March - April 2024 TCEC Rural Living Newsletter

Rural Living

Powering a Healthy System for reliability, efficiency and connectivity for your home

Eileen

Our team at TCEC is always looking ahead, exploring ways to innovate and utilize new technologies to improve the health of our services. As our nation increasingly relies on electricity to power the economy, keeping the lights on has never been more important. We’re committed to powering––and empowering––our community at a cost local families and businesses can afford.

So how are we working to ensure reliable and affordable power while adapting to a changing energy landscape and our community’s evolving needs?

One critical component of reliable power is the mix of energy resources used to generate the electricity that keeps the lights on across Madison, Jefferson and Taylor Counties. You may not realize it, but TCEC doesn’t generate electricity. Instead, we purchase it from our energy provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative and from there, we distribute it to homes and businesses throughout our community. We’re increasingly using more electricity generated from renewable energy sources, but we still depend on a diverse energy mix to ensure reliable power that’s available to our members whenever they need it.

In addition to managing a reliable energy mix, TCEC is using technology to enhance our local grid, limit service disruptions and improve outage response times. Advanced metering technology, also known as AMI, enables two-way communication between the co-op and consumers. In the event of a power outage, AMI helps pinpoint the exact location of the outage and can even analyze damaged or tampered meters. AMI helps TCEC save money with real-time data, and ultimately improves power reliability for our entire community.

Proactive tree trimming is another way we limit service disruptions. Scheduled trimming keeps power lines clear from overgrown limbs that are likely to fall. Drone inspections of lines and vegetation have allowed us to reduce labor and equipment costs while bolstering reliability. Through the use of small drones, we can accurately monitor the health and growth of trees and identify potential problems. As technology advancements become more accessible, we anticipate using advanced mapping software to better maintain the environment while providing more reliable service.

Over 3,500 members are experiencing the power of high speed fiber-to-the-home internet service. Phase two of this monumental project is on track to be completed this summer, and phase three completed in 2025. A healthy internet connection is vital to staying connected with family, friends, and education. Bringing this service to our members is one of the many ways we are working to empower their lives.

One of the best methods for improving our services to you is monitoring trends and leading practices from other electric co-ops in Florida and across the country. Learning from other co-ops is one of the many benefits of the cooperative business model because for us, it’s about cooperation, not competition.

The team of employees and Board of Trustees will continue working to provide the reliable, affordable electricity you expect and deserve–– with a healthy mix of innovation, new ideas, and the co-op you know and love.

Board Meetings

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison.

Capital Credits: TCEC Refunds $348,387 to Members

TCEC’s Board of Trustees voted to refund $348,387 to TCEC members in Capital Credits in December 2023. More than 3,774 refunds were issued. Active account holders due less than $25 received a credit on their December 2023 electric bill, and those due $25 or more, received a check.

This year’s Capital Credit refund represents 75% of our members’ Capital Credit accounts from 1995. Refunds are based on the amount of electricity each member purchased that year, so refund amounts vary in proportion to the amount of electricity each member used during 1995.

As a not-for-profit cooperative electric utility, TCEC allocates its margins (the revenues earned in excess of the cost of doing business) to its members in the form of Capital Credits. Since December, almost 50 of those checks have been returned by the post office because of incorrect address information.

TCEC wants to make every effort to return this money to its rightful owners. We have listed names of consumers whose checks were undeliverable.

Maybe you received your check in the wrong name, or in the name of a deceased member? If you recognize a name and can provide an upto-date address, please call us at 800.999.2285 or visit our website at www.tcec.com/capital-credits.com.

