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October 2015 Share Package Utility Contacts
Pam Spettel, Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op, (541) 284-2147, [email protected]
Sabrina Owens, Escambia Electric Co-op, (850) 675-7433, [email protected]
Nikki Dunn Cullen, Florida Keys Electric Co-op, (360) 816-1453, [email protected]
Denise Whitehead, Glades Electric Co-op, (800) 226-4025, [email protected]
Kristin Evans, Gulf Coast Electric Co-op, (850) 913-3731, [email protected]
Lara Petitclerc-Stokes, Oregon Trail Electric Co-op, (541) 524-2858, [email protected]
Traci Broke, Wasco Electric Co-op, (541) 296-2740, [email protected]
28 O C TO B E R 2015
By Victoria Hampton
As the sun rises over the Steens Mountain wilderness, Hereford cattle meander across a rocky plain. Stacy Davies guides the cattle over the high desert terrain on his black quarter horse.
Stacy—the manager of Roaring Springs Ranch in Frenchglen, Oregon—has more in common with electric coop-eratives than meets the eye.
Almost every aspect of Stacy’s day is powered by the cooperative model. The electricity he receives from Harney Electric Cooperative keeps the lights on at his ranch, while the cattle network he belongs to keeps food on the table.
Stacy is marketing director for Country Natural Beef— a cooperative based in Burns, Oregon. Just like electric cooperatives, the 100 family cattle ranches that make up Country Natural
Beef are member-owners. Ranches are in Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Hawaii.
The cooperative gives a voice to every one of its member-owners.
“The cooperative model allows us to capture the wisdom of everyone in the group,” says Stacy. “The intellectual capi-tal is the primary focus at our meetings. We end up with 100-plus business own-ers in the same room searching out a solution, and it is a powerful thing.”
The cooperative world expands far beyond utilities. The business model cov-ers companies such as cattle ranches, grocery stores, banks, hardware stores, dairy farms, housing complexes, credit unions, health care organizations, pro-duce farms and breweries.
The main goal of a cooperative is to
Power LinesEnergy News For Consumers
Celebrating Co-ops and Public Power in OctoberFranklin D. Roosevelt launched the New Deal in 1933, which sparked a movement to light every home in the United States. This also was the beginning of electric cooperatives and the core principles that power this business model.
October is dedicated to celebrating the cooperative model and the member-owners who keep the lights on.
Public Power Week is October 4-10. It is a celebration of utilites across the United States.
Check with your utility about festivities during the month.
A Cooperative Commitment
Business model achieves dedication to member-owners in every industry
Stacy Davies, marketing director for Country Natural Beef, closes a fence at his ranch in Frenchglen, Oregon. Stacy’s ranch, along with 100 cattle ranches in 13 states, are member-owners of Country Natural Beef.Photo by Lynn Howlett
O C TO B E R 2015 29
meet the needs of its mem-bers. One way this is achieved is through an elected board of directors that governs the cooperative, and sets policies and procedures implemented by management.
“We view each other as partners providing a high-quality product,” says Stacy. “The relationship allows us to achieve that, and that is only possible through a co-op structure. We have a great deal of transparency. Therefore, all votes rise.”
Country Natural Beef, elec-tric utilities and all cooperatives adhere to the same seven cooperative principles: voluntary and open membership; demo-cratic member control; member eco-nomic participation; autonomy and inde-pendence; education, training and infor-mation; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community.
“The cooperative model empowers our member-owners because they are co-owners and are as involved or not as they want,” says Adriana Jones, front end and member services team leader for Quincy Natural Foods Co-op. “Members get to guide and direct the company.”
The Quincy Natural Foods and Feather River co-ops served by Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative, receive 57 percent of their produce from local farms that is sold at the co-op’s stores in Quincy and Portola, California.
“We are committed to developing a sustainable community,” says Adriana.
One aspect that sets the cooperative business model apart is the unyielding dedication to the members, consumers and communities they serve.
