Making safety a top priority Members’ safety means the most to the co-op Trace McCuan, CEO
We all want the best for the people in our lives— our family, friends, community and others. At Nueces Electric Cooperative, that includes you, our members. It’s why we make safety a top priority, and why we devote time and energy to making our staff and community residents aware of how to stay safe around electricity. Our modern way of life depends on this resource, but electricity can be dangerous, and even deadly. We encourage everyone to know how to use electricity safely. This Spring, if you’re working with tall ladders— cleaning gutters, trimming trees or undertaking other projects outside—we remind you to look up and stay a safe distance away from overhead power lines, especially those connected to your home. If a project involves digging, be sure to call 811 a few working days in advance to have your underground utility lines marked before you put shovel to the ground. This will keep you from damaging any electric, gas, water, cable, sever or other lines that are buried on your property. One phone call could prevent inconvenient out-
ages and possible injury. Help children understand the importance of staying away from electric utility equipment. Teach them never to climb trees or fly kites near power lines. Know how to prepare for and stay safe during and after storms and natural disasters that could leave behind electrical hazards, such as downed power lines and submerged electrical devices. The United States has the safest, most reliable electric system in the world, and with it comes extensive responsibility. Cooperatives value our members’ safety and well-being, and NEC will continue working to educate everyone on important safety considerations. We don’t want anyone to take a chance that could end in tragedy. We encourage you to visit safeelectricity.org, where you’ll find lifesaving information presented in videos, interactive games for children, online teaching resources and more. Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more information on safety updates and energy efficiency tips.
HAPPY EASTER APRIL 16
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S O L S TO C K | I S TO C K . CO M
NEC’s offices will be closed April 14 in observance of Good Friday.
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On April 10, #ThankALineman We take time every year to thank the extraordinary lineworkers who dedicate their lives to keeping the lights on in our local communities. Nueces Electric Cooperative’s service territory contains more than 3,000 miles of line, which is maintained by our 24 lineworkers. Without them, our world would be dark. We depend on our entire staff every day to keep your electric co-op running smoothly—but on April 10, National Lineman Appreciation Day—we’re honoring our lineworkers, who regularly place themselves in challenging and often dangerous situations so that our lives can be brighter and safer every day. These brave men and women repair damaged equipment and maintain critical infrastructure. Without their hard work and commitment to a difficult job, our co-op and our communities would not thrive. No matter the time—day or night, weekday or weekend—if the lights go out, so do the line crews. Perhaps you have seen them working in their bucket trucks in howling winds and torrential rains, or in freezing, icy conditions. Linemen work around the clock near high-voltage power lines until electricity is restored to every member in NEC’s service area. In addition to aiding members in our own service territory, our lineworkers are willing and eager to volunteer when a neighboring community, county or state is in need after a major outage occurs. Several Texas co-ops came to the aid of others who suffered severe outages due to winter storms over the past few months. Our lineworkers are brave, committed, selfless and critical to our success. We hope you will join us in thanking the many lineworkers—both locally and around the world—who light our lives. Use #ThankALineman on social media to show your support. Remember: Your power works because they do! www.nueceselectric.org
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Taking some much-needed time away during spring break can be expensive. A great way to save money is to give your electric bills a vacation, too. There are several steps you can take to trim your electricity usage while you’re away: Unplug some of your household appliances. Your house has many items that always use electricity when they’re plugged in, even when turned off. Unplugging these items not only saves energy but also can prevent fires during your absence. Some of the more common items are: TVs, DVD players, cable TV boxes, microwave ovens, toasters and other small kitchen appliances. Adjust the refrigerator control to a warmer setting. The fridge can be set as high as 40 degrees without spoiling food; the freezer can be set at 5 degrees. On these settings, you can conserve up to 40 percent of the refrigerator’s electric usage. If you are going on an extended trip, consider emptying the fridge and turning it off entirely. Remember to leave the door open to prevent mildew. Set the thermostat higher (or lower) than the typical comfort level. In warmer weather, you can shut off the air conditioner during your absence, or at least consider setting it to a higher-than-normal temperature, 80 degrees or above. If it’s still cold out, you should consider lowering your thermostat but to no lower than 55 degrees. Typically, you can save 10–30 percent on heating costs by doing this. Headed out on spring break? Set the thermostat temperature higher than usual to give your electric bill a break. A programmable thermostat can make these adjustments automatically. Turn down the water heater. A large percentage of the cost of running a water heater comes from just keeping the water at the selected temperature. If you are going on a lengthy trip, turn down the temperature to the lowest setting. This can save you up to $10 a month. Consider using timers to turn lights on and off every night. Timers can save energy and also give an appearance that someone is home. For the lights that will be on the longest—inside and outside—use CFL or LED bulbs. These use at least 75 percent less power than traditional bulbs and last longer. Follow these tips while you’re away for spring break and put your mind at ease about electric bills. Then you can enjoy that vacation even more!
