Today in Mississippi March 2018 Local Pages by American MainStreet Publications

News for members of Electric Cooperatives in Mississippi

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

p. 4

7 Brookhaven art school a Mississippi success story 12 Mississippi Cooks: Recipes to celebrate 13 The forgotten art of handwritten letters

10 I Today in Mississippi

March 2018

Central Electric Power Association A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937 Carthage 601-267-5671 • Philadelphia 601-656-2601 • Rankin 601-829-1201 • Sebastopol 601-625-7422

Annual meeting set for March 20 Central Electric Power Association will hold its 81st Annual Meeting of the Membership on March 20 at the Carthage Coliseum on Highway 16 East in Carthage. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. In accordance with the laws of the state of Mississippi and the bylaws of the association, three directors will be elected for three-year terms. Members will elect one director from Scott County, one director from Neshoba County and one director from Rankin County. There also will be reports given on the operation of the association for the past year, and other matters of business will be conducted. The Nominating Committee for 2018 consists of Mike Madden from Scott County, Jerry C. Winstead from Neshoba County and Paul Grant from Rankin County.

OFFICIAL NOTICE of the

Candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee for re-election to the board are Pettey Leach from Scott County, Hanna Watson from Neshoba County and David Boyd from Rankin County. Central Electric, with the cooperation of Sta-Home Health Agency in Carthage, will provide a health fair at the annual meeting. Nurses will offer free blood pressure screenings. Services provided at the health fair will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 10:20 a.m., when the business meeting begins. Bros. 4 will provide the musical entertainment before the meeting. Immediately following the meeting, the health fair will re-open and continue as long as interested participants remain. Each Central Electric member who registers at the annual meeting will receive a free light bulb and will be eli-

gible to win one of the following prizes: slow cooker, coffee maker, clock/radio, electric skillet, electric can opener, toaster, coffee percolator, iron or electric clock. The grand prize for members who are present at the meeting will be an electric smoker. Central Electric will give away a special prize this year for any member who registers in person at the meeting or who sends in his or her proxy or ballot from this publication in the attached postage-paid envelope. You do not have to be present at the meeting to win the special prize, a 2010 Ford F150. The truck has been retired from Central Electric’s fleet of vehicles and will be given away as is with no guarantees. Remember, mail in your proxy or ballot for this year’s meeting. You do not have to be present to win. If your name is drawn at the annual meeting, we will notify you.

Central Electric is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative based in Carthage with branch offices in Philadelphia, Sebastopol and Rankin County. The co-op maintains more than 4,000 miles of distribution line and serves more than 36,000 memberowners in central Mississippi. Central Electric’s service area includes parts of Leake, Neshoba, Attala, Scott, Newton, Rankin and Kemper counties. The bylaws of the association provide that any person, firm or corporation may become a member of Central Electric by making written application, paying the membership fee, purchasing electricity from the co-op and abiding by the rules and regulations as prescribed by the board of directors. Central Electric’s annual meeting is for you, the member-owner. So mark your calendar for March 20, and we’ll see you at the annual meeting!

Statement of nondiscrimination

Annual Meeting of Members

Pursuant to Article III, Sections 3.01 and 3.03, of the association bylaws, notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of members of Central Electric Power Association will be held in the Carthage Coliseum, Highway 16 East, on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. In accordance with the laws of Mississippi and the bylaws of the association, members will elect three directors for three-year terms: one director from Scott County, one director from Neshoba County, and one director from Rankin County. Reports will be given on the operation of the association for the past year, and other matters of business will be conducted. If you cannot attend, fill out the ballot or proxy (see next page) and mail immediately in the attached postage-paid envelope. Each member who attends will receive a free light bulb. Many other valuable door prizes will be given away by drawing names from those registered. Please try to attend. This year, six names will be drawn from the mail-in votes and prizes will be awarded to them. Danny Thornton, Secretary

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights Program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or by email at program.intake@usda.gov.

March 2018 I Today in Mississippi

BALANCE SHEETS Central Electric Power Association ASSETS Electric Plant In service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at cost Construction work in progress Total electric plant Less: accumulated provision for depreciation Electric plant, net Other Assets Investments in associated organizations CSA stockholder loan receivable Economic development loan receivable CoBank membership Total other assests Current Assets Cash and temporary investments Accounts receivable - members Accounts receivable - others Materials and supplies Prepaid expenses Other current assets Total current assets Deferred Charges TOTAL ASSETS

2017

2016

$164,827,403 $161,106,552 436,101 880,869 165,708,272 161,542,653 74,531,848 78,953,677 87,010,805 86,754,595 888,327 34,475 2,840,826 1,000 3,764,628

888,327 35,456 3,271,112 1,000 4,195,895

23,022,703 5,366,263 74,696 1,562,927 506,779 517,189 31,050,557

29,136,343 5,492,160 72,702 1,692,777 332,077 607,055 37,333,114

729,792

718,192

$122,299,572 $129,258,006

EQUITIES & LIABILITIES Equities Memberships Earnings reinvested in system assets Total equities

$774,300 81,914,131 82,688,431

$766,665 79,479,888 80,246,553

Long-Term Debt less Current Maturities Notes payable Total long-term liabilities

28,763,747 28,763,747

31,341,700 31,341,700

Current Liabilities Current maturities of notes payable Accounts payable - trade Customer deposits Accrued taxes Accrued unpaid vacation Other current liabilities Total current liabilities

526,703 6,193,333 2,599,049 119,809 576,417 86,033 10,101,344

2,113,280 11,549,946 2,512,481 145,697 552,255 72,912 16,946,571

Other Liabilities Advances from TVA Post-retirement benefits Total other liabilities TOTAL EQUITIES & LIABILITIES

743,052 2,998 746,050

719,904 3,278 723,182

$122,299,572 $129,258,006

Annual Meeting Program 9:00 a.m. Registration 9:30 a.m. Entertainment by Bros. 4 10:20 a.m. Call to Order, Brian Long, General Manager; Invocation; Welcome, Mayor Jimmy Wallace; Report of Manager, Brian Long; Engineering and Operations Report; Awarding of Door Prizes; Transaction of Business; Election of Directors; Awarding of Door Prizes 12:15 p.m. Adjournment 2:00 p.m. Report of Election Committee

Voting Instructions If you do not plan to attend the annual meeting, please mark the ballot or proxy below, cut it out and return it in the attached, postage-paid envelope. By mailing in your ballot or proxy, you will be eligible to win the Special Prize, a 2010 Ford F150 retired from Central Electric Power Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fleet of vehicles. You also will be eligible to win one of the

following prizes: Grand Prize: electric smoker Other Prizes: slow cooker, coffee maker, clock/radio, electric skillet, electric can opener, toaster, coffee percolator, iron or electric clock. You do not have to be present to win, so please remember to mail your ballot or proxy.

