Consider a cooperative career Explore working for a not-for-profit utility Trace McCuan, CEO
Evolving technology is changing how energy is generated and distributed through the electric grid to homes and businesses. These changes bring new challenges and opportunities to NEC, as we work to keep pace with the evolving landscape. Within the electric cooperative workforce, new skills and experience are needed to help NEC meet shifting market and member demands. That is why NEC recruits fresh talent to help us provide even greater value to our members. We have a broad range of highly-trained professionals working behind the scenes at the co-op. Lineworkers are the most visible and identifiable employees of the co-op, but their responsibilities go far beyond climbing poles and repairing lines. They are also information experts who can pinpoint an outage from miles away and restore power remotely. Experts in information technology are increasingly important to safeguard the grid and protect data and other sensitive cyber assets. Engineers provide ongoing expertise and guidance on the operations side of the utility, particularly as system upgrades and more renewable energy choices become available. Professionals in business administration, communication and digital media help co-ops deliver messages through multiple platforms and keep members informed of critical information in today’s 24/7 media environment. But electric co-ops are looking for professionals with more than excellent technical skills. We are seeking individuals who understand the cooperative difference and appreciate our mission-oriented operating principles. A career with an electric co-op is different than a job with a for-profit electric utility. Nueces Electric Cooperative is a not18
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for-profit organization with a mission to provide reliable, cost effective electric service to improve our members’ quality of life. This true service motive, combined with competitive wages and benefit, makes NEC a great place to work This mission also means we have a strong commitment to the communities we serve. Important decisions are made locally with input from our democratically elected Board of Directors, who as members themselves,serve the member-owned co-op for the greater good of the community. We are proud to give back to our community through employee volunteer efforts, community sponsorships, and with donations to local charities such as the American Cancer Society and HALO-Flight. We have also made a significant impact through our charitable foundation, Nueces Electric Charities, through which, NEC members have given over $1 million in grants to support the important work of dozens of local charities. While NEC is an independent corporation, we are part of a nationwide network of electric cooperatives that allows us to be more effective and efficient. Electric co-ops make a difference in the lives of people around the world. Through our network of 900 electric co-ops across the country, we have helped bring electricity to more than 140 million people in 43 developing countries across the globe. Through international electrification projects, America’s electric cooperatives help millions of people in developing countries improve their living standards. Simply put, we believe cooperatives build a better world, and we are looking for talented people to join us. To learn more about electric co-op careers and view NEC’s current job openings, visit https://nueceselectric.org/careers. www.neccoopenergy.com
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Caring for our critical care members By Carissa Peterson
Power outages are a threat to many people on critical care or life support, and can occur unexpectedly. Therefore, the possibility exists that some members could be without power for an extended period. When an extended outage occurs, members should be prepared. Texas law provides that certain members may be eligible for designation as Critical Care or Chronic Condition Customer (Residential) or a Critical Load Public Safety or Critical Load Industrial Customer (Non-Residential). Please be aware that this designation does not guarantee an uninterrupted, regular, or continuous power supply from your power line delivery company. Therefore, if electricity is a necessity, you must make other arrangements for on-site back-up capabilities or other alternatives in the event of loss of electric service. Critical Care forms must be submitted for approval to your power line provider. Once they approve your application, they mark your electric account. After your power provider has marked your account, they notify NEC Co-op Energy and we mark your account as well. When we see that a member’s electric account is marked, we know your location should receive special consideration. Our team also knows to work especially hard to help these members if they ever become delinquent on an electric bill. NEC Co-op Energy cares about our members. If you or someone in your family requires special consideration due to a critical care or life support situation, please notify your power line delivery company to let them know of your medical need for electricity. Critical Care forms can be obtained from your power line provider or at http://www.puc.texas.gov/
industry/Electric/forms/critical/ccform.pdf. You along with your medical professional will need to complete the form, and then your medical professional should submit the form directly to your power line provider. Anyone who requires the use of life-sustaining medical equipment should have a backup electrical power source on hand, such as a portable emergency generator or a battery powered backup system. PLEASE NOTE: Never connect a generator directly into your home wiring. Always use a certified electrician and let your power line provider know you have a generator to prevent injury or death to a lineworker. Moving to an alternative location is another option for members with medical needs. Be sure to call your local emergency management office or ambulance service to provide information for them in case emergency transportation is needed. During times that your delivery company’s outage crews interrupt electrical power for maintenance, they will typically contact you prior to the event and give you reasonable time to implement your back-up plan. It is important that you provide them with current telephone numbers which include land lines as well as cellular phone numbers. Any members that require electrically powered medical equipment need to have contingency plans in place in case of situations such as power outages or natural disasters. Critical or chronic care members need to be prepared in these cases as their lives depend on it. Unavoidable power outages do happen and can be unpredictable. We urge our members to be prepared for any event to occur, and plan to provide a backup power source to sustain the electrically powered medical equipment in use.
