Vol. VII, No. 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 Grand Opening October 10 -12 New Features… Generator safety, 2009 AMEA Scholarship Program kicks off, Help your energy bill from going higher, Energy loan program for local governments and schools Plus… Safety News You Can Use, Be a Wise-Energy User, Places to Go and Things to Do, and more! From the Editor ave you ever counted the number Your public power system is also committed to the com- of electrical outlets in your home? munity by its involvement and investment in numerous HThere are probably three to six in community and civic activities throughout the year. most rooms – with most of them feeding Fact #2: You have a lot of control over your electricity appliances that keep you “plugged in” use throughout your days and nights. However, despite our ever-present out- Fact number two is that you have a lot of control over how lets, cords, and appliances, electric service you use electricity in your home or business. You can make is something we take for granted. a difference – to the planet, our nation’s energy indepen- That’s why I’m going to tell you three dence, and in your electricity bill – just by thinking a little facts about your electric service that may start you thinking more about your electricity use and changing your habits in a bit more about it, especially during this time when energy small ways. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, use and energy independence have become national issues. simple things like turning off lights when you leave a room, cooking efficiently, or caulking and weatherstripping, can Fact #1: Public Power Makes a Difference reduce your overall electricity use significantly. Fact number one is that your municipal ® Fact #3: We’re working on an energy-efficient future electric system is a “public power” electric utility – and that makes a difference in And fact number three is about the future. We’re planning your life. It means that your city/town for a future that will continue to provide reliable, low-cost operates the utility as a community enter- electricity to homes and businesses in our 11 member cities prise, which holds down costs and allows in an environmentally-responsible way. all citizens to take part in making decisions As you know, the U.S. Congress is debating how it should about utility services. legislate the reduction of greenhouse gases through penal- Public power is an American tradition izing their production, by promoting energy efficiency, and developing cleaner power generation technologies. Public Power Week that works in more than 2,000 communities October 5-11, 2008 across the country. There are also debates across the country about how Another advantage is local, hometown many new power plants and transmission lines will be service. When you call your public power system with a needed to serve our growing population and economy. There question or to ask for help, they’re right there; ready to are further questions about costs and environmental consid- respond right away. Continued on page 8 Some electric power companies come and go... hirty-six Alabama cities Employees of the Alexander have public power utilities City Light T that provide electricity to and Power their citizens. They range in size serve on your from cities like Huntsville to cities Local Com- that serve fewer than 2,000 meters. munications Committee. Like citizens in more than 2,000 The commit- communities across the United tee serves as States, these Alabama citizens the “ears and choose to provide electric service eyes” of your community for through public power systems. the Alabama Not-for-profit electric utilities are Currents and accountable to the customers they serve. other com- Nationwide, public power provides the electric power munications needs for 45 million Americans. efforts to keep you informed Like community police, fire departments, water and sewer about your mu- departments, parks, schools, and hospitals, public power nicipal electric systems are rooted in the American tradition of local people system. Shown providing for their basic community needs. Public power sys- are (L to R): Mayor Barbara tems provide service — electricity at not-for-profit prices. Young, George Public power’s low electric rates are magnets for communi- East, Laura ty economic development. So is its ability to provide stream- Bell Oliver and lined “one-stop shopping” customer services that encourage Tracy Kendrick. existing business customers to maintain and expand their operations and attract new business. Strong, stable employ- ers mean strong, stable jobs for local citizens. 2 ALABAMA CURRENTS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 Inside This Issue 4 Your municipal electric system offers energy-saving tips VOL. VII, NO. 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 5 Help prevent your energy bill from going higher A publication of 5 Let Energy Depot® help you manage your energy costs Alabama Municipal Electric Authority P.O. Box 5220 6 Generator Safety Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5220 8 AMEA and Member cities kick off 2009 scholarship program 804 South Perry Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 8 Energy loan program helps local governments, school sysytems save energy, money www.amea.com 334.262.1126 Fred D. Clark, Jr. News From AMEA Members President & Chief Executive Officer 9 Alexander Board of Directors City Chairman Wayne Duke Vice Chairman Don McClellan 9 Dothan Secretary/Treasurer Gary Fuller 10 Fairhope Mike Dugger Timothy Kant 9 9 10 Henry Osborne Bill Fann 10 Lanett Paul Lee Morris Tate 11 Opelika ALABAMA CURRENTS 12 Piedmont Volume VII, No. 5 Editor 12 Riviera Lisa Miller Utilities 10 11 12 Designed by Walker Printing Company 13 Utilities Board Printed by Walker Printing Company of Tuskegee 334.832.4975 14 Sylacuga Comments may be mailed, phoned or 12 13 14 e-mailed to [email protected] Alabama Currents is published six times each year by the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA), P.O. Box 5220, Montgomery, AL 36104, Features and mailed to the retail electric customers of AMEA Member cities. Periodicals postage paid 2 From The Editor 5 Be a Wise-Energy User at Montgomery, AL, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Alabama Currents, 4 In My Opinion 15 Places To Go – Things To Do P.O. Box 5220, Montgomery, AL 36103. ON THE COVER: TUSKEGEE AIRMEN IMMORTALIZED AT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE MISSION STATEMENT Tuskegee is gearing up for a national event Oct. 10-12 as the grand opening AMEA’s mission is to provide for of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is held in this east central Alabama our Member communities a reliable and city. economical source of electric power, On hand for the special event will be some of the surviving airmen, as well as enabling them to preserve and enhance other prominent officials. the benefits of municipal utility owner- In the 1940s, Tuskegee became home to a “military experiment” to train ship for their citizens and the electric America’s first African-American military pilots. In time the “experiment” became customers they serve. We strive to offer known as the Tuskegee Experience and the participants as the Tuskegee Airmen. services that our Members need and can The performance of over 15,000 men and women who shared the “Tuskegee Experience” from 1942 to 1946 will be immortalized at the Tuskegee Airmen Na- adapt to provide the best value for their tional Historic Site. communities and customers. Read more about this event on Page 13. ALABAMA CURRENTS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2008 3 In My Opinion Your municipal electric system offers ising fuel costs remain energy-saving tips a concern for electric ising fuel costs are a challenge for electric utilities across the Rutilities nationwide, country. Just like the rise in gasoline prices at the pump, natural and these increased costs Rgas prices have also taken a tremendous upward swing. These have become an unfortunate increased natural gas prices directly impact electric generation fuel costs reality for our nation. The during high demand periods, and thus adversely affect your power bill. downturn in the economy has We want to help you maximize your energy dollars. Your affected you in many ways. municipal electric system offers these tips to conserve energy and From rising prices at the gas save on your monthly power bill: pump to the increased cost • Try to schedule any activity using hot water (laundry, showers, of food at your local grocery baths, dishwashing) for before 2 p.m. or after 6 p.m. store, Americans are feeling the sting of these un- • Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or slightly higher during hot certain times. weather. The monthly savings could be between 3 and 5 percent. A commodity which has seen a significant Raise the thermostat higher when away from home for extended increase since the summer of 2007 is natural gas. periods. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can save In fact, natural gas prices have doubled since last money every month by lowering energy use when you do not summer. need it. These increased natural gas prices directly • Clean or change the air conditioner filter regularly. A dirty filter impact electric generation fuel costs during high cuts down on air flow and reduces efficiency. Air conditioners are demand periods, and thus adversely affect your the biggest source of electric use during the summer. In many power bill. Whether we are talking about natural homes, air conditioning accounts for more than half the electric gas or commodity prices, it is safe to assume bill. the long-term costs are going to go up over the • Keep your curtains and blinds closed during the day to reduce years. heat from direct sunlight.