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Nominating committees appointed for 2008 election Three directors to be elected at Annual Meeting on July 17
Last fall, Michigan Congressional Representative John Dingell offered a "discussion draft" for dealing with climate change. In his own words: "I’m trying to have everybody understand that this is going to cost and that it’s going to have a measure of pain that you’re not going to like."
Indeed, his draft bill, which he only introduced to generate discussion, included some sobering proposals indicative of potential legislation: 1) an additional 50 cents a gallon tax on gasoline and airline fuel, 2) a $50.00 per ton carbon tax (that could raise wholesale electric prices from coal generation by nearly 100 percent), and 3) a phase out of the interest tax deduction on homes in excess of 3,000 square feet.
Representative Dingell helped highlight the cost and social commitment that would be required if we are going to take meaningful action on climate change. Since that time, several studies of the possible cost of carbon legislation have been published.
Currently, a "Lieberman-Warner Bill" has been passed out of the U.S. Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee. It would institute a cap and trade system for carbon that would greatly impact electric rates for Hoosiers, who are dependent upon coal-fired generation.
Since the general public will ultimately bear the cost for whatever Congress decides about climate change, it is critical that the public be aware of the impacts of the legislation being considered, be involved in the discussion, and buy into the commitment and sacrifice they will be required to make. Everyone will be very tuned in once they see the impact on their electric bills. However, the best time to actually affect the direction the nation takes on climate change is now, on the front end, when the legislation is being developed.
Some questions you might wish to direct toward your congressional representatives to get the dialogue started are:
1) What is your plan to make sure we have the electricity we’ll need in the future?
2) What are you doing to fully fund the research required to make emissions free electric plants an affordable reality?
3) How much is all this going to increase my electric bill and what will you do to make it affordable? For assistance in beginning this dialogue with your elected officials, you may visit www.ourenergy.coop.
2008 right-of-way spraying season to begin in May Parts of Jackson, Jennings, Scott and Washington Counties included in this year’s program The REMC’s right-of-way herbicide spraying program for 2008 will begin in early May. Approximately 520 miles of right-of-way have been scheduled for this year’s program. The REMC’s tree and brush maintenance program represents a significant investment, the cost of which we feel provides you with the reliable electric service that meets your needs.
The REMC will again be using its own equipment and employees to perform the spraying, which has proven to be quite effective. Selective herbicides remove only unwanted weeds, brush and trees from rights-of-way. Ongoing research results show that spraying programs like the REMC’s enhance wildlife habitat by promoting grasses, low-growing shrubs and other ground cover that birds, deer and small animals prefer.
This year’s treatment area will include distribution lines served by the Chestnut Ridge substation south of Seymour; the area served by the Dudleytown substation in southeastern Jackson County and southwestern Jennings County; and the western part of Scott County and the eastern part of Washington County served by the Little York substation. Customers will be notified in advance of work starting in their areas.
Questions concerning the spraying program are welcomed. Just call us at 1-800-288-4458 or 358-4458.
by Betty Baute, Member Services Assistant
After my kids left for college I found it necessary to cut back on my cooking to serve just my husband and myself because we quickly tired of eating leftovers. It took a little math to figure the ingredients, and I had to make adjustments in pan sizes and cooking times. But, I’ve managed to adjust several of our favorites to two to four servings.
Here are some recipes already written for one or two servings. We’re also including a list of tips to help you reduce the number of servings of your favorite recipes. Baked rice for one 1/2 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup long grain rice (not instant) 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley salt & pepper to taste 1/4 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese
Combine broth, rice, parsley, salt and pepper in a greased 12-ounce baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 degrees or until rice is tender. Sprinkle with cheese; bake an additional 4 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. * * * * *
Orange cobbler for two 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/2 cup cold water 1/4 cup orange marmalade 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate 2 teaspoons butter 1/2 cup biscuit mix dash ground nutmeg 3 tablespoons milk vanilla ice cream
Combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan; stir in water, marmalade and juice concentrate. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened. Stir in butter until melted. Pour into a greased 1-quart dish. Combine biscuit mix and nutmeg in a bowl; stir in milk just until moistened. Drop by tablespoonfuls over orange mixture. Bake, uncovered 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream. * * * * *
Hobo dinners for two 1/2 pound ground beef 2 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4 cup chopped onion salt and pepper to taste 2 ice cubes
Cut two sheets of aluminum foil 18 inches X 13 inches. Shape beef into two patties; place one in the center of each sheet of foil. Divide potatoes, carrots and onion over the two beef patties; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add an ice cube to each dinner. Fold foil over and seal top and sides well. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Open foil carefully --- the steam will be hot! * * * * *
Quick baked apple for one 1 teaspoon finely chopped nuts 1 teaspoon raisins 1 teaspoon flaked coconut 1 medium tart apple dash ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons apple juice 1-1/2 teaspoons maple syrup
Combine nuts, raisins and coconut in a small bowl; set aside. Core apple and remove top third of peel; place in a microwave safe dish. Fill center of apple with nut mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Pour apple juice into dish and drizzle syrup over apple. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 2 to 3 minutes, or until apple is tender, basting and rotating every minute. Serve warm. * * * * *
Lazy lasagna for two 1 cup spaghetti sauce 1/2 cup cottage cheese 3/4 cup shredded mozarella cheese 1-1/2 cups cooked wide egg noodles 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Warm the spaghetti sauce; stir in cottage cheese and mozzarella. Fold in noodles. Pour into two greased 2-cup casserole dishes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly. * * * * *
Why the monthly "Watt High Lights"?
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