Kentucky Electric Cooperatives President Chris Perry was among more than 150 energy leaders from across the country who gathered at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field in October to discuss America’s energy future.

“It is important that electric cooperatives and rural America are part of the national energy conversation,” Perry says, “Co-ops have both real-world experience and a keen interest in helping shape the next chapter of safe, reliable and affordable electricity.”

Hosted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and UK’s Center for Applied Energy Research, the EnVision Forum was attended by U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette, who is nominated to be the next secretary.

Discussion topics included the need for investment in energy infrastructure, the implications of climate concerns and how the epidemic of opioid use is threatening the future energy workforce.

“The modern energy landscape is rapidly evolving,” says FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee, a Lexington native. “The energy economy is in a period of significant and rapid change.”

UK President Eli Capilouto praised the “bright minds, fearless leaders and innovative trailblazers” on the forefront of the energy discussion. 

“As the commonwealth’s flagship and land-grant institution, this is what it’s all about, convening experts, disseminating knowledge and seeking solutions. It reflects our innate desire to expand what is possible,” says Capilouto.

Landfill power in Morehead

The old saying of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is taking on new meaning at a landfill in eastern Kentucky.

In October, Fleming-Mason Energy Cooperative joined North American Bio Fuels and Advanced Disposal Services to dedicate a new renewable energy plant fueled by methane from the Morehead Landfill.

“As a result of this project, Fleming-Mason Energy Cooperative will provide clean, renewable energy to its members,” says Joni Hazelrigg, president and CEO of the co-op, which will purchase all energy generated by the plant. “We are excited to help make this possible for the communities we serve.”

The Morehead Generating Station can make 1.6 megawatts of energy, enough to power over 600 homes.

As organic waste breaks down in the landfill, flammable methane gas is produced. The gas is collected by a system of pipes within the landfill and piped to the plant, where it is used as fuel.

“This plant runs 80% to 90% of the time, which is very efficient for a renewable power plant. It has been fantastic working with both Fleming-Mason Energy and American Disposal Services,” says Brian Evans, chief operating officer of North American Bio Fuels.

North American Bio Fuels operates a similar facility at Blue Ridge Landfill in Irvine.

Operation Round-Up beautifies Elizabethtown

Thanks in part to Nolin RECC consumer-members who “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar each month, a Greenspace project at Freeman Lake is a reality.

An Operation Round-Up community impact grant funded the project to place stone pillars at two new bridges and to plant blooming crabapple trees in one of the most active trail entrances.

“Without a doubt, Nolin RECC members have contributed to the quality of life in our community and we are proud to have them as a partner of Greenspace,” says Elizabethtown Councilman Matt Deneen, a Greenspace board member. “The community impact of the Round-Up grant program is a leading example of what a cooperative can achieve when it is built upon a foundation of service not only to its members but to the community as a whole. The example Nolin RECC has set is the cornerstone of quality and credibility that will be needed to inspire other businesses and individuals to contribute additional trees to the area as the project expands.

Major holidays like Thanksgiving naturally make you think about family, childhood memories and the gifts of love and togetherness of past holidays.

It has been a tough year for me. Both of my parents passed away. My father lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease and a couple of months later my mother lost her battle with Parkinson’s disease.

As we enter the holiday season, I have a hole in my life. No more picking up the phone to talk about football. No more visits discussing the grandchildren. No more laughs. No more hugs. All that is left are the memories and photographs that I now cherish. 

Thanksgiving was a wonderful time when I was growing up. I loved waking up on those mornings in my house with the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie. My mother loved the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and we would watch every minute while she continued to work hard making a wonderful meal. Dad would make the patented Perry potato salad. My aunt would bring the deviled eggs. Those afternoons were perfect with our family sharing a meal and sharing time together.

After the stuffing and pumpkin pie were finished, my brother and I would watch some football. My dad and uncle would go outside in the cool air and enjoy smoking a cigarette. After some time passed, we would convene again for a little more pie, coffee and Pepsi. After a wonderful day, we would hug and look forward to the upcoming Christmas season, when we would do it all again.