PROXY I, the undersigned member of Central Electric Power Association, do hereby constitute and appoint ______________________________________________________ (Name of person appointed agent) my agent and attorney infact to represent me at the annual meeting of members of said Cooperative to be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Coliseum in the city of Carthage, Mississippi, on the 20th day of March, 2018, and my said agent and attorney is hereby authorized to cast my vote on any and all matters coming before said meeting, or any adjournment thereof, with the same force coming before said meeting for a vote. Witness my signature this the ________ day of __________________ 2018. Signature ___________________________________________________ (Each member is urged to attend the meeting, but if for any reason you cannot be present, you are requested to sign the proxy and deliver it to a member who will attend. But remember, no one can vote a proxy who is not a member of the cooperative, and no member can vote more than three proxies. So be present if possible, but if you cannot be present, be sure to sign your proxy and send it by someone to the meeting, or mail it if you prefer.)

BALLOT Annual Meeting Central Electric Power Association March 20, 2018

Note: For your ballot to count,

you must vote for three directors: one director from Scott County, one director from Neshoba County, and one director from Rankin County.

Scott County 1. Pettey Leach ( ) _____________________________ ( ) Neshoba County 2. Hanna Watson. ( ) _____________________________ ( ) Rankin County 3. David Boyd ( ) _____________________________ ( )

Today in Mississippi

March 2018

Go Further with

Food

Whether it’s starting the day off right with a healthy breakfast or fueling before an athletic event, the foods you choose can make a real difference. Preparing your foods to go further by planning meals and snacks in advance can also help reduce food loss and waste. For National Nutrition Month® 2018, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges everyone to "Go Further with Food." Each March, the Academy focuses nationwide attention on healthful eating through National Nutrition Month. “While millions of Americans worry about how to feed their families, the amount of safe food wasted in the United States is on the rise,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Cordialis Msora-Kasago. “By making small changes to the way we think about eat-

ing, we can help reduce food waste.” The Academy communicates healthful eating messages that emphasize balancing food and beverages within an individual’s energy needs, rather than focusing on any one specific food or meal. It is the Academy’s position that improving overall well-being requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, emphasizing lasting and enjoyable eating practices and regular physical activity. “Registered dietitian nutritionists can help all consumers determine the lifestyle balance that provides our bodies with the nutrients we need and still eat the foods we enjoy the most,” Msora-Kasago says. Initiated in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, the public education campaign became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition.

Strawberry, Feta Cheese and Toasted Pecan Spinach Danielle Morgan, Teoc, Miss. 12 oz. baby spinach (may substitute spring-mix lettuces) 16 oz. strawberries, washed and sliced 1 cup pecan halves, toasted 6 oz. crumbled feta cheese Blush Wine Vinaigrette (recipe below) In a large salad bowl, layer spinach, strawberries, pecans and feta cheese. Just before serving, dress with Blush Wine Vinaigrette and toss until salad ingredients are evenly coated. Serves 8.

Blush Wine Vinaigrette: 3 Tbsp. sugar 1/4 cup water Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 cup olive or canola oil

Whisk together sugar, vinegar, water, lemon juice, salt and pepper; add oil slowly while whisking. Can also be made in a dressing cruet or mason jar and shaken to blend. Note: For fewer calories, use Splenda instead of sugar. Yield: about 10 ounces

To commemorate the dedication of registered dietitian nutritionists as the leading advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of March is celebrated as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. This year’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day will be celebrated March 14. As part of National Nutrition Month, the Academy’s website includes articles, recipes, videos and educational resources to spread the message of good nutrition and the importance of an overall healthy lifestyle for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Consumers can also follow National Nutrition Month on the Academy’s social media channels including Facebook and Twitter using #NationalNutritionMonth. All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s board of directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.Visit the Academy online.

Catfish Bread Danielle Morgan, Teoc, Miss. (originally from Wanda Woodard) 4 large catfish filets Cavender’s Greek Seasoning, to taste 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. liquid smoke 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup mayonnaise 6 green onions, chopped 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 (4-oz.) can chopped black olives 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded Cracker Barrel Cheddar 1 loaf French bread Sprinkle both sides of catfish with Greek seasoning, soy sauce and liquid smoke. Broil in oven 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Flake fish into a bowl. Combine butter, onions, garlic powder, olives and cheeses. Mix well and stir fish into mixture. Slice French bread into rounds and spread mixture on tops. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

March 2018

Today in Mississippi I 11

Safety tips for home eye hazards

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Spring cleaning, home improvements and yard work: for many Americans, these projects define this time of year. But, did you know home projects like these can be a major threat to eye safety? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly half of all serious eye injuries occur at home, yet only 35 percent of Americans wear protective eyewear during projects that could pose a threat to their eyes.

in Mississippi will begin at

Hazardous activities at home include:

I Cleaning. Chemicals like bleach in household cleaning products cause

2 a.m. Sunday, March 11

125,000 eye injuries each year. I Home improvement. Screws, nails and hand tools can become projectiles, while power tools can propel wood chips or other substances into the air. I Yard work. Lawn mowers, trimmers and even shovels can throw dirt and debris into the air, and branches, twigs and thorns can also be dangerous. The good news is that protective eyewear reduces your risk for an eye injury by 90 percent. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that consumers keep protective eyewear on hand and wear it during activities that could pose a risk to eye safety.

10 Tips for Spring Energy Savings 1.

CLEAR THE AIR: Open windows to allow fresh (free!) air to circulate.

2. COOK OUTSIDE: Enjoy a few hours of sunshine by using your grill or smoker to add festive flavors to meals.

3. SEARCH AND SEAL: Cracks and spaces let conditioned air outside. Caulk and weather strip to seal leaks.

4. NATURAL LIGHT: Open blinds and curtains, and turn off the lights to save energy.

5. BE FAN FRIENDLY: Use ceiling fans to circulate airflow. 6. ATMOSPHERIC ADJUSTMENT: Remember to adjust your thermostat settings for the milder months ahead.

7. TUNE UP: Schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician to identify any potential problems with your system.

8. PEAK SAVINGS: Think about supply and demand. Plan household chores that require electricity during off-peak hours (when energy demand is low).

9. TAKE CHARGE: Consider disconnecting electrical devices you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use regularly until you need them. Plugged-in devices use energy even when not in use.

10. MOVE OUTDOORS: Time spent outdoors offers opportunities to turn off lights, televisions, computers and home appliances. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be more active, have more fun and save more money. Source: U.S. Department of Energy

10 I Today in Mississippi

March 2018

Communicators: April Lollar and Merilee Sands For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com

Where our members have the power CEO’s message

Spring is coming Energy efficiency brings more savings. those lights on that coffee pot are using energy Spring is on its way to south Mississippi and I know we are all ready for milder temper- even if you are not brewing a cup. These are atures so we can get out and enjoy all of the simple ways you can manage your use that will help you lower your costs as well. beautiful things our state has to This winter’s harsh temperatures offer. Since temperatures are meant increased energy use and milder, bills are going to be lower. higher bills for electric consumers While we all like to see lower bills, across the U.S., including Coast it can mean we forget how Electric members. I encourage you important it is to practice energy to take a look in the following pages efficiency in our homes so we can so you will better understand why appreciate even more savings. I extreme weather affects bills so would encourage you to use this much. I would also like to see us time to make some low- and all use this time of warmer temperano-cost energy efficiency upgrades Ron Barnes in your home. A $3 tube of caulk President and CEO tures to learn more about our energy use patterns and see what we can can go a long way in sealing cracks do to reduce our use when temperatures soar in your home. Opening and closing blinds to let in warmth or keep warmth in can help. this summer. Let’s work together so we are prepared! Unplug items you aren’t using. Remember

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Watt’s up this month 10a PAGE

10b-c PAGE

10c

Coast Electric Annual Energy Fairs

I Why does cold weather affect your energy bill?

