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County considers energy options
May 19, 2009 (Claremore Daily Progress - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
County commissioners heard presentations on solar energy and cable safety, and asked Assistant District Attorney Barry Farbro to explore legal options for indigent burial at Monday's board meeting.
John Miggins of Standard Renewable Energy talked to commissioners about the possibility of supplementing county power needs with solar energy. Miggins said the courthouse roof is a good site for installing solar panels. He said there is also a possibility of installing panels at the jail.
"You buy a lot of power," said Miggins. He said the county gets a "good deal" on power purchased through Claremore Electric. The city has a 25-year contract with GRDA to supply Claremore Electric's power.
Solar power would supplement, not replace, electric purchased through the city. The investment comes up front in the purchase of the equipment, then the power generated is free.
"You own that system," said Miggins. "It's free energy."
Miggins said Oklahoma is the second best state for solar power. He said grant money might be available if the county wants to install the solar system. Power generated as a result would amount to 5-6 percent of the total electric bill the county currently pays. The system would pay for itself in 20 years.
The solar panels attach to the roof with clips and are rated for hurricane level winds, said Miggins. The DC generated solar power synchronizes to work with the traditional power source.
The solar system would be an investment of around $300,000 said Miggins.
"Our company does more than just solar. We also do energy audits," said Miggins. He said panels are warranted for 25 years, though a new inverter could be needed in 15 years.
Personal investors in solar get a tax credit, but Miggins said stimulus money may be available to help the county.
"We're looking at all of our options," said Chairman Mike Helm. He said commissioners will hear a presentation on geo-thermal next week.
Helm said the county has received a grant for $339,800.
The grant is administered through the state Energy Office and is part of stimulus funds recieved under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The money can be used to improve energy effiency or to reduce total energy use of the eligible entities, according to Robin Anderson.
Miggins said Standard Renewable Energy has been in business for 10 years.
Commissioners also heard a demonstration by Scott Canfield on cable organizers. Cords and cables are "zipped" into a protective plastic shell that combines the cables for safety and a neater office appearance.
"Everybody needs this," said Canfield. He said hospitals in Tulsa use the organizers. He told commissioners if the county buys 10 or more it will qualify for a 10 percent discount. Commissioners took his information in case any of the county offices wanted to order the mechanisms.
Commissioners also discussed indigent burial with Farbro.
"We've had several problems in Rogers County," said Helm. "Tulsa County isn't taking care of their indigents. They come over here. We don't want to get in the habit of burying everyone here."
Helm said several indigents were buried last year.
"Jim Smith has helped on a lot of it, but it's become a problem," said Helm.
"It's my opinion, if they don't die in Rogers County, we don't have to take them," said Farbro. "The only time we should be obligated is if there is no family available."
Commissioners asked Farbro to investigate the possibility of creating an application to help weed out those who are not truly indigent or who are not Rogers County residents.
In other county business commissioners:
--approved transfer of 5500 Watt Troybilt generator from D3 to Tiawah Fire District
-- authorized District Attorney to take legal action against Hall Manufacturing of Arkansas for "not honoring warrant they they issued on three pull-behind mowers that were a piece of junk and fell apart" on behalf of D3
-- approved blanket POs for EMS to Froman Oil $400; D1 to R&S Auto Parts $600; D2 to Fosters Parts and Body Shop based on estimate for truck repairs $7,499
-- discussed Consultant Inspection Contracts for bridges through Oklahoma Department of Transportation
-- approved transfer of funds from Election Board part-time salaries to travel $500; Sheriff's Service Fee (courthouse security) M&O to salaries $10,000; Sheriff's general fund travel to vehicle maintenance $10,000
-- approved utility permit to PSO to erect and maintain a "down guy anchor" to transport electric parallel to SH 266 in D2
-- approved lease purchase agreements with Welch State Bank for two Ox Body Dump Bed Mack trucks purchased from Bruckner Truck Sales inc. at the unit price of $1090,838 minus $63,000 trade-in for a lease purchase price of $52,012 each
-- tabled Inmate Telephone Agreement with AGM Telecom Corporation which will pay 52 percent commission to Sheriff's Office so that DA can look over the contract
-- tabled choosing qualified Elevator Inspector for further study.
-- approved juvenile detention contracts with Muskogee County Regional and Osage County Juvenile Detention Centers for FY 2009-10
-- acknowledged check from CMC Recycling for D3 $76 and $131
-- approved claim to state for reimbursement by Assessors Office for loss of revenue for 2008 in the amount of $86,758 due to homestead exemption
To see more of the Claremore Daily Progress, or to subscribe to the newspaper,
go to http://www.claremoreprogress.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Claremore Daily
Progress, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For
reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or
847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group
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