Inside This Issue

1(continued on page 3)

(continued on page 2)

Issue 2, 2011 ConneCt ions

Celebrating 10th Anniversary in May 2011

Earth Day Resources Pg. 2

New Safety Month Materials Pg. 3

New Lighting Standards Pg. 4

Efficiency Materials Available Pg. 6

Spring Planting, Farm Hazards Pg. 7

Earth Day April 2011

(continued on page 3)

We can prevent electrical accidents with awareness. That powerful statement was the guiding principle when the Council’s task force of diverse utility representatives and university educators first met to discuss creating a unified electrical safety education program. And it remains our over-arching philosophy today.

May 2011 will be the 10th Anniversary of the launch of the Safe Electricity program, the outreach and education program produced from the collaborative belief that safety is an issue that transcends individual interests.

EEC is helping members across the country to demonstrate that being energy efficient is an excellent way to be earth-friendly. Mark your calendar for April 22, Earth Day 2011, and a great time to fly your promotional flag for energy efficiency.

If the date has sneaked up on you, EEC has several opportunities for you to quickly become pro-active by telling consumers about ways to become more energy efficient.

To celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we’re offering even more options for promoting safety during National Electrical Safety Month!

From the construction worker/large equipment operator release and article for “Occupational Safety and Health week May 1 – 7” to the “Get Ready for a Fun Safe Summer” material to use around Memorial Day weekend...

Extra Options for Members During National Electrical Safety Month

2

Earth Day Opportunities to Promote Efficiency(continued from pg 1)

1. Mother Earth and You. Take advantage of the EEC’s graphic representation of how being energy efficient helps the Earth, with 10 ideas that also help improve comfort and save on energy bills.

2. Governmental proclamation. Your utility leaders can provide the earth stewardship connections to governors, mayors, county officials and others who regularly issue proclamations. EEC provides a sample proclamation that you can tailor for your own region. But don’t just get it signed, make sure the news media know about it, either by inviting them to the signing ceremony, or providing a copy and offering an interview opportunity. Make sure they know your commitment to being earth-friendly by promoting energy efficiency. 3. Kids’ proclamation. Children will inherit the world, and will certainly need energy, so EEC has created a proclamation that youngsters can sign and present to community leaders for them to promote energy efficiency. Involving children will generate lots of attention as it gets them excited about helping the earth this way. Let us know how it works for you, and share your experience on the Safe Electricity MO bulletin board!! The 2011 Earth Day news release in English and Spanish completes the package. Don’t forget the available efficiency related audio clips that could be used during this time with media!

The new materials refer to EEC’s www.EfficiencyResource.org web site, which has numerous consumer resources for enhancing energy awareness.

1.

2.

City of ___________

Be It Proclaimed:

Whereas, being energy efficient is an excellent way to demonstrate stewardship of the earth, and

Whereas, energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to extend our world's energy supplies; stabilizes atmospheric carbon & reduces global climate change impacts, and

Whereas, it is appropriate that the efficient use of energy should be a priority for the people of _______, businesses, government, and everyone; and

Whereas, the cost of saving energy is going down while the price of energy is going up, and

Whereas, energy efficiency reduces operating costs of buildings and homes, increases our comfort, and improves the quality of life, and provides positive impacts to the earth, and

Whereas, the energy efficiency policies, building and appliance codes, incentives, and technology improvements in the U.S. since the mid-1970s now save approximately 40 percent of the energy currently consumed and avoid the

emission of more than 2 billion tons of CO2 per year, and

Whereas, these savings from energy efficiency to date have not yet come close to tapping the full potential for savings, and

Whereas, individuals can make a difference through management and lifestyle choices, through investment and improvement, and working together, we can all become more energy efficient, and

Whereas, readily available ideas for increasing energy efficiency are available from www.EfficiencyResource.org, a service of the Energy Education Council,

And whereas, April 22, 2011 has been deemed as Earth Day across the United States of America,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, _________, Mayor of the City of _________, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2011, to be

EARTH DAY IN THE CITY OF _________

and urge all citizens of __________ to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF: I have hereunto set my hand and caused this Seal of the City of _________ to be affixed hereto,

this 22th day of April in the year Two Thousand Eleven.

