Energy

Westar Energy will be at the Salvation Army office on August first to talk with customers who may have trouble paying their big energy bill in this summer's heat wave. The company will have people there to talk with customers about options, including setting up payment plans. Westar is planning similar events in other cities, including El Dorado, Abilene and Newton. You can see the full schedule of Westar meetings at the related link.

Energy bills are rising as people around the state are trying to beat the heat by cranking up the air conditioner. In an effort to save money during the summer, the Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat at 78 degrees and setting it even warmer when you leave. Resist the urge to set the dial to a chilly temperature to cool down a hot room as it won't make a room colder any faster. Put appliances like TV's and lamps away from thermostats because they can absorb the heat and make your air conditioner work more than necessary.

New Millennium Wind Energy announced Friday it's bringing its first manufacturing plant to Newton. Governor Sam Brownback and other officials were there for the announcement. The company hopes to employ 70 people in the first year and eventually bring than number to more than 350 jobs in three to four years. The plant is expected to be operational by mid-2012. New Millenium plans to commit $20 - 30 million in resources. Read the press release from Gov. Brownback below: Governor Announces New Manufacturer will bring 350 Jobs to Kansas by Governor Sam Brownback on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 1:54pm Newton - Kansas Governor Sam Brownback announced that Colorado-based New Millennium Wind Energy has chosen the Kansas Logistics Park in Newton as the site of its first manufacturing facility.

The extreme temperatures are the topic of many discussions today. "I just can't believe it was 111 degrees yesterday. Good heavens," said one El Dorado resident. Even the energy companies are feeling heat. Officials at Butler Rural Electric say they have more outages during the summer than any other time of the year. Demand for energy is at its peak during summer, especially during certain hours. "Everyone comes home from work turns up the air, does the dishes and the laundry and that all causes spike for need in electricity," said the CEO of Butler Rural Electric, Dale Short.

The City of Wichita wins a $20,000 grant from the Kansas Historic Preservation Office toward bringing the 2012 state historic preservation conference to the air capital. The conference would happen in conjunction with the fourth annual City of Wichita Energy Summit and Fair. The joint event would take place during the last week of January at Century II and the Broadview Hotel. The Broadview was recently restored by the company Drury Southwest by using federal and state historic tax credits.

The Sedgwick County Commission approves an energy conservation plan for the county, which an energy firm says will ultimately save money. Some of improvements focus on the Sedgwick County Jail. Among the changes will be more efficient, lower wattage lights and a new jail laundry system. The new laundry system at the jail would use water injected with ozone instead of detergent. Officials with energy firm Consolidated Edison say it will use cold water instead of hot water and be gentler on the jail's linens.

Small upgrades to your home can save you money on your next electric bill. But in this economy, officials at Westar Energy say people are skipping those projects. Federal stimulus money is trying to change that by creating a new loan program for home upgrades. All over your home are ways to save money on energy. They're often hard to see, unless you look through Shawn Patterson's eyes. "That's what I help people identify," he said. "What they can do cost effectively and what they need to hire someone to do or forego all together.

The extreme cold took its toll on a major utility outlet Thursday as Sunflower Electric issued an "energy emergency". They asked customers to reduce their usage and conserve energy. Sunflower Electric Power helps power the Ellsworth correctional facility. Since it is a large client, the prison took notice. Officials say they have been trying to cut back on energy by installing energy efficient light bulbs and monitoring temperature throughout the living units. "We have already gone through the last four or five years redoing everything we do to conserve as much energy as possible," says Todd Britton of the Ellsworth Correctional Facility.

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation has cancelled its energy emergency for Thursday. The company asked customers serviced by Lane-Scott, Pioneer, Southern Pioneer, Prairie Land, Victory, Western, and Wheatland Electric cooperatives to conserve power Thursday morning. Sunflower says normal power usage can resume.

Freshman congressman Mike Pompeo from Kansas' Fourth District has been named to two subcommittees of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Officials with Pompeo's office say he will serve on the Subcommittee on Energy and Power and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.       According to Pompeo's office, the Energy and Power subcommittee deals with issues including national energy policy, renewable resources, energy regulation, utility issues and even regulation of nuclear facilities.