MEMBER CONNECTIONS
855-NEC-RD4U | necretail.com 855-NEC-RD4U | necretail.com
John L. Sims, NEC CEO
The Renewable Spirit
Through 2014, Nueces Electric Cooperative researched, and we continue to research, renewable energy and possible opportunities we can invest in to generate power outside of the traditional power plant model. We also researched how our members felt about renewable energy and we received overwhelming interest and response. At this point, NEC has not invested in a long-term renewable energy agreement outside of South Texas Electric Cooperative, STEC, our primary generation resource. We continue to look into options which do not have to be subsidized by members. What we also heard is that members are also asking for education. What is renewable energy, what are the options, cost, etc... In 2015, members will learn about our new education programs which will be offered to members as well as to the general community. But let’s start with a broad look at the nation’s cooperatives and the resources currently be utilized. Electric cooperatives across the country are actively expanding their fuel portfolios to include an array of renew18
able sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, manure and hydro. As of April 2014: • Nationwide, co-ops own and purchase over 5.9 GW of renewable capacity — in addition to roughly 10 GW of preference power contracts with federal hydroelectric facilities. • Co-ops own 1.1 GW of renewable capacity and have long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for over 4.8 GW. • Including federal hydropower, coops own or purchase over 10 percent of U.S. renewable capacity. • Currently, 95 percent of NRECA’s distribution members (794 out of 838) offer renewable options to 40 million Americans. • The IRS has approved $900 million in CREB allocations for cooperative renewable development.
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U.S. Electric Co-ops using any renewable energy source.
U.S. Electric Co-ops using Wind Energy.
U.S. Electric Co-ops using Solar Energy.
Nueces Electric Cooperative’s renewable content is 9.5% of the electricity we purchase as compared to the statewide average of 10.7%. Wind is our primary renewable resource followed closely by Hydroelectricity. Your voice is being heard and we will be sure to do our part to make you proud and provide a cost-effective, sustainable program.
Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail February 2015
U.S. Electric Co-ops using Hydroelectric Energy. www.necretail.com
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Calling All High School Seniors! NEC Scholarship Program Deadline is February 13, 2015 Download the application and track down your GPA and your SAT/ACT! Any high school senior who is a direct dependent of a Nueces Electric Cooperative Member is eligible to apply for the Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship. The Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship is funded by escheated (unclaimed) capital credits that the state of Texas grants back to NEC to utilize for youth education programs. Download your application at www. necretail.com (under Youth Programs) and submit it to Nueces Electric Cooperative by Friday, February 13, 2015.
www.necretail.com
Two $4,000 scholarships and
four $1,000 scholarships Print the Application at: www.necretail.com (Under Youth Programs)
Deadline:
Friday, February 13., 2015
Mail to:
Nueces Electric Cooperative Attn: Scholarship Program 14353 Cooperative Ave Corpus Christi, TX 78380
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Breaker Box Safety Basics © i Stock.com | l pkoe
we use electricity in our homes throughout the day, but we rarely think about
how it gets to the wall outlets or switches. Distribution lines bring electricity to homes and most commonly connect to a house through a service drop. The electricity goes through the meter box to the service panel, which is typically found in a basement or garage. The service panel, often called a breaker box, is where breakers and fuses protect the wires inside your house from electrical overload.
Time To Upgrade Electric Service?
You should consider getting your electric service upgraded if the following applies to you: -You recently remodeled or added a room. -You have new large appliances, such as a hot tub, water heater or air conditioner. -You plan on charging an electric vehicle. -Circuits trip, lights flicker or electronics turn off when you run several devices at the same time. -You live in an older home. Older homes were not designed to accommodate today’s electronics and appliances, so you may need upgraded electric service to power your home properly. If these apply to you, consult a qualified electrician. An electrician will be able to tell you if you need a service upgrade or if your electric service has another issue. Learn more about the electricity in your home at SafeElectricity.org.
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Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail February 2015
©iStock.com | sylvan works
If your lights flicker, circuits blow or lights go out when you plug in electronics or appliances, your home may need an electric service upgrade. Electric service upgrades can be expensive and complicated. However, the alternative is an unstable electrical system that can cause shocks and fire.
With so much electricity funneling out of the breaker box, it is important to not only know how to use a breaker box, but also how to do so safely. AFCIs—arc-fault circuit interrupters—are installed directly in newer breaker boxes, and are designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in home electrical wiring. Arcing faults can be triggered by overloaded circuits, damaged wires, cracked wire insulation, loose or improper connections, faulty electrical equipment and overheated electrical wires.
