Union Rural Electric is proud to announce the winners of our 2008 scholarship program, Union Rural Electric Cooperative Scholarship for Children of Consumers. URE selects one young man and woman as nominees to the OREC (Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives) statewide scholarship competition. This competition recognizes students for their classroom achievements along with their contributions to the community and their ability to speak in front of a panel of judges.
Winners receive $500 each in addition to the opportunity to compete for the OREC scholarships. At the state level, our nominees will compete against nominees of other Ohio electric cooperatives for 12 scholarship ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 each.

Congratulations to Robert Gordon and Casey Clarridge, both are seniors at Marysville High School.

Robert is the son of Roy and Loni Gordon of Marysville. He is ranked first in his class and holds a 4.27 grade -point average. Robert is involved in competitive wakesurfing, placing second at nationals. He also works every day in the technology department for the Marysville school district.

After graduation, Robert plans on attending either The Ohio State University or Miami University in Oxford, majoring in engineering and pre-med.

Casey is the daughter of Ty and Suzi Clarridge of Marysville. She holds a 4.09 grade - point average. Casey is a scholar-athlete competing four years in soccer and softball, being named OCC player of the year in soccer and OCC scholar athlete and OCC honorable mention in softball. Casey is also the class secretary for Student Council and a member of Mock Trial for three years. She has been a National Honor Society member for two years and a three - year member of the Leo Club.

Upon graduation, Casey has been accepted at The College of Wooster and Otterbein College, majoring in anthropology and/or history.

Pressure is mounting for Congress to do something about climate change. And while political debates in Washington, DC, may seem far away, the outcome of environmental legislation will have a direct impact on Union Rural Electric - and on you, our members.

Already our nation faces a looming energy crisis, with demand for electricity ready to outstrip supply. Unless significantly more power plants are placed into service soon, members could experience brownouts and even rolling blackouts in the not-too-distant future. But building this generation will be the most expensive in history, coming at a time when prices for fossil fuels and construction materials like steel, copper and concrete are shooting upward.

Additional costs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - notably carbon dioxide, blamed for contributing to global climate change - will only strain the pocketbooks of members even further. Various climate change bills under consideration in Congress could boost wholesale power costs 50 to 80 percent by 2020, and push up retail rates from 25 to 40 percent.

Unfortunately, many members of Congress, as well as local and state legislators, mistakenly believe we can solve all of these problems through efficiency measures and by adding renewable energy sources. While we certainly need more energy efficiency programs and "green power," they will not be enough to ensure that you continue to receive a safe, reliable and affordable supply of electricity.

To keep the lights on and rates reasonable, the federal government must exercise dedicated leadership - the same leadership that got us to the moon in the 1960s. Without it, and without a sound, responsible, sustainable energy policy, we risk returning to a time when electric service was a privilege enjoyed only by the wealthy.

As electric co-op members, though, you can help prevent that from happening. I encourage you to contact your elected officials today, and ask them some tough questions
By doing so, you will open a discussion that just may see policymakers search for ways to meet environmental objectives while limiting the impact on electric bills.

To assist you in your conversations with those in positions of power, log on to www.ourenergy.coop. There you will find three core questions to ask, as follows:

Experts say that our nation's growing electricity needs will soon go well beyond what renewables, conservation and efficiency can provide; What is your plan to make sure we have the electricity we'll need in the future?

What are you doing to fully fund the research required to make emissions-free electric plants an affordable reality?

Balancing electricity needs and environmental goals will be difficult. How much is all this going to increase my electric bill and what will you do to make it affordable?

From the Web site, you also will be able to send a sample letter to members of Congress recommending that they seek out a balanced solution to energy and climate change. The letter may be sent electronically or printed for regular mail. We have linked to it from our Web site, www.ure.com, for your convenience
Far too often questions don't get asked by policymakers until plans go wrong. You can help your elected officials "get it right" by having this conversation. The electric bill you save will be your own.

To download the 2007 Annual Report.

Go to "About URE" on the menu bar, use the drop down tab Annual Report to access the pdf.

A number of common consumer products contain mercury, a toxic substance that can be harmful to human health and the environment. Electrical Safety Foundation Inernational encourages users of any mercury-containing product to become familiar with and follow the requirements of applicable local laws.