PAGE

I Coast Electric partners working for you! I Time of use hours begin April 1

March 2018

Today in Mississippi

10a

Cooperatives are different from other businesses. Coast Electric is a not-for-profit business that is owned and led by those we serve. As someone who receives service from Coast Electric, you are a member and owner of the cooperative. For the co-op to function effectively, it takes everyone doing their part – employees, board members and you – to work toward a common goal. Although the tasks in each department may differ, the goal is the same – to provide superior service to the people of south Mississippi. When you think of your electric cooperative, you probably think of linemen who build and repair lines and the member service representatives who take your payments in our offices and answer your questions on the phone. We want to introduce you to more of the departments that make up your cooperative and help you understand how what they do brings safe, reliable, affordable energy to your homes and businesses. Each month, we will feature a different group of employees who work every day to serve you.

Right-of-way plan provides reliable service Having a comprehensive right-of-way plan is an essential part of providing reliable electric service to our members. Coast Electric has an aggressive plan that has drastically reduced the number of outages caused by vegetation. At the same time, our certified arborists work to make sure the natural beauty of our area is kept intact. Right-of-way crews also play a big role in power restoration after storms. Before crews can go in and fix lines, right-of-way employees go in and clear trees and limbs so restoration is safer and faster.

Energy Fair COAST ELECTRIC

Learn how you can reduce your energy use and save at our energy fairs! March 5 May 3 June 1

Bay St. Louis & Kiln Poplarville & Picayune Gulfport & Biloxi

All energy fairs will be at 8 a.m. and end at 2 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

10b I Today in Mississippi

March 2018

COLD WEATHER

After a few years of mild winters, Mississippi experienced prolonged cold temperatures that meant higher energy use and higher bills.

We want to help you understand why cold weather affects your bill. Q: I didn’t touch my thermostat. Why is my bill higher? A: Power bills following periods of prolonged cold weather can be higher even when you have not changed the thermostat. Heating costs make up the largest percentage of a home’s energy use. When the temperature changes drastically or stays extremely cold, your HVAC unit must run longer to keep your home at the programmed, comfortable setting. Even the most efficient heating system set to the recommended heat setting of 68 degrees sees much more use in extremely cold weather. During recent cold days, your heating system worked harder and for longer periods of time to make up the 49-degree difference between the 19-degree outside temperature and the programmed 68-degree setting. This causes your home to use more energy and results in a higher power bill. Using space heaters can also increase your energy con-

coldest we’ve had since 2014 so last year’s mild winter energy use won’t compare to this winter’s. Weather data show that in December 2016 and January of 2017 there were only five days where the temperature was below 40 degrees. Compare that to December 2017 and January 2018 where there were 16 days when temperatures fell below 40 degrees. Additionally, there were six days when the low was around 20 degrees and five days when the high was 40 degrees or lower. Coast Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative owned by those we serve. The cooperative operates at cost to deliver affordable and reliable power to the homes and businesses in our service area.

Q: Are heat pumps the best option for heating my home? A: Yes. Heat pumps are three times more efficient than an electric furnace. They are the best choice for heating in south Mississippi.

How does a heat pump work? A heat pump works to constantly move warm air from one place to another, to where it’s needed or not needed, depending on the season. Even in air that’s seems too cold, heat energy is present. When it’s cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses direction, removing heat from your home. One advantage of a heat pump is that it moves heat instead of generating heat, meaning it is an energy efficient choice for your home.

What happens in extremely low temperatures? sumption and traditional wood-burning fireplaces can allow heated air to escape through the chimney. It helps to understand how much power you’ve used in past months or comparable time periods in previous years. However, keep in mind that this winter is the

The efficiencies of residential, air-source heat pumps are lowered in extremely cold temperatures. Luckily, we do not experience extremely low temperatures very often in south Mississippi. This allows heat pump owners to enjoy the energy-saving benefits of heat pumps most of the time, except in these rare frigid temperatures.

The recommended thermostat setting in winter months for a heat pump is 68 degrees.

Why is important to have my heat pump serviced annually ? You should have a technician service your heat pump annually. A certified technician can identify problems, like improper wiring or mechanical issues, that can cause the unit to use more energy, increasing your power bill.

How do I keep my heat pump running efficiently? • Dirty filters and fans reduce airflow, which will decrease system performance and possibly damage the compressor. • Clean or change filters once a month or as needed. • Occasionally, turn off power to the fan and clean it; remove vegetation and clutter from around the outdoor unit. • Clean outdoor coils whenever they appear dirty. • Clean the supply and return registers in your home and straighten their fins if bent.

Q: Will using my wood-burning fireplace or oven to heat my home save money? A: The short answer is no. Let’s look at each one of these options to see how you could actually lose money as well as create a potential safety hazard for you, your family and home.

March 2018

A damper to prevent a draft.

Ovens: Kitchen ovens were never designed to heat the home, so in short, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even try it. Heating with an oven is a two-fold problem. It is not energy efficient, and it is dangerous. You could be exposed to harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, or potentially be burned by keeping the door open with the heating elements exposed.

Q: What tools can I use to understand my energy use? A: One of the best things you can do to manage your use is to understand it. By logging on to your account on www.coastepa.com or on our CE on the Go app, you

can view charts that show you your energy use and how weather is affecting your use. We also have some great interactive calculators linked under the Energy Savings section on coastepa.com that will help you understand how you are using energy in your home. We also offer options that may help you save, like our Time of Use rate, or control your budget, like Prepay Metering or levelized billing. Visit our website or call us to see what plan might be right for you. We also have a team of dedicated energy management professionals that

work to help you save energy and money at your home or business. If you have questions, please contact us and ask for a member of our Energy Management team: Mark Wallace Director of Energy Management Tyler Green Energy Management Representative, Harrison County Phillippe Michel Senior Energy Management Representative, Hancock County Scott White Senior Energy Management Representative, Pearl River County

*Make sure to read about our summer power cost adjustment on

PAGE 11

Today in Mississippi

10c

10d

Today in Mississippi

March 2018

Coast Electric partners – working for you Coast Electric is an electric distribution cooperative. We deliver power to your homes and businesses and to get it there, we have partners we work with to make that process seamless for you. One of those partners is Cooperative Energy.

Who is Cooperative Energy?

