This year’s state fair featured a brand new area with renewable energy displays, activities, engaging safety and energy efficiency programs, guest speakers and giveaways – along with returning features like the arcs and sparks of live power line demos and other traditional favorites. It was all about “safe, smart, clean, and green” energy in the [...]

In 2012, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced energy-­conservation standards for all water heaters – gas or electric, storage or instantaneous – and set specific ­efficiency levels based on fuel type and size. For tank-type electric water ­heaters, 55 gallons or smaller, the new standard set the minimum energy factor at .96 (or 96% energy-efficiency). [...]

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), in cooperation with Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative (RECC), installed two elevated platforms intended to attract nesting ospreys at Sangchris Lake State Park southeast of Rochester. Ospreys – a bird of prey listed as an endangered ­species in Illinois – nest in large trees, on rock ­formations, or on [...]

Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL 19) held his Ag Advisory Board ­meeting at the offices of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives in August. He voiced concern about passage of the Farm Bill, drought relief for area farmers and regulations on local community bankers. Shimkus said, “When the pictures of a national drought are from your [...]

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism (DCEO/IOT) announced that the 2012 Illinois Travel Guide is now ­available to consumers. The all-new guide combines a newsstand magazine look and feel with the practical information visitors expect from a travel guide. “We are pleased to offer consumers a brand-new travel guide,” said [...]

Many years ago, Mark Twain said, “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Mark Twain was right – to a certain extent. There is nothing we can do to change the weather. However, there is something all of us can do to make life a little easier for ourselves when the [...]

In August Governor Pat Quinn announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had declared 98 of 102 Illinois counties as disaster areas. Approval means federal disaster assistance is now available to help farmers in these counties. A combination of extremely hot and dry weather has stunted crop development across the state, ­especially in corn, which [...]

Speaking to the leaders of the state’s electric cooperatives at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ Annual Meeting, Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon spoke about school consolidation and improving rural Internet access. Simon said she is proud to be a member of Egyptian Electric Cooperative and proud of her nephew who is a lineman for the co-op. [...]

Coal mining was once a ­thriving ­business in western Illinois’ Henry County. At its peak, up to 100 railroad cars of coal left Midland Coal Company’s Atkinson ­processing plant daily. But in 1964 the last coal mine shut down ending coal mining in the county. Today, the landscape left in ­mining’s wake has been restored ­creating [...]

At the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ Annual Meeting held on August 2 in Springfield, State Senator Gary Forby, D-59th District, received the 2012 Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ Public Service Award. Although he was unable to attend it was announced that State Representative Michael Unes, R-91st District, received the ­second Public Service Award for this year. [...]