13 minute read
Co-op News
MESSAGE FROM CEO WILLIAM “BILL” HETHERINGTON
WE HAVE ALL READ about the cost of electricity going up, and this summer your electricity bill may have been higher than normal. But it is important to understand that if you spent more on electricity this summer, it could be that you used more to keep your house cool, which suggests there may be an opportunity to improve your energy efficiency and reduce this cost—and Bandera Electric Cooperative can help.
Even with the summer months in the rearview mirror, there are significant forces pushing up the cost of electricity. They include natural gas prices increasing due to the increased demand driven by a war in Ukraine; material cost increases due to increasing demand; supply chain issues and increasing labor costs; rising interest rates (the cost associated with borrowing money); growth of electricity demand in Texas; and finally, increases in costs associated with enhanced regulatory oversight due to the February 2021 winter storm.
Even with all these pressures, BEC is doing everything we can to keep our electric rates stable. The current average price for residential electricity in Texas is 13.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, and the average residential price at BEC is just above 10 cents per kWh. We have been able to maintain our rates at about 30% below the average.
Even with our ability to keep electric rates flat, we recognize that the costs of everything from gasoline to food to housing is increasing at an exorbitant rate. So if you need help getting your electricity costs down, we have several programs designed to help. You may remember one insurance company’s ad suggesting that with a 15-minute phone call, you can reduce your car insurance by 15%. With a similar call to BEC, you could save even more on your electric bill. The reality is we do not always understand how we use energy. Most residential customers get the electric bill each month and pay it. It has become ingrained to just pay the bill because the utility has never provided details about how you used the energy. Today, we can provide detailed information down to the second on how you are using energy, and yes, there is an app for that. Our Energy Saver program helps you make energy-efficient improvements in your home for 0% interest over 10 years. These improvements will reduce your energy bill and help you better understand how you are using energy. So remember—with our Energy Saver program, a 15-minute call with BEC could save on average 20% on your energy bill. D
BEC Participates in Kendall County Ag Day
ON WEDNESDAY, September 14, Bandera Electric Cooperative participated in the Kendall County Agricultural Day, orchestrated by the Kendall County Farm Bureau. More than 250 students, consisting of Boerne Independent School District fourth graders and Comfort ISD fifth graders, attended the event.
BEC representatives John Hernandez, line foreman, and Arnie Campos, field service technician, held bucket truck demonstrations and educated students on the personal protective equipment that field workers wear.
“The children’s faces light up when the linemen demonstrate the bucket truck,” said Kati Fitzpatrick, communications coordinator at BEC. “Kendall County Ag Day offers hands-on learning and a chance for our linemen to help educate children about electrical safety.”
Many organizations and businesses took the opportunity to help educate the elementary students during the event.
“It’s great for children to experience and learn about these things outside the classroom,” said Robert Hail, Kendall County Farm Bureau director. “Not every child has the opportunity to do that.”
Concern for Community is one of the Seven Cooperative Principles. BEC welcomes the opportunity to visit schools, libraries and community events with various educational presentations. For more information or to request a presentation, visit banderaelectric.com/communityoutreach. D
POWER TIP
Trim your holiday energy costs by choosing energy- efficient LED holiday lights, which use less energy and can last up to 40 seasons. MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 6
Set clocks back 1 hour.
Election Day Tuesday, November 8 Veterans Day Friday, November 11
Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24
BEC Opens Youth Program Applications
BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE opened youth program applications September 15. Each year, BEC offers scholarships to eligible high school seniors and currently enrolled postsecondary students and also sends deserving students to the nation’s capital as part of the Government-inAction Youth Tour.
BEC will award $2,500 scholarships to 10 students for the 2023–24 school year. The BEC scholarship may be applied to a four-year university, junior college or Texas Education Agency-approved trade school, as long as the student is considered full time.
BEC will also send high school students to Austin and Washington, D.C., on a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip in June 2023 to experience all the nation’s capital has to offer. While in D.C., students visit many of the nation’s exciting museums and memorable landmarks and meet their congressional representatives alongside other students from Texas and around the U.S.
The tour is hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and coordinated by Texas Electric Cooperatives. BEC is committed to the education of its members and their children—our leaders of tomorrow.
New Braunfels Area Community Foundation, an area nonprofit specializing in charitable giving and sound stewardship of funds and endowments, will manage the scholarship and Youth Tour selection processes to independently identify the most deserving recipients. Scholarship awards are based on financial necessity, participation in community and school activities, and an essay. Youth Tour participants are selected based on an essay.