Thermostats
Many existing wall thermostats contain mercury switches that provide for efficient control of temperature around a desired set point. The switches are securely housed, and the likelihood of consumer exposure to mercury is extremely low. When taken out of service, however, mercury thermostats should be managed and disposed of properly.

The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC), a not-for-profit organization, facilitates the collection of all brands of used, wall-mounted mercury-switch thermostats by heating, cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) wholesalers. Your local electrical distributor or contractor may be a participant in the TRC and can help you to recycle your mercury thermostat.

Rechargeable batteries
Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras and remote-controlled toys. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) provides a recycling service for your used portable, rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. The RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and small sealed lead (Pb). Visit http://www.rbrc.org/ to find local participating retailers and other sites that accept rechargeable batteries for recycling.

Ordinary household batteries
Common household batteries (e.g., AAA, AA, C and D) do not contain hazardous materials. It is permissible in all states, with the exception of California, to dispose of them in household trash. ESFI suggests that you contact your local waste disposal official (a directory should be provided in your local phone listings) with questions or concerns about household battery disposal. Recycling and collection services for household batteries may be available in your community at local recycling centers or retail establishments. There also may be household hazardous-waste-collection community events to which you can bring paints, pesticides, used motor oil and other materials for recycling.

Mercury-containing lamps/bulbs
Many types of lamps (often referred to as bulbs) including fluorescent and several types of high-intensity discharge lamps used in homes, businesses and commercial settings contain mercury. Mercury lamps are highly efficient and provide substantial energy savings compared with nonmercury alternatives. Such lamps must be managed appropriately and disposed of in accordance with local laws, when applicable, as do all mercury-containing products.

Household users of efficient, mercury-containing fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent, are typically exempt from special disposal requirements, although some states and localities prohibit homeowners from disposing of such bulbs in household trash. Businesses -- by far the largest consumers of energy-efficient lighting -- may be required by law to recycle mercury-containing bulbs.

Lamprecycle.org was developed by the lamp section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) to provide a one-stop source of information about spent fluorescent and high intensity discharge bulb recycling. Under federal hazardous waste laws, mercury-containing bulb users are responsible for complying with disposal standards. Visit http://www.lamprecycle.org/ to learn where you can recycle old lamps and light bulbs and to locate state government recycling contacts. A number of common consumer products contain mercury, a toxic substance that can be harmful to human health and the environment. ESFI encourages users of any mercury-containing product to become familiar with and follow the requirements of applicable local laws.

"We don't have an Old Man's Cave or a Hocking Hills, but we do have the Big Darby Creek which is recognized as one of the last great places on earth by The Nature Conservancy," extols Steve Stolte, Union County Engineer.

His enthusiasm is well-founded. For anyone who has not explored the southern-most reaches of Union County, there is quite a treat in store. Stolte was instrumental in the establishment of the scenic byway that officially opened last year and has become a focal point for Union County tourism.
"A byway is neat, because it tells a story, and in this case, it's the story of Union County," said Christy Clark, Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director.

Start with the map, available through the CVB or online at http://www.ohiobyways.com/ Big_Darby_Plains/.

Before you start, it's worth a trip to the newly opened Big Darby Headwaters Nature Preserve, off Logan County Road 152 just outside Middleburg.

Then enjoy a leisurely trip though spring scenery, historic landmarks and covered bridges along the byway, starting on Stokes Road at State Route 287, near the U.S. Route 33 interchange.

by PAUL GILLESPIE

Outside the thermal barrier in attics and crawl spaces without temperature control, your ductwork faces sometimes brutal conditions that can lead to very serious energy waste.
The ductwork in these areas can lose up to 20 percent of the heat that is being produced. This is true even when insulated with at least R-5.

Ductwork leaks on the supply side in these spaces - the side bringing air to your rooms - can depressurize the system, causing severe infiltration of cold air back into the home during heating season. The system will require more energy consumption to heat up the unconditioned air that infiltrated into the building, plus the heat already produced is wasted on the attic or crawl space.

If the return side, carrying air back to the furnace or heat pump, has the biggest leak, it will suck in unconditioned air from the attic or crawl space that will need to be conditioned and also lead to a positive pressure of the home. This causes exfiltration - pushing air out or up through your walls and ceiling. As the warm, conditioned air is forced out of the home, it is replaced with air that is unconditioned from the leaking return air.
The best solution on a new built home is to avoid this scenario completely. Ductwork should not be placed in unconditioned spaces.

