AIKEN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.  HOSTS MAGICIAN TO MAKE ‘ACCIDENTS DISAPPEAR’ 

[Aiken, SC, March 11, 2008] – In an effort to teach children about electrical safety, Aiken Electric Cooperative brought a little magic to area first graders for the fourth year in a row.  Magician, Scott Davis, visited the cooperative to perform a special safety presentation to the students.  Davis performs over 350 live shows a year and has opened for late night talk show host, Jay Leno. His program, “Making Accidents Disappear,” is an educational and entertaining program that teaches children across the country the importance of electrical safety.  Davis has been performing magic professionally for over 17 years and his program has reached over 250,000 youngsters nationwide. 

“The program informs kids about the dangers of electrical outlets, downed power lines and water around electrical appliances,” says Aiken Electric Cooperative CEO, Gary Stooksbury. “We are pleased that this program is favored by the educational community and are always looking for ways to include education outreach in our marketing mix.  Scott definitely fits the bill.” 

Davis explains the program and its importance. “Because accidents, not diseases, are the number one killer of children in America, Making Accidents Disappear is a powerful tool that helps parents, teachers, and industry combat these otherwise needless tragedies. Unlike so many other causes of childhood death, accident related death is the one that is most preventable with proper education.”

First graders from Warrenville Elementary, Oak-Wood Windsor Elementary, Greendale Elementary, East Aiken Elementary and Merriwether Elementary schools visited the cooperative for the 2008 presentation of “Making Accidents Disappear.”

East Aiken Elementary school teacher, Tracy Holsenback, said, “I appreciate all the work and interest Aiken Electric Cooperative puts into educating our students about electrical safety.  It means so much to us and our children.”

Chamber honors Aiken Electric Cooperative for community presence 

On January 25, the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce named Aiken Electric Cooperative Large Business of the Year. At its 90th annual dinner, the chamber bestowed additional 2007 awards to Small Business of the Year, Youth of the Year and Man and Woman of the Year. 

CEO Gary Stooksbury accepted the award for the cooperative.  “I would first like to acknowledge our outstanding board of trustees for their support.  I accept this award on behalf of our 157 employees.  They are the ones who earned this honor through their community involvement and dedication to our 44,000 members,” said Stooksbury.

The Chamber gives this prestigious local award each year to a large business that exemplifies community involvement and commitment and has significant economic impact.

During the ceremony, Aiken Electric Cooperative’s 2007 accomplishments were highlighted. “In an effort to support the programs at W.W. Camp Long Leadership Center by reducing their energy costs, Aiken Electric purchased over 600 compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) from a local, independent wholesaler and employees helped install them during a planned work day.”

From a business perspective, the cooperative’s community contributions are outstanding.  “AEC is extremely active in recruiting new business to the area and works closely with the Economic Development Partnership, the Palmetto Economic Development Corporation and the SC Department of Commerce to attract new industry, investing over $5 million in our region toward economic development efforts.  A prime example is the recent zero-interest $740,000 loan awarded to Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, Inc. (GSF) for plant expansion in Graniteville, SC.”

Past recipients of this award are Bridgestone Firestone, Aiken Regional Medical Centers and Washington Group International.  Looking forward, Stooksbury sums up the Aiken Electric Cooperative spirit.  “AEC is proud of the quality of life we enjoy in our service area, and we’re serious about growing and improving our opportunities.”

Aiken Electric Cooperative wins national award

(Aiken) - Being green has its privileges.  Aiken Electric Cooperative has won a national award for its Green Power Solar Schools project at New Ellenton Middle School in New Ellenton, S.C.

Aiken Electric Cooperative is one of three co-ops in the nation to receive the National Community Service Award for its efforts to enhance the economic and social environment of the community.  The award, given by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), will be presented in February at the NRECA Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.

Awards are presented in three categories: Community Investment, Energy Efficiency and Youth Programs.  Aiken Electric Cooperative won in the youth program category.  The award “honors the significant contributions of rural electric systems to local, state, and national youth programs. Programs in this category help youth understand the cooperative business model, the importance of civic responsibility and political or community involvement.” 

The Green Power Solar Schools project is a partnership between the electric cooperatives in South Carolina and Santee Cooper, the state-owned utility.

 
In August of 2007, Aiken Electric and Santee Cooper officially dedicated a 2-kilowatt solar panel at New Ellenton Middle School.  An Internet-based monitoring system provides real-time access to information regarding the solar panel's performance.  Students at New Ellenton can compare the energy generated by their solar panel to that of similarly equipped schools in South Carolina and the nation.   The program is designed to encourage interest in the environment and demonstrate the feasibility as well as limitations of renewable power generation.

Clemson University, Aiken Electric Cooperative and the SC Energy Office team up to go green at Camp Long  

AIKEN, SC – “Learn. Serve. Conserve.” is the theme of Energy Work Day at the W.W. Long Leadership Center (Camp Long) today, where teams representing Clemson University, Aiken Electric Cooperative and the SC Energy Office are all charged up to take steps to make the site more energy efficient. The first of many energy-saving tasks the teams will accomplish today is installing 625 energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) around the site. 

