Today, MLGW customer service field technicians will go on a door-to-door awareness initiative to talk to more than 800 customers in five zip codes—38104, 38106, 38108, 38111 and 38114—where bills indicated extreme water usage during the March billing cycle.
The initiative started at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 3 p.m. Friday. The goal is to make customers aware of factors that may be affecting their utility bills. The customers in 38104, 38106, 38108, 38111 and 38114 showed at least 39 CCF of water usage on their bills whereas the average for MLGW residential water customers is 10 CCF—which is also higher than the national average. Consider this: 39 CCF is the equivalent of drinking 234,000 16-oz. water bottles or flushing a 15-year-old toilet 7,293 times during the month of March.
High water usage, especially in March, could be a combination of plumbing fixture leaks, water-guzzling fixtures that pre-date the 1990s low-flow toilet/faucet/shower regulations, or even extremely heavy water consumption through laundry and showering habits.
MLGW customer service field technicians will be in uniform and have badge identification. A door tag will be left at homes where no one is present. Field techs will also go door-to-door on April 21.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
April Events
MLGW will be participating in the following events during the month of April. Hope to see you there!
April 1-3: Spring Market of Memphis at the Agricenter
April 12: MLGW Community Conservation Day at the Department of Human Services, 3360 S. Third Street and 3230 Jackson Avenue, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
April 14-17: Africa in April, Beale Street at Robert Church Park.
April 26: Education Day with the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park.
April 1-3: Spring Market of Memphis at the Agricenter
April 12: MLGW Community Conservation Day at the Department of Human Services, 3360 S. Third Street and 3230 Jackson Avenue, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
April 14-17: Africa in April, Beale Street at Robert Church Park.
April 26: Education Day with the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Memphis Water Protected From Contaminated Rainwater
This story ran on ABC Channel 24 last night...
Memphis Water Protected From Contaminated Rainwater
How safe is the water? That's the question people across the country are asking after low levels of radiation linked to the nuclear accident in Japan are turning up in rainwater samples as far away as Massachusetts. The samples from Massachusetts are comparable to similar ones in California, Washington state, and Pennsylvania. Public health officials insist the samples do not threaten drinking water.
In Memphis, “anything that occurs on the surface would take years to reach the water supply,” said Glen Thomas, a spokesman for MLGW.
“Memphis water comes from an aquifer deep in the ground,” he said, adding that the underground water supply protects the water from any contaminated groundwater or rain. “So rainwater and other surface water actually go through a filtration process that takes a number of years before it gets to our water source. We test for a variety of contaminants per state and federal regulations just in case.”
Still, reports of traces of radiation in rainwater in Massachusetts shouldn't be ignored, said the chairman of the Department of Radiology at Methodist Hospitals of Memphis.
“There is detectable radiation in America from this incident [in Japan],” said Dr. Hollis Halford.
But to cause any harm those traces of radiation would have to be “10,000 times the radiation that we're seeing right now,” he said.
“The fears, I think, are very warranted,” Dr. Halford said. “With that being said, I strongly believe there is no concern to us in America.”
But he doesn't think that's likely to happen here in the Mid-South, and neither does Thomas.
“We've not had any issues with any types of radiation, and we don't anticipate any,” Thomas said.
He said the state of Tennessee requires water systems to undergo radiation tests every three years. In Memphis, that's scheduled to get underway within the next few months.
Memphis Water Protected From Contaminated Rainwater
How safe is the water? That's the question people across the country are asking after low levels of radiation linked to the nuclear accident in Japan are turning up in rainwater samples as far away as Massachusetts. The samples from Massachusetts are comparable to similar ones in California, Washington state, and Pennsylvania. Public health officials insist the samples do not threaten drinking water.
In Memphis, “anything that occurs on the surface would take years to reach the water supply,” said Glen Thomas, a spokesman for MLGW.
“Memphis water comes from an aquifer deep in the ground,” he said, adding that the underground water supply protects the water from any contaminated groundwater or rain. “So rainwater and other surface water actually go through a filtration process that takes a number of years before it gets to our water source. We test for a variety of contaminants per state and federal regulations just in case.”
Still, reports of traces of radiation in rainwater in Massachusetts shouldn't be ignored, said the chairman of the Department of Radiology at Methodist Hospitals of Memphis.
“There is detectable radiation in America from this incident [in Japan],” said Dr. Hollis Halford.
But to cause any harm those traces of radiation would have to be “10,000 times the radiation that we're seeing right now,” he said.
“The fears, I think, are very warranted,” Dr. Halford said. “With that being said, I strongly believe there is no concern to us in America.”
But he doesn't think that's likely to happen here in the Mid-South, and neither does Thomas.
“We've not had any issues with any types of radiation, and we don't anticipate any,” Thomas said.
He said the state of Tennessee requires water systems to undergo radiation tests every three years. In Memphis, that's scheduled to get underway within the next few months.
Monday, March 28, 2011
MLGW Goes To School Program for Local Career and Technology Students
MLGW/IBEW Local 1288 Announces its 5th Annual MLGW Goes To School Program for Local Career and Technology Students
Memphis City Schools (MCS) aspires for each of its graduating students to be prepared for today's technically-oriented workforce. By seeking advanced education and training, whether by attending college, training in military service, or seeking admittance to a vocational or apprenticeship program, MCS provides the educational path for the successful student. Employment at Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is included as one of those preparatory choices and is now offering Memphis City Schools' students the opportunity to become "MLGW Bound." MLGW leaders will send out approximately 32 employees during the MLGW Goes to School program week of March 28 - April 1, 2011.
MLGW Goes to School is a program developed to encourage Memphis City Schools' students to explore career opportunities in the utility/energy industry, specifically Memphis' publicly owned utility. Employee volunteers will share their educational background, career choices, and job responsibilities and duties. This year the focus will be on the students enrolled in the career and technology centers. Participating schools are listed below:
MLGW participates annually in the educational process of students in Memphis City Schools, with particular emphasis on the needs, support, and training of those students. MLGW supports such activities as the summer intern/cooperative education programs, Memphis Weekend Academy, Junior Achievement and Explorer Posts, and sponsors many programs at its adopted school, Carver High School. Now in its fifth year, the MLGW University sponsored event continues to provide students with information on the kind of study and training needed for them to prepare themselves for careers in the utility industry, including positions as engineers, electronics technicians, electrical linemen, accountants, drafters, customer service representatives, and many more.
This multi-year program will serve a dual purpose of not only making students aware of opportunities in the utility industry, but also providing the utility with a ready local resource for future talented and qualified employees.
Memphis City Schools (MCS) aspires for each of its graduating students to be prepared for today's technically-oriented workforce. By seeking advanced education and training, whether by attending college, training in military service, or seeking admittance to a vocational or apprenticeship program, MCS provides the educational path for the successful student. Employment at Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is included as one of those preparatory choices and is now offering Memphis City Schools' students the opportunity to become "MLGW Bound." MLGW leaders will send out approximately 32 employees during the MLGW Goes to School program week of March 28 - April 1, 2011.
MLGW Goes to School is a program developed to encourage Memphis City Schools' students to explore career opportunities in the utility/energy industry, specifically Memphis' publicly owned utility. Employee volunteers will share their educational background, career choices, and job responsibilities and duties. This year the focus will be on the students enrolled in the career and technology centers. Participating schools are listed below:
Carver High School, MLGW's Adopt-A-School
City University for Boys, Special Request
East Career & Technology Center
Kansas Career & Technology Center
Kingsbury Career & Technology Center
Messick Adult High School
Sheffield Career & Technology Center
Southwest Career and Technology Center
Trezevant Career and Technology Center
MLGW participates annually in the educational process of students in Memphis City Schools, with particular emphasis on the needs, support, and training of those students. MLGW supports such activities as the summer intern/cooperative education programs, Memphis Weekend Academy, Junior Achievement and Explorer Posts, and sponsors many programs at its adopted school, Carver High School. Now in its fifth year, the MLGW University sponsored event continues to provide students with information on the kind of study and training needed for them to prepare themselves for careers in the utility industry, including positions as engineers, electronics technicians, electrical linemen, accountants, drafters, customer service representatives, and many more.
This multi-year program will serve a dual purpose of not only making students aware of opportunities in the utility industry, but also providing the utility with a ready local resource for future talented and qualified employees.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Do you have a TVA energy kit yet?
Do you have a TVA energy kit yet? What are you waiting for? The only thing you have to do is complete a do-it-yourself energy audit through one of the channels described below:
There are several methods through which customers can qualify for their free energy kit:
1. Customers who register for My Account at www.mlgw.com , login and complete the "Home Profile" and "My Appliances" question sets under the "Home Energy Center" tab will automatically receive a kit at their home address within 2-3 weeks. This is the PREFERRED METHOD as it utilizes the customer's actual billing history and MLGW rates to provide their report and recommendations. (Process takes less than 10 minutes.)
