Your Electric Co-op

General Manager

Denise Barrera

Address

610 Highway 195 • P.O. Box 290 Elephant Butte, NM 87935

Telephone

575-744-5231

Outages

888-336-3380

Fax

575-744-5819

Email

sierra@secpower.com

Website

www.sierraelectric.org

Office Hours

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F)

Board of Trustees President

John Bokich, Elephant Butte, District 2

Vice President

Thomas Stroup, Elephant Butte, District 2

Secretary

Charles McMath, Elephant Butte, District 2

Treasurer

George Biel, Monticello, District 3

Dennis Franklin

Williamsburg, District 1

Tami Garrett

Las Palomas ,District 3

Judy Smith

Caballo, District 1

Darryl Sullivan

Monticello, District 3

Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees meets the third Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in the Cooperative boardroom.

Financially Impacted by COVID-19?

If you have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and are unable to pay your residential utility bill, contact the Human Services Department to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program financial assistance. You may apply online at:

www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForAssistance/Low_Income_Home_Energy_Assistance_Program.aspx

Please remember the disconnect for non-payment suspension is not a waiver. Members who have not paid or have been unable to pay for their utility expenses will still have an obligation to pay their bills once the suspension is lifted to avoid disconnection.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR HUNTERS

This hunting season, we encourage all members to be aware of electrical equipment and take necessary precautions while hunting. Keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy the great outdoors.

Take notice of posted warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment.

Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.

Know where power lines and equipment are located on the land where you hunt.

Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible.

Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.

Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Any non-electrical equipment attached to a pole can pose an obstructio n and serious hazards to our line crews.

o p e n w I n d o w s

5 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.

Payment Services

Sierra Electric Cooperative, Inc., accepts cash, money orders, checks (savings or checking not post dated), and credit/debit cards.

❑ Mail Payment: Send to P.O. Box 290,

Elephant Butte, NM 87935. ❑ Drop Box: Drop payment in secure drop box in co-op parking lot, 610 Hwy. 195,

Elephant Butte, NM 87935 ❑ Payment by Phone: Call 575-744-5231,

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding cooperative holidays. ❑ Online: Visit www.sierraelectric.org—

SmartHub registered account or Pay

Now—also available on Mobile iOS and Android. ❑ Auto Payments: Sign up in SmartHub (paper applications available). ❑ Third Party: We accept electronic and paper check delivery from your online bank pay service. Payments must be made separately for each account. Be aware of outside businesses that offer to make our electric payment for you. They will often charge additional fees and your payment may take 7 to 10 business days to arrive at our office.

Call 888-336-3380

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