5 minute read
Your Electric Co-op
General Manager
Joseph Herrera
Address
215 E. Manzanares Avenue P.O. Box H Socorro, NM 87801
Telephone
575-835-0560
Outages
800-351-7575 or 855-881-8159
service@socorroelectric.com
Website
www.socorroelectric.com
Office Hours
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F)
Board of Trustees President
Anne L. Dorough, District 5 575-772-2989
Vice President
Secretary-Treasurer
Leroy Anaya
District 3 anaya.district3@ socorroelectric.com
Michael Hawkes
District 4 mhawkes.district4@socorroelectric.com
James Nelson
District 2 nelson.district2@ socorroelectric.com
Donald Wolberg
District 3 505-710-3050
Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Cooperative.
SEC Awards Largest Rebate Check in Co-op's History to Socorro Schools
Standing in front of the new solar array at Midway Elementary, SEC General Manager Joseph Herrera presents the $51,627 rebate check to (far left) Denise Cannon, Socorro Assistant Superintendent, and (far right) Ron Hendrix, Socorro Superintendent.
The energy performance contractor for the Socorro Consolidated Schools estimates the schools will save more than $845,000 over the next 22 years from the recently completed LED lighting project. These savings come in part from the $51,627 commercial lighting rebate from SEC and the estimated $794,178 in savings on their electric bills. This rebate is provided by SEC through our wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State).
Tri-State supports SEC through energy efficiency programs designed to promote energy efficiency products, including LED lighting. In 2019, Tri-State and its members rebated $3.04 million and reduced life cycle energy usage by almost 42.5 million kilowatt-hours.
The rebate check amount is based on the upgrades to LED lighting in the buildings and parking lots of Socorro High, Midway Elementary, and Parkview Elementary schools, and the district’s Administration Building. The retrofitting of 3,250 lights at these four locations will not only lower the monthly electric bills for the school district but it will also reduce the power supply demands for SEC, helping to keep overall rates low.
The LED upgrade project was part of the district’s energy performance contract which also identified other ways to save energy and money. The savings funded other projects such as the installation of dimming, occupancy, and daylight harvesting controls in classrooms. The district was also able to add high-efficiency HVAC equipment to replace room-sized evaporative coolers and install new roofing with improved insulation.
To claim a rebate, SEC Member-Owners need to submit a receipt or paid invoice to our main office within 120 days of the product’s purchase date. These rebates are exclusive to SEC Members only. Since 1985, SEC and Tri-State have been promoting the efficient use of electricity by paying co-op Members cash when they purchase or install certain energy-efficient appliances, lighting, heat pumps and more.
Rebate amounts vary for SEC’s energy efficiency programs. They can be substantial, and the energy savings can really add up, just like they did for the Socorro Schools. Scan the QR code for all of SEC’s rebate programs on our website at www.socorroelectric.com
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Socorro Electric Cooperative
4Ways to Save Energy in the
Kitchen During the Holidays
Ah, the kitchen. It’s undeniably one of year-round can add up to $100-$200 the most-loved rooms in our homes. in wasted energy costs. Unplug them It’s where we gather with family and when not in use, or better yet, use a friends for our favorite meals and memories. But like most of us, you power strip for convenient control. 3. Help large appliances work probably aren’t thinking about saving less. There are small ways you can energy when you’re planning that help your larger kitchen appliances perfect dish. Here are four ways you run more efficiently. For example, can save energy in the kitchen with keep range-top burners clean from minimal effort. spills and fallen foods so they’ll reflect These smaller appliances use less energy than a full-size oven.
1. When possible, cook with
smaller kitchen appliances. Using smaller appliances, like slow cookers, toaster ovens, and convection ovens is more energy-efficient than using a large stove or oven. According to the Department of Energy, a toaster or convection oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy as a full-sized oven. 2. Unplug appliances that draw phantom energy load. These are appliances that draw energy even when not in use, like coffee makers, microwaves, and toaster ovens. The Department of Energy estimates that one home’s appliances left plugged in heat better. When it’s time to put leftovers in the refrigerator, make sure the food is covered and allow it to cool down first. That way, the fridge doesn’t have to work harder to cool warm food. 4. Use your dishwasher efficiently. Only run full loads, and Use smaller kitchen appliances, like slow cookers, on your machine for just a few dirty toaster ovens and convection ovens when possible. dishes; it uses 3-7 gallons of hot water
avoid using the “rinse hold” function When it’s time to do the dishes, remember to run full loads. You can also save energy by allowing your dishes to air dry.
each use. You can also save energy by letting your dishes air dry. If your dishwasher doesn’t have an automatic air-dry switch, simply turn it off after the final rinse and prop the door open so the dishes will dry faster.
Holiday Safety Tips
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected so they all sound if one sounds. Test the batteries in each smoke alarm every month, replace once a year, and replace the unit every 10 years.
Prevent fires by making sure your oven and stovetop are clean and free of grease and dust. Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly. vacuum the refrigerator coils every three months to prevent potentially dangerous dirt build-up.
Daylight Saving Time November 1 is Daylight Saving Time. Remember to set your clocks back one hour.
We are thankful and grateful for our members, friends, and families. Office Closed for Thanksgiving Closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 To report an outage Call 800-351-7575 or 855-881-8159