InsertYour CitySeal Here

{Signed}

_____________________, Mayor

City of ______________

Proclamation by Kids

April 22, 2011

Whereas, the children of this neighborhood and the rest of the Earth are dependent upon a good clean world for their homes and their future; and

Whereas, the desire of all children is to become responsible adults who will care for their families and their world; and

Whereas, the Earth will need good sources of energy for many tomorrows to come; and

Whereas, the best way to have enough energy in years to come is to use energy wisely today; and

Whereas, the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to extend our world’s energy supply is to stop wasting energy and practice efficiency; and

Whereas, savings from energy efficiency so far in our young lives have not yet come close to the potential for our families, nation and the world; and

Whereas, efficient use of energy should be a priority for our Moms and Dads, the leaders that we can’t vote for yet, and adults everywhere; and

Whereas, energy efficiency saves money and costs less so Moms and Dads will have more money when we need school supplies; and

Whereas, energy efficiency reduces the carbon going into our air we will need in the future; and

Whereas, energy efficiency will slow down or reduce the rising costs that we will have to pay for energy in the future; and

Whereas, energy efficiency will improve life in our neighborhood and around the world; and

Whereas, Earth Day on April 22, 2011 is a good time for us to join with our parents and their leaders to resolve to stop wasting energy and take action to be more efficient;

Now, therefore be it resolved that the undersigned kids of the neighborhood and the world declare this Earth Day, April 22, 2011, will be the start of a bright future for all of us because adults have promised

us they will be more energy efficient and give us a better world to raise their grandchildren. Signed,

Kids of the Neighborhood and the World

2.

3.

3

Earth Day Opportunities to Promote Efficiency

3

Working together, award-winning Safe Electricity and its utility members have created a powerful force for enhancing safety awareness using a variety of multi-media tools throughout the nation and beyond. Created as an Illinois statewide program, it was soon apparent there was no other program like it in the nation. As program materials grew, so did interest by utilities across the nation. Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange became the program’s major national sponsor in 2004 as utilities from neighboring states began partnering with Safe Electricity.

Today we’re proud to have more than 400 utility members as well as numerous business, government and organizational members, all who share the Council’s mission of promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency.

In addition to the impact of members working to promote safety in their areas, the SafeElectricity.org website gets millions of hits from visitors throughout the world, accessing the

virtual library of safety information for children and adults, farmers, contractors, business people, homeowners, teachers, news media – anyone with a desire to learn more about electrical safety.

“We know that information and awareness create life-saving attitudes and action,” says EEC Executive Director Molly Hall. “It’s been gratifying to have people come to us with stories that illustrate life-saving information has made a difference and prevented tragedy.”

We look forward to many more years of serving members and consumers!

There are enough new materials to promote a different topic – or two - every week of May:

• Electrical Safety Month news release highlighting extensive online resources including a variety of TLC video stories, interactive youth games, teacher materials and more • Electrical Safety Month proclamation for local governments that recognizes your utility along with our collective safety awareness efforts as it promotes the observance• Contractor/Large Equipment Operator safety, placed on the calendar for North American Occupational Safety and Health Week May 1-7 and useful anytime during construction season • Get Ready for a Fun, Safe Summer highlights outdoor safety considerations as the school year ends and water recreation and outdoor play kick into high gear • Safety after the Storm gives members an extra “ready to go” version for that next big storm with combined emphasis on downed power line and flooding hazards.• Auto Accidents/Downed Power Lines is a new addition to the calendar as we fulfilled a request from NRECA for material to make available to distribution cooperatives nationally for use in May; also posted here for your use, with added bonus of talking points, Spanish version and audio clips.

Don’t forget the May Efficiency Feature: Landscaping around heat pumps and air conditioners with suggestions for plants and shrubs, advice on planting distances and more.

Safety Month Options for May (continued)

M

A

YSafe Electricity Celebrates 10 Years (continued from page 1)

4

The Energy Education Council is gearing up to help consumers to more easily understand the sea-change in lighting standards and packaging.

There are two significant changes in the mix. Starting this summer, consumers shopping for light bulbs will notice new labeling on packaging designed to help them choose among the different types of bulbs on the market – traditional incandescent bulbs, high-efficiency compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

Already underway – but not known by most consumers – is the federal change in lighting standards that requires all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light be 30% more energy efficient than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. In essence the 100 watt incandescent will become the 72 watt incandescent starting next year. In some states, like California, retailers are limited to incandescent bulb stock on hand in an effort to move the change along more quickly.

Here’s where the labeling and education come in. The traditional bulbs must use less wattage, but don’t necessarily have to be more efficient, meaning they can produce less light. So consumers expecting the same light output of the 72 watt equivalent incandescent will be disappointed. Educating consumers to look at a combination of factors will help them to choose bulbs that will suit their needs. For the first time, the label on the front of the package will emphasize the bulbs’ brightness as measured in lumens, rather than a measurement of watts. The new front-of-package labels also will include the estimated yearly energy cost for the particular type of bulb.While watt measurements are familiar to consumers

and have been featured on the front of light bulb packages for decades, watts are a measurement of energy use, not brightness. As a result, reliance on watt measurements alone makes it difficult for consumers to compare traditional incandescent bulbs to more efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescents. A compact fluorescent bulb may be able to produce the same amount of brightness as a traditional incandescent bulb, while using significantly less energy, or watts.

