Higher-Than-Average Bills John L. Sims, NEC CEO
As we look forward to the promise of warmer weather and a new growing season, we don’t always remember the challenges and concerns brought on by the cold weather of the winter just past. One reminder for some of you has been your electric bill: Quite simply, you think it’s too high. Around co-op country, there have been recent discussions about higher-than-normal utility bills. Of course, we recognize that this can be a situation that causes you to worry. Every one of us pays a utility bill, so we personally understand that you need to keep your household budget balanced. We operate NEC based on the guidance of Seven Cooperative Principles, which include Concern for Community. We work hard to fulfill that commitment by providing safe and reliable energy for your homes and businesses. We’ve been hearing from folks around the co-op’s service area about their dissatisfaction with their electricity bills, and we want to share reasonable answers to each of those questions. There’s almost always more than one response to help a situation, so take a few minutes to consider the options. We’ll work with you every way we can. If you have questions about your bill, don’t hesitate to call our customer service office. We can review your account to make sure the bill is correct and accurate. We should be able to settle most concerns with a straightforward conversation. One important thing to remember: Please call us as soon as possible, before your bill is due to be paid. That way, we can
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work through your questions in a timely manner to avoid further inconvenience. It will always be true that the most important way to lower a higher-than-expected energy bill is to look for ways to decrease the amount of energy we use. One thing we can’t change, no matter how hard we try, is that colder weather means that most folks use more electricity to keep the house warm. At NEC we manage the rates very carefully to make sure that piece of the puzzle is as easy to navigate as possible. So always be prepared, and manage your energy use. Keep an eye on the thermostat and adjust it to conserve energy. If you keep shades or curtains and blinds closed at night, you will reduce significant temperature changes inside the house. Always turn off lights you don’t need, and avoid using expensive electric space heaters or any unnecessary appliances. They often use more energy than you can imagine. Again, feel free to call us and ask questions about your bill. As members of your community, we know the importance of working together for the welfare of the community. The cooperative legacy of reliability and safety are values that continue through all seasons. Nueces Electric Cooperative Mission: The mission of Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc, a memberowned cooperative, is to help our members continually improve their quality of life by providing reliable and cost effective electric service.
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Arbor Day
3rd Annual
NEC First Responder Safety Training On February 26, 2015, Nueces Electric Cooperative hosted the annual First Responder Training at the NEC office in Calallen. In total thirty-five first responders received dinner and valuable education on safety and electricity. Safety and Loss Control Manager, Cassy Hill, and Line Superintendent, Manuel Mayorga, educated attendees on electrical equipment and how to properly respond to evolving electrical technology. Through the evening, city and volunteer firemen, police, and DPS discussed: • • • • • •
Down Power Lines Car Wrecks Sub Stations Pole Fires Step Potential PV Safety
Each year, NEC provides this training as a service to our community first responders at no charge to their agency. The training provides crucial information to not only state agencies, but area volunteer groups as well. “Each year, NEC works with local first responders on countless incidents. With technology rapidly changing, and electricity usage increasing each year, it’s important they understand how our equipment works as well as the safety measures they should be aware of,” said Hill. First responders and the public’s safety is a top priority. We commend these men and women who continuously face electrical emergency challenges. Thank you for your service and for taking the time to ensure you have the knowledge to diffuse electrical emergencies. www.nueceselectric.org
FREE Tree Give Away Friday, April 24, 2015 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pick up a tree at the Calallen, Ricardo or Ben Bolt office.
1,500
trees will be given away to NEC members!* *Must bring your most recent bill to prove membership Co-op Power April 2015 NEC Texas
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Hug a Lineman on Monday, April 13th for Journey Linemen Appreciation Day!
NEC is proud to employ fifteen Journey Lineman who actively work in the field or are in management positions. In alphabetical order:
Gus Gonzales, John Guzman, Warren Hoelscher, Robert Holloway, Joe Huerta III, Larry Lehman, Chris Martinez, Manuel Mayorga, Gary McLearen, Raymund Pina, Albert Pena, Pete Ramirez, Joe Rivera, Benito Torres, and Roland Trevino.
Journey Lineman: An Everyday Hero It was toward the end of the day and NEC was wrapping up a member event. As things were winding down, a few of the line crew grabbed their climbing bags which contained their harness and steel staked climbing shoes. I look at them with a cocked glance and ask what was going on. “We are going over to the practice pole in the yard, it’s fun.” It must have been written on my face, fun? That’s not really my kind of fun. I prefer a good movie or game night with friends. But without hesitation, they quickly informed me, “this job is not just what we do, it’s who we are” and they casually strolled away; excited to take turns climbing and spotting as each one took turns climbing the 35’ lineman version of a jungle gym.