Cooperative Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that generates and transmits electricity for 11 local electric distribution cooperatives across Mississippi. These 11 local cooperatives together provide electricity for 423,000 homes and businesses across the southern and western portions of the state. These local electric cooperatives purchase the electricity from Cooperative Energy and then deliver it to their members.

How is Cooperative Energy related to Coast Electric?

Cooperative Energy generates the electricity required by Coast Electric’s members and 10 other local electric distribution cooperatives across Mississippi. Coast Electric purchases the electricity from Cooperative Energy at a wholesale rate and then delivers it to their members.

Cooperative Energy serves these local electric distribution cooperatives: • Coahoma Electric Power Association • Coast Electric Power Association • Delta Electric Power Association • Dixie Electric or Dixie Electric Power Association • Magnolia Electric Power • Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association • Singing River Electric Cooperative • Southern Pine Electric Cooperative • Southwest Electric Cooperative • Twin County Electric Power Association • Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association

nomically feasible, so electricity is generated practically on demand, traveling at the speed of light from generating plants to the point where it is delivered to the object using the electricity. The electricity for members of Coast Electric most often comes from eight power plants owned by Cooperative Energy. Other times, Cooperative Energy purchases electricity from other power companies when those companies can generate it and sell it to Cooperative Energy at an economical price. This ensures that the cost of electricity is as affordable as possible for the members of Coast Electric and Cooperative Energy’s 10 other local electric distribution cooperatives.

National connection, local service

requests like this, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation requires Cooperative Energy and other power companies to respond. Members of Coast Electric and Cooperative Energy’s 10 other local electric cooperatives responded by conserving their use of electricity, and the situation was resolved by 1 p.m. Electricity is not an infinite resource. Although Cooperative Energy’s power plants were producing 450MW of electricity more than our members were using at the time, as a member of MISO, Cooperative Energy is required to help keep the electric grid balanced. In fact, Cooperative Energy’s generators performed well that day and its system operated reliably, which played a tremendous role in stabilizing the situation. So, it is not that Cooperative Energy or Coast Electric were unprepared for this weather; rather, the weather combined with the loss of power plants in other parts of the country affected us. Each of our 11 local electric cooperatives worked with Cooperative Energy to resolve this issue as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Cooperative Energy and other power companies across the United States are connected by the national electric grid. When the demand for electricity and the availability of electricity for one power company is out of balance, it impacts the balance of the electric system for other power companies. Cooperative Energy is a member of Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), a power reliability coordinator, which helps to balance the electric system for its members. Working with partners like Cooperative Energy and our power reliability coordinator means Coast Electric can deliver more affordable, reliable service to our members in south Mississippi. On Jan. 17, several major power plants in the MISO system experienced problems and became unavailable. The loss of these power plants, combined with the extreme weather conditions, threatened the balance of the electric system. As a result, MISO requested that Cooperative Energy and other power companies across Mississippi and the south- An employee monitors the electrical grid at Cooperative Energy, in Hattiesburg. Cooperative ern U.S. ask their members to voluntarily Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 electric cooperatives in Mississippi, includreduce their electricity use. When a power ing Coast Electric, for distribution to some 423,000 homes and businesses across the southern and western portions of the state. reliability coordinator, such as MISO, issues

March 2018

Time of Use summer hours begin April 1

Today in Mississippi

in Mississippi will begin at

2 a.m. Sunday, March 11

Summer power cost adjustment begins April 1 In the past, Coast Electric averaged power costs once each year. While the price for generating power changes with the seasons, costs to members remained the same. Costs paid to Coast Electric’s power supplier are typically higher in the winter and lower in the summer. To ensure that charges are equal to costs, Coast Electric is now averaging power costs twice each year instead of once.

What does that mean for you?

10 Tips for Spring Energy Savings 1.

CLEAR THE AIR: Open windows to allow fresh (free!) air to circulate.

2. COOK OUTSIDE: Enjoy a few hours of sunshine by using your grill or smoker to add festive flavors to meals.

Who will this change affect? This change affects all member classes but industrial members.

3. SEARCH AND SEAL: Cracks and spaces let conditioned air outside. Caulk and weather strip to seal leaks.

4. NATURAL LIGHT: Open blinds and curtains, and turn off the lights

When will this policy change take place? The summer power cost adjustment will begin April 1 every year while Nov. 1 begins the winter period.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

If you are a member who is taking advantage of our energy and money-saving Time of Use (TOU) rate plan, remember that the summer period begins April 1. If you have water heater timers, pool pump timers or programmable thermostats, make sure to change the settings to reflect the summer peak hours – 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have not taken advantage of our TOU rate plan, what are you waiting for? The plan comes with a six-month guarantee, so if you don’t save, you haven’t lost a penny. That’s a great deal!

Over a period of 12 months, you won’t see a difference. However, members who are billed monthly saw about a $6 increase for every 1,000 kWh used in the winter. Beginning April 1, members will see a corresponding decrease on their monthly bills that reflects the new power cost adjustment. Although we experienced frigid temperatures this winter, Mississippi typically has milder winters and long, hot summers. Members should be more aware of energy use in the winter and will have more opportunities for comfort in the months when it’s needed most.

to save energy.

5. BE FAN FRIENDLY: Use ceiling fans to circulate airflow. 6. ATMOSPHERIC ADJUSTMENT: Remember to adjust your thermostat settings for the milder months ahead.

7. TUNE UP: Schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician to identify any potential problems with your system.

8. PEAK SAVINGS: Think about supply and demand. Plan household chores that require electricity during off-peak hours (when energy demand is low).

9. TAKE CHARGE: Consider disconnecting electrical devices you don’t use regularly until you need them. Plugged-in devices use energy even when not in use.

10. MOVE OUTDOORS: Time spent outdoors offers opportunities to turn off lights, televisions, computers and home appliances. You’ll be more active, have more fun and save more money. Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Today in Mississippi

March 2018

Delta Electric announces

Special Capital Credits Early Retirement Program

Greenwood • Winona Cleveland • Indianola

for former members and estates credit allocation to meet the capital needs of the coopretirement program to former members and the erative, which may ultimately be paid through a genestates of deceased members. We want to get the word eral retirement process. out to all former members and estates that might be “However, some forinterested in this special mer members may find retirement,” O’Bryan Former members and estates of deceased it more convenient to said. members now have the option to request a receive their capital credIf you know of a forspecial early retirement of their capital credits. mer member or estate of its earlier at a discounted rate rather than waiting a deceased member that to receive the payment through the general retirement might be interested in this early retirement program, process,” said David O’Bryan, general manager. please direct them to our website, www.deltaepa.com, “We are excited to be offering this special early where applications for an early capital credit retirement can be found and downloaded. Documentation and verification requirements for Delta Electric Power Association former members and estates of deceased members are also found on the website. Please email Delta Electric at capitalcredits@deltaepa.coop if you have questions about the early retirement program. If the former member has no internet access, he or she should contact Delta Electric at 662-453-6352, extension 1128, Leflore County Civic Center, Highway 7, Greenwood for an application and assistance. “This special capital credit early retirement proAll Delta Electric members are urged to participate in person or by proxy gram applies to former members and estates of deceased members who maintained either residential or commercial accounts, so we encourage our active All members of Delta Electric Power Association are urged to attend the Annual Meeting of Members on members to reach out to their friends and relatives Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting to follow at 10:00 a.m. at the who are former members of Delta Electric,” O’Bryan said. Leflore County Civic Center on Highway 7 in Greenwood. The early retirement program does not apply to Participation of Delta EPA members in the annual meeting is important to elect directors, receive and pass on current members who receive electric service from reports covering the operation of the association and to transact other business that may come before the meetDelta Electric.