2. Customers who complete the energy right audit atwww.energyright.com will automatically receive a kit at their home address within 2-3 weeks. However, this method does not use billing history or local rates, so it is an inferior approach that will produce less accurate information in their report.
3. Customers without Internet access can request a printed energy audit form, complete and return it. They will receive their report and kit through the mail (perhaps in separate deliveries) with 2-3 weeks. Again, this method does not use billing history or local rates, so it is an inferior approach that will produce less accurate information in their report. Customers can request a printed audit form by calling Residential Services at 528-4188.
The free TVA kit contains:
* Compact fluorescent bulb
* Filter whistle that sounds when the HVAC system filter is 80 percent clogged and needs to be changed
* Outlet and light switch gaskets - insulation to help stop drafts and save energy
* Faucet aerators (two) - water-saving filters that improve efficiency
* Hot water temperature card that measures temperature of hot tap water and indicates if thermostat adjustment is needed to save money and prevent water scalds
* Energy use thermometer gauge that helps check energy costs for heating and cooling.
Research in summer 2008 found that, based on actions customers took after they completed the online tools and received their kits, the average household would reduce electricity use by ~ 1,700 kWh. That's about $120 annually--so it pays to participate!
There are several methods through which customers can qualify for their free energy kit:
1. Customers who register for My Account at www.mlgw.com , login and complete the "Home Profile" and "My Appliances" question sets under the "Home Energy Center" tab will automatically receive a kit at their home address within 2-3 weeks. This is the PREFERRED METHOD as it utilizes the customer's actual billing history and MLGW rates to provide their report and recommendations. (Process takes less than 10 minutes.)
2. Customers who complete the energy right audit atwww.energyright.com will automatically receive a kit at their home address within 2-3 weeks. However, this method does not use billing history or local rates, so it is an inferior approach that will produce less accurate information in their report.
3. Customers without Internet access can request a printed energy audit form, complete and return it. They will receive their report and kit through the mail (perhaps in separate deliveries) with 2-3 weeks. Again, this method does not use billing history or local rates, so it is an inferior approach that will produce less accurate information in their report. Customers can request a printed audit form by calling Residential Services at 528-4188.
The free TVA kit contains:
* Compact fluorescent bulb
* Filter whistle that sounds when the HVAC system filter is 80 percent clogged and needs to be changed
* Outlet and light switch gaskets - insulation to help stop drafts and save energy
* Faucet aerators (two) - water-saving filters that improve efficiency
* Hot water temperature card that measures temperature of hot tap water and indicates if thermostat adjustment is needed to save money and prevent water scalds
* Energy use thermometer gauge that helps check energy costs for heating and cooling.
Research in summer 2008 found that, based on actions customers took after they completed the online tools and received their kits, the average household would reduce electricity use by ~ 1,700 kWh. That's about $120 annually--so it pays to participate!
New Survey
MLGW's vision is to be "the best utility for our customers." We want you to let us know how we can be just that. Please take a minute of your time and complete this short survey. Your input will help us as we move forward with various programs and initiatives.
Ready Shelby Rescheduled
Due to weather conditions, Ready Shelby Day at the Zoo will be rescheduled. Please stay tuned for an update on this event. Visit readyshelby.org to keep your family informed on how to prepare for the unexpected.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Ready Shelby Day
Shelby County is teaming up with the Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place, to raise awareness of natural disasters and how to prepare for the unexpected in an event called Ready Shelby Day, which will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Videos, activities and special live presentations throughout the zoo will be set up in an effort to get visitors ready for when disaster strikes.
The Red Cross Safe House will also be present to offer hands-on fun, interactive presentations and informational demonstrations.
Ready Shelby is an emergency preparedness initiative sponsored by the municipal mayors of Shelby County, which seeks to educate residents on how to prepare for an emergency with specific attention given to the first 72 hours after an emergency.
All activities are included in zoo admission. More information can be found
by visiting www.readyshelby.org or www.memphiszoo.org.
Videos, activities and special live presentations throughout the zoo will be set up in an effort to get visitors ready for when disaster strikes.
The Red Cross Safe House will also be present to offer hands-on fun, interactive presentations and informational demonstrations.
Ready Shelby is an emergency preparedness initiative sponsored by the municipal mayors of Shelby County, which seeks to educate residents on how to prepare for an emergency with specific attention given to the first 72 hours after an emergency.
All activities are included in zoo admission. More information can be found
by visiting www.readyshelby.org or www.memphiszoo.org.
Linky
There are several articles of interest in today's news.
Locally, TruGreen is implementing hybrid vehicles. Read Green Power: TruGreen brings hybrid technology to lawn care vehicles in the Memphis Daily News.
Statewide, TVA says it's nuclear plants are in good shape. Check out TVA says its plants are more robust than Japan’s crippled nuclear reactors in the Times Free Press.
Nationally, it's Spring cleaning time. To see which gadgets we can live without, take a look at Gadgets You Should Get Rid Of (or Not) in the new York Times.
Locally, TruGreen is implementing hybrid vehicles. Read Green Power: TruGreen brings hybrid technology to lawn care vehicles in the Memphis Daily News.
Statewide, TVA says it's nuclear plants are in good shape. Check out TVA says its plants are more robust than Japan’s crippled nuclear reactors in the Times Free Press.
Nationally, it's Spring cleaning time. To see which gadgets we can live without, take a look at Gadgets You Should Get Rid Of (or Not) in the new York Times.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Green Home Renovations
We had a nice mention in today's story about green home renovations in the Commercial Appeal...
Dedicated recycler bones up on green techniques to pull off ambitious renovation
Ben Bradley didn't play with regular toys growing up.
He would just take them apart and put them back together.
"My parents finally realized they should not buy me typical toys, and started getting me radio kits and stuff like that," said the Arkansas native.
After he bought his first house in 2007, his old habits kicked in, and he began to take it apart.
Now that he has stripped it down to the bare bones, Bradley plans to put it back together keeping one goal in mind: to be as green as possible.
"I'm going to do what I can to the best of my ability. As a homeowner, unless you have a lot of money, it's hard," he said.
Not wanting to attempt such a major endeavor blindly, the local courier has done his research.
The same year he bought his house, he traveled to Global Exchange's and Co-Op America's Green Festival in Chicago to soak up some information.
"I was completely mentally exhausted. I was there until they pushed me out of the building," said Bradley, 39. "It was really liberating. All of a sudden I had more information than I even knew what to do with. It was like being drunk on information. It was like all of a sudden, this was possible."
He has zeroed in on a 90-percent post-consumer recycled insulation line made out of denim by UltraTouch.
"I got to play with it in Chicago. You can rub that stuff on your face," he said, something one wouldn't want to do with regular fiberglass insulation.
During his research, he stumbled across some high-grade energy-efficient windows, meaning nine Pella ProLine double-insulated, double-hung windows with Low E insulating glass.
"Those are top-of-the-line. They're some of the most efficient windows you can get your hands on," he said. "Someone ordered the wrong size and had to dump them. I got them for less than 50 percent of the retail cost."
He sized them to his 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom brick home by taking out the existing sills. Not wanting to waste anything, he's reusing the old windows in his greenhouse out back.
Recycling is part of Bradley's routine
He takes his own to-go containers when he ventures to local eateries, and recycles his toothbrushes, mailing them to a company called Preserve, which turns No. 5 plastics into other products.
"I try to recycle any cardboard that comes off of any material, paper, plastic, anything I can," he said.
He recently purchased a case of Premier Industrial eco-friendly sealant low in volatile organic compounds (low-VOC) for his doors and windows.
Once he gets to the finishing stages, he's going with low-VOC paint and soy-based finishes.
Bradley began his travels down the road of ecological awareness through gardening.
"I started looking into Greenpeace and PETA and into who makes the products we use, what they put in our food, how the animals are treated," he said.
After he changed his eating habits, his quality of life changed with it.
"Once I started getting my hands on some decent food products, my sinuses and allergies changed dramatically. I thought, 'There's something to this,'" he said. "The people involved were less aggressive and more friendly."
He tends his own organic garden and has recruited the nearby residents of his Vollintine-Evergreen neighborhood to join him.
"We're working together so everyone's not growing the same tomato," he said. "Urban farming is where it's at. It's time for people to get smart and build their communities back up. You get exercise. And you meet your neighbors."
Although the MLGW EcoBUILD program was developed for new home construction, the utility's website offers some pointers on green renovation, including "conducting a Home eValuation energy audit," resulting in a "list of recommendations, with estimated costs and payback periods, as well as low-cost and no-cost tips."
