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June 2022
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E N E R GY Upgrade your thermostat for FREE!
YOUR COOPERATIVE Join your co-op at our town hall events! SAFETY Firework safety
2022 FIRE SEASON S
ummer months bring tons of fun and adventure. From camping and boating to backyard barbecues and picnics in the park, summer certainly provides the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, summer also brings an increased risk of wildfire. The wildfire threat in the western United States has become more frequent and dangerous in recent years. Since 2015, wildfires in Washington state have scorched more than 2.6 million acres. Homes and structures have been destroyed and, in some cases, lives have been lost. According to the Washington Forest Protection Association 674,249 acres were burned in the state in 2021. Of that, 88 percent were human caused, while 12 percent were caused by lightning strikes.
Another impact of these fires is an uptick in power outages. Utilities across the region have taken extra precautionary measures to ensure electric infrastructure does not add fuel to the wildfire season. Utilities, including Inland Power, have created a wildfire mitigation plan to ensure the safety of the public and the integrity of the grid. At Inland Power, we pride ourselves in providing safe and reliable electric service. Safety is at the forefront of our minds as we enter what experts are predicting to be another season of hot and dry conditions. Inland’s fire mitigation plan includes safety measures such as aggressive tree trimming and right-of-way clearing, monitoring of areas located in high and moderate wildfire risk areas and placing sections of our system on non-reclose or “fire safety mode.”
Outage-Reducing Technology Along the power lines that bring electricity to your home, Inland Power has installed protective devices in the form of fuses and reclosers, which operate similarly to circuit breakers. Fuses and reclosers serve the same purpose as the fuses and circuit breakers in your home. When a fault occurs, and there is no recloser connected, the fuse blows and everyone downstream from it loses power. Reclosers are devices that can operate a certain number of times before they stay open and an outage occurs. Here’s how that works. A tree limb contacts the power lines and creates a fault. The recloser senses it and opens, creating the first blink. This is where a recloser differs from your home circuit breaker. It waits a Continued inside
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certain amount of a time (typically a few seconds), then re-closes to try and complete the circuit. If the fault is still there, it opens again. This creates the second blink. The most common setting allows the device to reclose a third time and if the fault is still there, it stays open and the members downstream experience a power outage. The fire threat increases each time any object comes into contact with an energized line because a spark can occur. Reducing Fire Risk Inland Power has worked with a third-party consultant to determine which sections of our service territory are at a high risk for wildfire. In an effort to increase public safety and decrease fire risk, Inland Power will place Its breakers, which are located in high-risk areas in fire safety mode beginning June 1, 2022. This means that members in those areas could experience an increase in the frequency and duration of outages. This status will remain in place throughout the fire danger season. Inland Power also has breakers located in an area that is classified as having a moderate risk for wildfires. Beginning June 1, should those moderate-risk areas be issued a red flag warning from the National Weather Service, those breakers will also be placed in fire safety mode and will remain in that status through the end of the fire danger season.
– M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
By putting our system in fire safety mode, we can reduce the frequency of objects coming into contact with an energized line. Be Prepared There are multiple ways that you can be prepared should you find yourself in a summer power outage. If you have a medical device that requires a power connection to operate, be sure you have a backup power source like a battery pack or generator. It can also be beneficial to make arrangements ahead of time to stay somewhere that has power still connected. For those who use a well as their water source, be sure you have a backup plan to keep your well connected to power. It is also a good idea to keep an emergency drinking water source. Ensure your First Aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials and make sure your prescriptions are current. Stock your pantry with a minimum of a three-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials (i.e., diapers and toiletries). Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener and a portable, battery-operated phone charger.
Inland Power’s Tig Cornell and Inland Power’s Tig Cornell switches a transformer to Fire Safety Mode in 2021.
Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location. Be sure your car is fueled up in case you need to charge your devices in your vehicle. In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help avert damage from a power surge and will also help prevent overloading the circuits during power restoration. That said, do leave one light on so you will know when power is restored. If you plan to use a small generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely. It is also a good idea to leave a frozen cup of water in your freezer. Place a quarter of top of the ice. After power is restored, if the quarter is at the bottom of the cup, it could mean that the freezer thawed enough to spoil the food inside. Advanced planning can reduce stress and anxiety caused by multiple or prolonged outages. At Inland Power, we recommend that you act today to ensure you are prepared should outages occur. For questions reach out to our member experience team by calling (509) 789-4277 or email operator@inlandpower.com.
