Safe and Reliable Electricity John L. Sims, NEC CEO
May is generally recognized as National Electric Safety Month. It is also the month leading into the hot summer months. I would like to take a moment to discuss safety, summer preparations and highlight some of the great work the Co-op is doing for you. You may have seen safety as a key message several times a year. There is a reason for that: safety is a top priority for all employees at Nueces Electric Cooperative. Safety and safety education is an everyday event. Our line crews practice safety on every job; it is the first step in any work procedure. Our business office practices safety by reporting any hazards, properly utilizing cutting equipment, and are mindful when they lift boxes and use ladders.
frayed wires or damage, and never use them as permanent wiring. Always utilize a licensed electrician when you are unsure of how to complete an electrical project. A great example of this is if you need to replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat. If you don’t already have one, Nueces Electric encourages you to install one before the summer heat hits. Speaking of heat, you will notice on the next page there is some information to prepare you for the high summer electric bills we will all soon see. I can not stress enough the importance of getting your home, and your mindset, ready for summer. Each year we face two challenges:
We ask that you are also mindful and utilize the messages and articles contained each month in this magazine.
#1: Members use more kWh which results in higher electric bills. Understandably it is no fun to receive a high bill of any kind. We take thousands of calls a year due to high bills, and we are very happy to take as much time as is needed to discuss usage and how members can track their usage to prevent high electric bill.
Always look up, down and around for electrical hazards. Pay attention to old appliances and replace them as needed. Inspect extension cords for
#2: During the four summer months (from June to September) we annually face several conservation days. You see, power generation plants
We work to not only ensure safety on the job, but to ensure your safety at the end of every power line and every time you visit the office.
18
Texas Co-op Power NEC May 2015
forecast how much electricity they need to produce on any given day and at any given time. It is not easy to start and stop a power plant. There are many days when the temperature is hotter than expected and the resources generated might not be enough to support all consumers. Therefore we place several calls, e-mails and notices to conserve energy between 3 - 7 p.m. Please help us when we make these calls. It’s never an easy choice to put out a call for help, but it’s very necessary and appreciated when members take action. An excellent piece of news is that due to efficient planning, proactive maintenance, and the utilization of quality materials, we have decreased our line loss from 10.7% in 2013 to 4.4% in 2015. This is a $5 million dollar savings for our co-op. Proper safety, energy conservation and efficient power line planning all add up to great savings for our members and really bring home the mission of NEC which is to improve members quality of life by providing reliable and cost effective electric service.
www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Prevent High Usage Bill Shock
Prepare For Summer The Texas sweltering heat and humidity will be here before you know it. Along with high temperatures comes high usage electric which results in high electric bills. Some members can dodge higher usage winter bills by using gas heaters, but everyone has an electric AC; and the bills can be shocking when you realize how much you use it. Members tend to use more electricity at the beginning of summer when your body is not yet adjusted to the heat. NEC Retail encourages you to prepare your mind-set and your home to prevent a shockingly high usage summer electric bill. High usage = High $
ck
er.
com
am
sti
me.
or
com
to
k.c
er
yh
ip.
com
©i
St
ock
m
om ov
ha
ll
Wash clothes and dishes at night and let your dishes air dry. Stay clear of running large electronics between 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.
e
Drape your windows to block out heat and keep your paid AC inside. Use drapes, heavy blinds, or storm shutters.
ga
photo.com/sh
ala
m
Plan your meals. Grill outside or cook inside with a crockpot. When you use your oven or frying pans, it heats your home which increases your AC use.
lif
Install a programmable thermostat and keep it around 78°. It will allow you to set the temp when you are away from home and lower the temp shortly before you return.
e
f
ho
sti
me
.com
tn
ik.
com
www.nueceselectric.org
m
ea
Use ceiling fans when at home to cool down. Remember, fans only cool your body temperature, not your house, so turn them off when you leave.
Dr
co
dr
Check your AC. Don’t wait until it goes out and you have to stand in line with everyone else. Get it checked and charged in advance.
Lower your water heater temperature. The ground water is already hot, no need to kick on a highusage appliance if you don’t have to. A good summer setting is around 110 to 120 degrees.
Don’t forget: It’s not easy to compare your home usage to a friend or a neighbor’s usage (a.k.a. bill). Every home is different and varies in comfort level, quality of insulation, windows, appliances, seals, and number of residents.
Co-op Power May 2015 NEC Texas
21
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Tackle Home Projects Safely DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECTS OFFER a great way to save money and learn new skills.
But before you tackle that home improvement project you saw online or on cable TV, practice safety measures to avoid injury while getting great results.