"The challenge in pursuing green renovation projects is that you're looking at unusual materials, and you have to determine if they're as good as traditional materials," said MLGW strategic marketing coordinator Becky Williamson. "It's kind of a 'buyer beware' thing. Check the technical information to see how accurate it is. Understand the ratings. The Energy Star website is a great place to start. Someone doing it on their own just has to do a lot of research."
For Bradley, that's old hat.
"I've always questioned everything. I've never just accepted the way things are," he said. "There's a line from a song by my favorite band, Men Without Hats, that goes, 'I may not know what's right, but I know this can't be it.'"
Useful websites
Some sites to help green up your home include greendepot.com, greenamerica.org and energystar.gov.
Or go to mlgw.com, click on "For Your Home" and scroll over "Energy-Saving Tools."
Dedicated recycler bones up on green techniques to pull off ambitious renovation
Ben Bradley didn't play with regular toys growing up.
He would just take them apart and put them back together.
"My parents finally realized they should not buy me typical toys, and started getting me radio kits and stuff like that," said the Arkansas native.
After he bought his first house in 2007, his old habits kicked in, and he began to take it apart.
Now that he has stripped it down to the bare bones, Bradley plans to put it back together keeping one goal in mind: to be as green as possible.
"I'm going to do what I can to the best of my ability. As a homeowner, unless you have a lot of money, it's hard," he said.
Not wanting to attempt such a major endeavor blindly, the local courier has done his research.
The same year he bought his house, he traveled to Global Exchange's and Co-Op America's Green Festival in Chicago to soak up some information.
"I was completely mentally exhausted. I was there until they pushed me out of the building," said Bradley, 39. "It was really liberating. All of a sudden I had more information than I even knew what to do with. It was like being drunk on information. It was like all of a sudden, this was possible."
He has zeroed in on a 90-percent post-consumer recycled insulation line made out of denim by UltraTouch.
"I got to play with it in Chicago. You can rub that stuff on your face," he said, something one wouldn't want to do with regular fiberglass insulation.
During his research, he stumbled across some high-grade energy-efficient windows, meaning nine Pella ProLine double-insulated, double-hung windows with Low E insulating glass.
"Those are top-of-the-line. They're some of the most efficient windows you can get your hands on," he said. "Someone ordered the wrong size and had to dump them. I got them for less than 50 percent of the retail cost."
He sized them to his 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom brick home by taking out the existing sills. Not wanting to waste anything, he's reusing the old windows in his greenhouse out back.
Recycling is part of Bradley's routine
He takes his own to-go containers when he ventures to local eateries, and recycles his toothbrushes, mailing them to a company called Preserve, which turns No. 5 plastics into other products.
"I try to recycle any cardboard that comes off of any material, paper, plastic, anything I can," he said.
He recently purchased a case of Premier Industrial eco-friendly sealant low in volatile organic compounds (low-VOC) for his doors and windows.
Once he gets to the finishing stages, he's going with low-VOC paint and soy-based finishes.
Bradley began his travels down the road of ecological awareness through gardening.
"I started looking into Greenpeace and PETA and into who makes the products we use, what they put in our food, how the animals are treated," he said.
After he changed his eating habits, his quality of life changed with it.
"Once I started getting my hands on some decent food products, my sinuses and allergies changed dramatically. I thought, 'There's something to this,'" he said. "The people involved were less aggressive and more friendly."
He tends his own organic garden and has recruited the nearby residents of his Vollintine-Evergreen neighborhood to join him.
"We're working together so everyone's not growing the same tomato," he said. "Urban farming is where it's at. It's time for people to get smart and build their communities back up. You get exercise. And you meet your neighbors."
Although the MLGW EcoBUILD program was developed for new home construction, the utility's website offers some pointers on green renovation, including "conducting a Home eValuation energy audit," resulting in a "list of recommendations, with estimated costs and payback periods, as well as low-cost and no-cost tips."
"The challenge in pursuing green renovation projects is that you're looking at unusual materials, and you have to determine if they're as good as traditional materials," said MLGW strategic marketing coordinator Becky Williamson. "It's kind of a 'buyer beware' thing. Check the technical information to see how accurate it is. Understand the ratings. The Energy Star website is a great place to start. Someone doing it on their own just has to do a lot of research."
For Bradley, that's old hat.
"I've always questioned everything. I've never just accepted the way things are," he said. "There's a line from a song by my favorite band, Men Without Hats, that goes, 'I may not know what's right, but I know this can't be it.'"
Useful websites
Some sites to help green up your home include greendepot.com, greenamerica.org and energystar.gov.
Or go to mlgw.com, click on "For Your Home" and scroll over "Energy-Saving Tools."
Friday, March 18, 2011
Increased Utility Theft
From today's Commercial Appeal...Customers can report utility theft by calling 321-6969 or by e-mailing revenueprotection@mlgw.org.
Hard economic times cited for increased utility thievery in Memphis area
Times are still hard, and households in the Memphis area are increasingly resorting to stealing electricity and other utilities, officials with Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division said Thursday.
MLGW investigated nearly 20,000 reports of utility theft in 2010, a 17 percent increase from 2009 and a 23 percent rise from 2008.
The percentage of reports that workers verify as theft is also increasing -- in 2010, they found 52 percent of reports were accurate, compared with 45 percent in 2008.
Estimates of the cost of theft vary, but if theft represented just one-half of 1 percent of MLGW's electric sales, it would cost $4 million per year, said Eliza King, the utility's manager of customer metering.
The increase in reported theft probably has to do with the slow economy, King said. But she also said stealing is a choice, since the utility provides many assistance programs for people who don't have the money to pay bills.
"I'm really not understanding the choices that people are making," she said.
Some cases involve criminal activity, such as indoor marijuana farms, she said.
The number of MLGW workers who investigate theft reports recently rose from 10 to 12, and is about to rise again to 14.
King showed MLGW board members several photos of crude methods used to steal electricity -- some involved jumper cables, one image showed a layer of duct tape covering an altered meter and another showed a wire running into a window.
"They'll do anything that they can do, as long as it's conducting electricity," she said.
This do-it-yourself electrical work represents a fire hazard that threatens not only the thief's property but also that of other people living nearby, she said. Thefts of water and gas also occur, though they're less common, she said.
MLGW charges large fees when it finds people guilty of theft -- $800 is not uncommon, said president and CEO Jerry Collins Jr. If the customers want the utilities restored, they must also put down a deposit of $125 and pay any balance due.
"If a person does commit a crime, then there's a price to be paid," Collins said.
But he said MLGW doesn't call the police on the first theft offense.
"So this is a lot better than being prosecuted," he said. "And with the fact that theft is increasing, then obviously we're probably not being tough enough."
Collins said some City Council members suggested at a recent meeting that MLGW should show more compassion toward women and children caught up in utility-theft cases.
Councilman Harold Collins said the discussion had to do with one specific case, and that he personally believes authorities should punish utility thieves.
"When people steal from the utility, they steal from the city of Memphis, and they have to be accountable for that," said Collins, who is not related to Jerry Collins.
The board wrapped up discussion without a vote.
Also Thursday, the board voted to allow RREEF, a real estate investment business that's part of Deutsche Bank, to manage about $45 million of employee pension assets. It's part of a larger restructuring of pension investments.
To see behind the scenes, check out the ride along I did with one of our Revenue Protection officers a few years ago.
Hard economic times cited for increased utility thievery in Memphis area
Times are still hard, and households in the Memphis area are increasingly resorting to stealing electricity and other utilities, officials with Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division said Thursday.
MLGW investigated nearly 20,000 reports of utility theft in 2010, a 17 percent increase from 2009 and a 23 percent rise from 2008.
The percentage of reports that workers verify as theft is also increasing -- in 2010, they found 52 percent of reports were accurate, compared with 45 percent in 2008.
Estimates of the cost of theft vary, but if theft represented just one-half of 1 percent of MLGW's electric sales, it would cost $4 million per year, said Eliza King, the utility's manager of customer metering.
The increase in reported theft probably has to do with the slow economy, King said. But she also said stealing is a choice, since the utility provides many assistance programs for people who don't have the money to pay bills.
"I'm really not understanding the choices that people are making," she said.
Some cases involve criminal activity, such as indoor marijuana farms, she said.
The number of MLGW workers who investigate theft reports recently rose from 10 to 12, and is about to rise again to 14.
King showed MLGW board members several photos of crude methods used to steal electricity -- some involved jumper cables, one image showed a layer of duct tape covering an altered meter and another showed a wire running into a window.
"They'll do anything that they can do, as long as it's conducting electricity," she said.
This do-it-yourself electrical work represents a fire hazard that threatens not only the thief's property but also that of other people living nearby, she said. Thefts of water and gas also occur, though they're less common, she said.