Applications will be accepted through February 15, 2023, and can be found at banderaelectric.com/youthprograms. D
DID YOU KNOW?
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Bandera Electric Cooperative
CONTACT US P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003 Toll-Free 1-866-226-3372 (1-866-BANDERA) Web banderaelectric.com Email mas@banderaelectric.com
Board of Directors District 1 Robert Aguirre District 2 Frances “Fran” Laue District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum District 4 Jeremy Diller, Vice Chairman District 5 Annegreth “Anna” Niemann District 6 Richard “Dick” Earnest District 7 Christopher “Chris” Blakemore District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards, Chairman District 9 Kurt Solis, Secretary-Treasurer
Key Staff William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO Becky Bradburn, CFO John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO
Mission Statement Our mission is lighting the grid to empower our members.
Vision Statement Reimagining rural America.
24/7 Report Outages
TOLL-FREE 1-866-226-3372 myBEC Mobile and desktop app ONLINE OUTAGE MAP banderaelectric.com/OM
OFFICES
For hours and information, visit banderaelectric.com/hours.
Bandera Headquarters | 3172 Highway 16 N. Boerne | 1100 N. Main St., Suite 104 Comfort | 739 Front St. (Highway 27) Leakey | 485 West Ranch Road 337
PAYMENT OPTIONS • myBEC online or mobile app bill payment • Free bank draft service • Paperless billing • Level billing • Automatic recurring credit card payment • Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted • ECheck payment by phone • Cash or check payments in office • 24/7 payment kiosks at select offices • Payments accepted at Fidelity Express • Time-based usage program • PrePay program
Giving Thanks To Those Who Serve
NOVEMBER, AS YOU undoubtedly know, is a month in which Americans give thanks.
Naturally, what comes to mind is the holiday at the end of the month, when many gather with family and friends to count their blessings and enjoy a shared feast. There are many reasons to be thankful, including the fact that we are members of Bandera Electric Cooperative, a business that exists to serve others. The co-op’s talented employees are focused on providing the best possible customer service to its members, which is truly a blessing.
However, there’s another opportunity in the month to give thanks, and this one involves thanking others for making sacrifices on our behalf. This day falls on November 11, and it recognizes the men and women who have protected the freedoms we all enjoy.
This Veterans Day, you’re encouraged to thank the people you know— family members, friends and acquaintances—who have worn the uniform and served this country in the military. Please take a moment to reflect on what this day is truly about: to appreciate and recognize those who serve today and who served in the past and to remember their sacrifices, service with honor and dedication—and those who love and support them. It is because of veterans and their families that we as Americans can enjoy the freedoms that we often take for granted.
No matter the branch of service or the conflict, we all owe these people our gratitude for preserving and defending our great nation. It’s a debt that we cannot repay but one that we can honor by sharing with them our thanks. D
NATA_VKUSIDEY | ISTOCK.COM
Squash Bake
2½ cups cooked, mashed butternut or acorn squash ¼ cup plus 1⁄3 cup butter, softened and divided use 2 beaten eggs ½ cup milk ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup chopped Texas pecans ⅓ cup flour
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix squash, ¼ cup butter, eggs, milk and spices and spread into a casserole dish. Mix remaining ⅓ cup butter, brown sugar, pecans and flour together and sprinkle over squash mixture. 2. Bake 40 minutes or until lightly browned and hot.
SERVES 6
Find this and more delicious recipes online at TexasCoopPower.com.
Arthur Nagel Community Clinic Provides Hope and Health Care to Bandera County
BY KATI FITZPATRICK
THE ARTHUR NAGEL COMMUNITY CLINIC, founded in 2008, has become a beacon of hope to Bandera County residents. Nestled in the Village of Hope, neighboring Helping Hands and Tranquility Park, the Nagel Clinic provides medical care to rural families.
“We are really becoming part of the community,” said Susan Broa, clinical director. “People know where to come when they need help.”
Nagel Clinic is the only charitable safety net health care organization for qualifying low-income, uninsured residents ages 12 and older who reside in Bandera County. The core programs include primary care, men’s heath, well women, elder care, prescription assistance, Risk Busters preventive care and T.E.E.N.