Under the new rule, the back of each package of light bulbs will have a “Lighting Facts” label modeled after the “Nutrition Facts” label that is currently on food packages.

The Lighting Facts label will provide information about:

• brightness;• energy cost;• the bulb’s life expectancy;• light appearance (for example, if the bulb provides “warm” or “cool” light);• wattage (the amount of energy the bulb uses); • whether the bulb contains mercury.

Lumens, color temperature, and other illumination jargon that consumers have not heard since high school physics will become a challenge for light bulb retailers, home improvement centers, utilities, and others. But we are ready for it!

The Energy Education Council is creating a consumer education campaign to help everyone make the shift.

Making “Lumen-ade” out of New Lighting Standards, Packaging

Connie Consumer

55

Connie Consumer

What do lemons have to do with

light bulbs?

Energy Ed

You are probably talking about lumens, not lemons, and that indicates how much light a bulb produces. Lumen is the measure of brightness and helps you determine the light you get from the bulb. You want to select a bulb that has the most lumens and uses the least watts, or is the most cost effective. In other words, purchase a brighter bulb that uses less energy.

Thanks, Ed, you just gave me some "lumen-ade"

Sample Radio PSA

Under the new rule, the back of each package of light bulbs will have a “Lighting Facts” label modeled after the “Nutrition Facts” label that is currently on food packages. [ [

6

Need More Efficiency Materials?

___Obtain low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and compact fluorescent lamp bulbs from a hardware or home improvement store. CFL bulbs can also be purchased from many retail and grocery stores.

___Consider placing a water heater blanket on your older water heater to help water in the tank stay hot. They are available at local hardware or home supplies stores, where a professional can help determine if your water heater would benefit from a heater blanket.

___Apply rope caulk to very leaky window frames, where a significant energy loss may occur from air infiltration.

___Assess your heating and cooling systems, and determine if replacements are justified, or whether you should retrofit them to make them work more efficiently and provide the same comfort (or better) for less energy.

___Separate your electricity and heating oil/natural gas bills. Target the biggest bill for energy conservation remedies.

___Crawl into your attic or crawlspace and inspect the insulation and determine if there is enough.

___Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.

___Seal up the largest air leaks in your house. They are the ones that whistle on windy days, or feel drafty. The worst culprits are usually not windows and doors, but utility cut-through for plumbing penetrations, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.

___Have an energy auditor with a blower door determine where the worst cracks are. Small invisible cracks and holes may add up to as much as an open window or door, without you ever knowing it!

___Set your thermostat up (down) when you can accept cooler (warmer) conditions. This generally includes night time and whenever you leave your home for several hours. Many people find it easier to use an Energy Star programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the thermostat based on your time-of-day instructions.

___Schedule an energy audit for more expert advice on your home as a whole, or learn how to conduct your own by visiting the Home Energy Saver Web site. A directory of available energy audit services by state is available at: www.natresnet.org

___If your walls aren't insulated have an insulation contractor blow cellulose into the walls to increase your comfort.

___Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.

___Upgrade leaky windows. It may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models that resist thermal radiation or to boost their efficiency with weather stripping, caulking and storm windows.

___Have your heating and cooling systems tuned up in the fall and spring, respectively. Duct sealing can also improve the energy efficiency and overall performance of your system (warm-air furnace and central air conditioners).

For more information, visit:

MON WED THURS FRITUES

JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY

It’s Time to become Energy Efficient!

…Th

is We

ek…

This

Month

JUNE

…Th

is Ye

ar

2011 2012 2013

www.E�ciencyResource.org

energyCHANGE YOUR HABIT$

$Turn o� lights when you leave a room

Use sunlight for light or heat whenever

practical

Match pot size to burner size and cover with a

lid

Set hot water heater no higher than 120o F

Launder clothes in cold or warm water

Use Energy Star quali�ed computer sleep

feature

Turn o� electronics and unplug chargers when

not in use

Use window blinds or shades to keep out cold

or heat

Fully load dishwashers, clothes washers, and

dryers

Adjust your thermostat when leaving home for

an extended time

No-Cost

Low-Cost

...on any budget

New Purchases

$

Replace burned out bulbs with Compact

Fluorescent Lamp bulbs

Replace furnace and air conditioning �lters

monthly

Caulk between window/door frames and walls

Weather strip between doors and frames

Add storm windows or use plastic �lm kits to

improve single-pane windows.