MLGW charges large fees when it finds people guilty of theft -- $800 is not uncommon, said president and CEO Jerry Collins Jr. If the customers want the utilities restored, they must also put down a deposit of $125 and pay any balance due.
"If a person does commit a crime, then there's a price to be paid," Collins said.
But he said MLGW doesn't call the police on the first theft offense.
"So this is a lot better than being prosecuted," he said. "And with the fact that theft is increasing, then obviously we're probably not being tough enough."
Collins said some City Council members suggested at a recent meeting that MLGW should show more compassion toward women and children caught up in utility-theft cases.
Councilman Harold Collins said the discussion had to do with one specific case, and that he personally believes authorities should punish utility thieves.
"When people steal from the utility, they steal from the city of Memphis, and they have to be accountable for that," said Collins, who is not related to Jerry Collins.
The board wrapped up discussion without a vote.
Also Thursday, the board voted to allow RREEF, a real estate investment business that's part of Deutsche Bank, to manage about $45 million of employee pension assets. It's part of a larger restructuring of pension investments.
To see behind the scenes, check out the ride along I did with one of our Revenue Protection officers a few years ago.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
TVA debating new nuclear reactor
From today's Tennessean...
TVA to review Japan situation while debating new nuclear reactor
The TVA board has been poised to discuss whether to pay billions to build a new nuclear reactor, and now its members will have Japan's nuclear breakdown to consider when they meet next month.
"We will have a comprehensive review of what lessons are coming out of this situation in Japan and implications for TVA," said Dennis Bottorff, chairman of the board and managing general partner in a Nashville venture capital firm.
There may not be any conclusions about exactly what went wrong in Japan by the time of the April 14 meeting, but one immediate concern is that three of Tennessee Valley Authority's existing reactors are largely the same design as those affected by Friday's earthquake in Japan.
The three reactors at TVA's Browns Ferry site, which lies about 100 miles south of Nashville, are a 1970s-era General Electric boiling water design similar to the Japanese reactors. They are among 35 boiling water-type reactors in the U.S.
"We're all closely watching the events in Japan and monitoring the things happening there with an eye to learning lessons that we may incorporate into our operations," Bill McCollum, TVA's chief operating officer, said Tuesday.
"Right now there's a lot of information, some of which may turn out with time to be correct and some not correct. We've got to work through that."
TVA has two other plants that have pressurized water reactors, a different design than the damaged GE boiling water reactors in Japan. Most commercial reactors in the U.S, about 70, are pressurized water reactors,
TVA's Watts Bar plant, which is 60 miles southwest of Knoxville, has one of these reactors, and a second one is under construction there.
At TVA's Sequoyah plant, 18 miles northeast of Chattanooga, there are two such reactors.
The pressurized water reactors at these plants differ from the boiling water reactors in that the steam to run the turbine is produced in a steam generator.
Water in the GE-designed reactors at the Japanese plant and at Browns Ferry boils inside a pressure vessel, and a steam-water mixture is produced. Steam eventually goes to a turbine generator to create electricity.
McCollum said he did not know the detailed differences between the GE boiling water reactor at the Browns Ferry plant and the Japanese reactors, but he said that is being researched.
It appeared that at least one of the Japanese reactors doesn't include some of the circulating and cooling pumps found at Browns Ferry.
Pools can be problem
Another issue in Japan is possible problems with the used fuel pools, where highly radioactive rods of old fuel typically are left for several years. U.S. plants have such pools, too.
At TVA, the old fuel is moved out of the pools after a few years and put into dry casks for long-term storage.
"Our plants are designed, built and operated safely, and we have equipment and procedures and personnel in place to maintain the safety of our plants," McCollum said.
He said they are built to withstand slightly more than the size of an earthquake that might be expected at their particular locations. The TVA nuclear sites are all along the Tennessee River.
TVA is considering completing a new reactor at a cost of up to $4 billion at its Bellefonte site near Hollywood, Ala., which is about 110 miles southeast of Nashville.
Construction began on the plant in the 1970s and halted in the 1980s.
TVA to review Japan situation while debating new nuclear reactor
The TVA board has been poised to discuss whether to pay billions to build a new nuclear reactor, and now its members will have Japan's nuclear breakdown to consider when they meet next month.
"We will have a comprehensive review of what lessons are coming out of this situation in Japan and implications for TVA," said Dennis Bottorff, chairman of the board and managing general partner in a Nashville venture capital firm.
There may not be any conclusions about exactly what went wrong in Japan by the time of the April 14 meeting, but one immediate concern is that three of Tennessee Valley Authority's existing reactors are largely the same design as those affected by Friday's earthquake in Japan.
The three reactors at TVA's Browns Ferry site, which lies about 100 miles south of Nashville, are a 1970s-era General Electric boiling water design similar to the Japanese reactors. They are among 35 boiling water-type reactors in the U.S.
"We're all closely watching the events in Japan and monitoring the things happening there with an eye to learning lessons that we may incorporate into our operations," Bill McCollum, TVA's chief operating officer, said Tuesday.
"Right now there's a lot of information, some of which may turn out with time to be correct and some not correct. We've got to work through that."
TVA has two other plants that have pressurized water reactors, a different design than the damaged GE boiling water reactors in Japan. Most commercial reactors in the U.S, about 70, are pressurized water reactors,
TVA's Watts Bar plant, which is 60 miles southwest of Knoxville, has one of these reactors, and a second one is under construction there.
At TVA's Sequoyah plant, 18 miles northeast of Chattanooga, there are two such reactors.
The pressurized water reactors at these plants differ from the boiling water reactors in that the steam to run the turbine is produced in a steam generator.
Water in the GE-designed reactors at the Japanese plant and at Browns Ferry boils inside a pressure vessel, and a steam-water mixture is produced. Steam eventually goes to a turbine generator to create electricity.
McCollum said he did not know the detailed differences between the GE boiling water reactor at the Browns Ferry plant and the Japanese reactors, but he said that is being researched.
It appeared that at least one of the Japanese reactors doesn't include some of the circulating and cooling pumps found at Browns Ferry.
Pools can be problem
Another issue in Japan is possible problems with the used fuel pools, where highly radioactive rods of old fuel typically are left for several years. U.S. plants have such pools, too.
At TVA, the old fuel is moved out of the pools after a few years and put into dry casks for long-term storage.
"Our plants are designed, built and operated safely, and we have equipment and procedures and personnel in place to maintain the safety of our plants," McCollum said.
He said they are built to withstand slightly more than the size of an earthquake that might be expected at their particular locations. The TVA nuclear sites are all along the Tennessee River.
TVA is considering completing a new reactor at a cost of up to $4 billion at its Bellefonte site near Hollywood, Ala., which is about 110 miles southeast of Nashville.
Construction began on the plant in the 1970s and halted in the 1980s.
Water Rates, Usage & Identifying Leaks
In a recent investigative report, CNN noted a study by Black & Veatch that showed Memphis water rates as the second lowest among the nation’s 50 largest cities. The full article can be found here.
In the study, Black & Veatch, a global consulting company, studied monthly utility bills from homes using 15,000 gallons of water. Memphis ranked second cheapest at $26.20; Omaha, Nebraska ranked first at $25.33. Nashville ranked 23rd.
While the CNN report focused on high water bills in other states, MLGW has taken a proactive approach to help customers avoid large water bills. In April, for the second consecutive year, MLGW customer field service technicians will go on a door-to-door awareness initiative to talk to more than 800 customers in ZIP zip codes-38104, 38106, 38108, 38111 and 38114-where bills indicated some extreme water usage during the March billing cycle.
The customers identified in these ZIP codes showed at least 39 CCF of water usage whereas the average for MLGW residential water customers is 10 CCF-which is also higher than the national average. 39 CCF is the equivalent of drinking 233,300 16-oz. water bottles or flushing a toilet 7,293 times during the month of March.
The door-to-door initiative starts April 1. The goal is to make customers aware of factors affecting their bills so they can take steps to reduce their water usage.
High water usage, especially in March, could be a combination of plumbing fixture leaks, water-guzzling fixtures that pre-date the 1990s low-flow toilet/faucet/shower regulations, or even extremely heavy water consumption through laundry and showering habits.
MLGW customer service field technicians will be in uniform and have badge identification. A door tag will be left at homes where no one is present. Field techs will also go door-to-door on April 21.
In the study, Black & Veatch, a global consulting company, studied monthly utility bills from homes using 15,000 gallons of water. Memphis ranked second cheapest at $26.20; Omaha, Nebraska ranked first at $25.33. Nashville ranked 23rd.
While the CNN report focused on high water bills in other states, MLGW has taken a proactive approach to help customers avoid large water bills. In April, for the second consecutive year, MLGW customer field service technicians will go on a door-to-door awareness initiative to talk to more than 800 customers in ZIP zip codes-38104, 38106, 38108, 38111 and 38114-where bills indicated some extreme water usage during the March billing cycle.