A

ALMAND, ELIZABETH

C

ANDERSON, CLENTON JR. ARUNDEL, JOSEPH G

B

BAILLIE, F E BARBER, ERIC BELL, CHARLES E BENTON, EDNA LOREN BLAIR, JIMMY C

BROWN, FREDRICK A BRYANT, ARTHUR

C

COOK, W J CORBIN, W N CRAIGHEAD, RICHARD

D DENMAN, RHETT

E

EALY, SHAYNE EVANS, IRENE M

F

FRENCH, REX FROW, EVELINE

G

GAMBLE, HUBERT

H

HAMILTON, ROY A HANDEX OF FLORIDA HENRICH, LOUISE HILL, LARRY G

K

KUYRKENDALL, LEE

M

MARCH, TRACY L

MELTON, LARRY L

MILLER, SHUWANDA MOORE, BURTON MOORE, JIMMY

N

NETTLES, RANDY

O

ORTEGA, MANUELA I

P

PAUL, BARBARA B

PICKLES, DOUGLAS

R

RABON, D L SR

ROBERSON, DOROTHY

S

SMITH, WALT SOWELL, CHRISTY SPIVEY, SANDRA E

SPRINGSTON, WARREN

STALANS, TOMMY

SWEELEY, KENNETH W

T

TINER, SHEILA

TISON, ROBERT

W

WALKER, LYMAN IV

WARREN, LAKCHIA

WEBB, DENNIS

WELBES, JOHN F

WYNN, TERRY LEE

Y

YARBROUGH, JOY

2024 YOUTH TOUR 2024 YOUTH TOUR

Seven bright high school juniors set out on a two-day Youth Tour experience. Each student vying for their chance at one of four spots on the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C. this summer.

Applicants submitted an essay, completed in person interviews with a panel of judges, and toured the Florida capital for two days. Students got to know each other, learn about electric cooperatives, how state government works, soak up some Florida history, and tour Florida State University. Representatives from FSU and Tallahassee Community College spoke with the students about how to prepare for the college application process and how to choose the right college for them.

Applicants were in the hot seat, literally, serving as members of the Florida House and Senate in a mock trial.

This year, juniors from electric cooperatives across the country will be in D.C. in mid-June and delegates will spend their time touring monuments, visiting museums, meeting with elected officials, learning about the cooperative business model and getting to know young leaders from all over Florida and 43 other states!

The best part? It’s FREE for delegates! All transportation, meals, admissions fees, etc. are paid for by TCEC. The program is coordinated and facilitated by our statewide organization and The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, or NRECA.

To follow along this trip of a lifetime in June, follow TCEC on Facebook!

a HEALTHY Audit

With summer time right around the corner and the high temperatures the season brings we’d like to remind you about a free co-op service that can help you boost efficiency, save money and ensure the health of your home. As your trusted energy partner, we believe savings and efficiency are within reach for everyone, and we want to help you get there. That’s why TCEC offers free home energy audits.

An energy audit provides a holistic view of your home’s efficiency. Understanding how your home uses energy can help determine the best ways to adjust energy consumption, improve problem areas and ultimately keep more money in your wallet. An energy audit can also identify potential safety issues surrounding electrical wiring and HVAC systems, making your home safer. You could say this is a good kind of audit.

So how does it work? First, request the energy audit by contacting a Member Service Representative at 850.973.2285 or stopping by your neighborhood co-op office. The audit is conducted at your home by one of our trained energy advisors.

What to expect during the audit

The audit is comprised of three parts: evaluation, energy testing and recommendations.

First, our energy advisor conducts a walk-through of your home, examining energy use and identifying problem areas. The advisor will look at specific elements of your home impacting energy use such as doors, windows and insulation levels. The advisor will also examine major appliances including your heating and cooling system and conduct a room-by-room assessment. During the assessment, the advisor will ask questions about your energy use habits and review past energy bills.

The advisor will also conduct thermal imaging of the home to detect heat loss that is invisible to the naked eye. Thermal imaging can reveal inadequate insulation levels, HVAC airflow, radiant heat malfunction and additional key factors.

The power to save is in your hands

Finally, the advisor will provide you with a detailed evaluation. Including recommendations regarding energy consumption and steps you can take to improve efficiency and save money.

One of the greatest values of an energy audit is helping you understand how you use electricity and more importantly, identifying ways to use it more efficiently. Additionally, making improvements and upgrades based on the evaluation can increase your property value––all the more reason to schedule an audit for your home.

Free energy audits are just one of the many perks of your co-op membership, so we hope you’ll take advantage of this valuable service.

a HEALTHY Home

Ten tips that any good energy saver should not live without.

1. Replace any light bulbs, especially ones that burn more than one hour per day, with a light-emitting diode (LED) bulb.

2. Seal from the inside. Air sealing is an inexpensive way to lower energy costs and improve comfort. Seal gaps and holes in walls, floors, and ceilings with caulk or foam sealant. Look for cracks around windows and where wires and pipes pass through.

3. Plug electronic devices such as cable boxes, printers and TVs into power strips to turn off during vacations or long periods without use. Smart power strips make it an easy task to save money.

4. Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

5. Change your central HVAC system filter when dirty by the manufacturers recommendations.  Dirty filters can impact your home comfort and increase your electricity bill.

