TVA Cancels Outage Planned for Sherwood

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has canceled the power outage scheduled for Saturday, April 25, for Duck River Electric Membership Corporation members living in the communities of Sherwood and Anderson of Franklin County.

The outage is now scheduled for 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9. 

This outage is necessary for TVA to replace several bad poles. It will affect all consumers in the Sherwood and Anderson area, but will not affect consumers in Sewanee, Cowan and Sinking Cove. In the event of inclement weather, the outage will be rescheduled for May 30. 

Duck River Electric appreciates the cooperation and understanding of its members during this planned outage, as it strives to improve the reliability of the electric system. 

Sewanee Community Council Takes Historic Vote

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“This is a historic moment,” said Vice-Chancellor John McCardell at the March 21 meeting of the Sewanee Community Council. “To the best of my knowledge, this is the very first time this body has taken a binding vote to allocate taxpayer dollars for community purposes.” The council approved allocating $9,975 to fund seven community enhancement projects. In other business taken up by the council at the March 21 meeting, Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) President and CEO Michael Watson addressed residents concerns about electric and magnetic field (EMF) radiation; and Adam Tucker presented an initial analysis of public safety expenditures.

In June 2014, the Sewanee Community Council approved increasing the municipal service fee paid by all leaseholders to generate $10,000 to be used by the council for physical improvements and amenities on the Domain. In an almost unanimous vote—one vote against and one abstention—the council voted to approve partial or full funding for seven community enhancement projects recommended by the review committee. See “Seven Community Enhancement Projects Funded” for details about the projects and disbursement of the funds.

Addressing residents concerns about EMF radiation from the Sewanee power station, DREMC’s Michael Watson said, “Concern about EMF radiation was a big issue 25 years ago. Subsequent research has shown the 60-hertz frequency we use has no adverse health effects.”

Peggy Bonds, president of the Sewanee Children’s Center, said the Center had a family withdraw its children from SCC because of concerns about radiation from the nearby power station. Struggling with comparing research statistics implying adverse health effects and World Health Organization (WHO) data using a different frame of reference, Bonds said, “What the center wants is a number that is comprehensible within WHO recommendations.”

“We’ll help you translate the statistics into data you can understand,” Watson said.

Steve Oden, DREMC director of member services, offered to meet with parents at the center, bring a meter to test EMF levels and help them interpret the results. 

Adam Tucker, chair of the Fees and Services Committee, reported on an initial analysis of the cost of municipal services in Sewanee compared to similar communities. Formed as a subcommittee of the University Lease Committee, the Fees and Services Committee wanted to determine “if Sewanee residents are getting a fair deal for the services they receive for what they pay,” Provost John Swallow said. 

Tucker’s preliminary report revealed some of the challenges in obtaining this information about other communities. He said that cities and towns often organize their budgets differently, making it hard to do an “apples-to-apples” comparison. Even determining the population of Sewanee is a challenge. 

Tucker pointed out that the parameters of the Sewanee community were defined in at least two ways: residents on the Domain, including students, and residents in the broader 37375 zip code area.

Council representatives pointed out excellent fire protection resulted in Sewanee area residents having lower insurance rates, and the municipal service fee paid by leaseholders is far less than what they would pay in municipal taxes.

Vice-Chancellor McCardell stressed this was only a preliminary assessment, and the council could expect future reports from the committee.

Fees and Services Committee Chair Tucker serves as a community representative on the University Lease Committee. The other Fees and Services Committee members are Stephen Burnett, Dennis Meeks, Barbara Schlicting, John Swallow and Nate Wilson. All except Burnett also serve on the Lease Committee.

The council’s next meeting is April 27.

DREMC issues call to Beat the Peak

Peak power demand expected as Arctic air descends on Tennessee

Forecasts for Middle Tennessee and most of the eastern U.S. this week call for a blast of Arctic air to settle over the region, bringing bitter cold and wind chill readings near zero degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday morning. This means demand for electricity to heat homes will be high, and wholesale power costs could skyrocket unless co-op members take steps to conserve electricity.