Capital credits allocated to a Delta Electric Power Association member always belong to that member, even if they move outside the cooperative’s service territory, or if they pass away. Former members and estates of deceased members now have the option to request a special early retirement of their capital credits. An early retirement offers a one-time payment of capital credits on a discounted, net present value basis. Any debts owed by the member to Delta Electric are deducted from the payment. Pursuant to Mississippi law and Delta Electric’s bylaws, Delta Electric may retain a member’s capital

Annual Meeting of Members Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 10 a.m.

ing. With a few exceptions provided by the bylaws, only members will be admitted to the meeting. Seating, however, will be available for members’ families who wish to attend.

What to do if you can’t attend the meeting

It is important to the successful operation of the association that its members either attend this meeting in person or sign, date and send in the original proxy form that will be mailed March 2 to each member. The proxy must be executed and mailed in or delivered in person to the secretary of the association at the association’s office on Highway 82 West in Greenwood. The proxy must be received by the secretary of the association no later than April 5, 2018, to be valid. Members must vote on the original printed forms; copies will not be accepted. Any member who has misplaced the original proxy may request another by calling the nearest Delta Electric Power Association office. Under the bylaws of the association, each member is entitled to one vote.

Tip of the

Month

Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight for maximum energy efficiency. Test the seal by closing the door over a piece of paper. If you can easily pull the paper out, your seal may need to be replaced or the latch may need to be adjusted. Source: energy.gov

March 2018

Today in Mississippi

Why was my power bill higher than usual? Anyone who complained about the frigid weather in January may have had more to complain about as January and February residential electric bills were considerably higher in many cases than last winter. Why? Because it was a whole lot colder this year. For example, there were 20 days in January when temperatures were at or below freezing, and the temperature even dipped down to 5 degrees. In January 2017, there were only eight days when temperatures were at or below freezing. “The use of electricity is significantly impacted by the weather,” said David O’Bryan, general manager of Delta Electric Power Association. “With the many days of frigid temperatures in December and January, the use of electricity was up which means that bills were higher,” he said. The record cold weather put such a strain on power grids across the country that on Jan. 17 Delta Electric Power Association asked its customers to voluntarily reduce their electricity use that day to keep the grid balanced. “Through our power supplier, Cooperative Energy, we are now a part of the Mid Continent Independent System Operator (MISO), which is a regional grid and transmission organization covering 15 states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. When there is the potential for an electricity emergency we are required by MISO, which is also our power reliability coordinator, to issue a public appeal for voluntary energy reduction,” O’Bryan said. So, how can you as the consumer be alerted ahead of time to the prospect of a high bill during extremely cold or hot weather? “Delta Electric has two alerts as part of its Alerts and Reminders System that can notify a residential customer of high use. We have a High Energy Use Alert where the customer can set a minimum daily

An employee monitors the electrical grid at Cooperative Energy’s Control Center, in Hattiesburg. Cooperative Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 electric cooperatives in Mississippi, including Delta Electric, for distribution to some 423,000 homes and businessses across the southern and western portions the state.

dollar billing threshold for energy use, and we also have a daily Energy Use Alert that informs the customer of their kilowatt-hour energy consumption history along with the daily billing amount,” O’Bryan said. When alerted to high electricity use, members can respond by taking measures to conserve their daily kilowatt-hour consumption by adjusting thermostats, etc. Members can receive these alert notifications by text message and email. (Opting into text messages may result in use fees on your mobile account.) Please contact your local Delta Electric office to sign

Delta Electric offers new

Autopay Service Delta Electric is pleased to announce the addition of Autopay as a method of payment for its residential customers. After an initial setup, Autopay allows a customer’s bill to be automatically paid on a set date each month by debiting the customer’s credit card. Autopay can be set up by the customer through Delta Electric’s mobile application, but the customer must first establish a username and password through Delta Electric’s internet portal. Please contact your local Delta Electric office for setup if you don’t have internet access. There are NO convenience fee charges for Autopay, but Autopay is limited to residential accounts and is limited to a maximum $1,200 per month. It’s important that the Autopay date chosen be sometime between your normal billing date and due date so that late charges are not assessed on the account. If you have questions about Autopay or need assistance, please contact your local Delta Electric office.

up for these alerts. These alerts can also be enabled via Delta Electric’s Mobile App or online portal.

FREE

mobile app now available! Available for immediate download and installation on your iPhone, iPad or Android device! • View account information • View bill history • Make a secure payment • View payment history • Manage alerts and reminders • View your daily electricity use • Report power outage without making a phone call Search for “Delta EPA” in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Learn more about Delta Electric’s mobile app and mobile web app at

DeltaEPA.com

Today in Mississippi I March 2018

Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

How Dixie Electricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with our energy provider affected the request to reduce energy use in January the homes and businesses in During the extremely cold weather in our service area. January that led to Dixie Electric and other Since Dixie Electric doeselectric providers in the region requesting voln't own any generation or untary reductions, we put a short video on transmission facilities, we our Facebook page to help explain what was have to purchase power to going on and why. Hopefully it helped, but it be delivered to our substaleft me thinking that the video didn't go far tions. A common assumpenough. So, for the next two or three months, tion is that we buy all our my article will focus on our relationship with power from Mississippi Randy Smith our wholesale provider, Cooperative Energy, General Manager Power Company. As stated and with the regional transmission operator, earlier, Cooperative Energy, MISO, who is also the reliability coordinator. an electric generation and transmission cooperative, is our wholesale provider. In 1941, Dixie There will also be complimentary informaElectric and six other electric distribution cooperation on the following pages. The electric grid consists of three basic components: generation, transmission, and distribution. Many electric energy providers, particularly investor-owned utilities, own all or part of all three components. Others, like most electric cooperatives, usually own either generation and transmission or distribution, but not all three. Dixie Electric is an electric distribution cooperative. That means that we don't own or operate any generation facilities or own any high voltage transmission lines. Instead, we own and operate the substations where electric energy is delivered from the generating plants through the transmission lines. We also own and operate the distribution lines that carry power from the substations to

tives in the state formed South Mississippi Electric Power Association, now known as Cooperative Energy. Cooperative Energy originally acted as an agent

for the member distribution cooperatives to bundle power purchases to get better pricing by purchasing in larger volumes than each cooperative could on their own. Over the years, Cooperative Energy began building transmission lines and generation to the point where today they either own generation or have power purchase agreements with enough capacity for all 11 member cooperatives and the necessary reserves. Mississippi Power Company is just one of the companies that Cooperative Energy has agreements with. Understanding our relationship with Cooperative Energy is the first step in explaining why the requests to reduce use were made. Next month weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll continue this discussion by looking at how Cooperative Energy became a member of MISO, the regional transmission organization and reliability coordinator, and how our operations are affected.

