Southern Maryland Notebook:

Members of the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative have requested a drop in energy rates this winter.

The cooperative filed an application last week with the Maryland Public Service Commission to lower the residential winter energy rate from 11.24 cents per kilowatt-hour to 9.11 cents, a reduction of almost 19 percent.

Winter charges appear on bills in November through May.

"Electricity prices decreased this year because of the mild weather. The weather affects demand for energy, and lower demand results in reduced prices," said Sonja Cox, the cooperative's senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Residential energy rates for summer will decrease from 12.59 cents per kilowatt-hour to 9.75 cents, a reduction of 22 percent. If the commission approves the filing, the reduced charge will appear on March bills.

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative is a customer-owned electric cooperative that provides electricity to parts of Charles, St. Mary's, Calvert and Prince George's counties.

St. Mary's fair will offer scholarship information

A scholarship fair for St. Mary's residents will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Dr. James Forrest Career and Technology Center between Leonardtown Middle School and Leonardtown High School on Route 5. The free event will offer information about scholarships and financial aid.

Students can apply for scholarships at http://www.smcbeca.org.

For information, contact Bob Schaller at 301-475-4200, Ext. 1406, or bob.schaller@stmarysmd.com.

Southern Calvert , St. Mary's to test alert system sirens

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety's Emergency Management Division will test the alert and notification sirens throughout southern Calvert and St. Mary's counties at noon Jan. 4. The sirens will be activated for three minutes.

For information, contact the agency at 410-535-1600, Ext. 2638.