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recipe. Most popular is the Cajun style, which calls for infusing boiled crawfish with peppery spices and serving them with boiled corn and potatoes. Another popular offshoot is the VietnameseCajun style, in which the boiled crustaceans are sautéed with butter, garlic and aromatic ingredients such as lemongrass and citrus. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

GETTING THE MUDBUGS The first chapters of crawfish scripture were written in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, where wild harvests began in the 1880s. By the 1950s, cold storage and the introduction of wire crawfish traps boosted harvest volume. Crawfish farmers found they could raise an excellent crop in flooded rice fields and produce consistently larger crops year over year.

That farming tradition continues with folks like Craig Radley, who converted 50 acres of rice fields near El Campo, in Wharton County Electric Cooperative’s service area, into a swampy crawfish heaven. WEB EXTRAS a Crawfish watch the weather. Read this story on our website to learn more. Radley calls his operation Pinchers Crawfish Farm, and on one sunny afternoon, he readied his flat-bottomed aluminum boat for harvesting mudbugs. He navigated the specially designed craft through the muddy water with help from a hydraulic, cleat-studded wheel that pushed along the slushy bottom.

Radley hoisted each pyramid-shaped, crawfish-filled trap from the water and emptied the catch into a sorting area in front of his cockpit. As he went, he rebaited each trap with commercial crawfish pellets and put it back into the water to capture more. As he sorted and cleaned his harvest, Radley removed debris and tossed the smaller mudbugs back so they could grow larger. With a full load, he motored back to his nearby seafood restaurant, Pinchers Boil’n Pot. The crawfish are submerged in fresh water for 24 hours to purge them of internal impurities. After that, they get weighed and are ready for their starring role in the restaurant.

Writer and photographer Eric W. Pohl, a member of Pedernales EC, lives in Dripping Springs. Craig Radley of Pinchers Crawfish Farm empties a crawfish trap into a boat’s sorting area.

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Economic Participation

A message from your CEO, Varzavand “Avan” Irani

Paying money to participate in a business might not seem like a privilege, but it is—when that business is an electric cooperative. The money you put in to become a member of NEC Co-op Energy not only helps us light your homes and businesses, but it also helps to improve the quality of life for everyone in our service area. The text below is from the International Cooperative Alliance’s summary of the third cooperative principle, Members’ Economic Participation:

“Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.”

So what do those words mean? Let’s take a closer look. Chances are, when you joined NEC, you paid a membership fee of $15. That fee is your part of the equity or your share of ownership. You also do something else every month that allows your co-op to keep the lights on: You pay your bill.

As a member, your paid-in share ensures that you have a say in co-op business through your elected board of directors. The board sets the strategic direction of the

cooperative, then the management and staff put that direction into action.

At the end of the fiscal year, if the co-op has received more money from members than it needed to cover expenses, a portion is set aside for reserves—which is like a savings account for the co-op. If a storm or flood comes through, the co-op will have the funds to do the needed repairs.

Any remaining amount is allocated to each member based on how much electricity they used during the year. Once the board decides the co-op is financially sound enough to release these allocated margins, members receive them as capital credits checks or credits on their bills.

This is just one way your co-op gives back to its communities. Although the safe, reliable and affordable provision of electricity is our primary mission, the co-op also values its members and finds many other ways to enrich the quality of life in our service area. enrich the quality of life in our service area.

NEC Co-op Energy is not some large power company headquartered in a far-off state with stockholders from around the world. We are right here in the Coastal Bend of Texas. We were formed by neighbors and friends who came together and contributed their own money with the goal of bettering their lives with electricity.

Our goal is to continue to do that—improve the quality of our members’ lives—with the same neighborly approach. Our Seven Cooperative Principles guide us. And your economic participation helps us make sure our focus is always on you, the member-owner. MAKSIMYREMENKO | ISTOCK.COM MAKSIMYREMENKO | ISTOCK.COM

The NEC Co-op Energy team continues to demonstrate excellent service to our members and community! NEC Co-op Energy is the Best of the Best!