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It was that day that I realized the commitment lineman have for their job. In one sentence: It’s who they are. There are varying types of lineman. You have your support crew which operates the machinery, you have your ground crew which assists and acts as spotters, and you have your Lineman Apprentices who are learning on the job. Then you have the Journey Linemen. The best of the best. The masters of their trade. The ultimate authority who runs the crew. A position the Lineman Apprentices will have to work and train for and if they are lucky and can take the rough conditions, in four to six years, they will be Journey Linemen too.
Dubbed by Forbes and as the seventh most dangerous profession, Journey Linemen, serve their community 365 days a year and are rarely recognized for not only getting the lights back on, but for the dangerous places they’re often in to do so. Being an NEC Journey Lineman means you have completed required training and are qualified to work on “hot” power lines that range from 600 volts to 14,400 volts (or 14.4 kilovolts). But in reality, it means more than just the voltage you work on. Journey Linemen run crews. They ensure the safety of the employees the lead and make on the spot decisions to complete the jobs, all while training the Apprentice Lineman. www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org Nueces Electric Cooperative employees fifteen Journey Linemen. Some have moved up to management positions and some are fresh off the apprentice program, but all are extremely valuable parts of the Co-op team. You can bet that all fifteen have different stories of what called them to be a Journey Lineman. Forty-year Lineman, Warren Hoelscher, said “I was in High school, I worked at a service station and would talk to guys who came to get their trucks serviced. When I graduated, they said “come on over and work for NEC” and that’s what I did.” Twenty-seven year Journey Lineman, Benito “Benny” Torres, said “When I was a kid in Floresville, TX, my neighbors were Linemen. It was a whole family of fathers, sons, cousins, uncles who all worked on the power lines. I would watch them leave for work at all hours of the day and night. I would often ride my bike to watch them work. One day, they gave me an old pair of steel hooks (a piece of equipment that harnesses on your legs and shoes with spikes) and told me, “ If you can climb half way up that pole we might consider hiring you.” Four-year Journey Linemen, Chris Martinez, said “My brother-in-laws are all Journey Lineman and they encouraged me to get into this trade. I put in the hours to complete the program and I am so glad I did. It has paid off for me big time and I love it.” It a great job, and those who make the cut do love it, but it’s not all fun www.nueceselectric.org
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and games. Anytime you deal with electricity like these guys do, you are playing with the potential risk of deadly injury to you, your crew and the public. Safety is a top priority at the co-op for all employees. But for Journey Linemen and the crews they manage, wearing your personal protective equipment (PPE) and keeping your focus on the job means the difference between keeping your fingers and even staying alive. “Safety. It doesn’t take but three seconds to ruin your career. You
Not to mention the storms. If there is one thing you can bet on, it’s when storm clouds roll in, Linemen jump into gear because the power is out somewhere and it’s up to them to get it back on. During a cold stormy week in early March, Torres and a groundman were on an outage call one night. It had rained so much, their bucket truck was unable to drive on a dirt road. So the guys got out and walked six spans of poles (about a quarter mile) to check the lines. On the way back to the truck, it started pouring rain. So here is this crew, out in the middle of the night and drenched in 30 ° weather. They didn’t go inside to warm up. That was not an option. Instead they did what they needed to do to fix the lines and restore the members power. Stories like this are not out of the ordinary. It’s simply all in a days work.
can’t take shortcuts,” said Journey Lineman, Joe Rivera, “It’s a dangerous job and you have to be aware and keep your eye on things at all times.” Hoelscher adds, “ There are times you are troubleshooting when things are about to happen and you don’t have much control. You just proceed very cautiously, one step at a time and think it through.” The hours are long. You are on call from Monday to Monday every three weeks. The job interrupts family time and vacations. And it seriously interrupts your sleep schedule from time to time.