D E N I S M O S K V I N O V | I S TO C K . CO M
Give your electric bill a vacation
HAPPY ARBOR DAY! from Nueces EC Friday, April 28 This year, our Arbor Day tree giveaway will be held on Texas Arbor Day, Friday, November 3. 20
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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.
For more tips on smart tree planting in your community, contact your local electric cooperative or visit www.ArborDay.org.
LARGE TREES
MEDIUM TREES
Height/spread of more than 40 feet, such as:
Height/spread of 25 to 40 feet, such as:
Avoid planting within 20 feet of power lines. When planting within 20 feet is unavoidable, use only shrubs and small trees.
• Maple • Birch • Sweetgum • Oak • Spruce • Linden • Pine
• Washington hawthorn • Goldenraintree • Eastern redbud • American arborvitae • Dogwoods
Height /spread of no more than 25 feet such as:
SMALL TREES
• Star magnolia • Crabapple • Lilac 40ft.
40ft. high or less
Tree pruning zone
Maximum tree height 25ft.
70ft.
60ft.
50ft.
40ft.
30ft.
20ft.
10ft.
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Be safe! Always call 811 before you dig to locate any buried utility lines.
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Source: The Arbor Day Foundation and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association NECWIRES_Apr2017.indd 21
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April showers bring more than May flowers Spring is the favorite season of many Texans—but when April showers turn into storms, they can be accompanied by dangerous conditions. Lightning kills an average of 93 Americans and injures 300 more every year, and flash floods result in 140 fatalities, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months during afternoon and evening hours—but they can occur year-round and at all hours. Flash flood waves move at incredible speeds and can tear out trees and destroy buildings; walls of water can reach 20 feet or much more. Flash flooding deaths often occur at night and when victims are caught in cars. Below are some safety tips to follow—regardless of the type of weather emergency—during this stormy time of year. Power Outage Tips Before you call your co-op to report an outage, make sure you haven’t blown a fuse or tripped a breaker. Look outside to see if your neighbors’ lights are off or if there are any downed wires. Keep emergency numbers handy. Keep a copy of the list in every vehicle, too. Always consider downed power lines to be deadly. Don’t go near them and don’t let anyone else near them. Report the situation to your electric co-op immediately. Keep plenty of flashlights in your house, and be sure the batteries are fresh and easy to access. Keep a light in each vehicle, too. Have one or more power banks charged and accessible so that you can keep a cellphone charged during an outage. 22
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Monitor updates about widespread power outages via social media updates on your cellphone. Keep the refrigerator door closed. Open it only when necessary. Food will keep for several hours in a closed, unpowered refrigerator and up to two days in the freezer if the door stays shut. If you use a generator during an outage, remember that improper hookup can create serious problems in safety and service. The proper transfer switch is extremely important. Lightning Safety Tips If you are caught outside, do not stand under tall objects. Go to a low place, such as a ditch. If you are in a group outdoors, stay several yards apart from each other. Avoid water and metal, including tractors and other metal equipment or vehicles. If you are caught on a level field far from shelter and you feel your hair stand on end, lightning may be about to strike you. Drop to your knees and bend forward, putting your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground. Flooding Safety Tips If time permits after a flood warning is issued, take essential items to safe ground. Move to high ground immediately, before the escape route is cut off. Do not drive through flooded areas. A car can easily be carried away by just 2 feet of water, and nearly half of all flood fatalities occur in vehicles. If your vehicle stalls in a flooded area, abandon it and seek higher ground. If your home is flooded, keep the power turned off until the water has been removed and the electrical system inspected. www.nueceselectric.org
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GOT POWER? Thank a lineman. Celebrate NATIONAL LINEMAN APPRECIATION DAY April 10. #thankalineman www.nueceselectric.org P H OTO : D AV E S H A F E R
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2017
Christmas Card Contest
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FIRST PLACE Glory Turnbull Age 17
SECOND PLACE Kayla Kimes 6 Age 14
Disclaimer: Please do not string Christmas lights onto power poles for your safety.