Purchase an insulating blanket for the hot

water heater

Install motion sensors, dimmers, and timers for

indoor and outdoor lighting

Plant trees to shelter your home from the

elements

Install ceiling fans to reduce air conditioning

costs

Fix leaky faucets

Upgrade to a high-e�ciency furnace/air conditioner or heat pump

Install a programmable thermostatInstall double-pane windows with low e-coatings to re�ect thermal radiationCompletely convert to compact and other

�uorescent light bulbsPurchase an energy-e�cient refrigeratorPurchase a dishwasher that saves water and

energy

Purchase a clothes washer that saves water and energy

Purchase a clothes dryer with moisture sensorSelect e�cient home o�ce equipment and electronics

Insulate attic, exterior walls, basement, and crawl spaces

Check out these professionally-designed resources! There are efficiency print PSAs, consumer factsheets and handouts and more! Use them at Earth Day events, Energy Days, Annual Meetings – any place where it helps to have a collection of efficiency tips at your fingertips. If you or your colleagues need to make a presentation to a civic group or other assembly of consumers, use the customizable PowerPoint presentations that are also available on the Members Only site. While efficiency material has been incorporated throughout the Members Only site, you can find them conveniently located in the new Efficiency Resources section, which also holds efficiency audio clips, news releases and articles. Don’t forget the check the Photo Library when you need an efficiency related photo.

7

The Earth is awaking from its winter sleep. With people heading outside and farmers working fields, messages about electrical safety need to be heard far and wide.

Already, two young lives have been lost to deadly voltage as they began their spring chores. Two teenagers working on a southern Illinois farm were electrocuted as they attempted to free a raccoon from an irrigation pipe they hoisted into the air. When a gust of wind blew the pipe against the wire both teens tragically lost their lives.

Safe Electricity and its members are reminding farmers to avoid storing irrigation pipe under power lines and not to work with pipe near power lines during windy conditions because of the potential for farm workers to become the path to ground for the deadly voltage.

Field work will soon begin in earnest, and the increased size of farm equipment increases the potential for it to contact over-head power lines. Death and injury have resulted when sprayer booms and other extensions tangle with power lines, and help-ing prevent those is the focus of the 2011 "Teach Learn Care TLC" campaign featuring the widow and surviving sons of Illinois farmer Jim Flach. It was March of 2001 when he was applying a pre-plant herbicide, and stepped off his sprayer after it caught on an electric wire. He became the path to the ground and died six months later from his severe electrical burns. Safe Electricity has reached out to farm organizations, farm equipment makers and the farm media in an effort to spread the message about the need to be aware of and avoid power lines, and to know what to do if a mishap occurs. Fulfilling a request from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Safe Electricity provided a detailed article for May issue cooperative magazines across the country.

Spring planting, Spring dangers

At Your Service

Molly HallExecutive Director

mhall@energyedcouncil.org

Erin HollinsheadAssistant Director

ehollinshead@energyedcouncil.org

Stu EllisCommunications Director

shellis@energyedcouncil.org

Cortney CombsCommunications Coordinatorccombs@energyedcouncil.org

400 Chatham Road, Suite 201Springfield, IL 62704

Ph: 217.546.6815Fax: 217.546.6212

Info@EnergyEdCouncil.org

Debate on Federal Energy Efficiency FundingEnergy efficiency may seem to be a “no-brainer” to many people, but it apparently comes with some high voltage politics. And organizations that promote energy efficiency may not be able to rely on the federal government as a financial partner in that effort until the dust settles. There is quite a dichotomy growing among members of Congress and between the House and Senate.

In the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012, the US Department of Energy would see funding increase by $984 million for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. That 44% increase from the current fiscal year would fund programs at a level of $3.2 billion.

However Congress is still working on appropriations for Fiscal year 2011, and the House has not shown any indication of increasing spending. In its Continuing Resolution to fund government for the balance of the current fiscal year which ends in September, the House voted to cut $888 million in funding from the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. In addition to that proposed budget cut, another $7.4 million would be removed this fiscal year from the EPA’s Energy Star program, which also promotes energy efficiency.

The Senate has not voted on the appropriations measure, which is H.R.1.

As part of the Department of Energy budget proposal for FY 2012, there is a goal to work “toward a 20% decrease in energy usage in commercial and institutional buildings by 2020, complementing our ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the residential sector."

As part of the effort to reach efficiency targets, several Council member agencies and organizations rely on federal funding to help implement efficiency measures on the state and local levels.