Big Rivers Electric Corp. says plans to shut down a western Kentucky power plant have been delayed.

The Henderson-based company told The Gleaner that it has found a buyer for half of the power produced at the D.B. Wilson power plant in Ohio County for the next two months. The plant had been slated to close on Saturday.

Big Rivers spokesman Marty Littrel said Thursday that the hope is another deal will be struck that extends the life of the power plant even more.

“As a result of the contract, we will not have to idle Wilson until at least April 1, and we might be able to strike another deal (then) for two months, four months, hopefully 12 months,” Littrel said.

“I know it’s not easy for our employees” who thought they were being laid off, Littrel said. “But it brings value to employees and the communities where we buy (1.2 million tons of Kentucky) coal (each year) and the owners of Big Rivers.”

The action was planned in the wake of Big Rivers’ two largest customers leaving after the entities couldn’t come to terms on electric rates.

“This development substantiates what our management team has been saying; that our generation units are cost-effective and bring value to our members even during depress market conditions,” Big Rivers CEO Mark Bailey said in a memo to employees.

The company still plans to idle another power plant in Hawesville on June 1.

Effective Monday, Jan. 27, Jeremiah Griffin, a line tech in the Henderson District, became one of the district’s crew leaders.

Among many duties, a crew leader oversees job orders for underground and overhead infrastructure.  Also, crew leaders are responsible for crew safety, welfare and work performed.

Griffin assumes the position once held by George Brown, who retired on Dec. 31.

Griffin was hired as a line tech at Kenergy in 2011. Prior to coming to Kenergy, he had worked one year for Hendrix and five years for Henderson Municipal Power & Light.

“Jeremiah is a good team player with a great work ethic,” said Henderson Construction Manager Jerry Phillips. “We were pleased to offer him this opportunity, and we’re happy he accepted the challenge.”

Griffin and his wife Brittney live in Robards with their sons Isaac, 5, and Jacob, 3.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2014) – With a blast of Arctic air covering the state, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) says consumers can limit the impact on their home heating bills by taking steps to reduce energy consumption.

“As temperatures plummet, energy usage and home heating bills inevitably rise,” PSC Chairman David Armstrong said. “But a few simple steps can help limit the effect.”

Since weather – not price – is the dominant factor in determining energy usage, the best weapon consumers have to manage their energy costs is to take steps to reduce consumption, he said. Those measures can be as simple as turning down the thermostat a few degrees, Armstrong said.

Jimmy Boone of Hartford is Kenergy’s new Member of the Year.The 55-year-old Atmos Energy employee leads the efforts of the Ohio County Food Pantry, which helped nearly 700 families in October.  That number does not take into account 200 or so schoolchildren served weekly through the pantry’s Backpack Ministry. The Backpack Ministry sends kids home on Friday with enough food to last the weekend.

In addition, the Ohio County Food Pantry shares its bounty with a ministry in eastern Kentucky that has ties to Boone’s church.

“God has called me,” he said.  “This is my ministry.”

Boone uses two of his own trucks and trailers to pick up thousands of pounds of food donated monthly to the pantry. He estimates he volunteers at least 20 hours a week to the nonprofit.

“It’s a lot of work, and it’s not easy work,” said the Rev. Stephen Seaford, interim pastor at Living Faith Baptist Church in Hartford. The food pantry is one of the church’s ministries.

Boone attends Living Faith and has been part of its food ministry since 2006.  He became the director in 2009.

Boone works 50- to 60-hour weeks as a town operator at Atmos.  He volunteers at the food pantry in addition to his full-time job.

“Working with the food pantry makes me realize how truly blessed I am,” Boone said.

To honor his dedication and volunteerism, Kenergy donated $1,000 to the Ohio County Food Pantry.

Judges also selected two finalists.  They are Ray Whistle of Panther and Jill Ward of Owensboro.

The cooperative donated $100 to nonprofits for which Whistle and Ward volunteer.  A $100 donation went to the Moseleyville Fire Department in Whistle’s honor. And $100 went to New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services, where Ward helps victims of abuse.

“Kenergy members are amazing,” said Renee Beasley Jones, communications and public relations manager. “Their volunteerism improves the quality of life in the communities where they live.  The Member of the Year program honors our members’ efforts.”

This is the third time Kenergy has selected a Member of the Year.  Past winners were Joe Elliott and Rebecca Baughn, both of Daviess County.