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It may surprise some folks that electric co-ops have emerged as leaders in the down-line automation field. But innovation is a key part of our cooperative DNA. It embodies the same spirit that drove rural residents to find ways to overcome seemingly insurmountable technical, engineering, legal, political, and financial hurdles and bring electric service to [...]

Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., introduced S. 2216, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act, on March 21. Under the bill, the Rural Utilities Service would make zero-interest loans to individual electric co-ops or state groups of co-ops. In turn, they would lend the money to eligible members at no more than 3 [...]

In April representatives from more than 500 cooperatives in 42 states descend on Washington, D.C. for the first ever “Grassroots Summit.” The co-op leaders met with Capitol Hill staffers to discuss policy issues, but the primary focus was on engaging co-op members in grassroots and political action.  “Investing time and energy in developing our grassroots [...]

Don Wood, Vice President of Government Relations for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, announced the names of the seven winners of the 2012 Thomas H. Moore IEC Memorial Scholarship in May.  “There were 230 applications received this year and, as always, a large number were extremely qualified applicants,” said Wood. The amount of each [...]

OutdoorIllinois Online connects the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with today’s Prairie State sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts in the digital world. At OutdoorIllinois Online (www.dnr.illinois.gov/OI) you’ll find more outdoor news, in-depth features, how-to tips and great places to visit in our wild Illinois. Check out our “bonus” features, including full-length stories about Illinois’ natural and [...]

After years of wrangling on the issue, auto companies, regulators and policymakers have finally come to terms on increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for vehicles traveling American roads. According to the plan, automakers will double the average, unadjusted fuel-economy rating of their car and light truck vehicle fleets to 54.5 miles per gallon [...]

Americans carry more than $2 trillion in consumer debt, and 30 percent of consumers report having no extra cash, making it impossible to escape the burden of living paycheck to paycheck. Because too many Americans are insufficiently educated about their personal finances, April is devoted to helping everyone get a fresh start on taking control [...]

The members of Prairie Power, Inc. (PPI), a generation and transmission cooperative serving 10 central Illinois distribution cooperatives, held their Annual Meeting, Feb. 8 in Springfield. President and CEO Jay Bartlett said the generation and transmission cooperative (G&T), serving 10 Illinois distribution co-ops, is working hard to improve system reliability and manage rates, while building fiber [...]

The Office of the State Fire Marshal warns everyone to pay special attention to the distinct signals sent by carbon monoxide alarms when their life has expired. Frequently, people may believe that a beep coming out of their CO alarm means it’s time for a battery change, when in fact it means that the device [...]