Powerlines
May 2012 | Volume 25 • Number 5 | www.powersouth.com/powerlines
| [email protected]
Osprey couple calls PowerSouth plant site home
A popular bird that migrates every spring
received a little help from PowerSouth
employees last month. An osprey nest was
sitting on top of a transmission pole’s crossarm,
creating a danger for the birds, and PowerSouth
employees built a new structure for them.
The osprey, sometimes known as the sea hawk,
fish eagle or fish hawk, is often seen as a pair
of birds — male and female — which usually
mate for life. Ospreys generally arrive on their
breeding grounds in late March or early April,
and the same nest site may be used for many
years. The new couple at Central Generation
arrived on March 19.
“We did some research when the ospreys
arrived, and they are large birds that reach more
than two feet in length and can have nearly a
six foot wing span,” says David Wyatt, Central
Generation Plant Manager. “Both birds are funny
about anyone approaching the nest. If we do,
they leave the nest but stay in the perimeter to
keep watch.”
Ospreys normally nest near a body of water,
due largely to the fact that fish make up
99 percent of their diet. The birds possess
special physical characteristics and exhibit
unique behaviors to assist in hunting and
catching.
“Several of us have witnessed the ospreys
diving down to grab fish from the Conecuh
River,” said Marc Kyzar, PowerSouth O&M
Technical Coordinator. “It’s a beautiful sight.
It’s not every day you can see something that
majestic.”
The birds originally built their nest resting on
a dangerous spot of the transmission pole
crossarm, near live electric wires. There was a
possibility they could have been electrocuted
or caused a fire if their nest encroached past
the insulated wire, hurting themselves and
destroying equipment.
“Although osprey nests are somewhat common
in southern parts of the service area, we haven’t
ever had to deal with them at this location,”
Wyatt said. “We thought it was a situation that
needed to be remedied very quickly.”

Wyatt contacted PowerSouth’s T&D O&M
Department. A crew was scheduled to come to
the site to build a new transmission pole with
an added feature — a section built specifically
for the ospreys and their nest — that would be
out of harm’s way. The crew removed the nest
while they replaced the existing pole. When the
nest was replaced, the ospreys took to the new
structure immediately.
“It was quite a sight to see them return that
same afternoon,” Wyatt says. “They immediately
went to work tidying up their nest.”
The PowerSouth osprey couple’s nest is a large
heap of sticks, driftwood and moss built on
the newly constructed arm extension of the
transmission pole for the line stretching from
Gantt Hydroelectric Dam to McWilliams Power
Plant. Ospreys typically nest in high areas like
the tips of trees with little or no overhead cover
that provide good visibility and security.
They seem to be very pleased with the new
arrangements. g
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1
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Tyndall Air Force Base
Served by
New technology improves safety audit time
A selling point of Apple’s new iPad computer
is that it changes the way you work. For
PowerSouth’s safety employees, it’s changing
the way they work by saving lots of time.
The Safety Department is currently training
on a 64 gigabyte Apple iPad to use in safety
audits throughout the cooperative. Field ID,
a safety compliance program that utilizes a
combination of software, handheld devices
like iPads and the Internet to automate safety
compliance inspections, is also new to the
department.
“We’ve had the iPad and Field ID for about a
week, but it is taking us some time to learn
how to use both efficiently,” said Buddy
Manring, PowerSouth Safety Manager. “We’re
already seeing a time savings just in how
much quicker the audit process will flow.”
By Kristin Douglas Evans, GCEC
safety improvements and upgraded water equipment and lines to
serve as a quality water source for the base.
When a military base is privatized, a public utility assumes ownership
and operation of the base’s electric, water, wastewater or natural gas
systems for a specified time. In a recent privatization move, the U.S. Air
Force signed a 50-year agreement with Gulf Coast EC (GCEC) to offer
services to Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB).
A team consisting of employees from the co-op’s engineering,
mapping, office services and service departments collaborated on
the project. The cooperative’s line crews also received training to
familiarize themselves with the base’s electric and water systems.
Tyndall AFB is home to the 325th Fighter Wing, whose primary mission
is providing “air dominance” training for F-22 Raptor pilots and support
personnel.
An electric and water crew stationed on-site is responsible for
responding to power outages and ensuring the base has quality
drinking water.
Nationwide, at least 22 electric co-ops — either individually or
through consortiums — serve 21 military compounds in 15 states.
Most are a result of a 1997 U.S. Department of Defense directive aimed
at turning largely neglected utility services over to “local entities with
the expertise to maintain them appropriately.”
Tyndall AFB also serves as a third full-service center for GCEC members.
The co-op’s headquarters office is in Wewahitchka, and a district office
is in Southport.