For the sixth year in a row, 2019 proves that NEC Co-op Energy remains the Corpus Christi Caller Times #1 Best of The Best Retail Electric Provider. NEC Co-op Energy is honored to be recognized for our exceptional service to our members. When asked “Why did the CallerTimes readers pick your business to be the Best of the Best?” we didn’t have to go far for the answer! Very simply put: excellent member programs, money back to members in the form of Capital Credits and NEC Co-op Energy Power Perks, and no contracts, just to name a few. NEC Co-op Energy could not be more thankful to our members. As a hometown company, NEC Co-op Energy is the best choice for your home or business. NEC Co-op Energy has worked hard this to enhance our ability to serve members. We have implemented more member benefit programs, like the Military Appreciation Credit, Member to Member Referral Program and in 2019 relocated our office to Corpus Christi to better serve our members after being housed in our Robstown location since we began! We strive each and every day to ensure we are meeting your needs and are constantly evaluating how the co-op can increase member benefits and increase ways to give money back millions of dollars to you. How many electric retail providers do you know who can say that? Our members are our top priority and NEC Co-op Energy takes your feedback very seriously. This community recognition speaks volumes and we are thankful you spoke up and voted us #1!

NEC Co-op Energy Employees Bring Smiles To Children and Families this Holiday Season Albert Garza (pictured back left) stopped by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Corpus Christi to deliver brand new gifts.

NEC Co-op Energy is proud to impact lives. This holiday season, NEC Co-op Energy employees donated brand new, unwrapped gifts to the Ronald McDonald House Charities o

Following our cooperative principle of Concern for the Community, NEC Co-op Energy has many out-reach initiatives such as grant awards through our charity organization, Nueces Electric Charities, Inc. and employee volunteer efforts, just to name a few.

This past December, NEC employees visited the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Corpus Christi and donated brand-new gifts to children and families in our community. Nearly one-hundred brand new gifts total were donated by NEC employees. The gifts included diapers, dolls, action figures, coloring books, bicycles and many other toys that brough joy and excitement to the Ronald McDonald House, just in time for Christmas.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Corpus Christi helps families stay together through the biggest challenges of their lives. More than just a house, the community sponsored organization provides comfort, support and resources for families with sick children just minutes away from Driscoll Children’s Hospital. NEC Co-op Energy is proud to follow our cooperative principles and make a difference in the communities we serve. Donating gifts to the Ronald McDonald House is just one of the many ways NEC continues to impact lives and fulfill the cooperative mission.

When you Round Up, Big Things Happen, Learn Pictured from left to right: Sarah Fisher (NEC), Jane Haas (Halo-Flight) and Varzavand Irani (NEC). How To Opt-In to Operation Round Up Today!

When you become a member of NEC Co-op Energy, you aren’t just joining the electric co-op that has energized South Texas for the past 80-years. Your NEC Co-op Energy membership can have a direct impact in the well-being of local communities through voluntary participation in Operation RoundUp. Through Operation Round-Up, NEC Co-op Energy members volunteer to “round up” their electric bills to the next dollar. All of the additional change goes to a nonprofit fund developed by NEC called Nueces Electric Charities, Inc. The money adds up each year and Nueces Electric Charities (on behalf of all participating NEC members) gives a check to various

worthy community projects like the HALO-Flight air ambulance service. The monthly donation by a member, per account, never exceeds 99 cents per month, can be as low as a penny, and averages just $6 per year.

“Giving back to the community we serve is one of our founding cooperative principles,” says Chief Executive Officer Varzavand “Avan” Irani, “Thanks to the generous donations of NEC members, Nueces Electric Charities is proud to provide grant opportunities to various worthy non-profit organizations in our community.”

Nueces Electric Charities has supported a variety of organizations including South Texas Light House for the Blind, United Way of the Coastal Bend, Driscoll Children’s Hospital and many more. Recent 2019 grants totaling $110,000 have gone Mission of Mercy, Inc., Children’s Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Foundation Inc., Education Service Center Region 2, Corpus Christi Hope House, Inc., just to name a few. To Opt-in to Operation Round Up, select the Operation Round Up option on the back of your bill and return the stub to NEC Co-op Energy (return information will be on the back of your bill). If you receive paperless billing, please call our office 361-767- 3865 and speak with one of our Member Service Representatives to Opt-in.

Command, Control and Energy Savings for Co-op Members

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live and has the potential to bring major changes to the way we use energy.

The number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices is projected to reach to 75.44 billion worldwide by 2025, a fivefold increase in ten years. That pace keeps designers and manufacturers of consumer products looking for new ways to add value to their products with Wi-Fi-enabled features.

As artificial intelligence devices create opportunities for home automation, consumers will play larger roles in deciding how and when systems in their home are controlled.

Smart thermostats have been around for a while, and models that interconnect with home automation systems, like Amazon’s Echo and Google Home, get a lot of attention. Apps developed for those products are also available for Android and iOS devices.