The customers identified in these ZIP codes showed at least 39 CCF of water usage whereas the average for MLGW residential water customers is 10 CCF-which is also higher than the national average. 39 CCF is the equivalent of drinking 233,300 16-oz. water bottles or flushing a toilet 7,293 times during the month of March.
The door-to-door initiative starts April 1. The goal is to make customers aware of factors affecting their bills so they can take steps to reduce their water usage.
High water usage, especially in March, could be a combination of plumbing fixture leaks, water-guzzling fixtures that pre-date the 1990s low-flow toilet/faucet/shower regulations, or even extremely heavy water consumption through laundry and showering habits.
MLGW customer service field technicians will be in uniform and have badge identification. A door tag will be left at homes where no one is present. Field techs will also go door-to-door on April 21.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
MoneyGram® ExpressPayment®
MLGW’s payment options just had another growth spurt
MLGW just added the MoneyGram® ExpressPayment® service to its roster of payment options. MoneyGram enables MLGW customers to make cash payments on their utility bill at more than 100 Memphis area locations including all Walmart and CVS/pharmacy stores. The payment is posted to the account within 30 minutes, offering peace of mind that the bill is paid.
To make a payment, the customer needs either the MLGW account number or the phone number associated with the account, plus the last four digits of their social security number. TIO Networks will collect a $2 processing fee from customers for each transaction; MLGW does not receive any revenue from this fee.
At Walmart, MoneyGram can be found at the customer service desk or in their MoneyCenter. When you pay your bill at Walmart, fill out the blue ExpressPayment form and hand it to the associate for processing. Be sure to use Receive Code 7679.
At CVS/pharmacy, stop by the photo counter and pick up the MoneyGram phone to be connected to a MoneyGram representative, who will start the transaction. When asked for the Receive Code, use 7679.
For more information call 1-800-MONEYGRAM® or go to www.moneygram.com to find a convenient location today.
* MoneyGram® and 1-800-MONEYGRAM® are registered marks of MoneyGram. All other marks
are owned by third parties
April Rate Decrease
For billing periods beginning April 1, 2011, TVA's total monthly fuel cost will change from 2.464 cents per kilowatt-hour to 2.376 cents per kilowatt-hour due to a change in the way TVA calculates its monthly fuel cost adjustment.
The 1.2 percent decrease will result in residential customers seeing a decrease of a little less than $1(compared to March) on their utility bills.
Effective with these April billings, TVA is changing its fuel cost adjustments each month to recover all of its monthly fuel cost, not just the variance from what the utility projected in its base rates.
The 1.2 percent decrease will result in residential customers seeing a decrease of a little less than $1(compared to March) on their utility bills.
Effective with these April billings, TVA is changing its fuel cost adjustments each month to recover all of its monthly fuel cost, not just the variance from what the utility projected in its base rates.
Green Building Tour tomorrow!
Thursday, March 17
Triad Centre III, 6070 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Sierra Club are jointly hosting a free open house and tour of Memphis' first and only LEEDR certified office building, Triad Centre III. Located in the Poplar Corridor, Triad Centre III was developed by Highwoods Properties and has earned the USGBC's LEED Gold Certification.
As part of the national "Green Buildings for Cool Cities" partnership between the Sierra Club and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Green Building Tour is just one of dozens around the country aimed at making green building a key component of economic and environmental sustainability efforts. Refreshments will be served.
The public is invited to stop by Triad Centre III to get an inside look at the features and benefits of operating and working in a green building. These include:
. Cost effective Energy Savings
. White Roof
. Proximity to bike lanes, bike storage & showers
. Walkable access to lunch shopping and public transit
. Energy Management System
. Green Cleaning
. High Efficiency Lighting
. Water Conservation
. Monitored Ventilation
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It's Fix a Leak Week!
Conserve and protect our water supply in honor of “Fix a Leak Week”
To foster water purity and conservation, the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program has designated March 14-20 as the third annual “Fix a Leak Week.” In honor of this occasion, MLGW urges you to check your plumbing and irrigation systems through three simple steps: check, twist, replace. In other words, check your home for leaks, twist and tighten fixture connections, and replace the fixture if needed. By finding and fixing leaks over the course of a week, you could save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year – enough to fill a backyard swimming pool – and up to 10 percent on your utility bills.
Also, if you have an irrigation system, don’t forget to have your reduced pressure backflow preventer (RP) tested to make sure that it is protecting against the backflow of contaminants. This measure is required by the state of Tennessee, and failure to comply could result in your water service being disconnected.
Water is one of our most precious natural resources. Please do your part in protecting it for future generations.
To foster water purity and conservation, the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program has designated March 14-20 as the third annual “Fix a Leak Week.” In honor of this occasion, MLGW urges you to check your plumbing and irrigation systems through three simple steps: check, twist, replace. In other words, check your home for leaks, twist and tighten fixture connections, and replace the fixture if needed. By finding and fixing leaks over the course of a week, you could save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year – enough to fill a backyard swimming pool – and up to 10 percent on your utility bills.Also, if you have an irrigation system, don’t forget to have your reduced pressure backflow preventer (RP) tested to make sure that it is protecting against the backflow of contaminants. This measure is required by the state of Tennessee, and failure to comply could result in your water service being disconnected.
Water is one of our most precious natural resources. Please do your part in protecting it for future generations.
Memphis-bound Electrolux wins Energy Star Partner of the Year award
From today's Commercial Appeal...
Electrolux has won a coveted designation from the federal government for its commitment to producing energy-efficient appliances, the company said today.
The Energy Star Partner of the Year award, presented by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department, recognizes Electrolux for increasing their selection of environmentally-conscious Energy Star qualified appliances.
Award winners are selected from more than 20,000 organizations that participate in the program.
The company recently announced plans to build a 1,240-employee factory in Memphis.
“As a proud Energy Star partner, Electrolux is committed to bringing consumers energy-efficient appliances with uncompromising design, functionality and quality,” said Kevin Scott, president of Electrolux Major Appliances, North America. Electrolux said it offer Energy Star-qualified appliances in every major product line.
— Electrolux dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than was used just 10 years ago, the company said.
— Electrolux also offers eco-friendly washers that are up to 161 percent more energy-efficient and use 63 percent less water than washers from just ten years ago.
— Electrolux offers more than 30 Energy Star-qualified refrigerators that exceed the minimum standards by 30 percent or more.
Electrolux has won a coveted designation from the federal government for its commitment to producing energy-efficient appliances, the company said today.
The Energy Star Partner of the Year award, presented by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department, recognizes Electrolux for increasing their selection of environmentally-conscious Energy Star qualified appliances.
Award winners are selected from more than 20,000 organizations that participate in the program.
The company recently announced plans to build a 1,240-employee factory in Memphis.
“As a proud Energy Star partner, Electrolux is committed to bringing consumers energy-efficient appliances with uncompromising design, functionality and quality,” said Kevin Scott, president of Electrolux Major Appliances, North America. Electrolux said it offer Energy Star-qualified appliances in every major product line.
— Electrolux dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than was used just 10 years ago, the company said.
— Electrolux also offers eco-friendly washers that are up to 161 percent more energy-efficient and use 63 percent less water than washers from just ten years ago.
— Electrolux offers more than 30 Energy Star-qualified refrigerators that exceed the minimum standards by 30 percent or more.
TVA says 6 reactors not in earthquake-prone region
TVA says 6 reactors not in earthquake-prone region
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Valley Authority executives say the utility's six reactors in East Tennessee and North Alabama are in areas "not prone to frequent or extremely large earthquakes" and have numerous safety features.
TVA has two reactors at its Sequoyah Nuclear Plant near Chattanooga, one reactor and another under construction at Watts Bar in Spring City and three at its Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant at Athens, Ala.
A TVA statement says its reactors are designed, built and operated to withstand an earthquake of larger magnitude than any recorded in the region.
The plants are built with safety systems to ensure safe shutdown in any event similar to the earthquake in Japan.
The TVA statement Sunday also expressed deep sorrow over loss of life and damage to property during the earthquake in Japan.
In other news, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who has urged the United States to build 100 more nuclear reactors, said that the meltdown at the Fukushima plant in Japan shouldn't lead America to foreclose future nuclear plants.
Read full story here.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Valley Authority executives say the utility's six reactors in East Tennessee and North Alabama are in areas "not prone to frequent or extremely large earthquakes" and have numerous safety features.
TVA has two reactors at its Sequoyah Nuclear Plant near Chattanooga, one reactor and another under construction at Watts Bar in Spring City and three at its Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant at Athens, Ala.
A TVA statement says its reactors are designed, built and operated to withstand an earthquake of larger magnitude than any recorded in the region.
