th Anniversary
Cooperative
Member ConNECtions Newsletter It’s About What We Do
Who We Are
John L. Sims, NEC CEO
You set up your electric service
account with Nueces Electric Cooperative and you think to yourself, “That’s done. Now I just have to pay my monthly bill.” But the truth is we’re more than just a utility provider that you pay each month for electricity. We have more to offer – and we want you, our members, to know about these benefits. There are more than 900 electric cooperatives in the U.S. that serve 42 million members. Nueces Electric Cooperative, your local electric cooperative, serves 32,503 members with lines stretching across 3,351 of miles. So what makes being a member of an electric cooperative unique?
We’re all in this together.
You are a member of Nueces Electric Cooperative – not a customer. And that means you have a voice when it comes to the way we do business. This month, members in Districts 1, 2, and 4 are invited to pick up a petition to become candidates for the NEC Board of Directors. The petitions are at our headquarters in Calallen and more information is contained in the next few pages of this magazine issue. If being a director is a little bigger commitment that you want to give us, each October you have the option to vote for your board of directors – fellow members just like you who govern and guide the Cooperative’s 20
Texas Co-op Power NUECES EC June 2014
direction to help us meet our members’ needs. These directors play a key role in making important decisions for our co-op, which is why members’ voices must be heard.
We’re local.
It’s likely that you know an employee of Nueces Electric Cooperative. Our employees – your friends and neighbors
NEC is: Non-Profit Local In it together H e re F o r Yo u ! – share the same concerns for our community that you do. Each year, Nueces Electric Cooperative participates in Relay for Life events, livestock shows, school safety and efficiency program, Youth Tour, scholarships, and our members round up their electric bills each month to allow us to give over $120,000 each year back to community charitable organizations. To learn more about how we work to strengthen our community, visit www.necretail.com or like NEC on Facebook.
We’re not-for-profit.
Nueces Electric Cooperative, doesn’t offer profits to investors—we return money over and above operating costs to you, our members, based on electricity consumption. Annually, electric co-ops nationwide return millions of dollars to members through this capital credits process. Last year, Nueces Electric Cooperative members received $7.6 million from NEC in the form of capital credits and/or NEC Retail Merry Christmas credits.
We’re here for you.
At Nueces Electric Cooperative, our mission is to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. We care about our members’ quality of life, which is why our employees are continuously finding innovative ways to improve our service and communications with you. Through new service centers, convenient payment options, electronic services, social media realtime communications, and new technology we meet our commitment to better serve our members and improve our efficiency and cost of services. These are just a few facts about electric cooperatives that make us unique. For more information about Nueces Electric Cooperative and the services we offer, visit us on the web at www.necretail. com or like NEC on Facebook.
www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Nominations Open June 23rd for NEC Director Positions
Director and Election FAQ’s Director Election Process NEC prides itself on its director elections. The election process reflects one of the Seven Cooperative Principles - democratic member control: one member, one vote. Nueces Electric Cooperative is member-owned and is governed by a ten (10) person, member-elected board of directors. These directors represent the ten member directorate districts of the cooperative. A portion of the co-op directorships stand for election each year.
Beginning Monday, June 23, 2014, any NEC member who wants to be a candidate for co-op director for districts 1, 2, and 4 can sign-out a petition and instructions at the NEC office in Calallen at 14353 Cooperative Ave, (intersection of CR52 and CR69) . The deadline for the return of these petitions is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2014.
Nominating Process
If you are unsure of your district number, contact the NEC billing department by calling 1.800.NEC.WATT. or by e-mailing membercare@nueceselectric.org
Any NEC member in a district up for election may seek to become a candidate. If more than two candidates petition for a directorship, a primary election will be held in the district to select two candidates who will appear on the election ballot. At the annual membership meeting to be held October 9, 2014, all members of NEC may vote to elect the new directors in the districts up for election. All members will receive a ballot by mail or attached to the Texas Coop Power Magazine. If members cannot attend the meeting, they may cast their vote by mailing in the ballot.