Duck River Electric Membership Corp. (DREMC) plans to activate Beat the Peak™, the co-op’s residential demand reduction program, on Thursday morning between the hours of 6-8 a.m. Emails and text messages will be sent to 14,000 members, while radio ads across the service territory will warn of the impending peak event.

During periods of extremely low or high temperatures, the wholesale cost of electricity can reach more than $9 per kilowatt-hour, adding millions of dollars to the bill that DREMC must pay the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Co-op members can help “beat the peak” by setting thermostats down 2-3 degrees and taking other energy conservation steps during the hours when highest demand is expected.

“This seems like déjà vu because in 2014 on January 7, we activated Beat the Peak for the first time in response to the polar vortex,” said Michael Watson, president and CEO.

This week’s temperatures could go even lower, according to some forecasts. The range is from 5 to 9 degrees on Thursday morning, when households are preparing for work and school and businesses are gearing up.

EnerNOC, the demand response program for commercial and industrial co-op members, will be ready to activate, if necessary. Combined with Beat the Peak, this gives DREMC a one-two punch for reducing demand – but only if co-op members help.

“We ask that during the two-hour peak expected on Thursday morning, our members take steps to reduce their demand,” Watson said. “We know from past experience that Beat the Peak can save money. It all has to do with the number of folks who heed the warning and take action.”

While reducing thermostat settings has the greatest potential to impact household demand during bitter cold, other conservation measures can also help:

• ·      Defer hot water use. Give the electric water heater a break by not showering, running the dishwasher or laundering clothes during the peak period.
• ·      Delay running the clothes dryer.
• ·      Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
• ·      Try not to use the oven or stovetop.

DREMC line crews will be ready in case the extreme cold causes load problems on the system.

TVA has issued a power supply alert, predicting that demand across the region could reach 32,000 megawatts on Thursday morning.

The forecast calls for temperatures to steadily drop on Wednesday, plunging into the teens during the afternoon and single digits after midnight. Not only will power demand peak, the cold brings potentially dangerous conditions for humans and animals.

Make sure outdoor pets and livestock have adequate shelter. If you must go outside, wear appropriate clothing. Avoid situations in which skin might be exposed to the cold as this could result in frostbite.

Civic Association Learns Ways to Save Resources

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Representatives from the Sewanee Utility District, Elk River Public Utility District and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation were on hand at the Nov. 19 Sewanee Civic Association dinner meeting to offer timely advice on how to save energy and water.

Sewanee Utility District (SUD) provides water for the mountaintop regions of Franklin and Marion counties. SUD manager Ben Beavers offered tips on how to keep water bills low. Simple things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth and limiting the time you spend in the shower can add up to huge savings, Beavers said. 

He recommended composting rather than using the disposal, using a rain barrel to catch water for gardens and yards, and running the dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Dishwashers and clothes washers using far less water are now available, Beavers added. He suggested using unsweetened Kool Aid to check for a leaky toilet flapper: pour the colored drink mix in the tank and wait overnight to see if colored water seeped into the toilet bowl. If a leak exists, get it repaired.

In preparation for cold weather, Beavers advised insulating pipes and making sure the water was turned off and spray nozzle removed from outside garden hoses. A burst pipe or hose can leak eight to fifteen gallons per minute, costing the customer $11 or more per hour.

Elk River Public Utility District (ERPUD) is a nonprofit business that supplies natural gas to Franklin and Coffee counties. Marketing representative Levoid Baltimore said the present abundant supply of natural gas has some very positive consequences. 

ERPUD can buy one-third of its capacity in the summer when the cost is low and can lock in low prices with long-term contracts. On the commercial side, the low cost of natural gas is bringing companies that moved overseas back to the United States, creating jobs. Baltimore offered several tips for saving energy in the cold weather: set the thermostat lower; purchase a programmable thermostat that can be set to turn down the heat when no one is home; invest in energy-efficient windows and seal windows and doors with weatherstripping; install a dual-fuel heat pump; and buy energy-efficient appliances. A tankless water heater can save customers 30–50 percent on their natural gas bill. For customers struggling with paying their bill, financial assistance is available through numerous agencies, including South East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA), Good Samaritan and the Salvation Army.