“This is an agreement that has been many years in the making,” says
GCEC CEO and General Manager Michael White. “We’ve always been
proud of our ability to deliver dependable utility services to our
membership, and now we’re blessed with the opportunity to provide
the same level of commitment to the federal government.
The contract value is estimated at $140 million. The agreement was
several years in the making. Work began to acquire the contract in
February 2004. g
“This is a win-win project for GCEC and the Air Force. The contract will
assist in keeping the cooperative financially sound for many years to
come. We are proud to call Tyndall Air Force Base a member of Gulf
Coast Electric.”
Tyndall AFB joined GCEC on June 1, 2011, as a single member with
about 200 electric meters and 50 water meters. These are master
meters that serve hundreds of facilities and homes.
The award document was executed Sept. 28, 2010, and GCEC began
gathering information and preparing procedures and business
processes. GCEC personnel installed meters, rebuilt power lines, made
2
GCEC’s location at Tyndall Air Force Base offers all the co-op’s
services, including bill pay, requests for new service, security lights
and surge protection.
Beginning in May, Manring, Safety Coordinator
Martin Richburg and Safety Representative
Merrill Davis will use the iPad to perform
audits at all PowerSouth work sites. The Field
ID program will assist in reading special bar
codes on equipment, making an association to
specific guidelines that need to be reviewed
for equipment. In addition, the program will
provide checklists for audits at work sites.
“In the past, when we’ve gone to a site like
Unit 1 at Plant Lowman, we’ve gone in with
a note pad and pencil to perform the safety
audit, and we’d be there auditing items via a
checklist for a full day,” said Manring. “When
we returned to headquarters, we would
spend a full day inputting our findings into
a computer program, researching OSHA
guidelines and sending the audit report back
out to the affected managers.
“With the iPad, a WiFi connection and Field
ID, we’ll be able to follow the provided steps
— whether they’re for a field audit, plant,
substation, line crews or any other work
area — and click where we find a deficiency.
The program will pull in applicable OSHA
standards based on our audit input, and
we can print a report of our findings for the
managers before we ever leave the work site.
We save a full day of work time.”
Manring inputs a new bar code into the Field
ID software on the safety department’s iPad.
According to Manring, the Safety Department
is currently familiarizing themselves with the
iPad on a basic level, while fine-tuning the
various sections of Field ID to determine how
they apply to PowerSouth’s work sites. g
Field ID is cloud-based software, meaning it
allows Manring and his team to have access to
safety performance reports as well as safety
documentation at all times via secure web
storage.
Switching school conducted
PowerSouth conducted a Switching School on
April 12 at headquarters for cooperative employees from
throughout our distribution system.
Energy Control Center Manager Tim Hattaway spoke to the
class about switching safety and T&D O&M Manager Terry
Wilson taught lessons on the various pieces of equipment
used and proper operating procedures. Other topics covered
throughout the training included PowerSouth’s switching
procedures.
“Our goal is to provide the information and training
necessary so that anyone performing switching on the
PowerSouth system, whether a PowerSouth employee or a
member cooperative employee, can perform the task safely,
confidently and competently,” Wilson said. “This switching
school is only a portion of the overall training that an
employee receives prior to being placed on the PowerSouth
switching list. Employees must also receive appropriate
field training that is certified by supervision as part of the
requirements for being qualified to perform switching on the
PowerSouth system.”
3
Distribution members to offer energy efficiency
auditing and billing services to their members
PowerSouth employees ‘go long
for a cure’ at Covington Co. RFL
Forty PowerSouth employees participated
in the American Cancer Society’s Covington
County Relay for Life celebration at the Kiwanis
Center Fairgrounds in Andalusia April 27.
PowerSouth’s team and their supporters
contributed $10,434 to the Relay For Life — the
most money raised by a team in the “extra
large” size category.
“We want everyone to know how much their
contributions and support meant to our
team,” said Dianne Curry, PowerSouth Team
Co-captain. “We could not be successful
without it.”
Total funds raised at press time from the event
were $96,300. The 2012 theme is “Go Long for a
Cure” and the goal is $110,000. The event year
ends in August, so there is still time for anyone
who would like to make a donation to do so.
The PowerSouth team raised funds for the
2012 relay via their first 5K Resolution Run,
sales of chocolate
apples and pretzels,
as well as individual
donations.
The 2012 team
included eight new
members. “And we
always have room
for more,” Curry
added.
During the relay, walkers from each team took
to the track to raise funds for cancer research.
Money raised from the event helps find
treatment for all types of cancer.
“We are a volunteer organization, and without
people giving of their time and money, we
wouldn’t function,” said Katelyn Ellis, American
Cancer Society Community Representative
and wife of Corey Ellis, PowerSouth Member
Services Representative. “But Relay For Life is
also an opportunity for us to celebrate those
who are continuing to fight cancer and those
we’ve lost to the disease. “
PowerSouth was one of 15 teams participating
in the 2012 event. g
PowerSouth Relay for Life team members gather before the event at the
Kiwanis Fairgrounds.