Website improvements coming soon
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 platform to improve operational effectiveness, services, and conwww.neccoopenergy.com
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venience 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, and system security. 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! NEC CO-OP ENERGY
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Tips for Power Tool Time
Power Tools Many do-it-yourself projects involve the use of power tools. Working with power tools requires skilled instruction and training. They can be deadly if not properly used or maintained. A common scenario for power tool-related electrocutions is when the equipment comes in contact with live electrical wires while it is being used. Facts and Statistics Nearly 400 electrocutions occur in the United States every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Electrical accidents with power drills, saws, sanders, hedge trimmers and other electric power tools account for 8 percent of consumer productrelated electrocutions annually. An additional 9 percent are caused by accidents involving the use of lawn equipment, garden tools and ladders, which come into contact with overhead power lines. Personal Protective Equipment Safeguards on outdoor electric tools are there for a reason. Make sure that they are always in place before operating. Invest in safety goggles, hearing protection, dust masks, gloves and other safety gear recommended 20
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for each tool. A few dollars now are well worth the lifetime of functional sight and hearing that they are protecting. Wear the appropriate clothes for the job—boots, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Wearing sandals while mowing the lawn is just asking for trouble. Tie back long hair as well as hoodie strings, scarves and other items that could get caught. P R E D R A G V U C K O V I C | I S TO C K . CO M
Every year, thousands of people in the United States are critically injured or electrocuted as a result of electrical fires or accidents in their own homes. Faced with declining home values and aging properties, more homeowners are tackling do-it-yourself projects than ever before. However, many do not have the training or experience needed to safely perform home electrical work. This increases the risk of immediate injuries and electrocutions, and potentially introduces new dangers into the home. If you decide to undertake a home improvement project yourself, Nueces Electric Cooperative strongly recommends that you do not attempt work beyond your skill level. Knowing when to call a professional can help prevent electrical fires, injuries and fatalities. If you do engage in a DIY project, make sure you plan the project first and understand the electrical system, equipment and materials required. Make sure you use adequate personal protective equipment and follow manufacturer’s instructions for all tools used.
Tips for Tool Safety Use ground-fault circuit interrupters with every power tool to protect against electric shocks. Do not use power tools with an extension cord that exceeds 100 feet in length. Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes. Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated. If a power tool trips an electrical safety device while in use, stop using it. Take the tool to a manufacturer-authorized repair center for service. When working with electricity, use tools with insulated grips. Do not use power tools without the proper guards. When using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid electric shock. www.neccoopenergy.com
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www.neccoopenergy.com 1.855.632.7348
Whether we’re enjoying dinner at our favorite restaurant or buying materials for our home improvement project, it’s never been easier to save on our purchases. All we have to do is show our Co-op Connections® membership card. And now, we get the added benefit of saving 10-60% off prescriptions at our participating local pharmacy. It’s just one more way we benefit from being members of a Touchstone Energy® cooperative.
Flash your card to save on everyday purchases and prescriptions. To learn more, visit www.yourcoop.com.
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Pharmacy discounts are not insurance and are not intended as a substitute for insurance. NEC_Retail_Mar2017.indd 21
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2016 NEC Employ 3 NEC CEO Trace
McCuan presenting the certificate for 35 years without a LostTime Work Injury to Mary Pavelka.
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Chris Knetig with her 30 years without a Lost-Time Work Injury certificate.
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McCuan presenting the certificate for 40 years without a LostTime Work Injury to Rosie Avalos.
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McCuan presenting the certificate for 45 years without a LostTime Work Injury to Warren Hoelscher.
3 From the top: NEC CEO Trace McCuan with Michelle Mathis presenting her 5 year service award.
McCuan with Kenneth Krueger presenting his 5 year service award. McCuan with Doug Wilson presenting his 10 year service award. McCuan with Sergey Seroygin presenting his 10 year service award. McCuan with Rhonda Bell presenting her 15 year service award.
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www.neccoopenergy.com
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ployee Awards Ceremony
from left to right: Bill Gunn, Paula Shadle, Sylvia Garza, Robert Holloway, Albert Pena, 5 ABOVE, Ty Heflin, Vicky Garcia, Manny Pina, and Kenneth Krueger receiving their Employee of the Month certificates from throughout the year. BELOW, from left to right: Taylor Bennett and Cassy Hill with their Employee of the Month certificates.
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Joe Huerta III with his certificate and trophy in honor of his Department of Labor certification of apprenticeship.
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Manuel Mayorga presents Manny Pina with his certificate and trophy in honor of his Department of Labor certification of apprenticeship.
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Happy Retirement, Cassy! Everyone at NEC would like to wish our Safety and Loss Control manager, Cassy Hill, a wonderful retirement. After eleven years of dedication to NEC and many years of co-op and safety experience prior to them, Cassy is on her way to a relaxing retirement where she plans to sleep in, go fishing and spend time with her family. Cassy has been training a fellow NEC employee, former journey lineworker Joe Huerta III to take over her position as Safety and Loss Control Manager. Joe has been with NEC for a total of seven years and is looking forward to this new position at the co-op. Congratulations on your retirement, Cassy! We will be sure to carry on your safety-driven mentality while you are gone.
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Saving Energy Just as Green as Solar Panels
Dry your clothes outside to save on your electric bill.
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Most of our electricity comes from centralized power plants capable of producing many megawatts for consumers across a widespread area, but concern over the environment has prompted an interest in personal power supplies. Known as distributed generation, or DG, these on-site power sources include wind turbines and solar arrays that can sometimes lower power costs. For more information on new roofless, off-site solar options, please visit necrooflesssolar.com. However, not everyone is interested in or can afford solar energy. NEC Co-op Energy reminds members that reducing electric consumption can be just as green as installing DG or roofless solar. Options for energy conservation can include simple techniques such as wrapping your water heater with a thermal cover or using a solar clothes dryer (aka a clothesline). More extensive procedures include upgrading home insulation and adding roof vents. For more ways to conserve electricity, visit neccoopenergy. com. Please be aware that there are scammers and dishonest installers hoping to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. If you ever receive a phone call from someone claiming to be with NEC Co-op Energy and is asking for personal information, please call our offices at 855-632-7348 to verify legitimacy. www.neccoopenergy.com
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