I miss those days. So, as we enter the holidays and spend time together, I ask that you to try to avoid the distractions of the season and be fully present with the ones you love.

I found out this year that those moments are fleeting, and I will appreciate the ones now a little more. My wife, daughters and friends are the world to me, and I promise to be engaged and live life filled with focus and purpose.

May you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Chris

The traditional electric grid has evolved into the modern smart grid, packed with advanced technologies that benefit both consumers and utilities.

A key feature is the smart meter, which provides two-way communication between the energy provider and the consumer. Smart meters help detect power outages and automate billing. Both help to improve reliability and efficiency. 

Research and innovation continue to add improvements, making problems in the grid easier to prevent early on, easier to identify and easier to fix. The smart grid also helps utilities plan for the future to reduce the likelihood of power blackouts and surges, and to better manage the electricity load, which can ultimately save money for the utility and consumer.

Another consumer benefit is more access to information and new ways to control and manage their energy use online or via app before they receive their monthly bill, which can lead to better energy efficiency habits. 

By investing now in smart grid technologies, utilities will help to reduce costs over the long run while also providing more reliable service to those they serve. 

Over the next decade, utilities are expected to invest $110 billion in smart grid technologies, and this value is likely to grow as new technologies are developed. Many electric cooperatives across the U.S. have started initiatives to deploy smart meters and other advanced grid infrastructure.

—Maria Kanevsky/NRECA

Selecting the proper temperatures throughout the day and night can be a bit confusing as you balance comfort with energy and dollar savings. 

It does save energy overall if you lower the temperature setting on your central furnace or heat pump thermostat. The actual amount of dollar savings depends primarily on how low you set the thermostat, how long you have it set back and, to a lesser degree, your climate.

There also are other advantages to lowering the thermostat setting during winter. A lower house temperature requires less moisture indoors to keep the indoor air at a given relative humidity level. A heating system that runs less at a lower temperature means the equipment will last longer.

There is not a “best” thermostat setting for all homes and climates. The lower you set it, the greater the overall savings will be. The amount of savings per degree for each nighttime, eight-hour setback period ranges from 1% to 3%.

Unless there are some health problems in your family, 62 degrees is typically comfortable if you are wearing long sleeves or a sweater.

Important note: programmable thermostats generally are not recommended for heat pumps. Do not change heat pump thermostat settings more than 1 or 2 degrees. Consult the manufacturer’s manual or contact your co-op’s energy advisor for more information.

Mythbusting

It is a common myth that it takes as much energy to reheat a house—in the morning, for example—as was saved during the overnight temperature setback. The amount of heat a house loses through its walls, ceilings and floors is directly proportional to the difference between the indoor and the outdoor temperatures. Air leakage also increases with larger temperature differences.

When the indoor temperature is set lower, the indoor-to-outdoor temperature difference is smaller, so less heat is lost from your house. That means your furnace has to use less gas, oil or electricity to create the heat to replace it—which is less than the amount saved over the temperature setback period. During the summer, the same concept applies with air conditioning.

JAMES DULLEY is a nationally syndicated columnist who writes on energy efficiency and do-it-yourself energy topics.

October is National Co-op Month, when cooperatives across the country celebrate the many ways co-ops are unique and more importantly, the members they serve. Your co-op was built by, belongs to and is led by people in your local community.

One of the seven cooperative principles is “concern for community,” and Kentucky’s electric cooperatives demonstrate this commitment in many ways.

This year co-ops again partnered with Governor Matt Bevin’s office on Beautify the Bluegrass, promoting the initiative in Kentucky Living and showing pride in our hometowns with some heavy lifting and TLC for Main Streets, neglected parks and welcome signs. Shown above, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and Kentucky Living teams partnered with Brightside to weed, plant and mulch two “BrightSites,” or mini green oases, located on major highways in Jefferson County.

Co-ops also demonstrate their commitment to community by advocating for you in Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Right now, co-ops are concerned that state lawmakers might try to add a sales tax to your residential electric bill.

Please join our grassroots network of local co-op consumer-members at RuralPowerKY.com and add your voice to ours to educate elected officials on why rural Kentucky would be especially impacted by such a tax.

Chris