Hard work, danger, drenched in rain, hot humid summers and cold rainy winters...so what is the draw? Like many jobs, being a Journey Lineman is a calling. So we asked a few about their calling amd here is what they said: Torres said, “Journey Linemen are a little brotherhood. We depend on each other for information and to share ideas to solve a problem. Sure, we occasionally have our issues, but at the end of the day we are a tight family.” Hoelscher said, “It’s a good trade to be in. It’s something not everyone can do. Like working with hot lines and being high up in the bucket.” Joe Rivera said, “Being a lineman
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means a lot to me. My job took care of my family needs. It put my kids through school and paid for my house and cars. Plus I know I am doing something that helps people.” Most of the Journey Linemen expressed the same sentiments: they love the adventure, working in the beautiful countryside, and they truly love seeing the happiness on members faces when the power comes back on. When you speak with a Journey Lineman, ask them about their stories. Their eyes will light up and gloss over as they conjure up just one of many stories they could tell you. Rivera recalled, “I remember when I was new to the job and was spotting a Journey Lineman. We were working to get the power back on for a family. They had been without power for about ten hours. We had to replace a transformer to get the power back on. When we were done the family and their kids all came out and cheered. It made me feel good. You could see it on their face.” Torres recalled restoration efforts after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, “I’ve seen lots of storms and have been out in them or right after them restoring the lines. Ice storms, tornados, hurricanes, and fires. During Hurricane Katrina, we went to Louisiana and helped with post-storm restoration. In total we were there for 90-something days. I started in St. Bernard Parrish and saw terrible things. But we were there to do a job and get the power back on so people could come back home and start their clean-up.” All good teams have the spotlight 24
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heroes, but it truly takes a village of co-op employees to make the Co-op a thriving entity. We can’t forget about the engineers who design the system, the dispatchers that keep order, the mappers and schedulers who see the big picture, the member care department who is the front line of it all, and the technology which has tremendously evolved in the last ten years. Technology has played a major role in the evolution of the Journey Lineman world. The crews are essentially paperless and utilize mapping system, lap tops and cell phones as essential work tools. Martinez states, “Cell phones have become a necessary tool. Not only does it allow us to stay in contact, we use them to tether internet service to our lap tops, we use them to take pictures so others can see what we are seeing and help troubleshoot problems. We use them to record pictures of our jobs and attached them to the work orders for future reference.” Rivera credits technology with payroll savings, “We used to have a lot of over time but it has dropped in the last few years because the lines are in pretty good condition.” Technology or no technology, it doesn’t matter to a true Journey Lineman. They will find the pole, they will find the transformer, and they will fix the problem no matter what time of the day it is or what the weather is like. So the next time your power goes out, just remember there are high skilled heros out there who are working hard to get your power back on as quickly and as safely as possible. Because it’s not just about your power, it’s about who they are and what they were called to do.
1.800.NEC.WATT
Journey Lineman work hard to keep your lights on.
All Hours & in all weather
At great heights and danger
In teams with large amounts of electricity www.nueceselectric.org
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Why Pay When It’s FREE? Currently there is about $3.4 billion in unclaimed funds with the State of Texas Comptroller. This includes forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, security deposits, and utility refunds. NEC estimates approximately 5,000 past NEC members are among this group of folks. You see, thanks to Capital Credits, your equity in the co-op, your membership pays you back long after you quit being a member. Recently a member sent us a copy of letter from a California claims company. The letter informed the member that he had unclaimed money with the State of Texas. The company offered to help him access the funds for a fee. While this solicitation is not illegal, the co-op wants to educate members of how easily you can do this...for FREE.
How Do Capital Credits Work? And why would they be with the state?
Owned by our members, the money to cover day to day operating costs of the cooperative comes directly from our members paying their monthly electric bill. At the end of the year, NEC subtracts operating expenses from the amount of money collected and the remaining balance is called the “margins”. The margins left over at the end of the year are allocated, or assigned, to your capital credit account. The amount allocated to you is based on the amount of electricity you paid for that year. This continues each year you are a member with NEC. Nueces Electric has a 20-year retirement cycle. So 20 years after you become a member, NEC will start giving you your credits as bill credits on your NEC electric bill, or if you are no longer a member, you will receive a check in www.nueceselectric.org
Members can access these funds simply by going to ClaimItTexas.org. Select the blue “Search Unclaimed Property”, answer the questions, and see if and how much money you have waiting for you. Once you have completed filling in the required information, all you have to do is submit proof of your identity and the state will mail you a check. Easy... and 100% free!
