KLUX will dedicate new emergency generator plant

On Monday morning, Aug. 20, at 7:45 a.m., supporters and benefactors of KLUX 89.5 will gather at the studios of the listener-supported radio station at 1200 Lantana Street in Corpus Christi for ceremonies to bless and demonstrate the newly completed 50 Kilowatt emergency generator plant that now serves the station's main studio building. 
 
The new power plant is important to the community because it insures that the station will have the required electrical power to further its commitment to serve during critical weather and chemical related emergencies, station manager Marty Wind said.  
 
“While previous systems were able to keep the station on the air, they were not automatic and were unable to keep up with the escalating cooling requirements mandated by ever increasing equipment heat loads,” Wind said.
 
KLUX has a unique association with the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the area's 911 Metrocom dispatch operation that gives authorities the ability to immediately broadcast emergency advisories and warnings in the event of a chemical or other civil emergency.  These services, as well as important hurricane and severe weather coverage, will be directly benefited by the new emergency power system.
 
In recent years, KLUX has been honored by the Emergency Management Association of Texas with their Outstanding Media Award for service to Emergency Management in Corpus Christi and Nueces County.
 
The generator set and new automatic transfer switches were purchased with proceeds from the on-air "Powerthon" fundraiser held by the station last fall, and a $10,000 grant from the Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Kennedy Foundation of Corpus Christi.  The station's generator technician is Paul Lang and the project design Engineer and manager was Ed Rotter, P.E.
 
Monday morning's festivities will feature a Prayer of Thanksgiving and Blessing of the new system by Msgr. Michael Howell, Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and Board President of Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation, licensee of KLUX. nThe blessing will be followed with a demonstration of the new system. 
 
The entire event will be carried live on the station's morning show hosted by longtime Corpus Christi air personality Tom Lynn.