You’re a member, not a customer That’s the cooperative difference! Trace McCuan, CEO
Many businesses use the word “member” to describe their customers. Places like Sam’s Club or Costco and even American Express like to refer to their customers as members. You pay a fee to buy their goods and services, but that is really all you get for the “membership.” No right to vote for the Board of Directors or to participate in any meaningful way in the organization. In cooperatives like Nueces Electric Cooperative, membership really does mean something more than just the right to buy electricity. Co-ops of all types are founded on seven cooperative principles that give us guidance and strategic direction. Membership also gives you rights as an owner of this co-op. Economic linkage NEC is connected to you. There is a business relationship that serves you (the member) and the co-op. Since co-ops are solely owned by people in the community, they have a mutual interest to ensure that both the co-op and the member do well and prosper. Transparency As an owner of the co-op, you have a right to know how it operates and how decisions are made that directly impact you. If the co-op is transparent and combines this trait with integrity and fairness, it will build trust with the members. Cognition In this case, cognition is best defined as how your co-op thinks. It includes the current and historical identity, the mission and the sense of shared values with co-op members. Research, education and training are critical functions that NEC must conduct on an ongoing basis to ensure that we always have the best information to make decisions. The cooperative business model is one of the best, but like any enterprise, it is up to the people who work at the co-op, who serve on the board and the members like you to ensure that the principles and values do not fade over time. First and foremost, NEC strives to be thought of as a memberowned cooperative that gives you the best value of any utility. If we succeed, our community thrives and you will always value being a member – not just a customer. 18
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NEC Retail (now NEC Co-op Energy) has changed more than just its name to bring our members an excellent service experience! NEC Co-op Energy has partnered with a customer experience and technology expert to convert to a new Customer Care & Billing (CC&B) platform to improve operational effectiveness, services, and convenience for our members as well as provide new and more effective tools for our team of dedicated employees working to meet our members’ needs.
The new system will allow NEC Co-op Energy to enhance billing, internet enrollment, contract sales management, system security, and more efficient reporting. The most visible changes are a more user-friendly web enrollment portal, a new bill format, and a new payment portal on the website. NEC Co-op Energy expects to complete the conversion to the new system and roll out these new services in the near future so there will be more information provided very soon!
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New improvements on the way Shop for LED lights after the holidays to upgrade and save money.
Finding PostHoliday Deals on LED Lights The best time to plan for an energyefficient 2017 Christmas light display is before Valentine’s Day. Online and in stores, retailers are offering rock-bottom prices on holiday decorations as they make room on their shelves for upcoming spring gardening season products. So it’s a great time to look for deeply discounted LED lights to decorate your house and tree later this year. LED lights aren’t cheap, so buying them during post-holiday sales makes them more affordable. If you wait until November or December to make the switch, you’ll pay approximately twice as much for LED lights than for traditional lights. However, LEDs pay for themselves over time because they use up to onethird less power than the incandescent lights that still brighten most Christmas trees. That means you’ll save some money on your holiday energy bill, especially if your light display is grand. You’ll save even more in the long run because LED lights are more durable and last up to 10 times longer than traditional lights. Plus, LED bulbs, because they don’t have filaments, don’t heat up and burn out. That makes them safer on Christmas trees.
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Ramiro De la Paz Memorial
SCHOLARSHIP Nueces Electric Cooperative awards high school seniors of cooperative members scholarships each year. This year, there are three different types of scholarships that will be awarded. Students planning to attend a 4-year college or university in Texas are eligible to apply. Two Grand Prize scholarships of $4,000 and ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Students planning to attend a 2-year college or vocational school in Texas for a career related to the electrical industry (GIS mapping, communications, engineering, etc.) are eligible to apply. Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Students planning to attend a Texas lineman’s college are eligible to apply. Two $5,000 scholarships.
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Applicants must reside in the home with a parent or legal guardian who has been a Nueces Electric Cooperative member for a minimum of six months as of the application deadline date.
Two $5,000 scholarships and
Two $4,000 scholarships and
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For Applications & Details: www.nueceselectric.org
Application deadline: February 10
Twenty $1,000 scholarships
DREAMSTIME IMAGE
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Energy Sources Activity Did you know Americans use electricity that is generated from different fuel sources? Some fuel sources are renewable, meaning they harness natural energy from the Earth’s resources, and some are non-renewable, meaning they use fossil fuels. Do you know which energy sources are renewable and non-renewable? Use safety scissors to cut out the images below and place them in the correct row. Use the answer key to check your work.
