Power On Demand.

The CW&EP power plant was called upon recently to supply electricity to help make up for a shortage of power due to several area power plants being off line during the unusually warm weather.

According to CW&EP Production Manager Bob Williams, all nine generators were put into operation. A good portion of the electricity generated was sold to ease other communities shortages and during one six hour period, CW&EP was selling up to 25 megawatts per hour. The plant has the capacity to generate a total of 35 megawatts with cost per megawatt of generation at about $28 with the four newest engines to around $80 with the older engines.

Typically, CW&EP purchases from outside power plants for less that what it would cost to generate it locally, but during the shortage the price jumped close to $300.

Williams says it was a good test for the CW&EP plant. The system overall held up well, but some minor deficiencies were discovered that will be addressed soon. With the warmer weather, he expects to be running at least one of the generators every day throughout the month of June.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

The oft asked question of why we have maintained the power plant in Carthage is now bein’ answered. POWER!

Since the early 80’s, cheap power from outside sources has kept the plant pretty much at rest, only bein’ used in emergencies such as regional brown outs. As deregulation approaches and cheap energy becomes less available, the nine little generators occupyin’ the River Street power plant are obviously real assets to the community. We are one of the few such power producin’ communities left.

Just havin’ the capability of producin’ gives us one leg up in dealin’ with the "big boys" for better rates and other considerations. Carthage can consume over 50 megawats durin’ peak times. Bein’ able to produce up ta 35 of those is a nice secruity blanket.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Farm & Home, Inc.

Super Handyman

When you are working up on a stepladder, the last thing you need to hear is the sound of a tiny part dropping to the ground. To prevent that, try mounting a handy tray to the ladder's top "step." The tray can hold all sorts of things, freeing up your hands.

Just tape a clean foam meat tray to the top step. The lightweight foam makes for a good surface. Small parts won't roll around on it much.

When you are finished working, you can easily remove the tape. However, you might decide to make the tray a permanent part of your ladder.

Dear Al & Kelly: I had an old freestanding wardrobe that I wanted to convert into an entertainment center with adjustable shelves. I needed to drill a series of holes down both sides on the inside of the cabinet for the shelf brackets. To avoid making errors, I used a scrap of workshop pegboard as my drilling pattern. I laid it up against the sides and marked the placement of the holes to be drilled. It really looks great, and the shelves are straight. - B.B.

Dear Carrells: My junk drawer is full of all sorts of odds and ends. The last time I cleaned it out, I found many items that were packaged on cards. Unfortunately, the holes at the top of the cards were mostly broken out. I used a punch to make more holes, and then put a lot of them out in my shop on pegboard hooks. Now I have a lot more room in my junk drawer for some new junk. - P.J.

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