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FIRST PLACE Jeriko Rodriguez Age 10
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SECOND PLACE Rheya Dacus Age 10
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FIRST PLACE Willa Fucik Age 6
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our first annual Christmas Card Contest! Each First Place winner will receive a $100 electric bill credit and a $100 Wal-Mart gift card. Each Second Place winner will receive a $50 electric bill credit and a $50 Wal-Mart gift card. NEC will choose which of these winners will be featured on our upcoming 2017 Christmas Card. If you have not yet received your prize, please contact 361-767-7321. www.nueceselectric.org
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Payment Options: Pay Online www.nueceselectric.org Access your account 24 hours a day from any computer to view usage, make payments or manage your account. Just click on “Pay Your Bill”, on the left side of our Homepage and it will take you to the SmartHub account portal.
Pay With Your Smart Device Download the SmartHub app to your iPhone or Andriod device. View usage, weather impacts, make payments and manage your account any time of the day.
Auto Draft: Sign up to have your bank account or credit card drafted for your monthly bill. You can sign-up via your SmartHub online account.
Equal Payment Plan Through this payment program, a member’s usage is averaged for the year and the member makes equal payments each month. See more information and sign up online under the Member Services ->Payment Options menu tab, or call the office.
Pay by Phone: 800-NEC-WATT (800-632-9288)
Pay in Person: Pay your bill at any one of our Customer Service centers located in Calallen, Ben Bolt, Ricardo or Orange Grove.
Pay by Mail: P.O. Box 659821, San Antonio, TX 78265
Pay at the Payment Kiosk Quick, easy, and accessible 24 hours a day, the Kiosk is located at the Calallen office. Payments post immediately to your account.
Payment Services Pay using any Fidelity Express Pay Stations or for an additional $1.50 service charge. Search online to find a payment station near you.
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Find us on the web at: www.nueceselectric.org Call us at: 361-387-2581 or 1-800-632-9288 Your Elected Board of Directors: Brian Menking: District 8, President Bill Hartman, District 7, Vice-President David Rosse, District 3, Secretary Treasurer Tommy Ermis, District 6, Asst Secretary-Treasure Johnny Alvarado, District 9 Gladys Lippincott, District 10 (Retail) Donald Herrmann, District 4 Maxine Stewart, District 5 Gregg Truesdale, District 2 Rumaldo Z. Juarez, District 1
Main Office / Mailing Address: 14353 Cooperative Ave Robstown, TX 78380 (Calallen) M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ben Bolt Service Center: 5646 S. Hwy 281 Alice, TX M-F 8 - 12/ 12:30 - 4 Ricardo Service Center: 123 CR 1026, Ricardo, TX M-W-F 8 - 12 / 12:30 - 4 Orange Grove Service Center: 5302 W. FM 624 T-Th 9 - 12 / 1 - 4 (FM 624 & Hwy 281)
Use the NEC Outage Viewer to view outages 24-hours a day with any device. The Outage Viewer is located on the homepage our website.
NEC Power Providers
PLEASE NOTE: The (CRs) listed below have completed the process to qualify to serve NEC area members. This provider list is subject to change. For the most up-to-date list of providers, please monitor our website nueceselectric.org or you can obtain a list from any NEC office.
AP GAS & ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL APOLLO POWER & LIGHT COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL BLUESTAR ENERGY COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY CHAMPION ENERGY SERVICES COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL CONSTELLATION ENERGY COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY CORAL POWER SOLUTIONS LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL DYNEGY COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ENERGY TRANSFER LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ENERTRADE ELECTRIC LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL GDF SUEZ COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL HINO ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL MPOWER /MP2 COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY NEC CO-OP ENERGY RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & INDUST TENASKA LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ENCOA (TERM) COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY SMARTCOM ENERGY SERVICES COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY STARTEX POWER LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL SOURCE POWER & GAS COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL V247 RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & INDUST NUECES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
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