What are your six words for the EPA?
Adapted from
an article by
Lance Brown,
Executive Director
of the Partnership
for Affordable Clean
Energy (PACE)
As part of its effort to create dialogue with
the American people on environmental
issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) recently launched a project
in conjunction with SMITH Magazine called
“Six Words for the Planet”.
The project, officially housed at
www.smithmag.net/planet/, invites all
citizens of the world to submit their own
six-word essay describing their feelings
about Earth.
4
“Healthier families, cleaner communities,
stronger America,” writes EPA Administrator
Lisa Jackson in her own six-word offering.
Catalyzing conversation about
environmental topics is clearly a good thing
for which EPA should be commended,
but most people have concerns that go
beyond the environment. Many have
legitimate concerns about the national
economy, our struggle to create and
sustain quality jobs, and the affordability of
energy for businesses and families. Those
are concerns about which EPA needs to
hear, especially since the agency is actively
pursuing regulations and policies that have
a tremendous impact on those issues.
That’s why PACE encourages you to write
your own six-word essay to EPA. Please do
so any time between now and June 30 by
sending an email directly to me at
[email protected]. In turn, we will
publish our favorite responses on the PACE
website.
Our own six-word response: “EPA should
listen to power consumers.” g
The Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy
(PACE) is a coalition of working people,
business owners, environmentalists, and
trade organizations who are fighting for fair,
responsible energy policies.
Headquartered in Montgomery, Ala., PACE has
affiliates and supporters across the Southeast
and beyond.
Home energy improvements are a big
way end-use members can reduce energy
consumption and costs. Energy audits and
addressing billing concerns are two ways
PowerSouth’s distribution members help
homeowners identify ways to cut energy costs
and improve comfort.
Two new programs — Energy Insights and
Billing Insights — have recently been licensed
to PowerSouth by Apogee Interactive. The
programs are designed to make energy audits
and addressing billing concerns easier at the
distribution co-op level.
Energy Insights (EI) is an advanced application
for performing online energy audits. It is the
only accredited online energy analysis system
acceptable as a Home Energy Rating System
(HERS) rating tool.
“EI combines energy analysis data with actual
member billing data to provide a detailed
energy analysis,” said Mike Majors, PowerSouth
Member Services Coordinator. “An illustrated
report is produced that contains comments
and photos from the auditor.”
“A key input to Billing Insights that makes it
so useful is independent billing data from the
distribution member,” says Majors. “With some
basic information in hand — meter read dates
for billing cycles, kilowatt hours billed and
bill amount — a CSR will be prompted to ask
questions from the Billing Insights screen. Then,
cost-cutting energy efficiency solutions can be
offered to a member via phone, internet or at a
co-op office.”
High bill concerns are often associated with
weather patterns, and BI provides tools for
customer service staff at the distribution co-op
level to map out cost savings by comparing
costs to last year’s weather data, as well as a
30-year average.
At the end of a session with a CSR using
Billing Insights, an email report can be sent
to the member, including charts and tables
generated during analysis of the member’s
energy usage. In turn, the member can contact
the distribution member for information about
conducting an energy audit and beginning the
energy efficiency improvement process. g
Using energy wisely not only
saves PowerSouth’s end-users
money, it helps lower emissions
and conserve resources.
A lower electric bill starts
with an effective energy audit
and realistic suggestions
for energy efficiency —
PowerSouth aims to assist our
members in providing both.
PowerSouth wins Liberty Mutual safety awards
According to Majors, the report can be used as
support documentation needed to apply for a
loan through the energy efficiency financing
loan program PowerSouth is currently
developing. Most importantly, the report gives
members specific steps they can take to lower
energy consumption.
Energy solutions and functions recognized
during an EI energy audit include defining
the systems used in a building and offering
a breakdown of their estimated energy
use, providing a description of potential
changes the homeowner can make based
on estimated energy savings and prioritizing
recommendations for the homeowner.
Billing Insights (BI) is a web-based application
that utilizes energy analysis information and
a member’s account billing history to provide
customer service representatives (CSR) at the
distribution level the resources to address a
member’s high bill concerns.
PowerSouth continues to set the bar for safety standards in the electric generation and
transmission industry. Our overall DART (Days Away/Restricted or Transfer) Rate is currently
0.33. Liberty Mutual, PowerSouth’s workers’ compensation, auto and general liability
insurance provider, recently awarded the Lowman Plant and headquarters its Gold Safety
Award, the McIntosh Plant, Western District and Baldwin District its Safety Commendation
Award and the company as a whole its Silver Safety Award. Shown above are President and
CEO Gary Smith (left) with Liberty Mutual Territory Manager Perry Trowbridge.
