEER 10. The government predicts that from 2006 through 2030 the SEER 13 standard will save the equivalent energy consumed by nearly 26 million households and save consumers $1 billion.Properly sizing a central unit Factors such as square footage, number and placement of windows, exterior shading, insulation, air leaks and number of appliances and occupants affect the size of a central unit. Your contractor should use the calculation in the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Manual J. This is the official standard for residential load calculation and is required by many building

Central air conditioner basicscodes around the country.Retire your over-the-hill unit and save That “good as new” 10-year-old unit may not be as good as you think it is. Chances are it’s using much more energy than necessary to cool your home.

Nearly half of the average home’s energy bill during the summer goes to cooling it, according to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. If every room air conditioner sold in the United States were Energy Star-qualified, it would prevent 1.2 billion pounds of emissions or the equivalent of emissions from 100,000 cars. In fact, if sized and installed correctly, Energy Star-qualified heating and cooling equipment: • Can save you up to 20 percent on your annual energy costs

• Will use 25 percent to 40 percent less energy than a new conventional system For more tips on how to save this summer visit www.whiteriver.org and click on “Energy Saver Tools.”

CURRENT TIMES

May 2008

News for members of White River Valley Electric Cooperative

Your local American Cancer Society Relay For Life is just around the corner. This “celebration of life” brings the community together in a unified effort to fight cancer and symbolizes the fight patients face after they are diagnosed with the disease. Relay For Life is an overnight, team effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and patient service programs. “Cancer does not stop at nighttime,” said Cinda Bauer, Relay For Life of Taney and Stone Counties co-chair. “So we’re not going to stop at nighttime

darker, just as the emotions of cancer patients do. Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. represents the time when cancer patients start treatment. They become exhausted, some sick, not wanting to go on, and possibly wanting to give up. Participants in Relay feel much the same way while walking

during these hours. They cannot stop or give up; just as cancer patients cannot stop or give up. The sun rising represents the end of treatment for cancer patients. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that life will go on. The morning light brings on a new day, full of life and excitement. Participants feel the

Christian CountyRelay Date/Location: June 13-14, at the

Nixa Jr. High Football Field Contact: Jessica Blake 417-447-1485

jessica.blake@cancer.org

Ozark CountyRelay Date/Location: June 13-14, at the

Gainesville High School Football Stadium Contact: Carla Stenger

carla.stenger@cancer.org

Taney/Stone CountyRelay Date/Location: June 6-7, at the Cedar Ridge School Track in Branson Contact: Cinda Bauer 417-239-5844

cindabauer@hotmail.comKristie Williams 417-334-2121

www.events.cancer.org/rfltaneystonemo

Chase Pardeck, cancer survivor, cuts the ribbon to signal the start of the 2007 Relay For Life of Taney and Stone Counties. The event raised $220,812 to help fight cancer.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

either. We hope the community will join us to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer” Relay For Life starts at dusk and ends in the morning hours of the following day. The light and darkness of the day and night parallel the physical effects, emotions and mental state of cancer patients while

undergoing treatment. The Relay begins when the sun is setting. This symbolizes the time that people are diagnosed with cancer. The day is getting darker, and this represents the

cancer patients’ state of mind as they endure the emotions of facing this deadly disease. As the evening goes on, it gets colder and

brightness of the morning and know that the end of the Relay is close at hand.When participants leave the Relay, they can think of

cancer patients leaving their last treatment. Just as participants are exhausted and weak, so are individuals after treatment. The box to the right has all the contact information that you will need to get involved in Relay For Life. For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative,one of WRVEC’s core values is commitment to the community.

WRVEC is a proud sponsor of the ACS Relay For Life.

Let the good times roll

July10

White River Valley Electric Cooperative’s

5th Annual E & E Pro-Am BAH BashThursday, July 10, 2008

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.2449 State Hwy 76, Branson

For more information call Amy Rosier at 417-335-9335or e-mail arosier@whiteriver.org.

Proceeds to benefit the White River Valley Electric Trust Scholarship Fund.