The plants are built with safety systems to ensure safe shutdown in any event similar to the earthquake in Japan.
The TVA statement Sunday also expressed deep sorrow over loss of life and damage to property during the earthquake in Japan.
In other news, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who has urged the United States to build 100 more nuclear reactors, said that the meltdown at the Fukushima plant in Japan shouldn't lead America to foreclose future nuclear plants.
Read full story here.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Southern Women's Show
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Smallest Users in the News
Nice coverage of our Smallest User competition in today's Commercial Appeal
MLGW pits Midtown Memphis neighborhoods in 'Smallest User' conservation contest
A little bit of effort can make a big difference. That's the lesson from a contest that pitted two Midtown neighborhoods against each other in a friendly competition to see which would become "The Smallest User."
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division challenged the Cooper-Young Historic District and Evergreen Historic District -- two neighborhoods with about 1,500 homes each -- to see which could reduce its energy consumption more over a one-year period.
Cooper-Young took the honors having reduced its 2010 energy consumption by $21 per house for the year (compared with consumption in 2009). Evergreen lowered its bills by $4 per house.
Joan Foley, who has lived in Cooper-Young for the past five years, said she participated not because she was worried about reducing her energy bills, but because she wanted to help win one for the home team.
"I moved here from another state, and although people here complain about their electric bills, I think it's wonderful," said Foley, who is retired.
She picked up two easy tips that seemed to make a difference in her household. First, at a meeting of the Cooper-Young Community Association (CYCA), she learned that appliances still draw electricity when not in use.
Like most homes, her house was filled with small appliances -- a coffee pot, toaster oven, blender, lamps, spare televisions, radios, heaters -- none of which was used more than occasionally. She unplugged them all.
Foley learned that using her appliances at odd hours of the morning and night reduces stress on the local power infrastructure.
"I set my dishwasher to wash in the middle of the night rather than during the high-use hours," said Foley. "Also, less electricity is used before 9 in the morning, so I try to do my laundry at that time. Being retired, I can do all this."
Foley also started drip-drying some of her clothes, rather than using the dryer.
Kristan Huntley, community director for CYCA, also examined her household energy habits and found that a lot could be changed easily.
She learned a few tricks when MLGW filmed TV promos in her home highlighting "The Smallest User."
And she was ready to save some money.
"We were definitely trying to save some money because our MLGW bill is probably one of our largest bills each month on average," said Huntley.
Huntley took advantage of a kilowatt reader loaned to the CYCA at the beginning of the contest. Appliances are plugged into the reader, which is then plugged into an outlet. The gadget then gives a reading on energy used.
She was shocked by what she found.
For years, Huntley had been heating a downstairs bathroom with a space heater because the walls had little insulation.
"That was really eye-opening, because we found out that the heater was pulling between seven and 10 times as much electricity as our television," said Huntley.
Off went the space heater. To make things more comfortable, Huntley bought more rugs to cover the tile floor, and she set a new house rule: The heater stays off unless someone is taking a shower.
"You become a little more tolerant of saying, OK, it's a cold bathroom, but it doesn't need to be 72 degrees in there -- the pipes just don't need to freeze," said Huntley.
Now the bathroom's insulation is a top priority for future home renovations. Second on the list is replacing the original single-pane windows.
But the heater issue begs the real question for those concerned about energy consumption: Does it make life inconvenient to adjust to energy-saving habits.
Foley and Huntley both said no.
"To us it was worth it, and it's not really inconvenient," said Huntley. "Some of the things were just changing habits. Once you get used to the new habit, it's not at all inconvenient."
"I had to think about it for a while to form the new habits," said Foley. "But if you do it a few times, you start doing it automatically."
Huntley said she has reduced her bill by a small amount, but that will add up in the long term. Twenty-one dollars for one household over a year isn't all that much, after all, but in terms of the entire neighborhood, it represents more than $30,000 in savings.
Saving energy at your Home
Energy-Saving Tips from TVA (energyright.com)
Seal gaps in floors and walls around pipes and electrical wiring.
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer.
Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
Fix any leaky faucets -- one drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month.
Tune up your heating and cooling system annually to keep it running as efficiently as possible.
Have your ductwork inspected, and repair any leaks.
Add insulation to your attic, crawl space and any accessible exterior walls.
Wrap your water heater with insulation, or install an insulating blanket.
Look for the Energy Star label when replacing large or small appliances.
Use power strips for home electronics, and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use..
Replace worn-out seals on your refrigerator and freezer.
Reduce hot water use by taking shorter showers and using cold water for the rinse cycle in your washer.
Clean refrigerator coils regularly to keep compressor running efficiently.
Set the refrigerator temperature at 36 degrees to 39 degrees and freezer at zero degrees to 5 degrees.
Use the microwave when possible -- it cooks faster and doesn't create as much heat as a stove burner.
Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher's heat-drying option.
Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full.
Make sure your dryer's outside vent is clear, and clean the lint filter after every load.
Install foam gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.
Dry one load of clothes immediately after another to minimize heat loss.
Turn off outdoor lighting during the day. Try timer switches or photoelectric controls if the finger method is a bother.
Keep your freezer full, so less cold air is lost when the door is opened.
In the summer:
Turn up your cooling system's thermostat to 78 degrees or higher if no one is home for several days.
Keep curtains closed on the south, east and west sides of the house during the day to help keep cool.
Plant a tree. Shade trees can help keep a home cooler in the summer.
Winter Tips from MLGW
Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower when you're home. Every degree below 68 can save 4 percent on your heating bills.
At bedtime, lower your thermostat and add blankets.
Lower or turn off thermostat when leaving your home for four hours or more.
Keep curtains and blinds closed at night and on cloudy days; open curtains on sunny days for warmth.
Low cost:
Buy a programmable thermostat and program in lower temps when needed.
Make sure central heating air filters are replaced every 30-90 days.
Caulk cracks around windows and doors.
Costly, but with greater savings:
Install storm windows and doors.
Add more insulation in your attic.
Install a new energy-efficient furnace or water heater with Energy Star endorsement.
For the kids:
Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Turn off water when brushing teeth.
Unplug electronics (like laptops and video games) when you aren't using them.
When hungry, don't stand staring at an open fridge. Grab a snack from the pantry -- or ask an adult to help.
Help clean up by washing your dishes in sudsy water in the sink, instead of using energy-consuming dishwasher.
Recycle paper, glass, plastic and other items at your home and school.
-- From smallestuser.com
MLGW pits Midtown Memphis neighborhoods in 'Smallest User' conservation contest
A little bit of effort can make a big difference. That's the lesson from a contest that pitted two Midtown neighborhoods against each other in a friendly competition to see which would become "The Smallest User."
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division challenged the Cooper-Young Historic District and Evergreen Historic District -- two neighborhoods with about 1,500 homes each -- to see which could reduce its energy consumption more over a one-year period.
Cooper-Young took the honors having reduced its 2010 energy consumption by $21 per house for the year (compared with consumption in 2009). Evergreen lowered its bills by $4 per house.
Joan Foley, who has lived in Cooper-Young for the past five years, said she participated not because she was worried about reducing her energy bills, but because she wanted to help win one for the home team.
"I moved here from another state, and although people here complain about their electric bills, I think it's wonderful," said Foley, who is retired.
She picked up two easy tips that seemed to make a difference in her household. First, at a meeting of the Cooper-Young Community Association (CYCA), she learned that appliances still draw electricity when not in use.
Like most homes, her house was filled with small appliances -- a coffee pot, toaster oven, blender, lamps, spare televisions, radios, heaters -- none of which was used more than occasionally. She unplugged them all.
Foley learned that using her appliances at odd hours of the morning and night reduces stress on the local power infrastructure.
"I set my dishwasher to wash in the middle of the night rather than during the high-use hours," said Foley. "Also, less electricity is used before 9 in the morning, so I try to do my laundry at that time. Being retired, I can do all this."
Foley also started drip-drying some of her clothes, rather than using the dryer.
Kristan Huntley, community director for CYCA, also examined her household energy habits and found that a lot could be changed easily.
She learned a few tricks when MLGW filmed TV promos in her home highlighting "The Smallest User."
And she was ready to save some money.
"We were definitely trying to save some money because our MLGW bill is probably one of our largest bills each month on average," said Huntley.
Huntley took advantage of a kilowatt reader loaned to the CYCA at the beginning of the contest. Appliances are plugged into the reader, which is then plugged into an outlet. The gadget then gives a reading on energy used.
She was shocked by what she found.
For years, Huntley had been heating a downstairs bathroom with a space heater because the walls had little insulation.
"That was really eye-opening, because we found out that the heater was pulling between seven and 10 times as much electricity as our television," said Huntley.
Off went the space heater. To make things more comfortable, Huntley bought more rugs to cover the tile floor, and she set a new house rule: The heater stays off unless someone is taking a shower.