Clearly labeling breakers will allow you to quickly shut off or reset the correct one when needed.
contact a qualified electrician to have them installed.
An AFCI monitors current flow and can distinguish between normal, working arcs and unwanted, dangerous arcs. When an unwanted arcing condition is detected, it shuts down the circuit. It is important to note that AFCIs do not provide protection against all of the possible circuit faults that can cause fires, but they are a significant step forward in electrical fire safety. If your breaker box does not feature AFCIs,
If an appliance is malfunctioning, or if the circuit breaker tripped during a power outage, it may be necessary to cut off or switch on the power at the breaker box. If you must flip a switch at the breaker box, always remember to step away and look away as you do so. You want to protect your eyes and body just in case an arc should occur. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you cannot reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter. Be sure to call a qualified electrician or your landlord if blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers are a recurring problem. This means there is something wrong with your electrical system, and it needs to be inspected. SafeElectricity.org www.necretail.com
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Save Energy and Money With Your Next Television include a television. Quite often, it includes more than one television—and sometimes, even more than one per household member. With televisions being such a regular part of our lives, NEC wants you to know how you can save energy and money with your next television purchase. It pays to be energy-wise when shopping for televisions. The cost of owning a television adds up when you take into account the cost of operation. Big factors in determining power consumption include the size of the screen, the type of TV and the picture settings. After you have made decisions about what you want for viewing quality, then look for the Energy Star-certified label which keeps more money in your pocket.
© iStock.com | . shock
Television technology continues to expand—from the different types of TVs to their various features. Look for aspects that can have an impact on efficiency and the cost of operation, such as: -Automatic brightness control, which controls the brightness of the TV relative to the brightness of the room. -Local dimming, in which sections of LED backlighting are turned off or dimmed to help produce deep blacks and save energy. When choosing a new TV, look for features that have an effect on efficiency and the cost of operation, such as the type of TV, -Preset picture settings, screen size and picture settings. which are options you can
in the brightness and contrast ratio.
choose that reflect changes
Even if you are not ready to purchase a new TV, there are still things you can do to be more efficient and thrifty. Because electronics that are turned off sometimes still draw power, a power strip can be used to plug in multiple electronic devices, and the power can be cut off from these devices with a simple flip of a switch. Power strips can be efficiently put to use in a spare room where electronics are not used very often, or in an area where there is a large concentration of electronics, like in an office. Using smart power strips is another energy-saving option. Plug the television into the control outlet on the smart strip. It detects when the control unit is off and shuts off power to peripherals, such as a DVD player and gaming console, which are plugged into the automatically switched outlets. www.necretail.com
© i Stock.com | pa d npe n
in today’s world, it’s hard to find a house in which home entertainment does not
Changing the way you shave could save 300 gallons of water a month.
Waste Less Hot Water Every drop of hot water you conserve could add up to savings on your energy bill. Think about how often you run the hot water faucet or an appliance that uses hot water— and whether you could either turn it off or use cold water instead.
Here are six ways to use less hot water: 1. Swap your old showerhead for a low-flow model that bears the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense label. Typical showerheads deliver 2.5 gallons of water per minute; WaterSense models spray out no more than 2 gallons per minute. 2. Set a timer for five minutes, and turn the shower off when the alarm rings. Turn the water off while you lather up your hair, and turn it back on to rinse out the shampoo. 3. Plug the sink while you’re shaving rather than running water the whole time to rinse your razor under the spigot. You could save up to 300 gallons of water a month this way. 4. Soak pots and pans instead of scraping them under running water. They’ll clean up quicker, and you’ll save water and energy. 5. Fix a leaky hot water faucet. Often, it’s a simple repair, but even replacing it will cost less than you’ll pay for years of wasted water and energy that escape through a leaky tap. 6. Wait until you have a full load in the dishwasher before you run it.
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Did You Know? al eksa ndr-ma nsurov-ru | i Sto c k | T hi nksto c k
February 18 is National Battery Day. In 1800, Alessandro Volta’s “voltaic pile” was the first battery producing a reliable, steady electric current. More than two centuries later, we use batteries to power countless devices almost everywhere. Use the occasion to check all the batteries in your car-
© iStock.com | Bryn gelzon
bon monoxide and smoke alarms.