As the energy sources we use to generate power evolve and management of the electric grid becomes more agile and sophisticated, the true potential of energy load control provides opportunities for more savings through wholesale power supply. That’s challenging electric co-ops to find additional ways to strengthen partnerships with members who are interested in actively managing their energy use. Two-way, real-time communications and artificial intelligence offer opportunities to learn consumer preferences and how best to reduce energy during peak demand periods.

It seems like virtual (or “voice”) assistants and smartphone apps are able to manage more and more aspects of our homes with each passing day, and while many may not work seamlessly, they are likely to continue to improve.

With this ever-expanding technology, your heating, ventilating and air conditioning system can learn your schedule and regulate heating and cooling for your comfort based upon when you are home. Instead of maintaining a steady supply of hot water when no one is home to use it, water could be heated during periods when demand is lowest and electricity costs less, and then boosted to ideal temperatures to meet specific needs like bathing, laundry and washing dishes.

New induction stovetops, energy-efficient convection ovens and some countertop appliances offer more opportunities for efficiency in the kitchen—and the common trait of these efficient products is that they are all electric. ZURIJETA | ISTOCK.COM

Have a Green Valentine’s Day

Who knew saving energy with your sweetheart could be so romantic?

This year, celebrate Valentine’s Day with energy efficiency in mind. Here are some ideas:

Eat at home. Save on gas by cooking your Valentine’s Day meal together at home.

Shop locally. Buy locally grown food for your home-cooked meal. Doing so supports your neighbors and ensures that your food hasn’t traveled to reach you—which takes extra energy.

Save time and energy by fixing your feast in an energy-efficient slow cooker. Toss the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning, and the meal will be ready by the time your date night begins.

If you want to cook on the stove, use the correct size pan for the burner, keep the pan’s lid on and turn the burner off shortly before the dish is done.

Candlelight is romantic and doesn’t cost a penny of electricity.

Choose sustainable gifts, like greeting cards printed on recycled paper. Opt for a longer-lasting potted plant rather than freshly cut flowers.

Is Your Digital Assistant Draining Your Energy Bill? AMAZON The Amazon Echo Plus is one of the most popular smart speakers on the market today.

Have you ever wanted to turn off the lights or listen to the news by simply using your voice? That’s the power a digital assistant can provide. These handy products have made their way into homes across the country since the first smart speaker became available in late 2014. At the end of 2018, there were 66.4 million users of smart home assistants or smart home speakers in the U.S.

Today, 1 in 4 Americans own a smart speaker, and 40% of those folks also have more than one smart speaker at home. The most popular of these devices is the Amazon Echo, although Google Home products are selling at a rapid rate. Other top brands include Apple’s HomePod, the Sonos One and the JBL Link 10.

Google Home starts at about $129, and the Amazon Echo starts at about $180. However, there are smaller, more basic versions that can be purchased for $100 less—the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini. These smart speakers can help you set reminders, inform you of today’s top news stories, help you order products online, play music and even tell jokes!

As smart speakers become more prevalent, you may be wondering how these products affect your energy bills: Turns out, not a lot.

Tests have shown that the Amazon Echo uses 3 watts of electricity while on standby mode, which means that if the Echo were left on standby mode for one year, it would consume about $3.15 in electricity. While moderately active (like telling a joke or playing music at a medium volume), the Echo uses 4 watts. At its highest power use (like playing music at full volume), it uses 6.6 watts; if used consistently at this level, it would consume about $6.93 of electricity over the course of a year. For comparison, the Google Home uses slightly less energy than the Echo at 2 watts while in standby mode, saving about $1 a year in total energy costs.

There are plenty of reasons to buy a smart speaker; don’t let the additional cost to your energy bill stop you from adding one to your home.

Keep Warm, Save Energy

February can be hard on energy bills, but cold winter weather is no match for a home that is prepared to fight it. Address these common winter culprits throughout your house: Drafty doors and windows. An easy fix with a big payback is weatherstripping. Caulk or apply weatherstripping around all window and door seams, especially those leading to the attic. Weatherstrip your attic access door.

Dirty filters. Dirty filters make your heating system work harder to warm the air. Aim to change the filter every three months, or more often if it is especially dirty.

Leaky ducts. A contractor can test your ducts for leakage and repair any problems. Repair visible or accessible leaks with metal tape—not duct tape. Chilly water heater. If your water heater is older or not well insulated, wrap it in an insulating jacket. Wood fireplace. Traditional fireplaces pull heated air out of the house. When not in use, check that the damper is completely closed.

Writing the date you change it on the filter can help keep track of when it should be changed again.

