Other News and Information

The City of Springfield and Springfield School District 186 are working together to install a solar panel on Grant Middle School that would not only generate electricity but will also be used as a teaching aid for middle school students. The solar project, which will generate 1 kilowatt of supplemental electricity for the school, was made possible through a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation with assistance from City Water, Light & Power's Energy Services Office.

The Grant School photovoltaic system will be integrated into the school science curriculum and will provide real-time, hands-on opportunities for students to learn about the future of solar energy and its many possibilities as a viable energy source. Students will monitor the data derived from the system and track its output over the course of the school year.

The grant will provide for the purchase and installation of five Sanyo 200 watt photovoltaic panels on Grant Middle School. District 186 has already demonstrated its commitment to energy efficiency by retrofitting all lighting systems throughout the building and by installing LED exit signs as part of a district-wide program.

The Spaulding Dam boat launch at Lake Springfield will be closed through Saturday, October 11, to accommodate road work being performed in the area.

Boaters can use the four other public launches at:
        n    I-55, exit 88 (lake Springfield Marina Boat Launch)
        n    Lindsay Bridge
        n    Marine Point (for small boats, wave runners, windsurfers and canoes)
        n    Center Park (north of the Beach House; particularly suited for sailboats)

On April 15, the Springfield City Council approved a multi-step water rate increase that began May 1 and will extend over a three year period.

The 2008 schedule for CWLP's popular and informative Low-Cost /No-Cost Efficiency Workshops has been announced. Workshops will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. at Lincoln Library (main branch, downtown) on:

Wednesday	February 20	Carnegie Room South
Monday	April 21	Carnegie Room North
Tuesday	May 27	Carnegie Room South
Tuesday	August 5	Carnegie Room North
Monday	October 20	Carnegie Room North
Wednesday	November 12	Carnegie Room North

The workshops teach customers inexpensive and no-cost ways to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, allowing them to reduce their energy costs without sacrificing comfort. Participants will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience applying caulk, weatherstripping and flexible plastic window storms. They will also receive a free "starter" kit containing many of the weatherization products discussed in the workshop.

Shopping for a gift for someone who has everything (or, perhaps, someone who doesn't have enough)? CWLP's gift cards are the perfect solution. You can purchase them in any amount to cover all or part of a customer's CWLP bill. All you need to do is stop by the CWLP Customer Service Office and inform the cashier of the name and service address of the customer who is to receive your gift. Your payment, which can be made in cash or by check, will be applied as a credit to the recipient's CWLP bill and you will be provided with an attractive card you can give to your friend or family member to inform them of your generosity.

CWLP's 2007 Water Quality Report is being distributed with customer bills in May 2008. The report provides the results of tests performed on Springfield's drinking water throughout 2007 and shows CWLP met all drinking water quality standards set by state and federal agencies. If you miss your copy, if you are a CWLP water consumer who does not receive a monthly bill, or if you would like additional copies of the report, call 757-8630 or email publicinformation@cwlp.com. A copy of the report is also available on this website.

City Water, Light & Power equipment has become the latest casualty to copper thieves, who are apparently selling the metal to scrap yards for profit. Copper has been removed from over 120 pieces of utility equipment, which has caused some power outages and utility pole fires. Removal of copper from electrical equipment can also result in surges on the electrical system that can permanently damage appliances and equipment inside customers' homes and businesses.

CWLP officials say persons stealing copper from electrical equipment place themselves at risk of electrical shock or death during the act of removing the metal.

Tampering with electrical equipment, including the removal of any components, is a serious crime. CWLP and the Springfield Police Department are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the thieves. Police Chief Don Kliment notes that CWLP is not the only target, saying his department has had multiple reports of thefts of air conditioner coils and piping from construction sites.

Anyone seeing suspicious activity around electrical equipment should alert CWLP Security at 757-8600 or call 911. If you suspect other types of equipment are being stolen or tampered with, call the Springfield Police Department at 788-8311.

Motorists are urged to slow down and pay attention to City Water, Light & Power electric crews when driving in work zones.

"Electrical equipment lines many of Springfield's streets and often times crews are required to place equipment in traffic lanes," says CWLP General Manager Todd Renfrow. "This requires motorists or even individuals who might be walking in the work area to pay attention to caution signs and the movement of equipment."

To help prevent mishaps in work zone areas, motorists should:
      - Not tailgate. Many accidents in work zones are rear-end crashes.
      - Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, workers and
        other equipment.
      - Be patient. Traffic delays are often unavoidable.
      - Merge early and be courteous to other drivers.
      - Keep up with traffic flow and minimize distractions when in the work zone.

In addition to these public workshops, which are provided several times each year, the utility also offers free "on-demand" Low-Cost/No-Cost Workshops for civic and community groups, neighborhood associations, and other non-profit organizations. For more information about these on-demand workshops, call 789-2070, ext. 586, or email nrgxprts@cwlp.com.

CWLP is offering wooden reels to the public at no charge. The reels, which were used to hold cable and wire, come in sizes ranging from 12"x12"x8" to 84"x48"x36" (see illustration below for a description of how measurements are taken). They are available on a first-come first-served basis. The utility accumulates about 400 reels each year. To request a reel, or to check on availability, call (217) 757-8515, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Persons wanting a reel will be responsible for transporting it from CWLP's facility at 1600 Groth Street.

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