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.
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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