Your Electric Co-op

General Manager

Travis Sullivan

Address

216 Main Street P.O. Box 369 Clayton, NM 88415

Telephone

575-374-2451

Toll-Free

866-374-2451

Fax

575-374-2030

Website

www.swec-coop.org

Office Hours

7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (M-Th) Open through Lunch • Closed Fridays

Board of Trustees President

Joel Gilbert, Grenville-Sofia, District 1

Vice President

Joe Reeser, Sedan, District 2

Secretary-Treasurer

Jack Chatfield, Mosquero, At Large

Ron Green

Des Moines, District 1

Mikael Nixon

Sedan, District 3

Roy Perschbacher

Hayden, District 2

Renee Rinestine

Nara Visa, District 3

Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees meets the first Tuesday following the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in the Cooperative boardroom.

Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 73rd Annual Meeting POSTPONED Pursuant to “Public Health Emergency Order to Limit Mass Gathering, Due to COVID-19” (coronavirus), Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2020, is POSTPONED until such a time as a Special Meeting will be allowed by the law. Same applies for the Nominating Committee Meeting and any other meetings relating to the Annual Meeting.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact Southwestern Electric at 575-374-2451 or 866-374-2451.

Ways to Pay Your Utility Bill

❑ Online: Visit our website at www.swec-coop.org, select the

“Pay My Bill” tab, and you will be directed to the secured SEDC

Customer Service Portal page. ❑ Payment by Phone: Call 866-374-2451 or 575-374-2030, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays. ❑ Drop Box: Drop payment in secure drop box outside on the building of the main office. Do not leave cash.

3 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. 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.

3. 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.

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 obstruction and serious hazards to our line crews.

Southwestern Electric Co-op will be closed on September 7, 2020, in observance of Labor Day. Regular office hours will resume on September 8, 2020.

24/7 Outage Response Dispatch: 866-374-2451

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