The Energy Work Day at Camp Long was initiated by a comprehensive energy audit conducted from March through October 2007 by the SC Energy Office (SCEO), SC Budget and Control Board. The audit assessed over 41-metered buildings on campus, indicating a number of measures to improve energy efficiency. As part of the recommended upgrades, SCEO determined that replacing 625 incandescent bulbs with CFLs could save the site as much as $7,400 per year, based on an eight hour/day usage.   

Learning of the audit findings, Aiken Electric Cooperative, the utility provider for the site, agreed to invest in the purchase the CFLs and is providing staff to help install the bulbs today. Also, teams are posting signs in all facilities on site with energy-saving reminders for staff and program participants who work and live there year-round.

Aiken Electric Cooperative CEO, Gary Stooksbury said the company’s commitment to community is, in large part, the reason for their investment. “We’re committed to helping our members, our community and our environment.  This initiative goes hand-in-hand with the statewide cooperative investment of $10 million per year towards renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.”

Additionally, an Aiken Electric Cooperative line crew will be installing six transformer pads at identified outdoor HVAC units to improve efficiency.  The transformer pads will raise the units above ground to minimize the sand and dirt that collects at the base.

Run by Clemson University's Youth Learning Institute (YLI), Camp Long is a residential facility that serves at-risk youth through partnership programs with the SC Department of Juvenile Justice, the SC National Guard and Aiken County Public Schools.  

Programs at Camp Long foster education through "hands-on," nature-based, experiential learning techniques.

“We are incredibly grateful for all the energy that’s pouring into Camp Long today,” said Jorge Calzadilla, YLI executive director. “When the young people here see all the partners and volunteers on the site today, it not only demonstrates the importance of being good stewards of our energy resources, but it let’s them know people care about them too.”

Aiken Electric, a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, is a member-owned, non-profit electric utility serving approximately 43,000 consumers in Aiken, Barnwell, Calhoun, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington, McCormick, Orangeburg and Saluda counties. Touchstone Energy is an alliance of local, consumer-owned electric utilities around the country committed to providing superior customer service at affordable rates to all customers, large and small.

The energy audit, lead by Jean-Paul Gouffray with the Energy Office, also guided Aiken Electric in re-mapping the facility security lighting for additional monthly savings.  “If Camp Long can eventually implement the SCEO’s recommendations, they could reduce energy consumption by over 11% with a projected cost savings of over $19,000 per year,” adds Gouffray.

Other energy-saving recommendations Camp Long will pursue include:

  • caulking and installation of weather-stripping around windows and doors;
  • chinking for all log cabins on the site -- a process that plugs air leakage;
  • installation of a solar water heating systems at the dining hall; and
  • restoration of a grist mill on the site to generate hydro-electricity.

Camp Long officials say the Energy Work Day is a first step in an ongoing effort to respond to audit recommendations from the SCEO.

 

AEC has Green Power, SC’s first source of renewable power generation that uses methane gas to generate 3.3 megawatts of electricity. Buy Green Power or learn more here or at 1-800-922-1262.

Current Green Power Newsletter

Ongoing Projects

Right-of-way trimming  

 When you see our crews out trimming or removing trees and other growth around power lines, please realize this is your cooperative’s most necessary step in making electric power for your home as safe and reliable as possible.
Right-of-way maintenance is a necessary and ongoing process of your cooperative.

 

Meter Conversions

Automated meter-reading units are being installed across the cooperative’s service.  The cooperative is using a type of AMR technology known as TWACS, short for Two-Way Automatic Communications System. TWACS meters transmit power-use information over co-op power lines back to the cooperative.  Automated meter reading will further improve service to Aiken Electric Cooperative members, according to Bret Evans, Chief Operating Officer.  For more information, check the local pages of Living In South Carolina, found on the home page.
Aiken Electric Cooperative makes it easier than ever to pay your electric bill.

Bank Draft…simply your life with Aiken Electric Cooperative’s Bank Draft payment program. With Bank Draft, your checking or savings account will automatically be drafted each month for the amount of your electric bill. No more running out to buy a stamp or worrying about paying your bill on time! Convenient, safe and guaranteed bill payment on time.

Aiken Electric also serves up other easy and convenient ways to pay:

∙ Credit Card Draft – automatically charge your bill to your credit card

∙ Pay By Net - pay your bill on-line-anytime using your credit card

∙ Automated Pay Station – View and/or pay your bill 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

∙ E-billing and E-checking – electronic options via the Internet or telephone

Four values are the foundation of every Touchstone Energy co-op’s service to its members.
It’s how Touchstone Energy® cooperatives put their slogan—the power of human connections—into action and earn the trust of millions of  people, every day 

    

Innovation Accountability  
  Integrity Commitment to  Community  

And the survey says:  

Touchstone Energy Co-ops Lead  Industry in Customer Satisfaction

Touchstone Energy® cooperatives continue to set the benchmark for energy industry service, obtaining a high score of 82 for customer satisfaction in a first quarter 2003 survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).  The score is nine points higher than the electric utility industry average of 73, with only one other utility scoring as high as Touchstone Energy co-ops.

 Water Heating Program
 Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. is offering installation financing for new 50 and 80 gallon electric water heaters which also offers a maintenance / warranty program for a monthly fee.  There is no cost for the water heater. Members can finance the $200 cost of the installation and pay with monthly payments through their electric bill. Please call or stop by one of our offices for more detail.  Some restrictions apply.