A deadly mistake

A compact savings

GreenWise Power for a cleaner environment

Cost less! Less fillings!

Adopt A River spring cleanup is April 20

This tragic accident occurred in southeast Michigan but it could have happened anywhere, including right here in Lansing. Energy theft is more than just a crime. It can result in serious injury or death, to the person doing the stealing or to an innocent bystander or utility employee.

The BWL is a public power utility, owned by its customers. So, when someone steals electricity, they steal from other customers, while putting themselves and their neighbors in harm's way. You can help put an end to this illegal and potentially deadly practice. Report energy theft by calling us at 702-6006.

If you're looking to save money and do a favor for our environment, consider stocking up on some compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Here's an interesting fact one of our customers shared with us, and which we'd like to pass on to you: If every U.S. household replaced just one standard incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent, we'd save the energy equivalent of all the electricity generated by one large power plant running all year.

You may be shocked by the price (good compact fluorescents can cost $15 to $20) but they use so little energy and last so long that your purchase cost can be returned in savings many times over. For the best efficiency, use them in your home where lights are left on for at least two hours a day.

For more about compact fluorescents and lots of other good energy-saving tips, we suggest visiting Seattle City Light's Web site at http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/light/conserve/tips/.

GreenWise Electric Power from the BWL comes from environmentally friendly, renewable resources. Our current supplies come from two small hydroelectric dams and from locally produced landfill gas. Each block of 250 kilowatt-hours per month will add $7.50 to your monthly bill. One block of GreenWise Electric Power is enough to meet about half the monthly energy needs of our average residential customer.

To sign up or to find out more about GreenWise Electric Power, click here, or call us at 702-6006.

In previous issues of Connections, we've discussed cost and value comparisons between BWL water and bottled water, and the fact that you pay the same for 400 gallons of BWL tap water as you do for a 20-ounce bottle of fancy bottled water of equal quality.

Now it turns out there's a health reason as well for preferring tap water over bottled water.

We recently ran across an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel which reported that dental officials are concerned bottled water consumers may be robbing themselves and their children of enough fluoride to protect their teeth. The article quotes a spokesman for the American Dental Association who observed that "if children are using bottled water mostly or exclusively for drinking, they may not be getting enough fluoride to prevent decay." The spokesman added that fluoride also is critical for adult teeth because it promotes enamel remineralization and prevents cavities.

There are as many as 400 companies peddling bottled water, but only 14 add fluoride to their product, according to the International Bottled Water Association. On the other hand, BWL water contains fluoride concentrations of 1.0 parts per million, the optimum amount recommended by the Michigan Department of Public Health.

Healthier teeth and a fraction of the cost. Two good reasons to rely on drinking water from the BWL.

So mark your calendar for Saturday, April 20, when more than 400 Adopt A River volunteers will gather for some serious spring river cleaning. Sponsored by the BWL and administered by the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council, Adopt A River encourages folks to take good care of the rivers that flow through our area.

Our spring river cleanup begins with registration and breakfast at 8:00 a.m. under the Shiawassee Street Bridge near the Lansing City Market. We'll provide you with gloves, trash bags and a place to clean, and toss in a free lunch and family fun activities when you're done.

For more information, or to pre-register for the cleanup, call Mid-MEAC at 485-9001.