s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 3

News

Stretching thousands of miles across the United States are large transmission lines that carry and deliver electricity. LCEC owns and maintains nearly 200 miles of overhead transmission lines. Different

from distribution lines, which deliver power into your neighborhoods and business districts, these high-voltage lines carry large quantities of electricity from generating plants. You may often ask, “Since we are prone to storms, would it be better to have these transmission lines underground and not overhead?” The final design of a transmission line is based on many different factors, and it comes down to the best way to deliver the most reliable electricity at an affordable cost.

Outages/MaintenanceWhen underground outages occur, finding the cause and repairing it are more complex. With overhead lines, finding and repairing the faults are easier. Overhead lines are easier to access, and problem areas are easier to locate and can be corrected before a potential outage occurs. Scheduled maintenance, pole inspections, and vegetation management are routine processes.

Cost The cost difference between underground and overhead transmission lines is substantial. The cost of new construction for underground transmission lines is approximately 5-10 times the cost of overhead construction.

Trees, branches, vines and brush growing on or near power lines can cause interruption in service or prevent maintenance access to utility facilities. More importantly, they can pose

safety concerns. LCEC has a consistent vegetation management program that includes regularly scheduled clearing of rights-of-way and continual inspection for potential issues. Although there is a substantial investment to address vegetation issues throughout the five-county LCEC service territory, it is a good investment. Proactive management and strategic planning help to reduce the unexpected costs and customer inconvenience associated with major outages. It is our mission to provide reliable power at a competitive price, and vegetation management is just one of the ways we do it.

Vegetation Management – helping to keep the lights on

Transmission Lines: More Than Meets the Eye

Go paperlessStreamline your bill paying and say good-bye to piles of paper! It’s easy, convenient and secure! You save the environment, and you help reduce billing costs for LCEC too! It is simple to enroll in the program, and you will receive a monthly email notification when your bill is due. You can pay with a variety of payment options. Visit www.lcec.net and click on Account Access and the Paperless Billing link.

Cape Coral electric bills in October

Public Service Tax will hit

If you have questions about the new tax, please contact the City of Cape Coral Citizens’ Action Center, 239-574-0425.

LCEC has not raised rates in nearly five years, but customers in Cape Coral will notice an increase in their electric bill next month. Earlier this year, Cape Coral City Council established a Public Service Tax, which will help diversify the revenue sources used to fund the City’s general operating fund.

For residential customers, the tax will be levied at 7 percent on the purchase of electricity with an exemption of the first 500 kWh, the franchise fee and gross receipts tax. Commercial customers will not receive the 500kwh exemption.

LCEC is required by law to collect the tax from customers and transfer the funds to the City of Cape Coral. Please note that the Cape Coral Public Service Tax and the Cape Coral Franchise Fee, which is also transferred to the City, will be identified separately on your bill.

LCEC lineman George Caudill recently responded to a call from the Cape Coral Fire Department when a man was found unconscious on a ladder near power lines. Caudill was able to safely lower the man to the ground so that he could be rushed to the hospital for treatment. Before Fire Chief Christopher Moore could thank him, Caudill was off and on his way to the next call. Later, Moore made a visit to LCEC and presented lineman Caudill with a special recognition in appreciation for his actions.

among us

LCEC transmission lines are designed to deliver reliable and affordable electricity. Over the years, LCEC lines have been delivering electricity without interruption, 99.97 percent of the time.

LCEC is a nonprofit corporation. Established in 1940, LCEC delivers power to more than 200,000 customers.

LCEC News is published monthly for customers by the Public Relations Department,

P.O. Box 3455, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33918-3455(800) 599-2356 or 239-656-2300 • www.lcec.net

B O A R D M E E T I N G SLCEC Board meetings are typically held the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the North Fort Myers office (4980 Bayline Drive). Monthly meeting agendas are available online two days prior to the meeting. Call 239-656-2300 for more information.

Customer survey Winner – If you receive an LCEC customer survey in the mail, return it for a chance to win $50. July’s winner was Isabel Arreaga of Immokalee.

The number one energy- saving tip is to have an energy audit done on your home. You can rely on LCEC energy advisors. However, many DIY homeowners like the idea of having the power to save and can go to www.lcec.net to conduct your own survey. LCEC Energy-Saving ideas for energy-efficient landscaping can also help reduce your energy bills today! Planting the right tree in the right place, away from power lines, can help save on energy usage for cooling and heating.

