Berlin Young Farmers Hear About Deregulation Of Electricity GAY BROWNLEE Somerset Co. Correspondent BERLIN (Somerset Co.) The Berlin Young Fanners, after thoughtfully listening to the un biased presentation that Dennis Buffington gave about the deregu lation of electricity in Pennsylva nia, as the meeting closed, gravi tated into threesomes and four somes for spontaneous and low-voiced discussions! Generally they seemed united, agreeing that small guys like themselves will profit far less from the coming choices in a ros ter of electrical suppliers than will big commercial users, who they expect to reap the greater good. Nor is their breath being held in anticipation of an increased cash flow of their hard-earned bucks once the three-year switchover is said and done in 2001. Buffington, who spent 11 years heading up Penn State’s Agricul tural and Biological Engineering Program, and now is teaching re search and extension activities, however, expressed a firm belief that deregulation will prove posi tive. Getting knowledge beforehand is critically important o ?an*H' Sccfrfrtef P^ ,s cqq£ **lP» 4, 1»i m. n •»• a See working parlor displayll Grade 5 Hex and Carriage Bolts $ oo ■99 per lb. red DARE gate handle —pnnnmnpnißnn —jhjw-. & *P<znm Sufcfilty 1 1 Shippensburg 800-872-7478 Elizabethtown 800-872-7478 » 717 367-1221 “We must prepare. I’m con vinced there are going to be bene fits,” Buffington said. "There’s no doubt everybody will be affected by deregulation, how we buy electricity and how we use electricity,” he predicted. “Enjoy youir supper while you can,” he quipped. Simply, that means the power companies, will also do product campaigning at family mealtimes when deregulation of electricity is in full swing. Don’t make any spur-of-the-moment decisions. Ask for printed material and think about the information. Many choices will be available, resulting in a confusing maelstrom of information for some Pennsyl vanians. “The Key is education. Know how much electricity costs now so you can compare,” the professor said, advising the meeting at tendees. Farmers should be taking a hard look at their current electrical usage to determine per kilowatt hour their cost of operating. Mak ing some adjustments now is plain good sense in order to shop the competitive market later. Gilmour I S4C9O insulated water nozzle V Bio Vet j j a mao New improved STRESS $095 Ames CAPSULE. Concentrated \\ 4 " tin ® vitamins, chelated trace L-pp k Qm minerals and lactic acid _ producing bacteria to nc i 1 /Tm get cattle started on feed j, / 1 f I faster. ? |F j / Gener-Cap for adult ' 111 Icattle. To accomplish this, he/she first must understand the utility bill which lists generation, transmis sion. distribution, local service and tax on separate lines. Know which machines and equipment pieces in the operation arc the primary users of electri city. Vacuum pump, milk re frigeration equipment and silo un loader, for instance. Start managing the electrical demand by staggering the use of these items, especially if you are an “on-demand,” charge cus tomer. Calculate the cost of electricity to produce 100 pounds of milk, a dozen of eggs, a pound of meat, a flat of bedding plants or a bushel of fruit Commercial business owners would figure their cost per cus tomer, Buffington said. Additionally, know what’s hap pening with developing tech nology regarding the more effi cient motors designed to reduce electrical consumption. Sometimes, because the savings will be realized in daily usage seen over the long haul, such an invest ment is well worth the initial cash SURGE, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 14, 1998-A4l outlay. Think smart, however. Only a thorough study of its potential val ue to the operation should precipi tate such an important investment by those concerned with it Doyle Paul who buys electricity from his municipality wondered how deregulation would affect the arrangement “Berlin borough has its own electricity and sells out to cus tomers,” he reported. “Most municipal power sys tems will be sticking with the sys tems they have now,” Buffington replied. Some three representatives from the Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative one of the stale’s 13 rural cooperatives agreed that the information Buffington presented was neutral in content Two rural cooperatives, with eight electric companies are parti cipating in the pilot program. The Somerset REC, according to its representatives, isn’t one of them. “Your utility company wants to keep you as a customer,” Buffing ton said. “They will answer all your questions.” In fact the state Public Utilities Commission has developed guide lines for the deregulation process that include universal service and energy conservation programs; consumer education; support to low-income consumers and relia bility of the electricity supply. The deregulation phasing in process by January 1, 2001, will give choice to all customer classes in Pennsylvania. The pilot programs are provid ing a deregulated environment in which both utility companies and some customers, before Jan. 1, 1999 are experiencing how it operates. One-third of the customers will then make the choice of an electric utility company official. Local providers of electricity, as now will continue to maintain the systems in their areas, even if the customer’s provider is in an other state and each month pays that company for the kilowatt hours of electricity used. The Cooperative extension of fices and the Public Utilities Com mission have fact sheets and de tailed information for interested persons. Agronomy School March 4 POTTSVILLE (Schuylkill Co.) The 1998 Tri-County Agro nomy School will be presented by Penn State Cooperative Extension from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, at the elementary school/ community center in Gratz. Reservations ($5 per person) are required and can be made by contact ing J. Allan Shoener at the Schuylkill County/ Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Potts villc, PA 17901, (717) 622-4225, or Jerry Mar tin at the Dauphin County/Penn State Co operative Extension Of fice, 1451 Peters Moun tain Road, Dauphin, PA 17018,(717)921-8803. Reservations are due by Monday, Feb. 23. David S. King Iron Worker Manufacturer of Church Bench folding hinges. SCOTCHMAN BEWO CIRCULAR COLD SAW Check Us For Used Iron Workers Selling Scotchman Uni ubea 873 South Railroad Street, Myerstown, PA 17067 717-866-6556 .1 HYDRA INWORKER 120 TONS M(l 0
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