March 2018

Today in Mississippi

update Who is Cooperative Energy? Cooperative Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that generates and transmits electricity for 11 local electric distribution cooperatives across Mississippi. These 11 local cooperatives together provide electricity for 423,000 homes and businesses across the southern and western portions of the state. These local electric cooperatives purchase electricity from Cooperative Energy then deliver it to their members. How is Cooperative Energy related to Dixie Electric? Cooperative Energy generates the electricity required by Dixie Electric’s members and 10 other local electric distribution cooperatives across Mississippi. Dixie Electric purchases the electricity from Cooperative Energy and then delivers it to our members. Cooperative Energy serves these other local electric distribution cooperatives: • Coahoma Electric Power Association • Coast Electric Power Association • Delta Electric Power Association • Magnolia Electric Power • Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association • Singing River Electric Cooperative • Southern Pine Electric Cooperative • Southwest Electric Cooperative • Twin County Electric Power Association • Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association

Where does the electricity come from? Electricity is generated instantaneously—as soon as someone flips a light switch, a power plant must immediately respond. The technology to store electricity on a large scale is not economically feasible at this point, so electricity is generated practically on demand, traveling at the speed of light from generating plants to the point where it is delivered to the object using the electricity. For example, when you flipped your coffee maker or used your hair dryer this morning, a Cooperative Energy power plant responded to that electric energy need. The electricity for members of Dixie Electric most often comes from eight power plants owned by Cooperative Energy. Other times, Cooperative Energy purchases electricity from other power companies when those companies can generate it and sell it to Cooperative Energy at an economical price. This ensures that the cost of electricity is as affordable as possible for the members. Can power plant issues regionally or nationally affect us locally? Yes. Cooperative Energy and other power companies across the United States are connected by the national electric grid. When the demand for electricity and the availability of electricity for one power company is out of balance, it impacts the balance of the electrical system for other power companies. Cooperative Energy is a member of Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), a power reliability coordinator, which helps to balance the electric system for its members. On Jan. 17, 2018, several major power plants in the MISO system experienced problems and became unavail-

able. The loss of these power plants, combined with the extreme weather conditions, threatened the balance of the electric system. As a result, MISO requested that Cooperative Energy and other power companies across Mississippi and the southern U.S. ask their members to voluntarily reduce their electricity use. When a power reliability coordinator, such as MISO, issues requests like this, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation requires Cooperative Energy and other power companies to respond. Members of Dixie Electric, like you, and Cooperative Energy’s 10 other local electric cooperatives responded by conserving their use of electricity, and the situation was resolved by 1 p.m. Electricity is not an infinite resource. Although Cooperative Energy’s power plants were producing 450 megawatts of electricity, more than the need for the member in Cooperative Energy’s network at the time, as a member of MISO, Cooperative Energy is required to help keep the electric grid balanced. In fact, Cooperative Energy’s generators performed well that day, and its system operated reliably, which played a tremendous role in stabilizing the situation. So, it is not that Cooperative Energy or Dixie Electric was unprepared for this weather; rather, the weather combined with the loss of power plants in other parts of the country affected us in Mississippi. Each of the local electric cooperatives and their members worked with Cooperative Energy to resolve this issue as quickly and efficiently as possible. An employee monitors the electrical grid at Cooperative Energy, in Hattiesburg. Cooperative Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 electric cooperatives in Mississippi, including Dixie Electric, for distribution to some 423,000 homes and businesses across the southern and western portions of the state.

10a

10b I Today in Mississippi I March 2018

COLD WEATHER I haven’t touched the thermostat. Why is my bill higher? Power bills following periods of prolonged cold weather or extreme heat can be higher even when you have not changed the thermostat. Heating and cooling costs make up the largest percentage of a home's energy use. When the temperature changes drastically or stays extremely hot or cold, your heating/cooling unit must run longer to keep your home at the programmed, comfortable setting. Even the most efficient heating system set to the recommended 68 degrees sees much more use in extreme cold weather. If you have extreme cold days, or prolonged periods of very low temperatures, your heating system works harder and for longer periods to make up difference. • Imagine today’s temperature is a cool 50 degrees outside, and your unit is set to 68 degrees. The unit will run to make up the 18 degrees in temperature. • Now imagine, that you awake to an extremely cold morning with a 15-degree temperature. You didn’t change your thermostat. It’s still at 68 degrees, but now your unit must run for prolong periods of time to make up 53 degrees in temperature. This causes your home to use more energy, which results in a higher power bill next month. The same can happen in the summer due to extreme and prolonged heat, or other factors including pool pumps and equipment that use more energy. What are other factors that can impact my power bill? Our member service representatives are ready to assist you with any question you have about your Dixie Electric billing statement. Here are some things you may consider researching before calling. It could provide answers to questions or provide valuable information when you call. Know Your Billing and Energy Use History Study how much power you've used in the last 13

months. This history is provided as a graph on your billing statement that is mailed monthly or is available on the SmartHub app or on “My Account” at dixieepa.com. This free app can be downloaded to any Android or Apple mobile device by visiting dixieepa.com. Check the Days of Use Check the number of days that are billed for your electric use that month. This varies from bill to bill due to the number of days in a month and the days in a billing cycle. Remember, Appliances Run Even When You're Gone If you leave your home for the day, or an extended period of time, appliances you leave plugged in will continue to use electricity. Water heaters, the second largest energy user in your home, refrigerators, freezers, cable boxes, heating and cooling systems, well pumps and more continue to run and use energy while you are away. Check your thermostat setting before you leave; your heating and cooling system will work to stay at that temperature whether you are at home or away. Know That No Two Households Are Alike You do not use energy the same as your neighbor, and houses are not built exactly alike, so comparing your electric bill to your neighbor's is like comparing apples to oranges. It is best to compare your current energy use to

past energy use. Also, consider other factors: • Did you have extra guests stay over the past month? • Add a swimming pool or other major appliances or electronics? • Welcome a college student back home?

QA &

• Adopt new hobbies that include the use of power tools, ovens or other appliances? All of these factors and more could increase your home's energy use and result in higher power bills. Consider Appliance Use, Placement, and Age Lighting, refrigeration, cooking and appliances account for a large percentage of your home's total energy use. • Location of refrigerators and freezers can have an impact. Never place a refrigerator or freezer in direct sunlight or in an unconditioned space, such as a garage. The unit will work much harder and use more energy to overcome the excessive outdoor heat during warmer months. • Ensure refrigerators and freezers have adequate ventilation to maintain peak efficiency. • If an appliance is more than 15 years old, the efficiency of that appliance may be decreasing significantly. This means it is requiring more energy to do the job. • It is important to maintain appliances to ensure they are working at peak efficiency and energy savings. Options for Bill Payment Here are some options for paying your electric bill. Multiple Payments in One Billing Cycle Sometimes it helps to pay the amount in two payments within the same billing cycle. Pay one portion and then the rest two weeks later, or prior to the due date. Budget Billing If your account is current, you can request to be placed on budget billing. Your monthly billing amounts are averaged based on the past 12 months. Budget billing is readjusted in January of each year. You’ll pay the average bill and can budget that amount monthly to avoid sharp increases due to seasonal fluctuations in energy use. After studying your energy use, comparing it to last year and last month, and considering the above information, if you still feel there may be a problem, please call one of our three offices.

