We all hear about energy efficiency time and time again.  But what does it really mean?

Well, I think it means something different to everybody – which makes it very hard to talk about.

As a electric cooperative, we’ve promoted energy efficiency for years – which sometimes causes heads to turn.  Why would an electric company that is in business to sell electricity want to talk to people about saving energy?

Well, there are actually a couple of reasons.  First of all, we like happy customers (although we like to call them members or owners or member/owners.)  Secondly, there are some  instances when electricity IS the most efficient energy source.  In that case, your electric bill might go up (we obviously like that) but your overall energy bill would go down (you obviously like that.)

A good example of that is a geothermal system.  Geothermal systems are – without a doubt – the most energy efficient way to heat and cool your home.  Even the EPA says so!  If you replace your existing gas (LP or natural gas) furnace with a geothermal system (and with the current 30% tax credit available, now is a great time to do that) your electric bill will go up.  BUT, your overall energy bill (electricity plus gas) will go down.  Plain and simple!

Anyway, we’ll be talking about things like this at some upcoming Energy Wise Home Savings Events (a fancy way to say Energy Efficiency Seminar).  Check our site for more information: http://www.eiec.org/wise_ewhse.html

As part of the federal stimulus package, there are several attractive tax credits available right now.

Check this great site from Energy Star for complete information: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Among the highlights are a 30% tax credit for the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system.  The key here is, though, that there is NO LIMIT to the amount of this rebate.   Most of the other energy efficiency rebates are maxed out at $1,500.

With that much of a rebate, and no limit, the upfront cost of the geothermal system is very close to that of a high-efficiency gas system, but with a huge decrease in operating costs.

Check it out!!

I heard about a unique garden display today, so I went and checked it out.  Apparently, the son of a former Eastern Illini lineman decided to pay a tribute to his father.  The results are quite impressive!

The display incorporates many of the favorite things from the former lineman’s life, and it is neat to see the time and energy devoted to a great project to honor a loved one.  Richard “Dick” Hilligos retired from Eastern Illinois Power Cooperative in 1986.

Very interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about the potential “cap and trade” program to limit carbon emissions.

This is an issue we’re very concerned about and we’re following it closely.  If this gets passed in Congress, it will amount to a tax on electric use.  Especially for power companies (like EIEC) that get most of their electricity from coal-fired power plants.  This tax will surely get passed right on through to the end-user customers – YOU.  Pretty much everything we use/eat/do requires electricity at some point in the manufacturing process, so this will affect all kinds of products and services.

We obviously care about our environment, and we are concerned about protecting it – sensibly, and without putting a burden on our member/owners.  A big tax on electricity in the middle of a major recession doesn’t necessarily seem like the best way to achieve our goals, though.

To help make your voice heard, our national electric cooperative association has developed a campaign to easily communicate with our elected officials.  Visit the Our Energy Web site for more information.