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Bamberg Board of Public
Works Manager Bruce Ellis
informed everyone at Monday
night’s meeting that BPW has the
lowest electrical rate in the state
according to a recent Municipal
Power Association’s analysis of 21
municipalities.
“Since 1980 the Board of
Public Works has had the lowest
rate in SC. We also have a 'Power
Factor' rating of 95, which is very
good,” said Ellis.
According to Ellis, the Power
Factor rating basically is the
efficiency of an electrical utility
system.
Ellis went on to say that
because BPW falls under a lot of
government agencies that are
regulated such as DHEC, EPA and
DOT, a lot of what BPW does will
be regulated and will no longer be
an option. The Department of
Transportation (DOT)
regulations will affect BPW
employees' use of electronic
devices such as cell phones and
Blackberry's (PDA's). Ellis said
that the BPW is going to have to
implement a cell phone use policy
to comply with DOT requirements
for its employees.
"It is all about making the
public aware now. BPW is no win
the natural gas SHRIMP program,
which is a template for educating
the public and is designed to meet
the federal guidelines for
Distribution of Natural Gas
Integrity Management Program
(DIMP)," said Ellis.
BPW customers will start
seeing billboards, news articles,
advertisements and will even get
notices in their bills in regards to
all this says Ellis.
Buzzy Bunch was sworn in
as the new commissioner of the
Board of Public Works. Bamberg
City Council members appointed
Councilmember Buzzy Bunch to
fill the vacant seat on the board.
Bunch resigned his city council
position to accept the appointment
to the BPW position.
“Working with the city
council, I know that side of it now
and working at BPW for several
years and knowing their side, I
think I can bring the two sides a
little closer together.”
In other business:
• The Board approved the
purchase of a new tractor for
$47,578.00.
• The Board discussed third
party notification. Before turning
off a customer's utilities a third
party can be notified if BPW has
their name on file. |