March 2018 I Today in Mississippi

Q: We have a cold snap every year. Why is my bill higher this winter? This winter has been very different from the previous two mild winter seasons. South Mississippi hasn’t experienced weather this cold since 2014, so while it may be tempting to compare this January or February’s bill to the ones you received in winter 2016/2017, that doesn’t really compare apples to apples. According to the National Weather Service, there were only 13 days where temperatures were at or below freezing in December 2016 and January 2017, but there

were 30 days this winter in December 2017 and January 2018. Last winter there were no snow days; and there are three snows days so far this winter. Power bills following periods of prolonged cold weather can be higher even if you have the same energy efficiency practices. Space heaters are small. How can they cause a big power bill? Electric space heaters drain energy savings from your home if used incorrectly. Some companies even make elaborate claims about the amount of money you can save, but unfortunately, this isn’t true most of the time, especially if the space heaters are used daily for long periods of time. Bottom line, electric space heaters should only be used to heat small spaces – not your entire home – for short periods of time. What is the true cost of a space heater? Most space heaters use 1,500 watts of electricity. You can check the manufacturer label to verify the wattage

of your space heater. Listed in the graphic above is the true cost calculation of a typical space heater. Will using my wood–burning fireplace or oven to heat my home save money? The short answer is no. Let’s look at each one of these options to see how you could actually lose money as well as create a potential safety hazard for you, your family and home. Fireplaces: A wood-burning fireplace is an inefficient way to heat your home. If you use a central heating unit while using your fireplace, your unit will have to work harder because fireplaces draft the warm air up the chimney. Also, wood-burning fireplaces are energy hogs, only converting 15 percent of a wood’s energy into useful heat. One way to upgrade your fireplace and make it more energy efficient would be installing glass doors to limit the amount of air pulled up the chimney. Lastly, if you aren’t using the fireplace, close the damper to prevent a draft. Ovens: Kitchen ovens were never designed to heat the home, so in short, don’t even try it. Heating with an oven is a two-fold problem. It is not energy efficient, and it is dangerous. You could be exposed to harmful gases, like Carbon Monoxide, or potentially be burned by keeping the door open with the heating elements exposed.

10c

10d

Today in Mississippi I March 2018

Plant the right tree in the right place Trees beautify our neighborhoods, and when planted in the right spot, can even help lower energy bills. But the wrong tree in the wrong place can be a hazard... especially to power lines.

SMALL/MEDIUM TREES 30-35 feet from lines • Bradford Pear • Golden Raintree • Saucer Magnolia • Sourwood • Winter King Hawthorne • Flowering Dogwood • Ornamental Crabapple • Dogwood

LARGE TREES 40-45 feet from lines • Red Maple • Spruce • Lacebark Elm • White Oak • Hemlock • Shagbark Hickory

• Carolina Silverbell • Ornamental Cherry • Serviceberry • Fraser Fir • Redbud • Japanese Lilac • Kousa • Stewartia

For more tips on smart tree planting in your community, visit dixieepa.com or www.ArborDay.org.

Avoid planting anything within

20-25 feet of the power lines.

This ad is an updated version according to Dixie Electric’s tree planting guidelines.

70 ft.

6 0 ft.

50ft.

Right-of-way clearing projects underway Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Here are the substations’ surrounding

communities that are either currently being cleared or will be cleared soon: • Glade substation – Glade, Antioch and Powers communities • Macedonia substation – Macedonia, Leeville, Union, Corinth Church and the Ovett oilfields

Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for Dixie Electric’s line crew personnel.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Easter Bunny photos!

4 0 ft.

30 ft.

Tuesday, March 6

Dixie Electric’s Waynesboro Office 618 Azalea Drive, Waynesboro (601) 735-2072 Noon – 7 p.m.

20ft.

10 ft.

Thursday, March 8

Dixie Electric’s Petal Office 1312 Highway 42, Petal (601) 583-1131 Noon – 7 p.m.

Friday, March 9

Dixie Electric’s Laurel Office 1863 Highway 184, Laurel (601) 425-2535 Noon – 5:30 p.m.

First child: $10 Each additional child: $5 Pets are welcome. You will receive your photos on a USB drive.

in Mississippi will begin at

2 a.m. Sunday, March 11

Proceeds benefit

Get the Advantage with Comfort Advantage

March 2018

Dixie Electric Power Association offers the Comfort Advantage program for members who are building new homes or replacing their heating/cooling systems with a heat pump. Comfort Advantage provides guidelines and incentives for energy efficient home construction. Building a new home requires numerous decisions. Comfort Advantage makes the decision process easier when choosing windows, insulation and heating/cooling systems. “Our members can take comfort in knowing that the home they are building meets energy efficient standards for our local area,” energy advisor Joe Donald said. This is a joint program with other electric cooperatives in Mississippi through Dixie Electric’s wholesale power provider, Cooperative Energy. The specific criteria and the rebates for the program are available online at dixieepa.com or available at Dixie

Today in Mississippi

Electric’s three office locations. The Comfort Advantage energy efficient heating/cooling program is focused around the use of energy efficient heat pumps. Members have several types of heat pumps to choose from and can work with a professional heating and air dealer about the brand and size of unit that serves them best. It is best to contact Dixie Electric before the new unit is installed to capture the appropriate information on the new and old units. Comfort Advantage is a recognized standard for energy-efficient construction and quality products for the home. The benefits of Comfort Advantage and Comfort Advantage Plus are promoted by electric cooperatives who provide electric service to more than 420,000 Mississippi homes and businesses. Comfort Advantage is designed to help members minimize their energy consumption and to reduce peak power use, lowering power costs for everyone.

Dixie Electric’s Charity Golf Tournament benefits the American Cancer Society

Thursday, March 22, 2018 • Laurel Country Club Morning Tee Time:

e Hole in On by Sponsored

Registration at 7 a.m. with an 8 a.m. tee time

Afternoon Tee Time:

Registration at noon with a 1:30 p.m. tee time

Four Man Scramble

Entry Fee: $85 per person

Sponsorships $100 - $300 Tent sponsors: Promote your business for $300

Kim’s Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Toyota & Woolwine Ford, Lincoln For more information, call Pollyanna Magee 601-425-2535 FAX: 601-399-5255 email: pollymagee@dixieepa.com or Visit dixieepa.com for a registration form.

