Your Electric Co-op

General Manager

Lance Adkins

Clovis Office

3701 Thornton Clovis, NM 88102 575-762-4466

Ft. Sumner Office

618 East Sumner Ft. Sumner, NM 88119 575-355-2291

Santa Rosa Office

1169 Historic Route 66 Santa Rosa, NM 88435 575-472-3971

Toll-Free

800-445-8541

Website

www.fecnm.org

Office Hours

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F)

“Owned By Those We Serve” Board of Trustees President

Michael B. West Fort Sumner, District 3

Vice President

George Dodge, Jr. Santa Rosa, District 4

Secretary-Treasurer

Donnie Bidegain San Jon/Logan, District 7

Vacant

Tucumcari-Ragland, District 5

Ernest Riley

Melrose, District 2

Justin Barnes

Clovis, District 1

John Pat Woods

Broadview/Grady, District 6

Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Clovis Cooperative boardroom.

Harvest Season - Avoid Electrical and Other Hazards

The rush to harvest can result in agricultural workers and farmers working extra-long days with little sleep, which can impair judgment and allow them to forget necessary precautions. Power lines can pose a major hazard for farmers. Before working in a field or around shops or grain bins, always take the time to note the locations of power lines so that you can make sure to remain a safe distance from them.

To stay safe around overhead power line, we urge farm operators and workers to:

• Always use a spotter when operating large machinery near power lines. • Use care when raising augers or the beds of grain trucks around power lines. • Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines—at all times, in all directions. • Inspect the height of farm equipment to determine clearance. • Always remember to lower extensions to the lowest setting when moving loads. • Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance. • If a power line is sagging or low, call Farmers’ Electric immediately. • If contact is made with a power line, remember that it is almost always safest to stay on the equipment. Also, make sure to warn others to stay away and call Farmers’ Electric and 911 immediately.

The only reason to exit is if the equipment is on fire. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together, avoiding touching the ground and vehicle at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, “bunny hop” away. If you see someone’s equipment in contact with a power line, the best help you can give is from a safe distance away. Make sure to yell out to, signal to, or call the equipment operator to make sure they remain in vehicle until it is safe to exit. Remember, notify the cooperative immediately.

Here are a few harvest safety thoughts that don’t involve power lines:

• Be organized—Maintain equipment and have all owner and operator manuals on-hand.

Have an electric check of facility including wiring and electrical boxes. Provide proper safety training for employees and family. Before each task, do a safety walk-through making sure any potential hazards are taken care of and procedures and equipment are in place in case an incident occurs such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers. • Focus on efficiency—Be sure grain-receiving equipment, bin aeration, and the grain dryers are clean and in good working order. • Know your crop—Keep in mind both quantity and quality, stay in touch with local grain elevators for grain-marketing opportunities. Be smart when drying your and when entering a grain bin. Properly care for combines and be aware of other farm equipment around you.

Know your field and alert others of any potential hazards such as erosion or washouts. • Use caution with farm vehicles on public roads—Display the “Slow Moving Vehicle” (SMV) emblem on all off-road vehicles. Use proper vehicle lighting and flashers. Also, don’t forget to check all hitches. Understand and comply with law regarding headlights, taillights, and reflectors.

10 Simple Saving Tips

Here are just a few things you can do to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home this summer: 1. Service your air conditioner.Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s consumption by up to 15%. Replacing your return air filter on a regular basis not only saves you month to month but could extend the life of your air conditioning system. Note: you don’t have to buy the most expensive filter. A good, moderately priced filter should be adequate. Don’t forget, your air conditioner’s evaporator coil should be cleaned annually to ensure performance at optimal levels.

2. Open windows.Opening windows creates a cross-wise breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on air conditioners. This is a great tactic here on the High Plains where temperatures drop considerably once the sun goes down. Rule of thumb: If the temperature outside is lower than the temperature inside, you can cool your home by drawing air through it.

3. Use ceiling fans. Using ceiling fans can help lower your summer electric bills. Basically, you are moving conditioned air (cooled) at a higher velocity than the central air systems registers. If you don’t know the ceiling fan is turning the proper direction in the summer, the best rule of thumb is this: If you can stand directly under the fan while it is turning on medium and you can feel a comfortable downdraft, it is turning in the proper direction for summer.

4. Cook outside. On warmer days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens. No sense in heating up the house when cooking outside is an option. Cooking inside can raise the temperature in the kitchen by as much as five degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the heat outside and cool inside.