Score Points with Safety Equipment Just like a helmet and pads are required on a football field, safety items are essential for DIY tasks. Read and follow the directions for every power tool you use. Wearing safety glasses, ear protection and gloves, as well as tying back loose hair and securing loose clothing, are all important steps toward keeping you safe. If you rent a tool, ask the store for safety tips.
Look Up, Dow and All Around For outside projects, first check the area where you will be working. Identify potential hazards and take time to avoid or correct any problems. Don’t forget to look up for power lines, and avoid using long poles or ladders within 10 feet of overhead wires. Will your project involve any digging? Postpone for a day and call 811 before you dig, even if you think you know where underground lines may be. The 811 service will mark all underground lines in your area—for free—before you start work. To prepare for an inside project, make sure you know the location of outlets, electrical wiring, wall studs and other electrical and structural elements before you fire up a saw or swing a sledgehammer.
Avoid the Blitz Water and electricity don’t mix, so avoid running cords through wet areas. Inspect cords for fraying or damage before use, and be sure outlets can handle any extra load from power tools. Overloading outlets can lead to more than a shock: Fire hazards could result from demanding too much from an electrical system.
Be Honest with Yourself If a job seems like it might be too much to handle, leave it to a professional. Take into consideration heavy lifting, expensive tools that will only be used once, and whether you really have the time or skills required. That way, you won’t be tempted to skip safety measures. Having a good game plan for DIY projects can help get you to the goal line safely.
22
Texas Co-op Power NEC May 2015
It’s not trespassing when a lineworker must enter your property to restore power.
We’re Here To Help FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, electric cooperative employees may come to your home, business or other property. Here’s a short quiz about co-op employees accessing private property: True or False: Electric cooperative workers can legally come onto members’ property on official co-op business. True or False: Co-op personnel are reluctant to come onto members’ property and do so only when it’s necessary. True or False: Texas law prohibits anyone from threatening co-op employees who are working to shut off electric service, change out meters, restore power, etc. True or False: Threatening an electric cooperative employee with a deadly weapon is a felony. True or False: Co-op personnel and contractors display logos on their trucks and uniforms, and carry ID to help members identify them on the job. True or False: With a quick call to the co-op, a member can confirm that workers on their property were sent by the electric cooperative, and the reason for the visit. Answers: All these statements are TRUE. NEC employees will only enter your property to take care of official co-op business. If you have a question about the presence of cooperative personnel on your property, please call us immediately.
www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
How To Buy an Energy-Efficient Appliance YOU GO SHOPPING FOR a new refrigera-
they use. For one popular size and configuration, for example, the annual electricity consumption varies from a low of about 600 kWh a year to a high of more than 800 kWh a year. Based on average electricity prices, the annual cost to operate this refrigerator can range from $50 to $70, depending on the model. A $20 difference in annual operating costs might not sound like much. But remember that you will enjoy these savings year after year for the life of the appliance, while you pay any difference in purchase price only once. As a result, you may save money by buying the more expensive, more energy-efficient model. You can learn about still one of the best tools the energy and energy-efficient choice. efficiency of an appliance
tor, and you’re on a budget. Naturally, the best buy is the fridge with the lowest sales price, right? Not necessarily. If you buy the lowestpriced refrigerator, you may end up spending more over time than if you buy a more expensive one. The reason? The cost of owning a home appliance has three components: the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate it. Suppose you’re in the market for a new refrigerator-freezer. Different models with the same capacity can vary dramatically in the amount of electricity
EnergyGuide labels are to make the most costLists key features of the appliance you’re looking at and the similar models that make up the cost range below.
The maker, model and size tell you exactly what product this label describes.
What you might pay to run the appliance for a year, based on its electricity use and the national average cost of energy. The cost appears on labels for all models and brands so you can compare energy use just like you would price or other features.
The cost range helps you compare the energy use of different models by showing you the range of operating costs for models with similar features.
through the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label. The labels are required on refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps and pool heaters. Some appliances also may feature the Energy Star logo, which means that the appliance is significantly more energy efficient than the average comparable model.
Shopping Strategy 1. Select the appliance’s size and style.