“I don’t like to use this expression, but we are kind of a onestop shop,” explains Broa. “Any other time you go to the doctor, they would give you an order to go somewhere else. But we do it all here.”
Nagel Clinic has provided care for more than 5,000 patients with 38,000 medical and health education services since 2008.
People who seek medical care at the Nagel Clinic are not charged for the services but are asked to donate if they can. In 2021, the clinic provided $1.4 million in health care with a cash budget of only $670,000. To operate and provide quality care to Bandera County residents, the Nagel Clinic relies on foundations, grants and private donations. The clinic also hosts an annual fundraiser, the Cork and Fork.
This year’s eighth annual Cork and Fork will be held November 12 at the Farm Country Club in Bandera. It will feature a live and silent auction, catering from chef Aaron Gonzalez, and musical guest Weldon Henson. Every year the Nagel honors a hometown hero during its fundraiser; the recipients for 2022 are Bandera Independent School District nurses Trenna Fitzpatrick, Shirley Nichols, Toni Serene and Shanna Wilke.
“The Arthur Nagel Community Clinic offers an amazing service to the residents of Bandera,” said Fitzpatrick, the school nurse at Bandera High School. “It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization who has made such an impact in our community by providing quality health care to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access.”
Bandera Electric Cooperative is a proud sponsor of the Cork and Fork and supports the clinic’s mission to improve Bandera County health by providing medical care to eligible residents and promoting health education. The Nagel Clinic has been a member of BEC since 2008 and a fiber customer since 2017.
The internet is vital to the daily operation of the clinic, from communicating with other doctors’ offices and record keeping to making appointments and faxing patient information.
“Having fiber has made a huge difference; it makes our job a little easier,” said Broa. “It is quicker and more reliable than our previous provider.”
The Nagel Clinic is unique because of its interest in patients’ overall quality of life, not just their medical care. As part of its mission, the clinic promotes health education to provide patients with the knowledge to live a healthy lifestyle.
In the past 13 years, the clinic has invested more than $12 million into helping rural families in the Bandera community. It has restored health and hope to families and continues to offer quality health care to those in need. Often met with “I love you” and “thank you,” the Nagel Clinic has touched many lives. D
Prepare Your Heater for Winter Use
WINTER IS KNOCKING at the door, so now is the time to make sure your heating system is up to the task.
The Department of Energy’s heating equipment checklist can help ensure your system is in the best condition to efficiently heat your home before winter’s chill settles in.
Chores To Do Yourself
Replace air filters regularly. Inspect, clean or change air filters once a month or as needed to prevent energy cost increases or potential equipment damage.
Check for obstructions. Make sure vents, radiators and baseboard heaters are clear of obstructions like furniture so air can flow freely.
Check the fuel. If you have a propane furnace, make sure your fuel tank is full and ready to go.
Clean the heat exchanger. Remove dirt, soot and corrosion from the system and clean the heat exchanger to maintain heating levels.
Avoid fire hazards. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries or units if needed.
Test the System
If air vents emit a high-pitched sound, it usually (but not always) indicates a lack of return air. When the system needs to pull more air, the pressure and velocity of air moving through it increases, making for noisy vents.
Vents also might make a rattling or flapping sound, usually due to debris in the duct. A rattling sound coming from the furnace itself might mean a part has come loose and is moving around inside, while squeals or shrieks can indicate a bad belt. A metal-against-metal scraping sound can mean that part of the blower system is coming loose.
If you smell gas, burning, or an electrical or musty odor coming from the furnace area, it could be something as simple as an air filter that needs changing or as serious as a gas leak.
If the furnace is not heating, or not reaching the temperature on the thermostat, it could be one of several culprits.
These issues are all best addressed by a professional.
Tasks for a Pro
Inspect equipment. Make sure all connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchangers are working properly. Check electrical terminals, and clean or tighten connections if necessary. If your equipment isn’t working, it could be a fire hazard or cause the system to operate less efficiently.
Remove blockages. Inspect ducts, filters, blowers and indoor coils for dirt and other obstructions. Duct leaks are common and contribute to poor heating throughout the whole home. Holes, gaps and other damage can result in wasted heat, which leads to frustration and higher bills.
Lubricate motors. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors, increasing the amount of energy used and causing equipment to wear out quickly.
While you’re at it, get your cooling systems ready for winter. If you have window units, remove them and store them to eliminate air leaks. If you have a condensing unit, clean off debris and dirt to discourage rusting. D
