Wiregrass News

JEC taking applications for lineman training scholarship

05/11/12

Jackson Energy is accepting applications for a full scholarships to the Lineman's Training program at Somerset Community College. The scholarship is valued at $3500.

With baby boomers retiring from utilities in Kentucky and all across the country, a shortage of trained linemen is predicted for the industry. Almost all of the program graduates have found employment once they complete the program.

The deadline to apply is May 25.

For more information, call 606/364-9226, or contact Haley McCoy via email, haleymccoy@jacksonenergy.com.

JEC refunds $3.3 million in capital credits

05/11/12

Jackson Energy members will be receiving some extra spending money in the coming weeks. The electric cooperative will return $3.3 million in capital credit refunds to its member owners.

"Only a cooperative makes every customer an owner of the business," says Jackson Energy President & CEO Don Schaefer. "Unlike other electric utilities, our co-op exists to provide our members with quality electric service, not to make a profit. Like any company, we work for our owners, and at Jackson Energy, that's our members."

The refund will come as a separate check mailed to the member, and the amount will vary. Allocations are based on the length of time a member has received service from Jackson Energy. Checks will be mailed in May.

As a member-owner, Jackson Energy's consumers are allocated capital credits when any funds are left over after the co-op pays operating expenses, Schaefer adds. Some of these funds are paid to the estates of co-op members. When finances allow, a general refund of capital credits is paid by the cooperative. Jackson Energy's board of directors recently voted to make a general refund of capital credits earned for calendar years 1981 through 1984. Members who purchased power from Jackson Energy during those years will receive a check, providing those funds have not already been paid to a member estate. The last general refund was $2.9 million in 2011.

"Our mission at Jackson Energy is simple - we are working for you, our owners," Schaefer says, "and capital credit payments are an added benefit for electric cooperative members."

Jackson Energy is a not-for-profit company which operates on seven cooperative business principles - voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, members' economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, cooperation among cooperatives and concern for community.

Cong. Rogers addresses JEC Economic Development Summit

05/07/12

“Regionalism” was the theme of the day at the Jackson Energy Economic Development Summit, and was echoed by Congressman Hal Rogers as he addressed industry and government leaders.

Rogers was the keynote speaker at the meeting, which was held at the Jackson Energy McKee District Office last Thursday. The congressman said he was a “great believer in regionalism,” the idea that governments and agencies should work together to improve Southeastern Kentucky.

“Jackson Energy helps the seven counties they serve with economic development and community development,” Rogers noted, adding that strong partnerships are a big part of the answer to improving the local economy.

The meeting brought together representatives from six counties served by the electric cooperative – Clay, Jackson, Laurel, Lee, Owsley and Rockcastle - to discuss way to recruit more industries to the area.

In addition to Rogers, representatives from regional and state development offices also talked with local leaders about financing options and business recruitment programs.

Jackson Energy’s President & CEO Don Schaefer discussed funding options the cooperative can offer, such as the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG). Jackson Energy can provide low-interest financing of up to $1,000,000 to new and expanding businesses through the program.

Jackson County’s Phoenix Products was the most recent business to receive funding for expansion with REDLG financing.

Also discussing economic development with the group were Greg Jones, with Southern Kentucky Economic Development (SKED); Joan Ward, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development; and Jerry Rickett, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation.

Like Rogers, Ward encouraged the group to “embrace regionalism” and “promote the positives” of their communities.

Energy Oscars recognizes Jackson County student videos

05/01/12

Local students enjoyed the “red-carpet treatment” tonight at the Energy Oscars, which honored excellence in producing videos about the value of saving energy.

Jackson Energy Cooperative and PRIDE unfurled the red carpet at the Jackson County Area Technology Center to premiere four videos that promote energy efficiency with great creativity and persuasiveness.

The special guests were the students from Annville Christian Academy, McKee Elementary School, Sand Gap Elementary School and Tyner Elementary School who created the videos, along with their teachers and families. At the three Jackson County Schools, students were members of the Student Leadership Technology Program (STLP).

The students crafted scripts about why and how to use energy wisely. They acted out the scripts to produce two-minute videos. Jackson Energy edited the videos and made them available to the public at www.myjacksonenergy.com. The videos also will be broadcast by PRTC on the local cable Channel 9.

“We’ve gathered here this evening to honor you, our Jackson County students and teachers, for your creative minds and ‘on-a-shoestring’ video production skills,” said PRIDE’s Mark Davis, who co-hosted the awards program.

“Because of you, more families will know how to hang onto their money with simple energy-savings tips, and our community will be a greener, more energy-efficient place to live,” Davis said.

“You already have influenced thousands of people because 9,763 votes were cast for your videos online,” said Jackson Energy’s Haley McCoy, co-host. “You generated that online excitement by inviting your family and friends to choose their favorite video. McKee Elementary attracted the most online supporters, followed closely by Sand Gap Elementary. Thank you all for drawing so much attention to this important topic.”

Each school was awarded an Energy Oscar trophy, which was similar in appearance to the trophy presented to Academy Award winners.

Annville Christian Academy won the “Super Energy Hero” trophy for developing a memorable character to champion the cause of energy conservation.

The McKee Elementary School video, which recreated an evening news broadcast, took home the trophy for “We’re Not Gonna Heat Jackson County!”

Sand Gap Elementary School won the “Two Minute Tips” trophy for covering the most energy-efficiency advice in a quick video.

Tyner Elementary School earned the “Light’s Out!” trophy for its video that was filmed entirely at night, using cell phones to coordinate cameras and lighting.

Annville Christian Academy

McKee Elementary

Sand Gap Elementary

Change HVAC air filters in your home and save about $80 a year

04/30/12

By spending a few minutes, you can save a lot...

By regularly changing the air filters in your home's heating and air conditioning unit, you can save about $82 a year. Change your filter once a month to keep your system operating efficiently.

And remember, an efficiently operating heating and air conditioning system uses less electricity, which means lower electric bills.

For more energy saving tips, log on to www.togetherwesave.com.