"You become a little more tolerant of saying, OK, it's a cold bathroom, but it doesn't need to be 72 degrees in there -- the pipes just don't need to freeze," said Huntley.
Now the bathroom's insulation is a top priority for future home renovations. Second on the list is replacing the original single-pane windows.
But the heater issue begs the real question for those concerned about energy consumption: Does it make life inconvenient to adjust to energy-saving habits.
Foley and Huntley both said no.
"To us it was worth it, and it's not really inconvenient," said Huntley. "Some of the things were just changing habits. Once you get used to the new habit, it's not at all inconvenient."
"I had to think about it for a while to form the new habits," said Foley. "But if you do it a few times, you start doing it automatically."
Huntley said she has reduced her bill by a small amount, but that will add up in the long term. Twenty-one dollars for one household over a year isn't all that much, after all, but in terms of the entire neighborhood, it represents more than $30,000 in savings.
Saving energy at your Home
Energy-Saving Tips from TVA (energyright.com)
Seal gaps in floors and walls around pipes and electrical wiring.
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer.
Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
Fix any leaky faucets -- one drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month.
Tune up your heating and cooling system annually to keep it running as efficiently as possible.
Have your ductwork inspected, and repair any leaks.
Add insulation to your attic, crawl space and any accessible exterior walls.
Wrap your water heater with insulation, or install an insulating blanket.
Look for the Energy Star label when replacing large or small appliances.
Use power strips for home electronics, and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use..
Replace worn-out seals on your refrigerator and freezer.
Reduce hot water use by taking shorter showers and using cold water for the rinse cycle in your washer.
Clean refrigerator coils regularly to keep compressor running efficiently.
Set the refrigerator temperature at 36 degrees to 39 degrees and freezer at zero degrees to 5 degrees.
Use the microwave when possible -- it cooks faster and doesn't create as much heat as a stove burner.
Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher's heat-drying option.
Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full.
Make sure your dryer's outside vent is clear, and clean the lint filter after every load.
Install foam gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.
Dry one load of clothes immediately after another to minimize heat loss.
Turn off outdoor lighting during the day. Try timer switches or photoelectric controls if the finger method is a bother.
Keep your freezer full, so less cold air is lost when the door is opened.
In the summer:
Turn up your cooling system's thermostat to 78 degrees or higher if no one is home for several days.
Keep curtains closed on the south, east and west sides of the house during the day to help keep cool.
Plant a tree. Shade trees can help keep a home cooler in the summer.
Winter Tips from MLGW
Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower when you're home. Every degree below 68 can save 4 percent on your heating bills.
At bedtime, lower your thermostat and add blankets.
Lower or turn off thermostat when leaving your home for four hours or more.
Keep curtains and blinds closed at night and on cloudy days; open curtains on sunny days for warmth.
Low cost:
Buy a programmable thermostat and program in lower temps when needed.
Make sure central heating air filters are replaced every 30-90 days.
Caulk cracks around windows and doors.
Costly, but with greater savings:
Install storm windows and doors.
Add more insulation in your attic.
Install a new energy-efficient furnace or water heater with Energy Star endorsement.
For the kids:
Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Turn off water when brushing teeth.
Unplug electronics (like laptops and video games) when you aren't using them.
When hungry, don't stand staring at an open fridge. Grab a snack from the pantry -- or ask an adult to help.
Help clean up by washing your dishes in sudsy water in the sink, instead of using energy-consuming dishwasher.
Recycle paper, glass, plastic and other items at your home and school.
-- From smallestuser.com
Friday, March 4, 2011
Electric Car Charging Station at Shelby Farms Park
From today's Commercial Appeal...
MLGW official favors electric car charging station at Shelby Farms Park
Richard H. Bowker says he'd like to see a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles in Shelby Farms Park, possibly near Patriot Lake.
Bowker, who is Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division's point man on electric-vehicle issues, says the decision will be up to the Tennessee Valley Authority.
"I told TVA that I think this is absolutely the best place," he said, adding that he likes the location because it would have educational value -- it's an area that attracts many bikers, joggers and other active types who might be interested in electric cars.
He said an agency representative has indicated that the organization will make a decision within 12 months.
The charging station would have six covered parking spaces with solar panels on a roof and could also be powered by MLGW's electricity-distribution grid, he said.
A similar station unveiled in Knoxville in January can make electricity from sunlight, store electricity and put electricity back in the power grid when needed, TVA said in a news release.
The equipment is related to the EV Project, a federally backed effort to build infrastructure for electric cars and study how people use them. Officials recently said that Memphis would be included.
Bowker said that by September, the Memphis area will have publicly accessible charging stations capable of handling 40 to 50 vehicles. There will also be some charging stations for private use.
Electric vehicles are currently rare and difficult to obtain. As of several weeks ago, people in the Memphis area had placed 45 orders for the Nissan Leaf, the only commercially available all-electric vehicle in the state, Bowker said.
The idea of placing the electric-vehicle charging station at Shelby Farms is still very preliminary.
Bowker says he hasn't talked about it with the people who run the sprawling park in East Memphis, though he has brought it to the attention of MLGW board member Rick Masson, former head of the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, which runs the park.
"I think it's a good fit because it's centrally located," Masson said.
Bowker also mentioned other possible locations for charging stations, including BP gas stations and parking spaces outside MLGW's headquarters near FedExForum in Downtown Memphis.
MLGW official favors electric car charging station at Shelby Farms Park
Richard H. Bowker says he'd like to see a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles in Shelby Farms Park, possibly near Patriot Lake.
Bowker, who is Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division's point man on electric-vehicle issues, says the decision will be up to the Tennessee Valley Authority.
"I told TVA that I think this is absolutely the best place," he said, adding that he likes the location because it would have educational value -- it's an area that attracts many bikers, joggers and other active types who might be interested in electric cars.
He said an agency representative has indicated that the organization will make a decision within 12 months.
The charging station would have six covered parking spaces with solar panels on a roof and could also be powered by MLGW's electricity-distribution grid, he said.
A similar station unveiled in Knoxville in January can make electricity from sunlight, store electricity and put electricity back in the power grid when needed, TVA said in a news release.
The equipment is related to the EV Project, a federally backed effort to build infrastructure for electric cars and study how people use them. Officials recently said that Memphis would be included.
Bowker said that by September, the Memphis area will have publicly accessible charging stations capable of handling 40 to 50 vehicles. There will also be some charging stations for private use.
Electric vehicles are currently rare and difficult to obtain. As of several weeks ago, people in the Memphis area had placed 45 orders for the Nissan Leaf, the only commercially available all-electric vehicle in the state, Bowker said.
The idea of placing the electric-vehicle charging station at Shelby Farms is still very preliminary.
Bowker says he hasn't talked about it with the people who run the sprawling park in East Memphis, though he has brought it to the attention of MLGW board member Rick Masson, former head of the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, which runs the park.
"I think it's a good fit because it's centrally located," Masson said.
Bowker also mentioned other possible locations for charging stations, including BP gas stations and parking spaces outside MLGW's headquarters near FedExForum in Downtown Memphis.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Zach Randolph: Community Hero
MLGW will present Memphis Grizzlies All-Star forward Zach Randolph with a “Community Hero” award during the President’s Briefing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3.Randolph is being honored for his outstanding work in assisting local families with their utility bills. This year, for the second consecutive year, Randolph paid the utility bills for more than 100 families to help them during these tough economic times.
“On behalf of the citizens of Memphis, I thank Zach for his extra effort in giving back to the people in this community,” said MLGW President and CEO Jerry R. Collins Jr.
“Zach is a great example of a pro athlete who is a positive role model both on and off the court. He doesn't have to be a great rebounder and he does not have to be a giving person. Both require extra effort and because he gives that extra effort, he has proven to be great at both.”
Random Acts of Happiness
Great story in this week's Flyer...
Random Acts of Happiness
Grannies give anonymously to people in need.
Throughout the winter of 2008, Angelique Williams and her brother, Johnny, helped their elderly mother pay her utilities.
Then, out of nowhere, they started receiving notices from Memphis Light, Gas, and Water that the bills had been paid. This happened during the three coldest months of winter and the three hottest months of summer, when usage tended to be most expensive at the elder Williams' South Memphis home.
"We thought it was a joke," Angelique said.
So she went to MLGW to determine what was going on. Sure enough: Someone had paid her mother's bills. Who that someone was — and why they did so — remained to be seen. The only clue was a handwritten note on the utility receipts that said, "Happiness Happens."
"Then we started getting the sweetest little notes from Nana Pearl and Nana Mary Jane," Angelique said.
The "Nanas" didn't volunteer their identities, but they did give the Williamses a post office box in Germantown for any future requests they might have.