The process requires a petition to be submitted by any person wanting to be a candidate for cooperative director. The bylaws of NEC provide for staggered three-year terms for each director. A petition for nomination must contain 15 signatures of NEC members who have service within the district the nominee would represent. All petition signatures will be verified. Petitions will be signed out from, and returned directly to, the Coop’s Administrative Assistant who will contact you once signatures are verified as valid NEC members living in your district.
It is up to you, the members, to elect the directors best qualified to run your cooperative. There is no term limit for an NEC director but he/she must complete the nomination process every three years and be re-elected by the members.
If more than two qualifying petitions are received for a district, a primary election will be held in each district during the month of August to narrow the candidates to two.
Director Responsibilities Directors are tasked with the development of governance policies and monitoring the financial health of the cooperative. In addition, they are charged with keeping up-to-date on industry trends, legislative actions, and other pertinent issues affecting cooperatives as well as representing the membership at cooperative related functions.
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Article I, Section 8, “Membership List,” of the Cooperative’s Bylaws. Upon authorization, Petitioners may be granted access to a copy of a map of the district in which your residence lies and to view a list of the Cooperative members in your district for up to one (1) hour for the purpose of recording, in writing, U V the names, addresses, and account numbers of up to fifty (50)UV Legend members from that list.
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Directors may receive a fee, which may include insurance benefits, for each day during which they attend meetings or otherwise perform duties on behalf of the Cooperative.
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NOTE: NEC Retail members on power lines maintained by AEP, Oncor, CenterPoint, TNMP are in District 10.
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Co-op Power June 2014 NEC Texas
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www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Solar Electric Safety Training
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Texas Co-op Power NEC June 2014
www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Solar Electric Safety Training FAQ’s What does “Photovoltaic” mean and what is considered Photovoltaic? Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity. (Solar Panels) Why did NEC decide to provide this training to fire fighters (FF)? South Texan’s have solar panels on their homes and businesses. This poses dangers to NEC line crews and first responders when they are called to work on a home/business that has solar panels connected to generate electricity in addition to our lines. If the line crew or first responders are not aware of them, or if they are not connected properly and marked properly, this can be a lethal situation.
home builders, and anyone else who has a vested interest in PV safety. Firefighters will receive CEU for attending. After speaking with the Commissioner of Fire Protection Safety NEC was told this is very needed. NEC prepared and sent a survey to these fire chiefs and from the responses received there is a HIGH need for this type of training in our area. Solar is just catching on in South Texas and the community may need some help understanding the dangers. There are training courses, like this one, available in Texas, however the classes cost over $200 per person. NEC is offering the course at no cost.
Who is giving the training? NEC is bringing in a professional from San Jose California who is has a degrees in both fire science and solar technol2004 EM Training Conference Agenda MARCH 7-10 WACO - 2013_Hu... http://puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/forms/hbi/2013_Hurricane_ ogy. On the days he is not fighting fires with San Jose FD, he Firefighters are also exposed to these dangers when called to trains all of the U.S. He has written articles for power magabattle flames at a home or business with solar panels. Addizines and is considered an expert in this field. tionally, the homes/businesses around a home/business with solar panels can also be in more danger. The utility What is included in the training (what does it cover)? produced and transmitted electricity to a home can be cut All of the basic training needed for PV fire safety. Attendees off, but the solar panels can still be producing power and will receive a certificate for CEU. this is very dangerous to firemen. Firefighters and builders have had few opportunities to get this type of training and it Is there a cost for this training to attendees? is very important to their safety that they understand how to No, NEC is covering 100% of the cost for this training as a navigate solar panels during emergencies. community service. Who is this training being offered to, who do we expect to attend, and why do they need this training? All Texas firemen and women, paid and volunteer at no cost,
Training Conference Agenda MARCH 7-10 WACO - 2013_Hu...
Does the Co-op recommend installing Photovoltaic devices? If so what is the benefit and cost? No, this is not a recommendation to purchase PV. This is a community service to educate our community partners.
http://puc.texas.gov/industry/electric/forms/hbi/2013_Hurricane_Bill_Ins...