the mail. One check a year for however long you were a member. For example: You joined the co-op and were a member for ten years. Ten years after you left the co-op, your Capital Credits mature and you start getting cash payments. One check a year for ten years (because you were a member for ten years). If we are not able to attach the funds to a current NEC electric bill, or if we are unable to mail you a check; your Capital Credits are turned into the State of Texas Comptrollers office. We do not keep the funds. This is why we always ask you to keep NEC informed with your new address. If the member passes away, their children or dependents are eligible to receive the credits. Capital Credits returns are based on the amount the Board of Directors releases each year, and depending on the financial health of the co-op, there may be years the Board chooses to not release any funds. For more information, visit the Capital Credits page located on our website at www.nueceselectric.org Co-op Power April 2015 NEC Texas
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Nueces Electric Charities gave
$135,000 in 2014 to
30 Organizations Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen Brush Country CASA Charlie’s Place Recovery Center Children’s Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend CHRISTUS Spohn Foundation Coastal Bend Community Foundation Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation Communities In Schools Corpus Christi Education Foundation Corpus Christi Hope House Corpus Christi Metro Ministries Corpus Christi Pregnancy Resource Center Dress for Success Corpus Christi Education Service Center-Region 2 Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Community Center Fannie Bluntzer Nason Renewal Center Good Samaritan Rescue Mission Halo-Flight Harbor Playhouse Joe A. Gonzalez Education is Our Freedom GED Scholarship Program Montessori School of Corpus Christi Refuge of Hope Ronald McDonald House South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind South Texas Literacy Coalition The Ark The Rise School of Corpus Christi United Way of the Coastal Bend YMCA of the Coastal Bend YWCA If you know a worthy organization who would like to apply for Nueces Electric Charities funds, please have them visit www.nuecescharities.org to download the application and view the selection criteria. The next deadline is August 1st. 26
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Halo Flight Visits the Co-op On February 24, 2015, NEC Board of Directors welcomed representatives from Halo Flight to a board meeting. Halo Flight Development Director, Patti Young, and Marketing Director, Stephanie Murphy dropped in to thank the board for supporting Halo Flights efforts. In total, co-op members have donated over $321,000 in the past 18 years to this life-saving organization. As board members are a direct reflection of the members they represent, the Co-op would like to in return THANK YOU, the members, who have generously allowed the Co-op to donate these funds through your participation in Operation Round-up.
Halo Flight Development Director, Patti Young (black shirt) and Marketing Director, Stephanie Murphy (red shirt) thanked the board and membership for 18 years of support.
It’s All About YOU You might have noticed that from time to time, Nueces Electric Cooperative has run feature articles on members or member-owned businesses. We would like to make this a monthly feature. If you are an interesting person, or if you have a company you would like to tell the members of NEC about, let us know! For details and to pitch your story, visit the Community tab at www.nueceselectric.org. www.nueceselectric.org
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Welcome to NEC Taylor Jones Lineman Apprentice Taylor comes to NEC from Northwest Lineman College in Oroville, CA. Originally from the Santa Barbara, CA area, Taylor wanted to obtain a career which he can grow with to obtain his Journey Lineman Certification. Before coming to south Texas, Taylor worked for a contractor in Ruidoso, NM where he assisted in building nine miles of 69 kV line. In his off time, he enjoys dirt biking and long boarding. Mark Kosier Lineman Apprentice Mark also came to the co-op via Northwest Lineman College, however prior to his schooling, Mark served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. Originally from Paloma, CA, Mark enjoys his time at the gym and wake boarding. He is looking forward to a long career and the excellent training opportunity NEC provides.
Tate Priest Lineman Apprentice Tate come to NEC via the Northwest Lineman College in Meridian, Idaho. Originally from Port Angeles, WA, this will be Tate’s first opportunity to work with line crews and he is looking forward to getting started. In his off time he enjoys hunting, fishing, and just the great outdoors. Gary McLearen Journey Lineman A born and raised Texan from Stephenville, Gary comes to NEC after obtaining his Journey Lineman Certification with Xcel Energy where he was based in Seminole, TX. He is looking forward to making a good living and working with NEC crews. Outside of work, you will find Gary hunting, fishing and roping.
Be Part of the PAC With Rural Friends Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives is a state-wide nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that helps supporters of electric cooperatives who are seeking a seat on the Texas Legislature. ACRE (Action Committee for Rural Electrification) is the national nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that helps supporters of electric cooperatives who are seeking a seat in the U.S. Congress. Contributions from these PACs go to candidates for state and federal office who have demonstrated support for electric cooperatives and their historical stance on those issues. Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives contributes to state office candidates and ACRE (Action Committee for Rural Electrification) contributes to candidates for the U.S. Congress. Aside from raising money, Rural Friends is also a grass roots effort that encourages political participation at the local level. The power of constituency means voters can voice their opinions to local leaders. Individuals who come together as a group gain greater access to the process. www.nueceselectric.org
YES! You can join! Membership in Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives is open to all people with an interest in promoting the progress and growth of co-ops and the communities they serve. Plus, if you are a member of a Co-op, Rural Friends will automatically send one-half of your membership dues to ACRE (Action Committee for Rural Electrification) so you will be a member of both groups! The PACs belongs to its members just like electric cooperatives belong to their members. Rural Friends /ACRE dues are $25 per year for regular membership, $100 per year for century club membership and $500 per year for presidential membership. Residential members of Nueces Electric Cooperative may become members of Rural Friends/ACRE by contacting Julianne Coleman at jcoleman@nueceselectric.org or (800) 632-9288 X 248 or (361) 387-2581 X 248.
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