5
Verbatim: Nuclear power taking a long view
Source: Wall Street Journal - March 7, 2012 - by IHS CERA’s Larry Makovich and Jone-Line Wang
By Emily E. Smith
Performance
Between 30 and 50 years ago, the United
States built the world’s largest fleet of nuclear
power plants and increased the generation
share of nuclear power to around 20 percent.
But the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979
abruptly decelerated the growth of U.S. nuclear
generating capacity. Although additions of
nuclear capacity have not been relatively steady
because the performance of nuclear power
plants has steadily increased — so much so
that today U.S. nuclear performance represents
the benchmark for world-class operations.
Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got
until it’s gone. Today most people take the
benefit of nuclear power in the U.S. power
generation portfolio for granted. But this
cornerstone of power generation diversity is
something that may slip away in the not too
distant future if we fail to take a long view
about nuclear power development.
The United States is fortunate to have a welldiversified mix of fuels and technologies for
power generation. But this is not an accident.
Maintaining a diverse mix of power generation
fuels and technologies requires making
adjustments based on a long view. The shale
gas revolution has dramatically expanded
reserves, lowered prices and changed
expectations regarding the availability and
cost of natural gas. As a result, it makes sense
to adjust the generation mix toward a greater
share for natural gas-fired power supply. But it
would be short-sighted to expand natural gasfired power supply alone and end up relying
too much on a single fuel in the years ahead.
Current natural gas prices lead some to jump
to the conclusion that developing new nuclear
power plants simply does not make economic
sense given the current cost of natural gas-fired
power generation. However, current natural gas
prices are at a cyclical low due in part to a warm
winter. These current low natural gas prices are
well below the level most people expected just
one year ago and are also well below the price
level that most analysts expect will keep natural
gas demand and supply in balance over the
long run. The implication is clear — the current
downward price swings indicate that the shale
6
gas revolution has not made predicting natural
gas prices any easier, nor has it ended their
multi-year cycles and volatility.
The value of diversity
Uncertainty regarding future fuel prices is
why it is so important to take a long view and
remember the value of fuel diversity. How long
a view? Power technology and fuel choices are
something we have to live with for 40 to 60
years into the future. Looking back over a few
decades provides some valuable perspective.
Natural gas prices rode a roller coaster across
the past two decades — ranging from as low
as $1.40 to as high as $13.36 per million BTU at
the Henry Hub in Louisiana, which is where the
benchmark price is established. It is not hard to
imagine what monthly consumer power bills
would have looked like if the U.S. did not have
fuel diversity and instead had relied solely on
natural gas for power generation. In just the last
six years, the average monthly cost of fuel for
power generation would have doubled. Since
fuel makes up roughly one-third of a monthly
power bill, the up and downs in natural gas
prices would have made the variation in
monthly power bills three times greater.
The vast majority of electricity consumers
reveal a strong preference for power bills that
are more stable and predictable than the
cost of natural gas-fired power supply. And
the most cost effective and proven way to
dampen power price volatility is a diversified
generation mix. But here is the rub — the U.S. is
approaching a critical juncture regarding a key
element of the diversified generating portfolio
— nuclear power.
Donated computers help create bright beginnings
The gradual improvements in U.S. nuclear
performance did not generate many headlines
and these gains in carbon-free power
generation are something more people simply
took for granted. However, the current nuclear
power plant fleet is aging and is scheduled to
cease operations between 2025 and 2050. That
may still seem a long way off, but the lead time
to build a new nuclear power plant is about a
decade.
Taking a long view indicates that the nuclear
power decisions made in the next decade
will determine whether or not nuclear power
remains a key element of the U.S. power
generation mix. That’s why the nuclear power
plants starting construction in the U.S. this year
are so important. Although these plants alone
cannot maintain a viable generation of nuclear
power development. And that is important
because the next generation needs to add
about one nuclear power plant per year in
the post 2020 timeframe simply to maintain
a viable nuclear generation share. If this does
not happen, then a meaningful nuclear power
generation share may be something we all
come to regret when it’s gone. g
Lawrence Makovich is a Vice President and
Senior Advisor at ISH CERA. He is author of the
HIS CERA report, Recalibrating Power Supply Cost
Assessments: Accounting for Integration. Jone-Lin
Want is an ISH CERA Managing Director and head
of the Global Power Group. She is author of The
Unfolding Crisis in Japan and What It Means to
Energy.
As I entered through the front door of the
Bright Beginnings Preschool in Andalusia, the
first activity I saw was small children — lots of
small children — tapping away on computer
keyboards and mice.