Don’t Ignore Flickering Lights

Ways To Make Your Home Safer

If you have small children, make sure unused wall outlets have safety coverings. Unprotected wall outlets can be a hazard. Also:

• Check that outlets and wall switches are cool to the touch. Unusual warmth may indicate unsafe wiring and should be checked by an electrician. • Ensure all outlets and switches are working properly. Faulty equipment may mean unsafe wiring. • All outlets and switches should have faceplates. Exposed wiring is a shock hazard. • Check that extension cords are correctly rated for the amount of electricity they are going to carry and are approved by a reputable safety standards organization. • Screw lightbulbs in securely. Loose bulbs may cause a fire or shock. • Check all electric cords for visible damage. Frayed cords can be dangerous. • Small appliances (hair dryers, toasters, etc.) should be unplugged ed with ground-fault circuit interrupters. GFCIs provide shock protection by quickly cutting off the circuit and preventing injury. • Never insert any metal object, such as a fork, into an appliance. • Make sure you’re using the correct wattage and proper kind of lightbulb in all lighting fixtures. The wrong type of bulb can lead to overheating or fire. • Never leave space heaters unattended when in use.

Just as an ambulance’s flashing lights alert you to an emergency, so should a flickering lightbulb get your attention.

It may be that the bulb is simply about to burn out. But sometimes a flickering bulb is a sign that the light fixture is damaged or the electrical connection is faulty. Don’t ignore these signs!

Turn off the power immediately and check the connection to the fixture and its internal wiring. If you’re not confident in your abilities, call an electrician. Leaving a flickering light on could present a risk of electrical fire.

The same is true for a lamp that burns too hot. You may have installed the wrong wattage lightbulb. If the wattage is too high, the heat builds up and cannot escape. Check the rating on your lamps and light fixtures to make sure you’re using the right size and kind of bulb.

You should be especially concerned about warm or hot bulbs if you’ve made the smart move to energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs, which typically produce very little, if any, heat when in use.

Three DIY Efficiency Projects To Tackle Today

You may think energy efficiency upgrades require a great deal of time and expense, but that’s not always the case. If you’re interested in making your home more efficient but don’t want to break the bank, there are several do-it-yourself projects you can tackle to increase energy savings. Let’s take a look at three inexpensive upgrades that can save energy throughout the year.

TRIM DRYER VENT HOSE (1) Level of difficulty: easy.

Supplies needed: tin snips, gloves, measuring tape and masking tape. Estimated cost: about $25 depending on the supplies you already have.

If your dryer vent hose is too long, your dryer is working harder than it has to and using more energy than necessary. The vent hose should be long enough for you to pull the dryer out a couple feet from the wall and should form a line—it should not have a lot of slack, twists or curves. A shorter, unobstructed vent hose increases the efficiency of your dryer, allows for faster drying and reduces the buildup of lint, which is a potential fire hazard.

Simply measure, mark and trim the hose to the desired length, then reattach the hose to your dryer and exterior vent.

SEAL AIR LEAKS (2) Level of difficulty: moderate.

Supplies needed: caulk and caulk gun, weatherstripping, gloves, putty knife, and paper towels. Estimated cost: $25–$50 depending on the materials you purchase.

Sealing air leaks in your home can help you save 10%–20% on heating and cooling bills. Apply caulk around windows, doors, electrical wiring and plumbing to seal in conditioned air. You should also add weatherstripping around exterior doors, which can keep out drafts and help you control energy costs. Types of caulking and weatherstripping materials vary; ask your local hardware or home store for assistance if you’re unsure about the supplies you need. For more information, the U.S. Department of Energy provides step-by-step instruc

tions for caulking and weatherstripping online at bit.ly/ howtoseal.

INSULATE ATTIC STAIRS OPENING (3) Level of difficulty: moderate.

Supplies needed: rigid foam board, faced blanket insulation, tape for foam board, measuring tape, utility knife, caulk and caulk gun, and plywood. Estimated cost: $50–$100. A properly insulated attic is one of the best ways to optimize energy savings and comfort in your home, but many homeowners don’t consider insulating the attic stairs or the opening to your attic space. Even a wellinsulated attic can leak air through the stairs opening. Luckily, there’s an easy fix.

An insulated cover box can seal and insulate the attic stairs opening. You can build your own insulated cover box or purchase a prebuilt box or kit from a local home improvement store for about $60. If you decide to build your own, check out step-by-step instructions from the Department of Energy online at bit.ly/atticstairscover. If your attic opening is located in a garage that you do not heat and cool, this upgrade will not be as effective.