Today in Mississippi

March 2018

East Mississippi Electric Power Association Louisville 662.773.5741

Meridian 601.581.8600

Quitman 601.776.6271

DeKalb 601.743.2641

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

The value of electricity continues to shine How many of us remember dropping into an East Mississippi Electric Power Association office with our parents and grandparents to pay the light bill? Whether you do that in person, by mail or online today, paying your monthly bill does a lot more than just keep the lights on. Electricity keeps us connected to our modern world. Consider all the necessities and conveniences we enjoy in part because of the power lines running to the electric meter outside your home. Count your televisions, desktop, CEO Randy Carroll laptop and tablet computers, printers, your gaming consoles, music and video players and personal assistant devices. Whether they get used every day or just occasionally, the electricity that keeps them working comes from EMEPA. Have you looked around your kitchen lately?

Between the coffee maker and toaster and the microwave and electric skillet, a lot of us have added several other modern small appliances. If you’ve got a craft nook or workshop, the power tools and machines you use to cut and shape your projects are either plugged in or recharged from the outlets connecting your household wiring to EMEPA. We use electricity to run all these devices, keep the lights on, use the stove, heating and air conditioning, and get hot water from the tap. The good news is, even as we rely more on electricity, it’s still a bargain, especially compared to other things we pay for regularly. On average, our members use less than $3.00 per day for all these life conveniences. When it comes to value, electricity is a clear winner, and we’re always looking for ways to work with you to make it even better. That’s why EMEPA urges energy efficiency, encourages you to look for ENERGY STAR® appliances, and promotes technology designed to give

Prepay now available

EMEPA’s new, convenient and budget friendly prepay option lets you pay for electricity before you use it and alerts you when you’re almost out. Call your local office for details or to sign up.

How do I submit a payment for prepay electricity? Members enrolled in prepay have several convenient options for making payments. • Make a secure payment 24/7 from your smartphone with EMEPA’s free mobile app. • Register and make payments 24/7 online at EMEPA.com. • Use the convenient 24/7 payment kiosks located at each of EMEPA’s four offices. • Make payments during business hours in person or by phone at your local EMEPA office.

members more control over their electricity use. Energy performance dashboards, smart thermostats and power strips, and appliance settings that shift most water heating, laundry and dishwashing outside of peak rate periods help reduce the co-op’s overall power demand. They also give you opportunities to control or even trim your monthly utility bills. That’s good for families, couples and individuals trying to live within their budgets. And it’s going to become even more important as digital devices and internet-connected technologies become even more important in our lives. The average home now has 10 Wi-Fi connected devices. That number is expected to explode to 50 by 2020. Technology and the gateways that keep it working use electricity, so you’ll depend upon EMEPA for more than the power that keeps the lights on. That’s why we’re always working to provide service that’s reliable, keep it affordable and make it even more valuable to our member— you, your family and our neighbors.

EMEPA Get the 411 0n Whether you have been a member of East Mississippi Electric Power Association since the beginning back in 1938 or just signed up for new service last week, we welcome you as one of more than 37,000 East Mississippi families, businesses and churches in owning and using services from your local electric cooperative. Being part of EMEPA means you are a part owner of EMEPA and share in the benefits of the Association.

Here we’ve provided the 4-1-1 on everything you need to know about communicating with us. And when you have questions about energy efficiency, electrical service or any of our products or services, just ask us – we’re ready to listen. When we know just what you want, we’re in a better position to deliver successful results – building trust, strengthening relationships and fostering cooperation.

PAYMENT OPTIONS • Make payments during business hours in person at your local EMEPA office or by phone at 601-581-8600 for 24/7 credit card or e-check payment. • Send a check or money order by mail along with your bill payment stub. • For ultimate convenience, sign up for automated bank draft each month using either a checking or a credit card account. • Register and make payments 24/7 online at EMEPA.com. • Make a secure payment 24/7 from your smartphone with EMEPA’s free mobile app. • After setting up a payment profile and opting into text alerts on your account, simply text PAY to 352667. • Use the convenient payment kiosks located at each of EMEPA’s four offices for 24/7 service or at the Piggly Wiggly of Collinsville during the store’s operating hours. • Prepay: Eliminate a monthly bill with our new convenient pay-as-you-go power. Talk to a Member Service Representative for details or to sign up.

HOW TO LOG IN TO MY ACCOUNT Use EMEPA.com to view your account information, set up notifications and alerts, pay your bill and much more through My Account. Simply click the red My Account button at the left of the homepage and click New User under Login to follow the prompts to set up your account. You will need your account number handy to get set up.

HOW TO VIEW RATE SCHEDULE You can access EMEPA’s rate schedule online at EMEPA.com under myHome.

March 2018 I Today in Mississippi

10a

OFFICE LOCATIONS Lauderdale County Kemper County 2128 Highway 39 North, Meridian 100 Veterans Street, DeKalb 601-581-8600 601-743-2641 Clarke County 117 Carlson Avenue, Quitman 601-776-6271

Winston County 86 EMEPA Road, Louisville 662-773-5741

HOW TO REPORT AN OUTAGE If the power goes out, report your outage by phone at 601-581-8600, online at EMEPA.com or by smartphone app. Make sure to keep your contact number up to date and call from the number associated with your account for the greatest ease in reporting an outage.

HOW TO VIEW OUR OUTAGE MAP View current outages with just a click of a button through EMEPA’s outage map located under the quick links at EMEPA.com or on your smartphone app.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD SMARTPHONE APP EMEPA’s smartphone app makes it easier than ever to stay in touch with us and conduct normal transactions on the go. You can access your account, view daily energy use, weather data, receive account notifications, and pay your bill and more, all straight from your smartphone. Download the free app by searching EMEPA in the Apple App store or Google Play store.

HOW TO ACCESS YOUR EMEPA MEMBER HANDBOOK You can access the full EMEPA member handbook online at EMEPA.com under myHome or myBusiness.

10b

Today in Mississippi

March 2018

Go Further with

The Academy communicates healthful eating messages that emphasize balancing food and beverages within an individual’s energy needs, rather than focusing on any one specific food or meal. It is the Academy’s position that improving overall well-being requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, emphasizing lasting and enjoyable eating practices and regular physical activity. “Registered dietitian nutritionists can help all consumers determine the lifestyle balance that provides our bodies with the nutrients we need and still eat the foods we enjoy the most,” Msora-Kasago says. Initiated in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, the public education campaign became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition. To commemorate the dedication of registered dietitian nutritionists as the leading advocates for advanc-

Blush Wine Vinaigrette: 3 Tbsp. sugar 1/4 cup water Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 cup olive or canola oil

Food

ing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of March is celebrated as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. This year’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day will be celebrated March 14. As part of National Nutrition Month, the Academy’s website includes articles, recipes, videos and educational resources to spread the message of good nutrition and the importance of an overall healthy lifestyle for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Consumers can also follow National Nutrition Month on the Academy’s social media channels including Facebook and Twitter using #NationalNutritionMonth. All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s board of directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.Visit the Academy online.