6. A one degree increase in heating setpoint or reduction in cooling setpoint can increase energy use by 3 – 5%.

Electronics include: telephone and external power adapters, consumer electronics (computer, TVs and DVD player), home office equipment, and small appliances

Appliances include: refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer

Source: Typical House Factoid Memo. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. April 2013.

7. Have your duct work checked for leaks. Leaks at the return, air handler and supply can be a major source of high bills. Mobile homes check at the grill, cross over duct and down flow air handler, for leaks.

8. Set both the upper and lower water heater thermostats no higher than 120 F.

9. An electric space heater can cost more than $100 per month to operate. Minimize their use, except for limited or temporary spot heating. Turn space heaters off when leaving the room.

10. Ensure refrigerator door seals are tight. Eliminate unnecessary refrigerators.

Employee Milestones

A healthy career, a career with a purpose is the dream for many. TCEC is a community focused organization that delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our members. TCEC is unique because we belong to the community we serve, giving us better insight into our consumer-members’ needs. Many of our employees are members and consumers, just like you. It takes a variety of skills to implement new technologies and infrastructure, keep the electric grid secure, and power the lives and economy of our local community, neighbors and friends. TCEC employees are dedicated to helping create a brighter future for all. Each role is vital to the cooperative mission.

From engineering and technology to finance and communications, TCEC offers a range of rewarding careers. We encourage on the job training and continuing education. Our diverse team of employees keep the lights on for your members. Recently we celebrated several employees and a board member who together represent over 120 years of invaluable experience at the co-op.

Tony Stephenson Crew Leader 25 years

Jason Hughey Apparatus Technician 10 years

Kisha Tolar Accounts Receivable & Payable Assistant 15 years

Julius Hackett CEO 15 years

Catherine Bethea Board Trustee 15 years

Amy Straka Lead System Operator 20 years

Jeff Brewer Vice President of Engineering 10 years

Reggie Daniels System Operator 10 years

BEFORE THE STORM

A team of TCEC employees meet monthly to discuss and plan for not only hurricane season, but any disaster that may impact our system or our members.

The continuous review and study of the TCEC system and processes is crucial to stay prepared for anything that could cause disruptions in service and damage to infrastructure. Using the TCEC Emergency Restoration Plan as our guide for the restoration process, system requirements, personnel support, business continuity, community and member engagement during restoration efforts and much more. The TCEC Emergency Restoration Plan is available to all employees, and is packed full of up to date resources we can lean on during and after a disaster or major weather event.

System improvements and disaster assistance agreements or contracts completed in advance are also crucial to receiving the maximum amount of FEMA disaster relief funding. As a member owned electric cooperative, the high cost of emergency restoration after a hurricane or natural disaster can impact member rates. Working to secure FEMA reimbursements and other funding sources is one of the many ways we can keep our electric service affordable.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken

Did you know cooking with smaller countertop appliances is more energy efficient than using the stovetop? Try out this Instant Pot Whole Chicken Recipe for an easy, delicious, energy saving meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dried thyme

• 2 tablespoons dried rosemary, crushed

• 2 tablespoons rubbed sage

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon pepper

• 1 small lemon, quartered, optional

Directions

• 1 small onion, quartered, optional

• 3 garlic cloves, smashed, optional

• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1 cup chicken broth or water

1. In a small bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. If desired, insert lemon, onion, and garlic into the cavity of the chicken. Brush the outside of chicken with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with herb mixture.

2. Select sauté setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Adjust for medium heat; add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. When oil is hot, sear chicken, breast side down, until browned, 4-5 minutes. Press cancel; remove chicken. Place trivet insert and broth in pressure cooker. Place chicken on top of trivet. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressurecook on high for 25 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally.

Welcome Babies!

This Publication’s Inspirational Moment

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Romans 6:4

“There’s two to wash, two to dry; There’s two who argue, two who cry; There’s two to kiss, two to hug; and best of all, There’s two to love!”

Congratulations to Rayne Slaughter, TCEC System Operator, and his wife Claudia on the birth of their twin daughters. Teigen and Tatum were born on January 17th. Teigen was 7lb 3oz 20-1/4” long and Tatum 7lb 4oz 20” long. Both girls are happy and healthy and were ready to get home to their big brother Truett.

Holiday Schedule Reminder

All Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Friday, March 29, 2024 in observance of Good Friday. We will have standby crews available for power restoration if needed.