Measure the space the appliance will occupy to be sure your new purchase will fit, with enough room to open the doors or lids fully and enough clearance for ventilation. This may help you narrow your choices as you settle on the best capacity and style. 2. Know where to shop. Appliance outlets, electronics stores and local retailers carry different brands and models. Dealers also sell appliances through print catalogs and the Internet. 3. Compare the performance of different brands and models. Ask questions
about how the different models operate: Are they noisy? What safety features do they have? What about repair histories? How much water do they use? How energy efficient are they? 4. Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy
an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run. Consult the EnergyGuide label to compare the energy use of various models. The difference on your monthly electric bill can be significant, especially when considered over the 10- to 20-year life span of the appliance. 5. Ask your salesperson or electric cooperative about special energy-effi-
An estimate of how much electricity the appliance uses in a year based on typical use. Multiply this by your local electric rate to better judge what your actual operating cost might be. www.nueceselectric.org
If you see the ENERGY STAR logo, it means the product is better for the environment because it uses less energy than standard models.
ciency offers—cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs in your area for energy-efficient product purchases—and how you can qualify. Co-op Power May 2015 NEC Texas
23
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
2015 Winners Announced!
NEC Y uth
Youth Leadership Tour The Trip of a lifetime to Washington D.C.
It was an exciting year for our Youth Tour contest as we had a record-break number of entries with 25 essays being submitted! We call this trip our best hidden secret, but I guess the word is out now! It was extremely exciting to read so many very wellwritten and though tout essays on the chosen topic: What is your one favorite use of electricity. But in the end our Community Involvement Committee blindly judged each essay and used measurable ratings to determine each essays score. We took the top four and here they are!
Rosalia Garcia Junior Agua Dulce High School
Paloma Villarreal Sophomore Richard King High School
Amanda Chesser Junior Karnes High School
Hayden Kneizel Sophomore Calallen High School
In addition to these four NEC delegates, Nueces Electric Cooperative was contacted by Wharton Electric and Jackson Electric who offered two additional spots to NEC Retail members. Congratulations to Leann Weaver from St. Joseph’s High School in Victoria who will go on the trip thanks to Wharton Electric. Kylie Hicks from Ganado High School will also go on the trip thanks to Jackson Electric! These extra trips have not ever been a part of our trip, and we don’t expect them to be next year, but we were very please that two extra NEC members were able to go on this trip of a lifetime. If you have a child who will be a Sophomore or Junior next year, be on the lookout for the call for entries beginning this fall for the 2016 trip. 24
Texas Co-op Power NEC May 2015
www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Programs Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship Fund
$4,000 Winners
It just keeps growing every year!
We set the entry requirement a little high this year, but it didn’t phase our pool of highly talented youth as we still received close to 100 scholarship applications. This year we expanded the program to include two additional $1,000 awards. And good news! We are expanding it again next year to include even a few more! All applicants must show proof of exemplary grades and test scores, as well as community and school involvement. It is a tough task to judge these applications. We just have so many youth who truly deserve this award. We would like to send a special thank you to Texas A&M Kingsville, Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, and to Del Mar College for providing representatives to judge these applications. If you have a child who will be a high school senior next year, be on the look-out for the scholarship application process to begin in the fall. Congratulations to all of our 2015 recipients!
Victoria Wahlen Calallen High School
Hattie Powell Mary Carroll High School
$1,000 Winners Deblina Bhattacharya Calallen High School Isabela Bumanlag Science Academy (Mercedes) Ryan Flemming Orange Grove High School Caitlyn Hornsby Incarnate Word Academy (Corpus Christi) Sophia Salinas Robert Vela High School. (Edinburg) Rachel Sowell Memorial High School (Houston)
www.nueceselectric.org
Co-op Power May 2015 NEC Texas
25
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
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.
School Safety Presentation Recently Nueces Electric Cooperative Safety and Loss Control Manager, Cassy Hill, and Journey Lineman, Raymund Piña spent the afternoon with Ricardo elementary students. During the presentation Raymund and Cassy demonstrated the equipment Linemen wear while on the job and the hazards of touching electrical power lines. If you would like to schedule a presentation for your elementary school contact Cassy Hill at chill@nueceselectric.org or 1-800-NEC-WATT (800-632-9288).
NEC Collections Update As you may have noticed, NEC has cracked down on the accounts who go into collections status. We take payments very seriously. As a member-owned electric cooperative we are hired to work for our member-owners. Part of being a member of the co-op is Cooperative Principle #3 Members Economic Participation: Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested. This means, when a members doesn’t make a payment, they are stealing from all of the other members who ultimately pay their bill. NEC has made efforts to significantly reduce the number of collection accounts and the debt the co-op writes off. Beginning this past April, NEC will no longer make special efforts to get electricity turned back on outside of normal working hours. If your electricity is turned off, please be aware that you could be without power for up to 24 hours after you make your payment. 26
Texas Co-op Power NEC May 2015
Welcome Aboard Brent Wolkersdorfer Lineman Apprentice Brent comes to the Co-op from Eugene, OR where he originally worked as a Fire Fighter for Wildland Fire. While looking for a career change, he was presented with the opportunity to attend Northwest Lineman College in Idaho. Brent took the opportunity and we now welcome him, along with his wife and new baby to the Co-op family. Brent is looking forward to a great career and settling into south Texas with his family. www.nueceselectric.org
www.nueceselectric.org
1.800.NEC.WATT
Eight Convenient Ways To Pay Your Bill Pay Online www.nueceselectric.org Access your account 24 hours a day from any computer to manage your account. Just click on “Pay Your Bill”, on the upper left corner of our Homepage.