The Preschool’s computer lab is home to
18 work stations that happen to be filled near
capacity with 17 four-year-olds. I am amazed at
how quiet and interested they all seem to be
in the computer-run alphabet game.
“Mrs. Bettie, Mrs. Bettie, I need help!” I hear
one say. Bettie Earnest, a retired school
teacher and wife of Al Earnest, PowerSouth
Buyer, meanders over to assist with a child’s
computer question.
“These little ones come in at age three
unsure about what to do with a computer,
but they learn fast,” she says. “If it wasn’t for
PowerSouth, some of them may not get
hands-on time with a PC until they get into
grade school.”
Bright Beginnings is one of several recipients of
donated computers to educational programs
and non-profit organizations in PowerSouth’s
service area. Last summer, PowerSouth
donated 25 computers to the preschool,
followed by another 12 this spring.
“We donate computer equipment that is
no longer in service — usually personal
computers (PCs) that are about six years old,”
says Craig Kilpatrick, PowerSouth Information
Systems Manager. “We take equipment that is
still operable, strip it of all data and reload the
operating system before donating to schools
and organizations.”
While those receiving the computers benefit
from their value, the program is a plus for
PowerSouth as well.
“Units that can’t be donated have to be carried
to a recycling center as far away as Pensacola,
and there is a cost associated with that,”
Kilpatrick says. “Anytime we can diminish that
cost by donating a good PC to an organization,
we both win.”
Since 2007, more than 350 computer systems,
laptops and other computer equipment
have been donated to schools in Covington
and Washington counties and organizations
including Bright Beginnings, Andalusia
Chamber of Commerce, Crossover Ministries
and Washington County Sav-A-Life.
Anyone who visits Bright Beginnings Preschool
can see that the school’s 62 students have
come to appreciate their time in the school’s
computer lab.
“I really enjoyed my visit and was really happy
to see what they’d done with the computers,”
Kilpatrick said. “What the school is doing is a
great benefit to the community, and I truly felt
the love and appreciation shown by their staff.
It feels good that PowerSouth can be a small
part of it.” g
PowerSouth conducts
Children and grandchildren of PowerSouth
employees showed off their artistic abilities as
part of our first Art Contest.
May is Electrical Safety Month, so PowerSouth’s
Communications Department sought artwork
depicting electrical safety for the competition.
Submissions were judged by a member of
Andalusia’s Art Council. Winners selected from
each of the following categories included: Age
4 and Under ­— Caroline Grace Craft, daughter
of Human Resources Coordinator Suzanne
Craft; Age 5-7 — Savannah Grace Kilpatrick,
granddaughter of Management Information
Systems Manager Craig Kilpatrick; Age 8-12
— Jonathan Craft, son of Suzanne Craft;
and Age 13-15 — Kayla Mitchell, daughter
of Telecommunication Crew Leader Michael
Mitchell.
Each category winner received a $25 cash
prize.
Manager. “The depictions of electrical safety
were well thought out. Even the younger
artists did an excellent job of showing the
importance of being safe around electricity.”
The winning artwork will be displayed at
PowerSouth’s corporate headquarters during
the month of May. g
“We were very impressed with all the
drawings and paintings received this year
and congratulate all the participants,” said
Mark Ingram, PowerSouth Communications
7
EMPLOYEE NEWS
EMPLOYEE NEWS
L i v i n g t h e p r i n c i p l e : M E R R I L L D AV I S
By Andrew Garner,
Courtesy of Andalusia Star News
For the better part of 27 years, Andalusia
native Merrill Davis has in some way, shape
or form been involved with the local
recreation baseball league.
Davis grew up playing baseball and
coached some during high school. After
graduation, he became affiliated with
Johnson Park as a coach.
In the last four seasons, Davis has coached
his sons — Collin and Corban — who are
both playing in the Cal Ripken league this
season.
“I’ve been a part of this since I was 8 years
old,” Davis said.
Davis said he loves coaching because he
wants to make sure his kids have the same
“opportunities” as he did growing up.
“Andalusia has a great recreation
department,” he said. “What they do and
strive to do in baseball, my hat goes off to
them.
“I get involved to
make sure it’s still
about the kids,”
he said.
Davis is coaching
the River Dogs
7-to-8-year-old
boys team this
season. Collin
plays for his
father, and
Corban plays for
the 9-10 Blue Jays
for coach Bob
Burkhardt.
Gary Smith
President and CEO
PowerSouth
The phrase, “A Marriage of Convenience,”
probably does not give you a warm fuzzy
feeling. It invokes thoughts of “gold diggers”
— usually (but not always) young attractive
women looking for older, wealthy men willing
to support their lifestyle in return for a young,
attractive partner.
Merrill Davis (right) is shown during last season with his son, Collin, on
the Mudcats baseball team.