5. Install window treatments. Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades, films, and/or curtains can slash heat gain when temperatures are on the rise.

6. Caulk air leaks. Using low-cost caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home keeps warm air out and conditioned air in. Caulking around windows is very important but just as important is caulking around other areas of infiltration. One of those areas is plumbing penetrations on outside walls. Expanding foam insulation in a can is very effective at sealing these intentional holes—very quick and easy.

7. Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights and use windows and skylights to brighten your home. Be mindful that indirect light works best for this as direct sunlight can heat up a home pretty quickly.

8. Set the thermostat. On warmer days, setting a thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home or gone for extended periods of time can help reduce your energy consumption. Keep in mind the Department of Energy’s suggested summertime thermostat setting is 78 degrees F. This temperature doesn’t feel so bad when the outside temperature is 100, especially if you are using ceiling fans to help move air.

9. Seal ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electric costs, accounting for nearly 30% cooling system’s energy consumption. Sealing and insulating ducts can go a long way toward lowering your electric bills.

10. Switching on bathroom fans. Bathroom fans suck out heat and humidity from your home, all while improving comfort. While we are on the subject of fans, attic fans are thermostatically controlled and will draw the “very hot” air out of your attic that is bearing down on your ceiling. The savings you get from these fans can really add up.

Dan O'Neill 11th grade, Estancia Valley Classical Academy Edgewood in Santa Fe County Central New Mexico Electrical Cooperative

I’ve been working as an assistant manager for an online company called Contractor Exam Academy. I’ve also been volunteering for Presbyterian Hospice at Kaseman Hospital. I assist in the office with computer and paperwork. I plan to volunteer in the inpatient unit at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital. However, because of the COVID-19 situation, volunteers are not allowed on the hospice unit. I am planning to attend the University of New Mexico after graduation. I am interested in radiology and my goal is to be accepted one day to the UNM School of Medicine.

Eli Terry 11th grade, Floyd High School near Floyd in Roosevelt County Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative

During the COVID-19 quarantine, I have had more time to focus on my FFA and 4-H projects. Since I did not have school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or have track practice or track meets, I have found a lot to do at home. I have been taking dual credit college classes online, refinishing and painting furniture, raising laying hens, and raising 6 Holstein calves as well. Most recently, I have been studying and taking some practice tests for the ACT. All these projects have kept me really busy. Currently, my plans and dreams for the future are to attend and graduate college at Eastern New Mexico University to become a speech therapist. I am interested in a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and a master’s degree in speech therapy. I like the idea of going to college close to home and being able to finish with a master’s degree all at one college. I have looked into the speech therapy program, and I have seen that the program is well respected. Other than higher education goals, I hope to be happy in my life and serve God.

Ella C. Guerro 10th grade, Magdalena Municipal Schools Alamo Navajo Reservation in Socorro County Socorro Electric Cooperative

I have been taking walks with my dog, going fishing at my pond, riding my bike with my cousins, and taking care of my family. My plans for the future are to attend Emory University to become a sports therapist.

Emma Montgomery 12th grade, Artesia High School Piñon in Chaves County Central Valley Electric Cooperative

With the whole family being home, I’ve been able to spend a lot more time with them, which I’m very thankful for. Next year, I will be attending Texas Tech University and majoring in agricultural communications. I hope to serve the agriculture industry by marketing, advertising, and designing for a major agriculture magazine or company.

Heidi Garcia 11th grade, Belen High School Veguita in Socorro County Socorro Electric Cooperative

During this time in quarantine, I’ve picked up new hobbies like writing and making bracelets, but just like everyone else, I’ve been binge-watching my favorite Netflix shows. Once I graduate from high school, my biggest dream would be to study at the Anglo American University in the Czech Republic. I want to travel, meet new people, and learn about different cultures. I want to major in business and come back to the U.S. and go to law school. I want to live in Denver, Colorado, because I love urban cities, especially Denver because it’s close enough to my family.

Helen Bright 11th grade, Quemado High School Between Pie Town and Quemado in Catron County Socorro Electric Cooperative

I have had lots of time to do some of my favorite things, like art and music. On top of that, our ewe had a lamb which she refused to take care of, so I also ended up taking care of a lamb. I also really enjoy the art of cosplay (costume play), when I have felt like quarantine was hard all I had to do was get dressed up, and in some ways, I felt better as it is a way for me to deal with the constant stress of life on my shoulders. For my future, I haven’t completely thought out everything I want; I don’t have some