FREE smart thermostat
Firework safety Firework displays are a long-standing tradition and an awe-inspiring celebration of our nation’s independence. However, used improperly fireworks can be as dangerous as they are spectacular. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 180 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries around the 4th of July. We want you to be safe as you celebrate with family and friends this Independence Day.
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nland Power is giving away smart thermostats to our members!
partner will ship your thermostat to your door.
As we continue to move toward energy conservation and savings, this is a great way to help heat and cool your home more efficiently.
There is a limit of one free smart thermostat per qualifying address. Additionally, orders cannot be shipped to PO boxes.
It’s super simple–Inland Power members whose homes are heated with an electric furnace (with or without a heat pump), are eligible for a FREE Nest thermostat.
To order your FREE Nest thermostat, head to inland.gpfulfillment.net.
Through this exclusive offer, our smart thermostat rebate is applied instantly so there’s no paperwork for you to fill out. Simply place your order and our fulfillment
As always, if you have any questions, contact your conservation team at (509) 789-1801 or email them at conservation@inlandpower.com.
Here are some reasons why a smart thermostat is right for you! 1. Remote control allows easy adjustment and monitoring from anywhere in the home or abroad. 2. If an issue is detected, Nest can send you an HVAC monitoring alert via email or a Google Home app notification. 3. Nest provides you with a monthly energy report and similar features offer more detailed tracking and savings options.
4. Using weather forecasts and HVAC system monitoring your smart thermostat learns how to best use heating and cooling sources. 5. Future integration: Through successful programs Nest can tap into potential future Touchstone money savings incentives such as “Rush Hour Rewards.”
Be sure to order your FREE Nest Thermostat while supplies last!
Keep in mind that home fireworks displays are illegal in many areas, so be sure to check local laws before heading to the fireworks stand. Also, consider attending a professional display. These shows are put on by trained professionals and include larger, more advanced fireworks than you can find at your local stand. If you do decide to legally celebrate with a firework display at home, keep these safety tips in mind: • Always supervise children around fireworks. Many don’t realize that even sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees and can cause injuries.
• Never place any part of your body
directly over fireworks when lighting the fuse. Back up a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up
fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Keep water handy in case of fire or another mishap.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket of light them in metal or glass containers. Enjoy this fun and important holiday. However you decide to celebrate, please do so safely!
Join us at one of our town hall events!! Monday, July 11, 2022 4 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 4 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022 4 to 6 p.m.
Big Barn Brewing Company 16004 N Applewood Ln. Mead, WA 99021
Big Bend Golf & Country Club 899 NW Cole Ave Wilbur, WA 99185
Palouse Empire Fairgrounds 310 N. Main St. Colfax, WA 99111
getin touch
10110 W Hallett Rd. Spokane, WA 99224 MAIN OFFICE
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(800) 747-7151 BILLING QUESTIONS
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(855) 386-9903 ENERGY CONSERVATION AND REBATES
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inlandpower@inlandpower.com SOCIAL
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We’re coming to you! Inland is holding town hall events in your area
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nland Power is more than just an electric utility. We are an electric cooperative, which is owned by the members who receive electricity from us. We make every effort to go above and beyond to ensure you receive the best member experience possible. From offering some of the lowest rates in the nation to providing rebates for weatherization and energy conservation, Inland Power is committed to putting you, our members first. During our virtual annual meeting this past March, Inland Power CEO Jasen Bronec announced that Inland will be hitting the road to host town hall events in various locations throughout our service territory. Inland has an exciting future ahead with some amazing programs we will offer, which we will highlight during these town hall events. This is an event for the whole family. You will be able to chat with your Inland Power team about programs and energy information. Your conservation team will be there to answer your energy efficiency questions and our memberengagement team will be on site to answer
questions about member programs and grassroots efforts. Line crews will also be there with their trucks. This year, we are traveling to three locations near you from July 11 to 13. Each event will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Feel free to come and go as you please during the events. Our first stop will be at the Big Barn Brewing Company in Mead, Wash. The next day we travel to the Big Bend Golf & Country Club in Wilbur, Wash. Our final day lands us in Colfax, Wash., at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds in the Community Building. Food will be provided at each location. We are excited to see you at our town hall events this summer. If you have any questions, please reach out at (509) 789-4277 or email us at operator@inlandpower.com. See you on the road!