Balloon pilot receives highest honor
Posted on 03-15-2010
Cheri White, Cooperative Balloon Associates (CBA) COO and Pilot of the Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon, has been recognized by the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) for two top honors. White received ballooning's highest honor, the Montgolfier Diploma, from the Federation Aeronautique International Ballooning Commission and was also named the 2009 Top Female Pilot. These two recognitions add to a growing list of professional awards she has received over her more than 30 years of ballooning. CBA was organized and licensed in 1999 to own and operate the Touchstone Energy Balloon Program. CBA consists of ten Illinois cooperatives: Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, Corn Belt Energy Corporation, Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative, Jo-Carroll Energy, McDonough Power Cooperative, Norris Electric Cooperative, Prairie Power, Inc., Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative, Shelby Electric Cooperative, and Southern Illinois Power Cooperative.
Annual SST conference a real winner
Posted on 03-04-2010
The AIEC hosted the annual Safety and Supervisory Training (SST) conference and pre-conference training for linemen, foremen and purchasing/warehouse personnel Feb. 24-26 in Springfield. Western Illinois Electrical Coop. was presented the Best Three Year Safety Award for 2007-2009, thirteen cooperatives received recognition for the Best Accident/Illness Record and eight were presented an award for the Best Lost Time Record. Jeb Thackery of M.J.M. Electric Cooperative was recognized for his completion of the Lineman's Skills Training Program and Adam Crowe of M.J.M. and Brad Smith of Adams Electric Cooperative received certificates for completion of the Northwest Lineman's College Lineworkers Certification Program.
Attendees heard firsthand from two linemen who were involved in a fall during ice storm recovery work as well as Kristie Cunningham, the wife of a fallen lineman, and her family's perspective on their tragedy. Terry Fleck, the Attitude Doctor, as well as other speakers provided experience and insight into developing and maintaining good leaders and work habits. Whether speakers were from cooperatives, vendors or other associations, one note rang true throughout - maintaining a positive attitude and a safe work atmosphere is what gets them home to their families each night.
Buy CFL bulbs for $1 to $3 less
Posted on 02-24-2010
Electric cooperative members in many downstate Illinois areas can now purchase ENERGY STAR® qualified energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, at discount prices. The discounts are part of a program sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) in downstate areas to promote increased use of energy efficient CFLs and help consumers save on their electric bills. Participating retailers are discounting the bulbs by $1 to $3 per bulb, or even more in some locations.
Sixty-two retailers, including some County Market, Ace Hardware, CVS Pharmacy, Family Dollar, Kroger, Rural King, Niemann's and True Value stores are participating. You can find the complete list of participating retailers by going to the Energy Efficiency bar on the left side of this homepage and clicking on the CFL tab.
If you replace 20 incandescent light bulbs with 20 CFLs you can save up to $100 in energy a year. They also produce less heat and last eight times longer.
IDCEO will offer the program as long as CFL supplies last. Look for displays with the IDCEO program logos such as the one shown here to find the discounted CFLs.
Please call your local electric cooperative or John Freitag (217-241-7973) or Nancy Nixon (217-241-7954) at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives with any questions about the program.
For information about the Illinois ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate program click here.