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative with more than 71,000 members in a six-county area. Patrick Hannah, manager of the Decherd/Sewanee district office, provided an overview of DREMC’s Beat the Peak program, designed to encourage customers to use less electricity during high-demand periods when the cost to DREMC is high. DREMC notifies participants of expected high-demand periods by text or e-mail, and the customer can take energy-saving measures like turning down thermostats. 

Another DREMC program offers customers an opportunity to buy shares in the DREMC Community Solar Farm. Participants’ electric bills are credited with a proportion of the solar farm’s production each month, with the initial investment recouped in 10–12 years. DREMC energy advisor Pat Garrett announced a new rebate program beginning Dec. 1 that will help customers recover the cost of making energy-saving home improvements and purchasing energy- efficient appliances. See details online at  <www.DREMC.com>.

In the business portion of the meeting, Civic Association President Kiki Beavers updated members on the Community Chest fund drive. Donations of $48,000 have been pledged toward the goal of $101,000.

Parks committee chair Stephen Burnett reported the committee had chosen a playground equipment company for the planned renovation of Elliott Park. The company is preparing a mock-up showing proposed equipment and facilities. 

The Civic Association’s next meeting is Dec. 17.

DREMC Calls for Reduced Electricity Use on Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 mornings

A blast of frigid weather over the next two days brings with it projected high demand for electricity. Duck River Electric Membership Corp. (DREMC) will activate its 

Beat the Peak™ program on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between the hours of 6 a.m and 8 a.m.

Temperature and load forecasts show that a system peak will occur one of the two mornings, when thermometers could register in the low 20s and upper teens. Beat the Peak email alerts and radio ads encourage co-op members to conserve electricity during the projected peak hours when demand is expected to be the highest.

“A degree one way or another will determine whether the peak happens Tuesday or Wednesday,” said Director of Member Services Steve Oden. “So we are asking our Beat the Peak participants and all members to take some simple steps aimed at reducing power demand and helping us avoid peak penalties that can reach $9.50 per kilowatt-hour.”

The price of wholesale electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority can become very expensive during a peak demand period. DREMC launched the voluntary Beat the Peak program in 2013 to enlist the membership’s help in controlling demand and stabilizing the cost of energy. Almost 14,000 members receive email and text alerts when load peaks are projected.

Over the next two mornings during the two-hour alert periods, co-op members are asked to:

Dial down the heat

If you normally set the thermostat at 68 degrees, turn it back to 65 before the peak event. Also, make sure your heating system’s filter is clean. Filters clogged with dust and debris can cause your system to operate inefficiently, wasting energy.

Fireplace dampers should be closed so heated air inside the home doesn’t go up the chimney.  Turn off portable electric space heaters. These units can use a lot of power. Keep outside doors closed and curtains pulled shut over windows.

Delay use of appliances

Postpone certain household chores that involve major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers. Wait until after the peak period before doing laundry or washing the dirty pots and pans. Electric water heaters use a lot of power. Avoid taking showers and baths when a peak alert has been issued.

Cooking on the electric stove or oven also can increase household demand.

Remember all the ways that electricity is used around your home for entertainment, communications, grooming – and the recharging of batteries. Make an effort to shift demand to non-peak times.

Flip light switches

Turn off lights in rooms that are not occupied or being used. Because lighting is responsible for about 11 percent of a household’s energy bill, it is a wise conservation practice to flip the switch, especially when peak demand looms. And if you haven’t installed energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, this would be a great way to help.

If you haven’t signed up to receive Beat the Peak emails or texts, you can do so by going to www.dremc.com.

Council Encouraged to Embrace Community-Based Solutions--DREMC & CAC Describe New Projects

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the May 19 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council heard from Michael Watson, CEO of Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC), and Betty Carpenter, director of the Community Action Committee (CAC). Watson introduced a new DREMC program aimed at curtailing electricity costs, and Carpenter invited the council and community to join with the CAC in helping to break the cycle of poverty in the Sewanee area. In other business, the Council appointed an election officer and approved a change to the bylaws.