Pay by Phone: Due to Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance standards, NEC is limited in the ability to take credit card numbers over the phone. These standards are nationally implemented to secure consumers finances and hinder identity theft. To make a payment via the phone you can call 24 /7 and pay via the electronic phone payment system at 800-NEC-WATT (800-632-9288).
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. Pay in Person: Use any one of our Customer Service centers located in Calallen, Ben Bolt, Ricardo or Orange Grove.
Use the Easy Pay Kiosk Quick, easy, and accessible 24 hours a day, the Kiosk is located at the Calallen office. Payments post immediately to your account.
Pay by Mail: 14353 Cooperative Ave ~ Robstown, TX 78380
Pay using a Fidelity Express Pay Station There is an additional $1.50 service charge.
NEC Power Providers Competitive Retailers Qualified To Serve Consumers Located in the Nueces Electric Co-op (NEC) Electric Distribution Service Area* Updated 07/10/2014
Regardless of the company you choose as your power supplier, remember that your energy delivery needs will always be the responsibility of Nueces Electric Cooperative (NEC) and you have the right to contact us with questions regarding your electricity needs at any time. PLEASE NOTE: The (CRs) listed below have completed the process to qualify to serve NEC area member-consumers and you may choose one of them for your power supplier.Some of these providers do NOT serve residential services. This provider list is subject to change. Please monitor the Texas Co-op Power magazine (sent monthly to all NEC members) and/or our website at www.nueceselectric.org for updated CR provider lists. These can also be obtained at any NEC office:14353 Cooperative Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78410 (located at the intersection of CR52 & CR69); 123 County Road 1026 in Ricardo, TX; 5646 S. Hwy 281, Alice/Ben Bolt, TX; or 5302 W. FM 624, Orange Grove, TX
Competitive Retail Power Provider AFFORDABLE ENERGY, L.P./AP GAS & ELECTRIC BENEFICIAL POWER LLC – APOLLO POWER & LIGHT BLUESTAR ENERGY CHAMPION ENERGY SERVICES
Phone Number 1-877-544-4857
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
1-855-750-5556
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
866-BLUESTAR (866-258-3782)
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY
1-877-653-5090
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL OVER 40,000 KWH/YEAR
CONSTELLATION NEW ENERGY CORAL POWER SOLUTIONS CORAL POWER, LLC
713-767-5400
DYNEGY
877-4DYNEGY (877-439-6349)
ENERGY TRANSFER EVERYTHING ENERGY GDF SUEZ
800-375-5702
1-866-446-6797 Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm
MPOWER /MP2
1-888-202-4770
10697 100
1-855-NEC-RD4U (1-855-632-7348) 713-341-7365 713-771-7400
LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY dms@dynegy.com COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL www.hinoelectric.com COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY www.necretail.com RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY
STARTEX POWER
LARGE COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL (50 KW OR LARGER)
SOURCE POWER & GAS
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
V247 POWER
If Your Account Number is:
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ONLY
HINO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
NUECES ELECTRIC CO-OP RETAIL DIVISION (NEC RETAIL) TENASKA ENCOA (TERM) SMARTCOM ENERGY SERVICES
E-Mail/Website
Play & Win!
1-855-888-9888 or 1-832-629-1119
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
YOU WIN $25 off your electric bill! Call, NEC before the 20th! 1-800-NEC-WATT (800-632-9288)
WPS ENERGY SERVICES IMPORTANT: NEC MEMBERS HAVE THE CHOICE TO RECEIVE EITHER 1 BILL -WITH BOTH NEC AND YOUR PROVIDER CHARGES, SENT BY
www.nueceselectric.org NEC -OR 2 BILLS - A BILL FROM NEC FOR DELIVERY CHARGES AND A BILL FROM YOUR PROVIDER FOR YOUR POWER SUPPLY CHARGES.
BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR PREFERRED BILLING WITH YOUR CHOSEN PROVIDER.YOUR DELIVERY CHARGES FROM NEC WILL BE THE
Co-op Power May 2015 NEC Texas
27