Connections

	· OUC Can Help You Go Solar · 1st Solar Biomass Plant · All Arts. All Week. All Free · Beware of Energy Vampires · Earned Income Tax Credit

News and Information from OUC –The Reliable One | JAN 2010

OUC Can Help You Go Solar

Trying to decide if solar panels make sense for your home?

OUC offers both solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) programs to help customers determine if solar is right for them and then to eliminate the upfront costs.

Simply by signing up, a customer can have solar hot water or solar photovoltaic panels professionally installed on his or her home. The installation costs appear on the customer’s monthly OUC bill and can be spread out for up to seven to 10 years.

Best of all, a partnership with the Orlando Federal Credit Union also provides no/low-interest loans to homeowners to increase the potential savings. To learn more about OUC’s solar programs, visit www.ouc.com.

biomass OUC, Harmony, FSU Team Up For State’s
1st Solar Biomass Plant

OUC recently agreed to purchase the renewable energy from a five-
megawatt solar biomass hybrid power plant in Harmony that will utilize the power of the sun and sustainable resources such as wood chips and grass
to generate electricity.

Located in Harmony, Florida’s Sustainable Energy Research Park in Osceola County, the plant will be the first of its kind in Florida and able to provide clean, renewable power to up 3,000 homes.

OUC will distribute the renewable energy to our customers, including the Harmony community, and receive the environmental attributes associated with the system, which is expected to come online within two years.
Harmony will build, own and operate the project, and the Florida State University Energy and Sustainability Center will conduct research and
provide educational opportunities at the site.

“Projects like this solar biomass plant help OUC diversify our generation mix and support our commitment to delivering clean, reliable and affordable power to our customers,” said Ken Ksionek, General Manager and CEO.

The landmark project will consist of 30 acres of solar troughs that help concentrate the sun’s energy to increase the efficiency of the power plant, which will be fueled by biomass feedstocks such as wood chips, grasses or algae that produce synthetic gas to fire a conventional boiler.

All Arts. All Week. All FREE!

ArtsFest is a celebration of Central Florida arts and culture that takes place for 10 days over four counties. Presented by Bank of America, this year’s ArtsFest includes 205 FREE arts and cultural events held in 75 venues across Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. ArtsFest provides you with a taste of everything the arts community has to offer in your own backyard!

ArtsFest Pre-Kickoff is Thurs., February 4
Join Power 95.3’s Obie & Lil Shawn for a special pre-kickoff event at Enzian. FREE admission to two great movies. At 5:30pm, early birds can enjoy entertainment and information from a variety of arts & cultural organizations. Then enjoy Pee Wee’s Big Adventure at 6:30pm and then stay for the 25th anniversary showing of Clue at 9:30 pm. Dress up as your favorite Clue character for a chance to win our special costume contest and valuable prizes to Central Florida arts and cultural organizations. Both films will be shown on TWO screens: one inside the theater and one outside on the Enzian’s lawn…take your pick! You bring the blanket and we’ll supply the popcorn.

For a full list of organizations, events, and times, please visit ArtsFestFL.com or call 407.363.5816.

Beware of Energy Vampires

Don’t let your wallet be sucked dry by TVs, DVD players, cell phone chargers, power adapters, computers and other electronics that use vampire power, or standby power, even when they’re turned off.

Although individually these devices typically draw a only a very small amount of power, together it adds up especially when left plugged in 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To combat these energy vampires and reduce your consumption, unplug the appliances when not in use. Using a surge protector with multiple sockets will allow you to turn off multiple devices with one switch. A timer can automate turning on and off those electronics that are used on a regular schedule.

Replacing battery powered devices, such as cordless phones or rechargeable razors, with corded alternatives also cuts down on the standby power required to charge the battery and reduces energy lost in battery charging.

Get the Tax Refund You Deserve - for FREE!

This year, hard-working Central Floridians (and those who worked at any time in 2009) may qualify for a tax refund of up to $5,657 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Get the tax refund you deserve – for FREE!

Claim the EITC and file your taxes at one of over 30 FREE tax preparation sites located throughout Central Florida. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars filing your taxes when you can file for free and receive 100% of your refund quickly and easily – usually within 10 days or less!

To qualify for the EITC you must meet some requirements, including:

Have earned income from employment or self-employment (at any time in 2009)
Have a valid Social Security number
Must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year, or a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien and filing a joint return

united way If you qualify and have already filed your taxes, you can re-file for this year and the last three years to claim your refund. That could result in more than $19,000 for you!

See if you qualify for the EITC and find a FREE tax preparation site near you. Visit www.hfuw.org or simply dial 2-1-1.

ouc logo

ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION
Reliable Plaza
100 W. Anderson Street
Orlando, FL 32801
Tel: 407.423.9018