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Co-op Power June 2014 NEC Texas
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4/12/2013
2014 Scholarship Winners Awards will Total $12,000 for the 2014 Recipients
Nueces Electric Cooperative (NEC) would like to congratulate six
outstanding youth who will each receive a scholarship from the NEC Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship Fund.
$4,000 Recipients are:
Alexis Wahlen of Calallen High School Ryan Sikes of Orange Grove High School
Alternates Receiving $1,000 are:
Caroline Alsop of Riviera - Kaufer High School Jake Leber of Banquette High School Rachel Johnson of Riviera - Kaufer High School Aaron Clark of Flour Bluff High School Alexis Wahlen is a 2014 graduate of Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, TX. She is the daughter of Malynn & Michael Wahlen. Alexis plans to attend Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi and major in nursing and plans to be a physician’s assistant. Ryan Sikes is a 2014 graduate of Orange Grove High School. He is the son of Randy and Donna Sikes. Ryan has not selected his university but plans to major in religion or theology. In 2004, the Education Scholarship was renamed the Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship to honor a beloved NEC board member from Ricardo. The entries significantly grow each year and the Co-op is honored to support members education.
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Congratulations to all of these talented students! Your NEC family wishes you much success as you begin your college studies and we look forward to seeing you succeed and meet your goals. Keep us posted!
Texas Co-op Power NEC June 2014
1 20
4W
inner
1.800.NEC.WATT
Since 2009, NEC has granted almost $150,000 in Scholarships!
www.nueceselectric.org
1999 1999 2000 2000 2001 2001 2002 2002 2003 2003 2004 2004 2005 2005 2006 2006 2007 2007 2008 2008 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014
Catherine Huang Laura Foy Lindsey Pavelka Renee Yancy Jessica Jayne Story Heidi Menking Alainya Patrice Vollmering Ashton Vern Crocker Christina Foy Amanda Vidlak Catherine Barton William Sterling Brown Gina Marie Naranjo Amy Diane Kircher Jacqueline Garcia Brenton Burney Steven McArther Bryan Gajdos Jessica Meurer Jessica Martini Emily Kunkel Travis St. Clair Amanda Meurer Allison Clark Michelle Nelson Jayme Krepps Julie Kircher David Schumacher Mary McClendon Devin Boyd Nicholas Ortiz Brady A Newcomb Jennifer Wade Carson Alsop Andrew Sutter Kaitlyn Polly Jonathan Arevalo Elizabeth Springs Holly Parencia Corey Wittig Camille Reuter Kaitlin Ruiz Ashley Neely Savannah Hostetter Zoe Alaniz Alexis Wahlen Ryan Sikes Caroline Alsop Rachel Johnson Jake Leber Aaron Clarkwww.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
NEC Members Plant 1,000 Trees in South Texas On Friday, April 25, 2014 Nueces Electric Cooperative
invited members of the co-op to join them for a tree giveaway in celebration of Arbor Day. The second annual event proved to be extremely popular and will continue to grow each year. In 2013 the co-op gave away 300 trees, this year the number of trees given away increased and expanded to include multiple service centers located in Calallen, Robstown, Ricardo, Orange Grove, and Ben Bolt. The program was received extremely well by members and over 1,000 members participated. Trees are big business at Nueces Electric Cooperative. Each year the co-op spends an estimated $500,000 on trimming trees and clearing brush from around power lines. Nationwide, limbs falling on or getting blown into power lines are the number one reason for power outages. But at the same time a well planted tree could save a homeowner big bucks on their electric bill. Deciduous trees (trees that lose all of their leaves each fall) save energy in summer by shading houses, paved areas, and air conditioners. Small deciduous trees and shrubs, and especially those with low, dense branches, also can serve as effective wind barriers. To make an impact on your electric bill, plant shade trees so they will shade east-facing walls and windows from 7 to 11 a.m. and west-facing surfaces from 3 to 7 p.m. during June, July, and August. Air conditioners should also be shaded. Prune branches to allow at least several feet of air flow around the air conditioning equipment. Shrubs should not be planted near the air conditioner or they will reduce air flow and efficiency.