Renewable Sources
Non-Renewable Sources
Answers: Renewable Sources: Hydro, Wind, Biomass, Solar Non-renewable Sources: Natural Gas, Nuclear, Coal, Oil
Coal
Wind
Solar
Hydro
Natural Gas
Biomass
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Oil
Nuclear
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Take a lesson from Cupid. Don’t miss the mark on Valentine’s Day savings. This Valentine’s Day, let Nueces Electric Cooperative’s
This Valentine’s Day, let Mountain View Electric Association’s Co-op Connections Card help Co-opchocolates, Connections dinner, card helpand you everything cover the flowers, chocolates, you cover the flowers, else you need for a romantic evening.
dinner and everything else you need for a romantic evening.
Find all the ways to save at
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AFCIs prevent home fires Over the past 30 years, modern electrical devices have dramatically transformed American homes. These same devices also have contributed to the shocking number of electrical fires this country suffers every year. Existing homes can be overwhelmed by today’s electrical demands, putting them at greater risk of arc faults and arc-induced fires.
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An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. Arc faults can occur when older wires become frayed or cracked, when a nail or screw damages a wire behind a wall, or when outlets or circuits are overburdened. In the United States, arc faults cause more than 30,000 home fires each year, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, and more than $750 million in property damage. The solution to this problem is an arc-fault circuit interrupter, or AFCI. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that AFCIs could prevent more than half the electrical fires in the U.S. every year.
Power Tip A crackling fire in the hearth warms the house, but don’t let it heat up your electric bill! Caulk around the fireplace hearth, use a fireplace insert and keep the damper closed when no fire is burning.
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What Is an Arc Fault?
AFCIs and the NEC Since its 2008 edition, the National Electrical Code has included significantly expanded requirements for AFCI protection in all new homes. However, states and Be cautious when hanging pictures; a nail or screw can cities must formally adopt the damage a wire behind the wall and cause an arc fault. code’s current edition for these new provisions to take effect. Local adoption and enforcement is key to preventing fires, protecting homes and saving lives. Homebuilders in some states complain that the increased AFCI requirements will significantly increase the cost of a new home while improving safety very little. Yet the cost of installing additional AFCIs in a home, depending on its size, is $140–$350, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Safety advocates maintain that the added cost for AFCI protection is well worth the benefits provided to homeowners—especially if it prevents a fire that could consume the entire home. www.neccoopenergy.com
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NUECES EC WISHES YOU A
HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY
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Monday, February 20
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Texas winters are unpredictable. Cold weather often requires folks to use more electricity than normal to keep the house warm. Consequently, you might already have received a higher bill this winter—and you might be wondering how to avoid the next one. As we endure the last of the Texas winter (we hope), you and your family can still adjust your energy behaviors to cut your electric bills. To help avoid higher-than-normal energy bills, Nueces Electric Cooperative encourages you to use electricity efficiently. Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees when home—and lower when you’re away—saves money. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that lowering the thermostat 10–15 degrees for eight hours a day can trim heating bills 5–15 percent. Other tips to reduce energy use: Turn off and unplug nonessential lights and appliances. Close shades and blinds at night to reduce heat loss through windows. Open them on sunny days to capture solar heat. If possible, avoid using inefficient and costly backup electric resistance heating and space heaters. Change furnace filters often. Long-term home repairs and upgrades that save energy: Install and set programmable thermostats. Seal air leaks around doors, windows, plumbing, wiring and any other places where air can infiltrate. Ensure that exterior walls and attics contain the recommended amount and type of insulation. At NEC, we provide more ways for our members to monitor their usage and prevent Bundle up this winter and save on heating bills. high bills. We can review your account to make sure the bill is correct and accurate examine your meter to determine whether it is working the way it should. One more important thing to remember: If you wish to take advantage of any of these services, please call NEC at 1-800-NEC-WATT before your bill is due. That way, we can work through your questions in a timely manner to avoid further inconvenience. 24
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Lower Thermostat To Lower Bills Study Up for Home Safety Why is there a different kind of outlet in my bathroom? Why does the circuit breaker trip whenever my portable air conditioner comes on? What’s the difference between a power strip and a surge protector? Do you know everything you should about your home’s electrical system and appliances? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “No.” It’s time to change that. Commissioning an inspection of your home’s electrical system not only can identify problems but also can help familiarize you with its basic electrical elements and needs. Many of the conditions that cause electrical fires and incidents can be detected during a home electrical system inspection. You should have an electrical system inspection conducted if: - Your home is 40 years old or older. - You purchase a previously owned home. - Your home has undergone a major renovation. - You have added major new appliances within the past 10 years. Learn to identify potential electrical hazards and correct them. Understanding your home’s electric system and making a few easy changes to improve safety also can lead to savings on your utility bills. Is your home ready for the challenge? www.neccoopenergy.com
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