|
|
COMMUNITY
A
birthday musing
Georgia
Green Stamper
Georgia:
On My Mind
I’ve
blown through another birthday. It was bittersweet because it was
the first without my mother, but special because it fell in rare
happenstance on Easter weekend. Our three daughters, sons-in-law,
and grandchildren came home to help celebrate the dual occasion.
"Green
Living"
Judy
Hetterman
County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Science
As humans, we utilize
the Earth’s natural resources everyday for our existence.
We breathe the air, we drink the water, we use energy for transportation
and conveniences, and we till the soil to produce our food. As consumers,
we have many options available to us to meet these needs. When someone
chooses to adopt a green lifestyle, he or she is making deliberate
consumer choices to lighten his or her impact on the natural world.
Some examples might be driving less, conserving water, recycling,
or buying local products.
Buchanan
inducted
into
Rotary club
Richard “Rick” Buchanan
was inducted as the newest member into the Owenton Rotary club on
April 2. He is employed by Kentucky American Water Company as the
Operations Supervisor. “Rick is community oriented and will
serve our community well,” said President David “Milkweed”
Wotier.
He joins more than 1.2 million Rotarians who attend weekly
meetings at more than 3,200 clubs around the globe. The local club
was chartered in 1925 and participates in various community and
international service projects. “I think Rotary is one of
the most respected and significant service organizations in the
world,” said Milkweed.
Rotary was born in Chicago, Ill., in 1905 when Paul Harris,
an attorney, met with three friends – a coal dealer, a mining
engineer and a merchant tailor. Originally, Paul’s idea was
to promote fellowship among business acquaintances. Soon there developed
the higher purpose of service to others. The men met in rotation
at each other’s places of business, hence the name Rotary.
Questions about membership in Rotary should be directed
to Milkweed at 750-2935.
Owen
Electric customers will experience a rate increase
The Kentucky Public Service
Commission (PSC) granted approval for Owen Electric Cooperative’s
wholesale power supplier to begin charging a portion of a requested
rate increase on an interim basis.
Owen Electric has asked the PSC for permission to pass through the
interim increase, which was sought by its wholesale power supplier,
East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC).
Until the commission makes a final decision on EKPC’s original
rate request, the interim increase is expected to raise retail rates
by approximately 2 percent on the average bill, or about $1.50 on
the average monthly residential bill. This interim increase will
apply to power consumed on and after April 1 and is subject to refund
after the rate case is concluded.
EKPC’s original requested wholesale rate increase is still
being considered by the Kentucky Public Service Commission. The
request was filed in January, and would add about 5-7 percent to
average member’s monthly household bill if approved.
“East Kentucky Power’s price adjustment is necessary
in order for it to operate and maintain the generation and transmission
facilities needed to meet the power requirements of Owen Electric
and its 15 other member systems,” said Michael Cobb, Owen
Electric’s Sr. VP-Customer Service & Marketing, noting
that the proposed wholesale cost adjustment will increase the co-op’s
power costs substantially. “We really have no choice but to
pass through this increase to our members.”
Cobb noted that Owen Electric and East Kentucky Power both are not-for-profit,
member-owned cooperatives. East Kentucky Power is facing financial
challenges that have resulted from several highly unusual, unforeseeable
events in recent years, including an extended outage of a critically
needed generating unit and lawsuits by the federal Environmental
Protection Agency. EKPC also has several recently completed or ongoing
projects that are capital intensive and add to the cooperative interest
expenses.
East Kentucky Power has a plan in place to cut costs and increase
revenues. At the direction of its members, including Owen Electric
Cooperative, East Kentucky Power has taken steps to reduce costs
by $17 million, and continues efforts to cut costs further.
Although increases have been passed through in recent years to reflect
rising fuel and environmental compliance costs, he stated that this
is the first time since 1983 that EKPC has requested a base rate
increase.
Cobb noted that Owen Electric offers several programs to help members
reduce power consumption and increase comfort. In addition, Owen
Electric offers a levelized billing program to reduce the volatility
of monthly bills. Call (800)372-7612 for more information about
these programs.
EKPC, which generates and transmits power to 16 member cooperatives
in 89 Kentucky counties, has said the rate increase is necessary
in order to meet financial obligations and because of rising costs.
Owen Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Owenton, and provides
electric service to more than 56,000 consumers located in Boone,
Carroll, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton, and
Scott counties. For more information, call Owen Electric at (800)372-7612.
|
|
