December 2008 • Vol. 5, No. 6 A Shoreline Community, Pine Knoll Shores, N.C. Town Hall 247-4353
Pondering Paintings - The works of 16 local artists drew ar\ appreciative crowd
to the gallery at Bogue Banks Public Library November 14. The occasion was a
reception that gave visitors a chance to chat with those whose works were on
display. The gallery exhibits change monthly and generally are ushered in with
a meet the artist(s) reception. Story on page 6
Beacon's Reach Building
$2.7 Million Treatment Plant
By Jim Scanlon
Conservation Campaign, Weather
Produce Big Electric Usage Drop
By Bill White
Like many coastal communities,
the town of Pine Knoll Shores faces
increasingly serious wastewater treatment
issues. Several attempts have been made
during the past few years to encourage
a coordinated approach to these issues
that would be led by the town. These
attempts have not been successful. As a
result, homeowners associations and, for
that matter, many individualhomeowners
have been left to face wastewater issues
independently. The Beacon's Reach
Master Association has now taken direct
action to address the wastewater treatment
situation in Beacon's Reach.
Construction is underway in Beacon's
Reach on a new wastewater treatment
plant. When completed in April, 2009, the
I new $2.7 million facility will replace an
existing one that is almost three decades
old. It will significantly reduce the nitrates
and phosphates in processed effluent as
compared to the effluent produced by the
present facility. Its efficiency in meeting
modem wastewater treatment standards
will bring it fully into compliance with
the expectations of the State of North
Carolina. In fact, the new plant may
serve as a model for other areas of Pine
Knoll Shores facing wastewater issues
on their own.
October saw a dramatic reduction of
17.01 percent in electrical usage in Pine
Knoll Shores as compared to the same
period last year. It marked the third month
in a row that electrical usage dropped
as the community, led by town officials,
pursued an electric conservation effort
aimed athelping the nation achieve energy
independence.
The 17.01 percent
reduction in
October followed a
dip of 5.30 percent
in September and
7.47 percent in
August, the first
month electrical
consumption was
measured against
a 2007 benchmark.
Launched in July,
the conservation
campaign has a goal
of reducing overall electrical consumption
in PKS by 10 percent by next summer.
While the better than 17 percent
reduction in October was dramatic
indeed, officials are well aware that many
factors, notably the weather, play a role in
increasing or decreasing the demand for
electrical power. In fact, Carteret-Craven
Electric Cooperative representatives
report that there were more days in
October, 2007 than in October of this
year when consumers were likely to turn
on air conditioning to keep their homes
comfortable, thereby increasing electrical
usage.
Nevertheless, the difference in weather
conditions was not that great to account
for the dramatic October drop, indicating
that the conservation campaign is
indeed having
an effect. While
acknowledging
the weather factor.
Mayor JoanLamson
said the October
results had to be
considered great
news on the
conservation front
and expressed
the hope that
homeowners
were experiencing
savings in electricity
similar to those reflected in the community
as a whole.
The conservation campaign is built
around a list of Tips of the Month put
together by the electric cooperative to
remind consumers of practical practices
that can be put into effect to heighten
electrical energy effectiveness. The tip
this month centers on keeping the globes
of overhead lights clean to not only
brighten the home but hopefully make
(Electric Usage) Continued on Page 2
WILLIAM & BARBARA WHITE Standard
PC BOX 1644 Pre-Sort
ATLANTIC BEACH, NC 28512 Permit #35
8^ch, Ne 28512
(Beacon’s Reach) Continued on Page 2
Deadline for Jan. issue is Monday, Dec. 22 Deadline for Feb. issue is Monday, Jan. 19 Articles always welcome!
Tip of the Month
Light up your life. Remove
globes from overhead lights
and wash them in warm, soapy
water. Clean light covers let more
light shine through, which will
make your room look brighter
and save you from turning on a
second lamp.