Last season, Davis was an assistant coach
for the Mudcats.
Davis said he couldn’t pinpoint any one
season that sticks out to him because the
players are what make each year “unique.”
“I think every season is unique to itself,” he
said. “You always have boys that surprise
you. I have a lot of fun seeing the boys that
develop through the season.
“I’ve got three rules — have fun, practice
the fundamentals and build friendships —
winning takes care of itself,” he said.
Living the Principle’ is dedicated to
recognizing PowerSouth employees who
embody Cooperative Principle #7: Concern
for Community. If you’d like to nominate
someone to be featured in this recurring
series, please contact a member of the
Powerlines editorial staff. g
Play it safe when doing spring chores
After spending long winter days indoors, most
folks love to get outside in spring, even if it is
just to do chores. Outdoor chores, however,
can bring electrical hazards.
For example, ladders contacting power
lines cause nine percent of electrocutionrelated deaths each year, according to recent
data from the Consumer Product Safety
Commission.
Landscaping, gardening and farming
equipment cause another seven percent. To
avoid electrical hazards, make sure you and
your family follow these simple tips:
General
* Teach children to stay away from electric
transformers and substations and explain
what posted warning signs mean.
8
8
A marriage of convenience?
* Avoid damp conditions when using
electricity. Keep all electrical devices and
cords away from water.
* Place waterproof covers on all outdoor
outlets.
* Install ground fault circuit interrupters in
outlets where water may be present.
Power Tools
* Inspect power tools and appliances for
frayed cords, broken plugs and cracked
or broken housing, and repair or replace
damaged items.
* Dial 8-1-1, the national “Call Before You
Dig” phone number, at least 72 hours
before engaging in any type of excavation
work. Local utilities will be notified to
mark the approximate location of any
underground lines on your property.
They reportedly never lived together, and she
denied marrying Marshall for money. However,
she contested his will when he died, which left
her nothing from his estate — a sad ending.
It’s not the only relationship that ended poorly.
Recently, in a biting press release, the Sierra Club
split with Chesapeake Gas. Theirs was another
“Marriage of Convenience.”
Chesapeake Gas has adopted an ultraaggressive marketing policy against coal-fired
electric generation, primarily to support the
market for its product, natural gas. The Sierra
Club is an environmental activist organization
that has fought for a cleaner environment and
opposed most coal-fired generation projects.
* Store power tools indoors.
* Unplug outdoor tools when not in use.
* Only use extension cords marked for
outdoor use; match power needs of an
electric tool or appliance to the cord’s
label information.
Perhaps the most publicized marriage of
convenience was in 1994 of Anna Nicole
Smith and J. Howard Marshall, an 89-year-old
gentleman with a net worth of $1.6 billion.
Anna Nicole was 26, and Marshall was 63 years
her senior. He obtained a young, beautiful
companion, and she obtained a very wealthy
gentleman.
* Do not carry power tools by the cord.
Ladders
* Use only a fiberglass or wooden ladder if
you must work near overhead wires.
* Never touch a person or an object that
has made contact with a power line. g
Together, the two formulated a strategy to
discount the value of coal-fired generation,
including a successful campaign with TV
commercials showing children’s faces covered
with coal dust proclaiming, “Coal is Dirty.”
Recently, the EPA published its carbon dioxide
regulation limiting new coal-fired electric
generation to 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide
emissions per megawatt hour. No coal plant can
meet that limitation without carbon capture
and sequestration, which is neither proven nor
tested. In doing so, EPA effectively killed new
coal-fired electric generation.
However, the day before EPA announced its
new regulations, the Sierra Club divorced
Chesapeake Energy. “Today’s natural gas industry
is dirty, dangerous and putting American
families at risk,” said Sierra Club Executive
Director Michael Brune. “It’s time for everyone to
stop thinking of natural gas as a kinder, gentler
energy source and renew our focus on reaching
a clean energy future as soon as possible.”
He also said, “It is clear that as the country
transitions from coal, it should leapfrog over
natural gas to truly clean energy.”
What Mr. Brune did not mention is that people
and subsidies associated with Chesapeake
Energy contributed $26 million to the Sierra
Club last year and have contributed heavily in
past years as well. Marriages of convenience
rarely end well, and the Sierra Club and
Chesapeake followed the script. However, it
appears the Sierra Club got a better deal than
Anna Nicole.
My old friend and teammate, Danny “Bobo”
Lazenby used to say, “People are funnier than
anybody,” and they are. I hope you have a good
month. g
new employee profile:
Kim Hopkins
Originally from
Orlando, Fla.,
new Finance
and Accounting
Administrative
Clerk Kim Hopkins
has lived in
Andalusia for
12 years.
