|
May 2004
Public
Power Battles Reach the Northwest
Seventh
in a series on the history of Public Power in the Northwest
Attempts by private
power interests to destroy public power at its inception during the early part
of the century failed once their tactics were exposed by the Federal Power
Commission. These same tactics were employed again in the 1930s. Reliable
service and the inherent benefits of local control were public power issues as
the decade opened. With service territory at stake, the struggle took the form
of hotly waged turf battles, coupled with accusations that public power
advocates were communists. Private power front groups, like the Voter’s
Information League, characterized municipal utilities as “municipal socialism.”
By the end of the decade, the issues had shifted to
rates, power supply and transmission lines. The New Deal put progressive
philosophies into action while stimulating the economy through public works
projects. Construction began on the Bonneville and Grand Coulee dams.
The Public Utilities Holding Company Act (PUHCA) of
1935 was enacted as a result of the Federal Trade Commission’s six-year
investigation into monopolization, financial misconduct and excessive profits
earned by private power’s holding companies. The Act lead to increased federal
regulation and expanded the authority of the Federal Power Commission over the
accounting and pricing practices of electric utilities. It’s ironic that today,
in the face of Enron’s excesses, that a strong effort is underway to undo the
safeguards, repealing PUHCA for example, that were put into place during an
earlier scandal-ridden time.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 extended the
benefits of electric power to the nation’s farmers through a low-cost loan
program and by applying preference to electric cooperatives. Before the Act,
only a handful of cooperatives existed; six years later, over 800 had been
formed.
Next issue: The Bonneville Project
Source: Public Power Chronicle, Public Power Council 2002.
TOP
TOP
 If
you’ve paid close attention to your Salem Electric bill, you’ve probably
noticed the “[ ] Check Here if adding $1 for the Member Assistance Program.”
Through this program we collect about $10,000 annually
to help those less fortunate pay their electric bills. Funds collected are
distributed to Salem Electric customers year-round by the Salvation Army.
If you want to add more than $1, please write the
amount on your bill and add that amount to the total amount due.
TOP
What
Does Non-Profit Mean to Salem Electric's Members?
Salem Electric is a cooperative,
"not-for-profit" organization, but the co-op's annual budget does provide for a
"net margin" each year.
 Salem
Electric’s net margin is allocated to the co-op’s members in the form of
capital credits based on the total amount each member paid Salem Electric for
electricity. Each spring, members who purchased electricity from the co-op
during the previous year receive a notice (at right), letting them know how
much was allocated to them, as well as their total allocations to date.
Capital credits are currently paid, subject to
approval by the board, on an approximate 20-year revolvement; that doesn’t mean
the margin is idle excess money. Like any other business, Salem Electric has
operating costs but, unlike for-profit companies, every margin dollar Salem
Electric takes in is spent on: capital improvements (wire, pole and transformer
replacement and maintenance); general plant additions (computers, communication
and office equipment, vehicles, etc.); debt repayment; and payment of capital
credits earned by members who have contributed to the margin in prior years.
Since Salem Electric began revolving capital credits in 1979, $8.4 million has
been returned to members. By comparison, for-profit companies or investor-owned
utilities take a portion of the ratepayers’ money and distribute it among their
shareholders.
TOP
Going On Vacation?
Here are a few planning tips:
-
Even if you’re gone for a few days it pays to turn off your water heater at the
service panel by flipping the breaker or pulling the fuse. You can save energy
and $$$ while you’re away.
-
For security, install timers on your lamps and program them to go on and off at
different times. To help save energy, remember to install compact fluorescent
bulbs (available at our office).
-
If possible, have a neighbor keep an eye on your home and give them the number
of where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
-
Make arrangements with the post office and newspaper to stop delivery while
you’re away.
-
Contact our Customer Service Department; we will make a note on your account
saying you’re away, which will help explain the lower kilowatt hour usage.
Also, don’t forget to make payment arrangements. If you’re going to be gone for
an extended period of time, consider our AutoPay program which allows your
payment to be deducted from your checking account automatically.
TOP
TOP
Energy Star Products
Save Energy & Money
| When you
purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products, you not only receive the benefits of
an energy-efficient appliance, you also save money. Maybe it’s time to think
about making your home more energy-efficient. With the potential savings below,
you could use at least 20% less energy and save up to $1,000 in home energy
bills. |
| CEILING FANS |
-
Circulates air up to 20% more efficiently than conventional models.
ENERGY STAR qualified light kits can also add extra savings.
|
-
Save up to $25 each year on your energy bill by using ceiling fan and light kit
combination.
|
WASHING
MACHINES |
-
Average 50% less energy and 40% less water than conventional models.
-
Save up to 10,000 gallons of water a year — enough for a year’s worth of
laundry.
-
Extracts more water from clothes, reducing drying time.
|
-
Save $55 - $150 a year in energy and water costs, depending on the model.
-
Receive a $60 rebate from Salem Electric and up to $50 from participating
manufacturers through 7/15/04 (must have an electric water heater).
|
COMPACT
FLUORESCENT
LIGHT BULBS |
-
Use approximately 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
-
Last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
|
-
Save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
-
Purchase at Salem Electric at reduced costs.
|
| DISHWASHERS |
-
Use 25% less energy than non-qualifying models.
|
-
Potential savings range from $25 - $50 a year in energy costs.
-
Receive a $60 rebate from Salem Electric (must have an electric water heater).
|
| LIGHT FIXTURES |
-
Use approximately 75% less energy than standard lighting.
|
-
Three ENERGY STAR qualified, high-use fixtures can save about $50 per year.
-
Receive a $15 rebate per fixture from Salem Electric (5 fixture maximum).
|
| PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS |
-
Have several temperature
settings allowing you to choose different temperatures to fit your family’s
lifestyle.
|
-
When used properly, you could save up to $100 a year on energy costs.
-
Receive a rebate from Salem Electric (must have electric heat).
|
| REFRIGERATORS |
-
Use 40% less energy than conventional models sold in 2001.
-
High-efficiency compressors, improved insulation and precise temperature and
defrost mechanisms reduce energy use.
|
-
Use half the electricity of a 10-year old model.
-
Depending on the model, you can save between $30 and $70 a year.
-
Receive a $60 rebate from Salem Electric.
|
| WINDOWS, DOORS AND SKYLIGHTS |
-
Keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
-
Low E-coated windows reduce sun damage and fading of home interiors like
curtains, photographs and furniture.
|
-
Replacing older windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows can save up to 15%
on your heating and cooling bill.
-
Receive a rebate from Salem Electric (must have electric heat).
|
|
Contact our Member Services Department ( 503 362-3601 )
before proceeding with rebate programs
|
TOP
TOP
|
Bulletin Index |
|