www.nueceselectric.org
When planting trees, or any kind of work that requires digging in the ground, always call 8-1-1 first to find out what may be laying underneath the dirt. Water, gas, and electric lines are often unmarked and can be buried as shallow as three feet from the surface. Digging without calling can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm you and those around you and potentially result in fines and repair costs. Calling 8-1-1 before digging gets your underground utility lines marked for free. NEC recommends you plant any tree at least 20 feet away from power lines. As the tree grows, so will it’s canopy, and it could become tangled in your power lines. When selecting your trees, choose the right tree for the right place in your yard. Consider where you are planting the tree and how tall it is expected to grow. Power lines are only 20 feet off the ground and most varieties of trees have a maturity growth of 35 to 65 feet. If your tree grows into power lines, it could not only cause an outage during a storm, children who climb the tree could be electrocuted. Trimming trees could be considered a fine art by some, and a hassle for others. But the rules stay the same around power lines. Trim your trees so they are at least ten feet away from a power line. If the tree has already grown into the lines, call your power line company to safely trim your trees for you. Nueces Electric Cooperative encourages you to plant trees to save energy, just be mindful of the location where you are planting and always be safe around electricity. For more information visit www.safeelectricity.org (search “trees”) or www.energy.gov (search “landscaping”).
Co-op Power June 2014 NEC Texas
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www.nueceselectric.org
For your convenience, there are a number of ways you can pay your bill for FREE: Pay Online
www.nueceselectric.org Access your account 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from any computer to view usage, make payments or manage your account. Just click on “Pay Your Bill”, on the left right corner of our Homepage.
Pay by Direct Draft:
If you prefer to not use the computer, you can still sign up to have your bank account or credit card drafted for your monthly bill. See the reverse side.
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:
14353 Cooperative Ave ~Corpus Christi, TX 78410
Fidelity Express Pay Stations accept NEC payments for an additional $1.50 service charge.
1.800.NEC.WATT
Online Payments: Work Smarter... Not Harder The online account management system “SmartHub”, allows members to make payments easier by providing easy-to-understand breakdowns of your bill. The tool also allows members to understand their usage and communicate with the NEC Member Care department all in one place!
To sign-up your NEC Account, go to www.nueceselectric.org and click “Pay Your Bill” in the upper left hand corner of the screen.
Q. What does my Online Account show me? A. You can view your current bill, your usage history, payment history, you can change your contact information, request to disconnect your service, request repairs for security lights, and contact the member care department. Q. If I sign up for an Online Account, will I get a paper bill each month? A. Yes, you will continue to receive a paper bill. Q. Do I have to leave a credit or debit card online if I pay my bill online? A. No, you can make individual monthly payments. However you can sign-up for auto draft This means the amount of your payment due will be drafted from a credit or debit card you place into your online account. Q. How long does it take to process my payment online? A. About 5 minutes.
Pay your bill using your phone! 1. Search your App store and download the SmartHub App 2. Open and enter “Nueces Electric” (you will only need to do this once - it will save the NEC page as your setting)
3. Log into your account (if you used eBill, your log-in information will remain the same - there is no need to create another account. If you would like access, click on the link next to “new user” and sign up)
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Texas Co-op Power NEC June 2014
www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Meet Joe Lockhart Welcome Joe Lockhart, the newest groundman to
join the NEC Line Crew team. Joe joined the NEC family on April 17th and comes to NEC from the Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative in Waco. I little history on Joe is that he is a fourth generation lineman! His father is currently a District Director for Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Joe is the father to a 5 year old little boy and a 9 month old little girl. He and his family live in Orange Grove and he will be working out of the Orange Grove Service Center. Welcome aboard Joe! We are happy to have you with us.
Happy Fathers Day to all of the
NEC Power Provider List
SUPER COOL
NEC Dads. Have a great day! You Could Win a
$
25
Energy Bill Credit
If your account number is:
783100 Call, NEC before the 20th of the month to receive your electric bill credit!
1.800.NEC.WATT www.nueceselectric.org
Co-op Power June 2014 NEC Texas 足足
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