She received her finance degree
from the University of Central Florida,
although she spent a lot of time at the
University of Florida and declares she is
a Gator!
Prior to working at PowerSouth,
she was a realtor and managed the
financial/accounting responsibilities
for her husband, Jeff’s, former business.
(However, while living in Orlando as a
young adult, she worked at Disney World
one summer!)
“I’m impressed with how everyone
involved in PowerSouth works toward
the vision statement every day,” says
Hopkins. “From doing their jobs,
providing the power and services to the
member co-ops, to the involvement in
the communities served, as well as in the
lives of the employees. I had heard of the
‘PowerSouth family’ and can see where
that reference comes from.”
As far as hobbies, Kim is a certified
ZUMBA fitness instructor, and she also
teaches fitness classes at her church. She
and Jeff have two sons — Courey and
Chase. g
System Summary
Quick Facts
April 2012
System peak (unadjusted):
1,382 megawatts — April 30
March 2012
Average Cost of Service — 76.84 M/KWh
Average Cost of Service YTD — 74.26 M/KWh
Minimum temperature: 48 degrees
Maximum temperature: 94 degrees
Average temperature: 72 degrees
Gantt rainfall: 3.08 inches for the month
CP Demand Billed — 1,497,537
CP Demand Billed YTD — 5,184,425
MWh Sold — 557,529
MWh Sold YTD — 1,780,048
9
EMPLOYEE NEWS
Service anniversaries
Comings and Goings
Welcome to John Greig Foshee, Engineering Assistant II in the T&D Engineering and Construction
Department, effective April 2.
Welcome to Brent Watson, Lines Technician in the T&D O&M Department, effective March 30.
Dianne Curry
Corp. Real Estate
34 years, May 1
Donnie Tillman
Warehouse
34 years, May 15
Branson Williams
Fuels
30 years, May 3
Michael Byrd
Florida District
28 years, May 21
Mark Ingram
Communications
26 years, May 7
Lisa Veasey
T&D Planning
26 years, May 12
Teri Lowery
Baldwin District
25 years, May 18
Gail Klein
Substation Services
24 years, May 2
Goodbye and good luck to Levi Sasser, work study in the Procurement Services Department,
effective March 30. g
Promotion
Congratulations to Wilton J. Brock on his recent promotion to District Crew Leader in the Florida
District, effective April 22. He was previously Service Technician.
Flint Harrelson
System Protection
24 years, May 31
Mike Mitchell
Telecommunications
23 years, May 1
Earl Henderson
Information Systems
22 years, May 7
Cindy Bozeman
Accounting
22 years, May 19
Craig Kilpatrick
Information Systems
22 years, May 30
Lisa Haney
Communications
21 years, May 28
Tim Whatley
Warehouse
18 years, May 2
Jon Harrison
Procurement
12 years, May 30
Congratulations to Lisa Cravey on her promotion to Senior Administrative Clerk in the T&D
Engineering & Construction Department, effective April 15. She was previously Administrative
Clerk.
Congratulations to Danny Taylor on his promotion to Plant Supervisor at the Lowman Plant
effective April 1. He was previously Operating Technician. g
Retirement
Congratulations to William Mack Calhoun on his retirement, effective May 4. He most recently
served as Substation Crew Leader in the T&D O&M Department.
Chuck Dutton
Fleet Services
11 years, May 7
Buddy Johns
Customer Response
11 years, May 14
Sandy Neal
Communications
9 years, May 12
James Taylor
Fleet Services
8 years, May 17
Kenny Shiver
Central Generation
11 years, May 14
Waylon Dunn
Central Generation
11 years, May 14
Michael Harkins
Central Generation
10 years, May 6
Cory Bryan
T&D Eng. & Const.
6 years, May 8
Gary Goldman
Lowman Plant
6 years, May 22
Carl Sherrouse
Florida District
5 years, May 1
David Grimes
Accounting
10 years, May 13
Tabitha Carnley
Accounting
5 years, May 17
Terry Hall
Energy Control
10 years, May 13
Josh Beverly
Substation O&M
4 years, May 12
Eric Copeland
Building Maintenance
10 years, May 28
Congratulations to Daniel L. Carpenter on his retirement, effective April 12. He most recently
served as Operating Technician at Central Generation. g
T.J. Harrison
Substation O&M
4 years, May 19
Josh Page
T&D Planning
4 years, May 27
Ronnie Dunn
Building Maintenance
2 years, May 10
Blake Odom
T&D Planning
1 year, May 16
Merill Davis
Safety
1 year, May 26
PowerSouth to sponsor students at Co-op Camp
This summer, 60 Alabama high school students will learn more about cooperatives at the 30th
Annual Alabama Cooperative Youth Conference. The conference, themed Co-op Boot Camp, is
July 10-12 at the Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center in Columbiana, Ala.
