Latest news with #JoelAlexander
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utilities expected to hit 12-year record high this summer
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Summer months are just around the corner, and the higher temperatures that come with it could take a toll on household budgets by driving up the price of keeping homes cool. According to the National Energy Assistance Director's Association (NEADA), home electricity bills are expected to hit a 12-year-high this summer. 'It's definitely concerning with the price of everything anymore going up,' says Sara Barry, a City Utilities of Springfield customer. In the United States, home electricity bills are expected to rise to an average of $784 this summer. That's more than a 6% increase from 2024 according to the NEADA, marking a 12-year record. 'A lot of people are already budgeting pretty tightly. So, for there to be a big swing normally and then possibly the highest rates in 12 years, that's rough,' says Barry. The NEADA director says the summer price hike is due to high temperatures and electricity prices rising faster than inflation. Joel Alexander with City Utilities says they are prepared to meet the demand. 'We prepare everything we can to make sure we've got adequate fuel supplies, adequate natural gas delivery, that everything's up and working properly. But really, those are things we do on a daily routine basis anyway,' says Alexander. Yesterday, City Utilities announced a rewards program aimed at rewarding customers that choose to save energy during extreme cold and hot temperatures. Alexander says this is a win-win for both city utilities and its customers. 'Anything you can do to lessen the demand that you're putting on your system is going to lessen the demand that is putting on the overall utility power grid system,' says Alexander. Participants will be awarded $50 for enrolling their smart thermostats, then $25 annually for staying in the program. Another CU customer who Ozarks First spoke with says the extra cash could help their budget. 'You have to relinquish a little bit of control, but you get a little bit of money back that is appealing,' says Hewson Battie. You can find our previous coverage of the CU Peak Rewards program here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
City Utilities talks about supplies after severe weather repairs
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Just over one week ago, a powerful storm hit Springfield, knocking out power to 50,000 people around this city. Earlier this week, City Utilities posted to Facebook saying that multiple months' worth of supplies were used for repairs in just a few days. On that Facebook post, City Utilities explained that nearly 100 utility poles and dozens of transformers haven replaced since the storm and that number is expected to go up. Today, City Utilities told Ozarks First that even though months of their supplies was used, City Utilities is still prepared for anything. 'They have their own store rooms to make sure that they have what they need on site and in stock,' Joel Alexander with City Utilities of Springfield says. 'And they have people with purchasing that actually keep track of all that inventory to make sure that we have it at the count at the amount we need based upon historical usage,' Since the severe weather that struck Springfield on April 29, City Utilities crews have repaired 95 utility poles, 42 transformers, 136 cross arms and 88,000 feet of wire. Alexander explained to Ozarks First that City Utilities has a stockpile of all the supplies they need to make repairs. Even though they used months of supplies they will continue to restock. The Springfield Greene County Office of Emergency Management is also still working to help recovery efforts. They are telling residents to let them know about any structure damage from the storm. This will help them attempt to get any federal funding possible. If you have damage to report you can call (417) 829-6200. The OEM will need your address, contact information and the extent of the damage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR -
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
High winds cause hundreds of power outages, knock over trees
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – City crews were out Wednesday morning making repairs and clearing the road of any debris after high winds caused power outages and uprooted trees. Over 300 people were without power in Springfield during the morning hours thanks to those high winds. 'High winds can create an issue with galloping is what we call it, when the wind impacts the lines and they just continue to keep moving back and forth and everything,' said Joel Alexander with Springfield City Utilities. 'The system is designed to withstand quite a bit of Mother Nature.' One tree in the Southern Hills neighborhood fell and blocked the road. Crews were able to clear the road and trim the branches. Another tree fell on South Valley Road Ave. near East Sunshine Street. People living nearby say they heard the tree fall and officials were there quickly to help clear the debris. City Utilities says they were prepared for these events. 'Here in the Ozarks, we get to deal with just about everything, whether it's high wind, whether it's tornadic events, whether it's ice,' Alexander said. 'It's kind of like, 'Welcome to the Ozarks. We're going to get a little bit of everything.'' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