Angelique said she didn't want to impose on their generosity whoever they might be. She and Johnny were just grateful for the help. How the Nanas even heard of their mother's situation is something the Williams family probably will never know.
"It's like angels," Angelique said. "They show up, give you what you need, and then poof!"
And that's exactly the way Happiness Happens members prefer it, said Nana Helen Bowman, the group's new ambassador. She was hired just last week to serve as the public face for the nonprofit organization, whose members' identities are closely guarded. Where (or if) they're headquartered is anyone's guess, and that secretiveness even extends to Bowman.
"They want to be anonymous," she said. "I don't know who they are."
But she does know enough about them to feel a kinship with their mission. Happiness Happens members range from ages 50 to 70 and operate primarily in the Memphis area. All nine of them are grandmothers, four of whom are sisters.
The sisters, in particular, have a soft spot for abused or battered women, which is why they're planning to donate bedding and other items this week to a local YWCA shelter.
"They called one day and asked what our needs were," said Kathy Ivey, an executive assistant for the YWCA. "We've chosen to be a recipient, and we're excited about that."
Roughly 30 years ago, the women decided to pool their resources to commit what would come to be known as random acts of kindness — paying utility or grocery bills, helping single mothers buy their children school clothes, making car payments, or sending cakes and other goodies to people in the hospital.
"They decided to take a different path. People were just looking on and complaining, and they wanted to do something different," Bowman said.
The women find recipients by scanning birth announcements and obituaries or by choosing names at random from the phone book. Sometimes they overhear conversations that inspire them to give. On average, the group gives about 10 gifts every week.
"They randomly select strangers and surreptitiously send them a happy package [with] one of their homemade cakes, citrus curd, a T-shirt or bag, and a note signed by one of the Nanas," said Sarah Hughes, the group's media relations specialist. "Many people are taken aback that someone who doesn't know them would do something so nice."
Said Bowman: "It makes you feel like you're stepping into Santa's boots and giving gifts to children. It's like being a fairy godmother."
Or maybe the Publishers Clearinghouse prize squad. That's how it felt for Jolena Campbell and her family, who received an unexpected Christmas gift last year.
"Out of the blue, we get this Visa gift card for $300 with a short note that said something like, 'Spend this if you need it, but share it if you don't,'" the Olive Branch resident wrote in an e-mail. "Me and my husband were absolutely floored! With the tough economy, we were planning to cut back on Christmas gifts for the kids. To say it couldn't have come at a better time is an understatement."
And how it got to the Campbell family — nobody knows. Recipients never learn how they were found or who decided to help them. They just know the happiness that happens when someone cares, even if that someone is anonymous.
Random Acts of Happiness
Grannies give anonymously to people in need.
Throughout the winter of 2008, Angelique Williams and her brother, Johnny, helped their elderly mother pay her utilities.
Then, out of nowhere, they started receiving notices from Memphis Light, Gas, and Water that the bills had been paid. This happened during the three coldest months of winter and the three hottest months of summer, when usage tended to be most expensive at the elder Williams' South Memphis home.
"We thought it was a joke," Angelique said.
So she went to MLGW to determine what was going on. Sure enough: Someone had paid her mother's bills. Who that someone was — and why they did so — remained to be seen. The only clue was a handwritten note on the utility receipts that said, "Happiness Happens."
"Then we started getting the sweetest little notes from Nana Pearl and Nana Mary Jane," Angelique said.
The "Nanas" didn't volunteer their identities, but they did give the Williamses a post office box in Germantown for any future requests they might have.
Angelique said she didn't want to impose on their generosity whoever they might be. She and Johnny were just grateful for the help. How the Nanas even heard of their mother's situation is something the Williams family probably will never know.
"It's like angels," Angelique said. "They show up, give you what you need, and then poof!"
And that's exactly the way Happiness Happens members prefer it, said Nana Helen Bowman, the group's new ambassador. She was hired just last week to serve as the public face for the nonprofit organization, whose members' identities are closely guarded. Where (or if) they're headquartered is anyone's guess, and that secretiveness even extends to Bowman.
"They want to be anonymous," she said. "I don't know who they are."
But she does know enough about them to feel a kinship with their mission. Happiness Happens members range from ages 50 to 70 and operate primarily in the Memphis area. All nine of them are grandmothers, four of whom are sisters.
The sisters, in particular, have a soft spot for abused or battered women, which is why they're planning to donate bedding and other items this week to a local YWCA shelter.
"They called one day and asked what our needs were," said Kathy Ivey, an executive assistant for the YWCA. "We've chosen to be a recipient, and we're excited about that."
Roughly 30 years ago, the women decided to pool their resources to commit what would come to be known as random acts of kindness — paying utility or grocery bills, helping single mothers buy their children school clothes, making car payments, or sending cakes and other goodies to people in the hospital.
"They decided to take a different path. People were just looking on and complaining, and they wanted to do something different," Bowman said.
The women find recipients by scanning birth announcements and obituaries or by choosing names at random from the phone book. Sometimes they overhear conversations that inspire them to give. On average, the group gives about 10 gifts every week.
"They randomly select strangers and surreptitiously send them a happy package [with] one of their homemade cakes, citrus curd, a T-shirt or bag, and a note signed by one of the Nanas," said Sarah Hughes, the group's media relations specialist. "Many people are taken aback that someone who doesn't know them would do something so nice."
Said Bowman: "It makes you feel like you're stepping into Santa's boots and giving gifts to children. It's like being a fairy godmother."
Or maybe the Publishers Clearinghouse prize squad. That's how it felt for Jolena Campbell and her family, who received an unexpected Christmas gift last year.
"Out of the blue, we get this Visa gift card for $300 with a short note that said something like, 'Spend this if you need it, but share it if you don't,'" the Olive Branch resident wrote in an e-mail. "Me and my husband were absolutely floored! With the tough economy, we were planning to cut back on Christmas gifts for the kids. To say it couldn't have come at a better time is an understatement."
And how it got to the Campbell family — nobody knows. Recipients never learn how they were found or who decided to help them. They just know the happiness that happens when someone cares, even if that someone is anonymous.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Downtown Power Restored
The area served by Substation 4 in the northern part of downtown has been restored following a power outage that was first reported last evening at about 6 p.m. Customers were restored around midnight after MLGW was able to reroute power, but experienced a second outage this morning from about 8 a.m. until 9:10 a.m. after circuits used in the switch apparently were overloaded. The circuits were re-energized with a stronger feed in order to restore power this morning while permanent repairs are being made to the substation.
The initial cause of the outage appears to be a lightning arrestor that blew at Substation 4 at 67 Jackson Ave. This in turn damaged other equipment. A lighting arrestor is a device used to protect substations from lightning damage. The outage affected commercial customers within the boundaries of Monroe on the south, Auction on the north and Danny Thomas on the East.
Businesses affected included:
--201 Poplar
--One Commerce Square
--Jefferson Plaza
--First Tennessee Bank
--Convention Center
--Marriott
The initial cause of the outage appears to be a lightning arrestor that blew at Substation 4 at 67 Jackson Ave. This in turn damaged other equipment. A lighting arrestor is a device used to protect substations from lightning damage. The outage affected commercial customers within the boundaries of Monroe on the south, Auction on the north and Danny Thomas on the East.
Businesses affected included:
--201 Poplar
--One Commerce Square
--Jefferson Plaza
--First Tennessee Bank
--Convention Center
--Marriott
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Benefits of CFLs
ABC 24 is doing a story today about compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and their benefits. A recent USA Today poll showed that 71 percent of U.S. adults say that they have replaced standard bulbs with CFLs over the past few years.
Here are some key points:
--CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs.
--CFLs also last about 10 times longer.
--A single CFL can save more than $40 over its lifetime, compared to a standard bulb.
--We're promoting taking "baby steps" that add up to big savings in energy costs, and switching to CFLs is a good example of how customers can make these small steps add up to make a significant difference.
--There are disposal techniques that are necessary for CFLs that customers need to keep in mind. CFLs can be disposed of at the Shelby County Hazardous Waste facility, and also at local hardware stores such as Home Depot. Customers can go to www.recyclebulb.com to find local disposal outlets.
--More info on CFLs can be found at on our website.
Here are some key points:
--CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs.
--CFLs also last about 10 times longer.
--A single CFL can save more than $40 over its lifetime, compared to a standard bulb.
--We're promoting taking "baby steps" that add up to big savings in energy costs, and switching to CFLs is a good example of how customers can make these small steps add up to make a significant difference.
--There are disposal techniques that are necessary for CFLs that customers need to keep in mind. CFLs can be disposed of at the Shelby County Hazardous Waste facility, and also at local hardware stores such as Home Depot. Customers can go to www.recyclebulb.com to find local disposal outlets.
--More info on CFLs can be found at on our website.
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