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FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Board
Meeting Summary
January 28, 2003
The meeting was called to order at
7:00 pm by President Alicia Bonesteele, with all members present. On behalf of
the board, Bonesteele offered condolences to Paul Ennor, whose mother passed
away.
The meeting agenda was approved. The Consent Calendar
was approved with the exception of Financial Reports; Operation Reports; Annual
Customer Contact Summary; and Member Services Report, which were removed at the
request of management for year-end discussion.
The Financial Report was given by Jack Belleque; he
provided a summary of the year-end reports and stated that the numbers were
close to projections. Issues discussed in his presentation included:
kilowatt-hours sold; revenue; long term debt; net margins; write-offs; and
revolvement of capital credits over a ten-year period.
Operations Manager Roger Kuhlman reported that 2002
was the second year in a row that Salem Electric experienced no lost-time
accidents. In addition, he said 2002 was the third year in a row that Salem
Electric received Oregon OSHA’s Sharp award for safety.
Kuhlman said capital expenditures were 75% of budget.
New service was provided to 217 lots in 2002. Kuhlman also stated that the
average annual power interruption time per customer was only 7.39 minutes. In
response to a question from Bonesteele, Kuhlman reported that 392 lots are to
be developed near the West Salem High School over the next ten years.
Cindy Lenker reviewed the Annual Customer Contact
Summary, reporting that in 2002 Salem Electric received a total of 387
contacts, including 167 complaints (high bills, voltage, damage), 114 inquires
or
comments, and 78 compliments.
Member Services Manager Terry Kelly described the
contents of the monthly conservation statistical reports and called attention
to year-end numbers. The report tracks kilowatt-hours saved, projects
completed, and estimates vs. actual incentives.
Helen Findley, Special Services Representative,
described the two heating assistance programs provided by Salem Electric. The
Dollar Check-Off Program, which is administered by The Salvation Army, raised
over $13,000 and benefited 126 members. The in-house heating assistance
pro-gram helped 1,000 members last year at a cost of $180,000.
Leadership Youth Representative Francisca Tapia
reported on her month’s activities, which included speaking before the
Salem-Keizer School Board and working at the First Citizens Banquet on January
24.
General Manager Bob Speckman reminded the board of the
upcoming Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ORECA) Legislative Day
at the State Capitol. Speckman reported on recent meetings of the Government
Affairs Committee and The Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE)
committees. He mentioned proposed changes to ACRE guidelines for providing
financial support to candidates.
Speckman said plans are underway for the 2003 annual
meeting in May.
New Business: Beach requested that the board policy
regarding the purchase of company vehicles be placed on next month’s agenda.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.
Jeff Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer
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Wind Power versus Bird Power: What is the answer?
Years ago, in the 1980s, when the
first major wind turbines were erected in Altmont Pass, California, I
considered them to be a blight to the landscape, an ugly misuse of land and
environment. Many years have gone by; my education has been enhanced by my
readings of the many publications I receive noting the need for wind power to
supplement our hydropower. I have, of course, changed my perspective and
assessment of those windmills, those whirly gigs on the hillsides that provide
part of the lifeblood electricity for us all.
One concern still remains in the back of my mind: what about the birds? Of
course, human comfort and existence must come foremost, but what about our
avian species?
A recent article in an electric co-op publication
prompted me to do a bit of Sherlock Holmes investigation. I contacted Gerry
Smith, retired State Forester and an accomplished bird expert, a member of the
local chapter of the Audubon Society since 1969 and a former president. His
phone rings off the hook with questions, and mine was one. I shared the article
with Gerry and he concurs with the information in the publication.
Wind turbines continue to kill avian species, but
proper siting of the wind turbines could reduce mortalities. With hundreds of
deaths per year, including Golden and Bald Eagles, many studies are being made
to seek solutions to the problem. Moving the location of the turbines about 75
meters from the ridgeline could significantly cut back on avian deaths.
According to Gerry Smith, hawks and eagles have a
certain flight pattern; they siphon through a gap, where turbines would not be
welcome. There is a fall migration, September and October, when you can see
Sharp Chinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks and Bald Eagles at Bonnie Butte near Mt.
Hood. These tend to congregate on mountain top ridges, which are the preferred
locations for wind turbines. Occasionally Paragrin Falcons have stopped by the
area and have decreased in number, not from wind machines, but from poisons in
the environment. Much money has been spent to bring back this species.
A surprise to me was the flight patterns of such
species as hawks and thrushes that fly at night, swirling around an area,
deciding where to go.
Studies, for what they may be worth, indicate that not
just wind turbines kill birds. Approximately 80,000 communication towers in the
U.S. kill between forty and fifty million birds a year that fly into these
structures. Tall buildings, and even the windows of houses contribute to avian
deaths. The Fish and Wildlife Agency recommends strobe lights be placed on high
communication towers and wind turbines. The Federal Aviation Administration
requires red incandescent lights. These two entities are not in agreement at
this point, but plan to meet soon to work out a compromise solution.
Meanwhile, your electric co-op is doing all it can to
protect birds (and squirrels) from the hazards of electrical installations.
Mark Gehlar, a co-op member and former president of Salem Electric’s Board of
Directors, gave a large parcel of land in West Salem to the local chapter of
the Audubon Society for a bird refuge. He is whole-heartedly supportive of all
that has been done to protect the wildlife in our area and respects the work
that Salem Electric has accomplished.
Spring seems to be on its way, and so are the birds.
Keep those feeders full.
Alicia Bonesteele
President
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