DREMC is a customer-owned energy distributor with more than 71,000 members in a six-county area covering 2,800 square miles. DREMC is committed to “enhancing the quality of life for its members,” Watson said, quoting from the mission statement. DREMC recently launched a new program, “Beat the Peak,” offering members an opportunity to take an active role in reducing the demand-based cost of electricity. (See story on page 6.)

Giving a brief overview of the CAC’s history and work, Carpenter said the organization got its start 40 years ago, when Marilyn Powell began collecting and distributing day-old bread. The CAC is a ministry of Otey Parish and now serves more than 300 people, regularly providing groceries and in some cases, help with paying utility bills. The CAC serves the Sewanee and Sherwood areas. Ninety-four percent of CAC clients are below the poverty level.

The CAC recently provided two families with flocks of chickens and other clients with container gardens, Carpenter said, calling attention to new programs. Plans also call for training volunteers to conduct energy assessments to help clients reduce utility costs.

Carpenter provided council members with information on ways individuals can help fight poverty and encouraged the council and community to work with the CAC to find solutions. (See “Ten Things You Can Do to Fight Poverty.”)

The council selected Theresa Shackelford to serve as election officer for the November Council member elections. 

At present, the population is not evenly distributed in the four districts which elect representatives to the council. A committee, composed of council representatives Pam Byerly and John Flynn, Superintendent of Leases Barbara Schlichting and Provost John Swallow, is researching possible changes to district boundaries. The committee is also looking into altering the council’s composition to include more student and at-large representatives.

The council approved a change to the bylaws, modifying the meeting schedule. The change stipulates meetings will “occur on the fourth Monday of the month, as needed,” rather than on “the fourth Monday of every month except July and August.”

The next meeting of the council is June 30.

DREMC to Pass Through TVA Rate Increase

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) members will see a rate increase Oct. 1 due to the rising cost of wholesale electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). DREMC’s board of directors voted last week to pass through the TVA’s recent wholesale power increase. On Aug. 22, the TVA board approved a 1.5 percent hike in the cost of electricity provided to distributors in the region. It was the first such increase since 2011.

At the retail level, the effect of the wholesale rate increase will be around 1.5 percent, according to Michael Watson, president and chief executive officer of DREMC.

Residential members can expect to see their electric bills for 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) go up $1.42 per month on average.

“All the additional revenue derived from this wholesale rate adjustment goes to TVA in the power bill,” Watson pointed out.

In the past fiscal year, more than 75 cents of every dollar paid to DREMC for electricity went to purchase wholesale power.

“The wholesale cost is the largest component of what we must charge our members,” Watson said.

“While we never like to see rates increase for those we serve, this was TVA’s decision. Our board passed along the adjustment in order to keep our revenues in line with the cost of service,” he said.

Watson noted that DREMC will launch a residential demand response program this winter to help members offset the higher cost of electricity. The voluntary program, called Beat the Peak, aims to reduce demand on the system during extremely cold and hot periods when the cost of wholesale power can soar to $9.50 per kWh from an average of 7 to 8 cents.

TVA blamed declining demand for electricity, a continued slow economic recovery in the region and higher operating costs for the need to adjust wholesale rates.

TVA President and CEO Bill Johnson pledged that his priority is for the multi-state generation-and-transmission utility to live within its means, but sales and revenue are declining at a faster rate than cost reductions can stabilize the budget.

He said the wholesale power increase was necessary to meet 2014 revenue requirements and ensure the safe and reliable operation of the TVA system.

“We will also make critical capital investments to keep reliability high and meet environmental standards and contribute to paying down debt,” Johnson said.

TVA’s fiscal year 2014 budget anticipates 4.6 percent lower sales year-over-year and is about 6 percent less than 2013. It includes capital expenditures of $3.3 billion for Watts Bar 2 nuclear plant and clean air controls at Gallatin Fossil Plant.

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, headquartered in Shelbyville, Tenn., is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative serving 72,000 residences, businesses and farms. District offices are located in Columbia, Manchester, Decherd, Sewanee, Shelbyville, Lynchburg and Lewisburg.

[Disclosure notice: Messenger Editor/Publisher Laura Willis is a compensated member of the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation’s board of directors, appointed by the University’s Board of Regents to represent Sewanee.]