Ice Isn’t Always Nice Although much of the state is unaccustomed to snow and ice, temperatures can fall below freezing even in Texas. Snow and ice snap tree branches and cause electric lines to sag. To make our families safe and comfortable during a winter power outage:
‘All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.’ —Charles M. Schulz Happy Valentine’s Day February 14 22
Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail February 2015
- Report any outages directly to the company who maintains your powerlines. - Turn off electrical appliances that were operating at the time the power went off, including your heating system. Leave one light on so you’ll know when service has been restored. - Keep warm by closing off rooms you don’t need and use only safe sources of heat, such as a wood stove. Do not burn charcoal indoors—it releases carbon monoxide, which is deadly. If you operate lanterns or fuel-fired cookstoves or heaters, make sure that you have adequate ventilation to keep harmful fumes from accumulating. - Don’t drive unless absolutely necessary until road conditions improve. If you must drive, go slowly and lightly pump your brakes to stop. - Be extra careful not to slip on treacherous ice. Nueces Electric Cooperative encourages you to stay safe this winter. www.necretail.com
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Something For Your Friends To Love! New Member promotional offer only. Must not be a temporary or seasonal account. Promotion ends February 28, 2015.
Tips for Using a Programmable Thermostat in most homes, heating and cooling costs are the largest part of energy bills. Programmable thermostats can help to conserve energy and reduce bills while keeping you comfortable. However, programmable thermostats must be used properly to achieve any benefit. A programmable thermostat works by changing your home’s temperature depending on your family’s schedule. When done correctly, your house will be at a comfortable temperature when you return home or wake up. The only difference you will notice is on your utility bill.
© iSto ck.com | MachineHeadz
Nueces Electric Cooperative offers the following tips for better results with a programmable thermostat:
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Only adjust the thermostat for long periods of time—about eight hours.
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Do not micromanage the thermostat. Pick a temperature for when you are at home and for when you are away. Stick with these temperatures. Frequently adjusting the thermostat increases energy costs.
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Do not create large temperature swings. Adjust the temperature 5 to 8 degrees when you are away from home or sleeping. If you change the thermostat too drastically, the system will have to work longer to return your home to a comfortable temperature.
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Convenient Payments Pay Online www.necretail.com This is the #1 way to pay your bill and manage your account. Access your account 24 hours a day from any computer. Just click “Pay Your Bill”, on homepage. While you are there, sign up for other payment programs and other member benefits like Operation Round-up. Pay by Automatic Credit or Bank Draft: If you prefer to not use the computer, you can still sign up to have your account drafted for your monthly bill. Level Billing Don’t let your bill be a surprise each month. Take control with Level Billing. where your bill is based on a rolling 12-month average. So your bill remains consistent all year. (Must be in good payment standing) Pay by Mail: P.O. Box 659832 ~ San Antonio, TX 78265 Pay using a Fidelity Express Pay Station There is an additional $1.50 service charge.
Play & Win! If Your Account Number is:
43344-001
YOU WIN $25 off your electric bill! Call, NEC Retail before the 20th!
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Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail February 2015
1.855.NEC.RD4U
Lite-Up Texas is Back A low income electric discount program LITE-UP TEXAS is back. The Low Income Electric Discount Program will run May 2015 through August 2015. For additional information and program requirements you can call 1-866-454-8387 or go to the Public Utility Commission of Texas website at http://www. puc.texas.gov/consumer/low income/Assistance.aspx. Ha regresado LITE-UP Texas. El Programa de Descuento en la Electricidad para Personas de Bajos Ingresos estará en vigor de mayo 2015 a agostó 2015. Para mayor información y los requisitos del programa usted puede llamar al 1-866-454-8387 o visitar el sitio web de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de Texas en: http://www.puc.texas.gov/consumer/lowincome/Assistance.aspx.
Number in Household 1
Annual Income (125%) $14,588
2
$19,663
3
$24,738
4
$29,813
5
$34,888
6
$39,963
7
$45,038
8 Each additional add
$50,113 $5,075
For More Information Call 1-866-454-8387
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This Valentine’s Day, let NEC Retail’s Member Referral Program help you cover the flowers, chocolates, dinner and everything else you need for a romantic evening. This Valentine’s Day, let Mountain View Electric Association’s Co-op Connections Card help you cover the flowers, chocolates, dinner, and everything else you need for a romantic evening.
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