If your existing home has this issue, your solution depends on the location. In a crawl space, make the crawl into a conditioned area. Insulate the perimeter, seal up any holes or cracks before insulating, and heat it with ventilation.

Ductwork in an attic is more difficult to improve. Building a thermal barrier over the entire attic to cover the ductwork would, in most cases, be very expensive and would eliminate the chance to make alterations that may become necessary over time. The next best thing is making sure all the ductwork is sealed tightly and, if possible, completely bury the ductwork in insulation.

While you're at it, avoid locating any fossil fuel in the attic. Burning fossil fuel produces water condensation, something you do not want to add to an attic space!

To summarize, it is best not to have any ductwork outside of the thermal barrier, period. If that is not possible in your home, do what it takes to improve leakage, insulate as much as possible and have an expert check out your ductwork design.

Meanwhile, call me if I can help you with your energy efficiency challenges: (937) 642-1826 or pgillespie@ure.com.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 2,400 children receive emergency room treatment every year for injuries caused by inserting objects - paper clips, pens, safety pins, screws and nails, tools, wire, forks, tweezers, hair pins, keys, knives, coins and more - into electrical receptacles. This equates to approximately seven children each day.

Injuries range from electric shock to burns; pediatric burns can be particularly serious. Roughly 89 percent of injuries occur in children less than six years old.

One way to prevent these tragedies involves installing tamper-resistant outlets that prevent foreign objects from touching electrically live components. A shutter mechanism prevents children from sticking things into receptacles, while a spring-loaded system lets electricity flow only when equal pressure is applied simultaneously to both shutters (such as from an electrical plug).

Although not widely used in homes, tamper-resistant outlets have been required in hospital pediatric care areas for more than 20 years. The 2008 National Electrical Code requires tamper-resistant outlets in new homes.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends retrofitting older homes with these safety devices. Installation of tamper-resistant outlets can be done for as little as $2 each.

Sources: ESFI; National Electrical Manufacturers Association

The URE Trust Board met at the end of March to consider applications for Operation Round Up. However, none of the applications for assistance were qualified, so no gifts were made.

The Board looks for complete, detailed information on applications. Successful candidates are generally prepared to help themselves to resolve a short-term set-back as opposed to chronic problems.

Applications for assistance are available from a member services representative in the URE office, currently located at 459 Allenby Drive in Marysville.

Congratulations and a big "thank you" to three URE employees celebrating 20 years with the Cooperative.

Ken Hartley, Bob McClintock and Ken Parrish all arrived within two months of each other in the spring of 1988. Both McClintock and Parrish worked as line technicians. McClintock became safety and loss control coordinator. Parrish currently is serviceman. Hartley started in the warehouse. After a short stint as a substation technician, he is back to coordinating the warehouse and purchasing.

Last month Zita Scheiderer joined the finance department in accounts payable. Zita previously worked at WECU Credit Union as a member service rep. For 11 years she worked as bookkeeper/office manager of Integrated Ag Services, an agricultural consulting business she owns with her husband, Dave.

Zita says, "I'm a country girl through and through. I was born and raised in Champaign county. My father is a retired farmer and my mother a retired teacher."

Zita has three daughters: Kaylann, Kirsten and Brenna, whose activities occupy much of her free time. She also is very involved in activities at St. John's Lutheran, the Pregnancy Care Center of Union County, with 4-H and the Union County Fair.

A personnel change in senior management staff in late March is expected to better utilize the skills and abilities of the staff involved.

Rick Shortell now is vice president of community and economic development, leading the natural gas operations and key account activity. Shortell was previously vice president of marketing and economic development.

Shortell has nearly 30 years of experience in the electric cooperative world. Most recently he has served a vital role in Union County leadership with the Chamber of Commerce, Community Improvement Corporation and Memorial Hospital of Union County Board, among others. His new role emphasizes his strengths representing the Cooperative in the community and positioning the Cooperative for growth.

Brad Gibson, previously assistant to the president, assumes the new role of vice president to communications and marketing. He now supervises the communications/marketing and energy efficiency personnel who previously reported to Shortell.

Gibson joined URE in 2000 as manager of information technology media. Most recently he has directed the construction of the building renovation among other special projects for President Roger Yoder.

"I look forward to some good things to come from this change," says Roger Yoder. "The outcome should be increased value to the organization and the membership."