•A shade tree in the right spot can keep your home six degrees cooler. Proper placement can help channel a breeze and move and release water vapor to cool the air.

•Plant on the sunniest side of your home. Note where shadows fall during certain times of the day to determine planting zones.

•Groups of trees have a greater cooling effect than individual trees scattered on the property.

•Shade your AC unit, but keep it free of debris and don’t block circulation.

•Trees and shrubs grow at different speeds. The slow-growth varieties tend to have deeper roots and are less prone to wind damage.

•Plant native species that adapt to local soil and environment.

Operation safe applianceAn appliance that repeatedly blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker could indicate a defect that may cause a fire or electrical shock. Unplug the appliance immediately and have it repaired or replaced.

• MakecertainallsmallappliancesandtoolsareapprovedbyanindependenttestinglaboratorysuchasUnderwritersLaboratories(UL).

• Usesmallappliancesandpowertoolsaccordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions.

• Unplugallsmallelectricalappliances,suchashairdryers,shavers,curlingirons,clothesirons,andtoasterswhennotinuse.

• Besureyouhavegroundfaultcircuitinterrupter(GFCI)protectionanywhereelectricityandwaterarewithinsixfeetofeachother,suchasinyourkitchen,bathroomandoutdoorstoprotectagainstelectricshock.

• Takeanydamagedelectricalapplianceortooltoanauthorizedrepaircenter,orcutthecord,safelydisposeoftheitem,andpurchaseanewone.

• Neverreachintowatertogetanappliancethathasfalleninwithoutbeingsuretheapplianceisunpluggedorthecircuitisshutoff.

• Tomakesureappliancesareingoodcondition,examineregularlyforbreaksinpowercords,plugsorconnectors.

• Remember,electricityandwaterdon’tmix.Keepallelectricalcordsandproductssuchasradios,TVs,hairdryersandcurlingironsawayfromwaterinasinkortub.

• Keepappliancecordsasshortaspossibletoavoidaccidentssuchastrippingorknockingtheapplianceover. We are living United

and you can too!National Preparedness Month

Tips and Tricks you can do

yourself around the house!

The German American Social Club AND

2ND ANNUAL

The event will include a 5k Run/Walk followed by a Tot Trot for children 12 & under. All registered children will receive a cotton t-shirt and race ribbon. First 200 5K Run/Walk participants will be guaranteed a Performance T-shirt, a gift bag, two (2) free admission tickets to Oktoberfest, and $6 in tickets for food or drinks.

Registration: 6:30a.m.5kRace: 7:30a.m. Kinderlaufen(TotTrot):Aftercompletionof5kAwardstofollow

RegistrationPrice:5kRunorWalk:18yearsofageandover $25.00(Dayof$30)17yearsofageandunder $20.00(Dayof$30)TotTrot $10.00

For race information, email: Oktoberfest5k@lcec.net • Phone: 239-656-2342www.uw.lcec.net/5k.html

German American Social Club Oktoberfest2101 S.W. Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral, FL

Jim Jeffers Park • 2817 S.W. 3rd Lane • Cape Coral, FL 33991

5k race location: Jim Jeffers Park • 2817 S.W. 3rd Lane • Cape Coral, FL 33991

October 26, 2013

LCEC Golf Tourney October 5, 2013

$80 per person, includes all fees and lunch

Pelican Preserve Golf Club, Fort Myers

Visit www.uw.lcec.net to find out more details and how you can participate in or sponsor the events.

$25Pre-Registration,includeseventshirt•$10TotTrotJim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral

Timing performed by Endurance Sports

The possibility of an emergency such as a hurricane, fire, flood, terrorism or health pandemic is an unfortunate reality these days. Taking action to prepare yourself and your family for a disaster can provide peace of mind and minimize the impact.

Put together your kit: Prepare emergency water, food and disaster supplies. Include a flashlight and batteries, first-aid kit, medications, copies of personal documents, phone chargers, bedding, maps, radio, can opener, matches, work gloves, bleach, baby and pet supplies. For a complete list, visit www.bt.cdc.gov.

Develop a plan: Pick a place for family members to meet. Know the best escape or evacuation routes. Know how to turn off the water, gas and electricity. Review disaster scenarios, plan for each and practice the plans.

Be informed: Know where the local shelters are. Understand warning signals and the best websites or media outlets for disaster information. Understand quarantine and isolation situations and how to best deal with them. Learn how to manage each type of disaster and what to expect prior to, during and after.