The youth will gain an understanding of our country’s economic system and the role cooperatives
play in it. They will attend special sessions on leadership, citizenship and career opportunities, as
well as enjoy recreational activities including swimming, boating and softball.
PowerSouth is accepting applications to send two students to the conference. Applicants must
be incoming sophomores, juniors or seniors, and they must be children or grandchildren of
PowerSouth employees. Applications must be submitted to Member Services Department
Secretary Tracey Nelson by May 18. For more information, contact Nelson at ext. 3375. g
10
10
The sponsorship covers lodging,
program expenses and meals during
the conference. Anyone interested in
attending should contact Sandy Neal at
ext. 3712 by May 31. g
CO-OP
Anna Stephens
Member Services
4 years, May 27
PowerSouth will sponsor one couple,
age 40 or under, to attend the Alabama
Council of Cooperatives 37th Annual
Co-op Couples Conference at the
Hampton Inn and Suites in Orange
Beach, Ala., July 23-25. The conference is
designed to give young couples a better
understanding of the co-op way of doing
business. It will also let them know how
co-ops can benefit them in everyday life.
kids
Calling all couples!
Kayla and Ryan Mitchell,
children of Michael Mitchell
(Telecommunications),
both won ribbons and cash
prizes for speeches given
at a recent 4-H meeting.
Kayla won second and
third place and $40. Ryan
won second place and $15.
They would both like to say
thank you to PowerSouth
for supporting this event.
Happy
birthday to:
May 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bedsole
Tommy Briggs
Lamar Crowe
Mark Ingram
Robert Meyer
John Milstead
Chris Moseley
Al Mosley
David Purvis
May 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig Anderson
Brian Reeves
May 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Diamond
Casey Jackson
May 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L.C. Howell
May 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Blount
Wayne Harrison
May 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Richburg
May 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Hicks
Victor Wyatt
May 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Bryan
Flint Harrelson
Donovan Smith
David Tarpley
Branson Williams
May 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Dubose
May 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joey Cooper
May 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne Phillips
May 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Stearns
May 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Brown
May 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Barefoot
Dewayne Jackson
May 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sammy Hogg
Cleve Huckabaa
May 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marty Chesteen
Sherry Criswell
Johnny King
Buddy Reynolds
May 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Fleming
May 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Dayton
May 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J.R. Harrell
May 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad Jenkins
May 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy Bozeman
Harry Stinson
May 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ronald Williamson
May 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Beckham
May 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie Bracewell
John Wiggins
May 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Percy Harris
Kevin West
May 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Garris
Robert Hadley
11
P.O. Box 550
Andalusia, AL 36420
SAFETYFIRST
Powerlines is published monthly for the
employees and members of PowerSouth
Energy Cooperative.
Communication Manager
Mark Ingram
Media and Communication Coordinator
Christi Scruggs
Media and Communication Specialist
Emily Smith
Employees at PowerSouth’s McIntosh Power
Plant understand the value of working safely.
Ken Ikner is one of the 20 McIntosh Plant
employees celebrating another safe year.
The Plant has never recorded a lost-time
accident. Since it began operations in 1998,
418,009 accident-free hours have been
completed. On April 19, the plant celebrated
another year without a lost time accident. In
the past year alone, the plant’s 20 workers
completed 41,108 safe working hours.
Safety is PowerSouth’s number-one core
value, which includes member relationships,
reliable service, affordable wholesale
power costs, community development and
employee development.
“Not only are we celebrating your safety
accomplishments, but we also are
recognizing that the McIntosh Power Plant
is PowerSouth’s largest capacity power
plant in our generation fleet. This is truly
something to celebrate,” said Damon
Morgan, PowerSouth Vice President of Power
Supply. “I truly appreciate each and every
employee here at the McIntosh Plant and
recognize your dedication to doing your job
in a safe manner for yourself and your fellow
coworkers.”
“Safety is not just a word, it is top priority
for PowerSouth’s management staff,” said
Gary Smith, PowerSouth President and
CEO. “Equipment can be replaced, but
a life cannot. Never having a lost time
accident at the McIntosh Plant is good but
not good enough. My goal is that you get
home the same way you got to work. The
safety program is not mine, it’s not our
management’s — it’s your program and you
make it what it is.” g
Photography
John Dean
Harold Dubose
Chris Flood
Communication Department
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
2027 East Three Notch Street (36421)
P.O. Box 550 (36420)
Andalusia, AL
[email protected]
www.powersouth.com
Powerlines is online at
www.powersouth.com/powerlines
Send comments or story suggestions by
e-mail to [email protected].
To request a printed version of this issue:
Sandy Neal
(334) 427-3712
[email protected]