“We host the Quincy Certified Farmers Market, collaborate with local businesses and agencies, host the local Community Supported Agriculture pro-gram, and support local growers and producers,” says Adriana. “We purchase whatever we can locally from office sup-pliers, hardware stores, local vendors, local banking, you name it.
“We have our Cooperative Community Fund, which is an endow-ment fund. We donate annually to local nonprofits who qualify.”
Cooperatives are ingrained into their communities through the industry and interests they serve. The Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank namesake is an example.
“Ninety-five percent of our loans are for fishermen,” says Chief Operating Officer Lela Klingert. “There are a lot of commercial fishermen in the Anchorage area. I would say 50 percent of members are in Anchorage.”
The 500 members of the bank repre-sent the fishing, mining, logging, oil and tourism industries in Alaska.
“The ultimate goal, long term, is to be around and provide financing as an option for generations to come,” says Lela. “Being a co-op model is more than being the biggest or least expensive, but to be an option long term. I don’t know if you could achieve that as a private inves-tor-owned company.”
Many of these cooperatives have mem-bers and customers that would be com-petitors if not for their cooperatives. Stacy enjoys the collaboration and sus-tainability of Country Natural Beef that is created through its network of ranchers, truckers, processing plants and customers.
“In the beef industry, all our entities are in competition with each other,” says Stacy. “The co-op structure allows each entity to focus on its own business.
Ranchers can focus on ranching. We get together a few times a year and make sure we’re all on the same page. We’re all pulling together instead of working against one another.”
As Stacy guides his herd of cattle into a holding pen, he is confident in the future of the ranch he maintains and the cooperative he serves.
“At the end of the day, it may not be the most profitable, but these businesses operate in a manner that our great-great-grandkids can still operate,” says Stacy. “We need these small communities to have the economic stability so they can be here for generations. It is more than the profitability. It’s the sustainability.” n
Bill and Missy Craig’s boat crew reel in salm-on in Alaska. The Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank serves various industries, including fishing, min-ing, logging, oil and tourism.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank
Photo courtesy of Quincy Natural Foods
Above, Front End and Member Services Team Leader Ariana Jones, right, helps a customer at Quincy Natural Foods Cooperative in Quincy, California.
8
Cut Your Utility Bills
To ask a question, write to James Dulley, Energy Report, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH. 45244, or check his website, www.dulley.com.Copyright 2015, James Dulley
James Dulley
8 OC TOBER 2015
Top, register booster fans fit over a register on the floor or wall and plug into standard electrical outlets.Photo courtesy of Suncourt
Above and center, to install a duct booster fan, a small section of the existing duct is removed and the booster fan/duct replaces it.Photo courtesty of Field Controls
Maintaining Temperatures in
Two-Story Homes
Q: We have a new heat pump, but we have a problem keeping all of the rooms in our home comfortable. What are some simple methods to even out temperatures throughout the house?
A: The problem you are experiencing is common, particularly in a two-story home—even for the newest heat pump systems. Unless you install an expensive zone-control system with multiple ther-mostats, your heat pump can respond only to the temperature of the room where the wall thermostat is located.
Numerous factors determine how much heating or cooling is used. These include the number and orientation of windows, whether the room is located on the first or second floor, the activity level in the room and the length of the duct leading to it.
There also may be differences in the energy efficiency of rooms, which can cause the temperature difference. Leaky windows are a particular problem.
When using an air-conditioning sys-tem, place an air deflector over the regis-ter to help distribute cool air throughout the room.
Check your home’s attic insulation. Insulation can shift, and may eventu-ally lead to some rooms having two feet of insulation while others only have two inches. This can have a major effect on the room temperature. Even out the insu-lation as much as possible.
The standard builder-installed sheet metal ductwork often has many leaky spots. The joints between the duct seg-ments are the most common areas that leak. Use a high-quality duct tape to wrap all of the joints. You may find this takes care of most of the problem.
Each room should have a return air register, particularly rooms where the doors may be closed at night. Return ducts usually run between wall studs inside interior walls, so adding them in problem rooms is not difficult for a con-tractor to do.
There are many ways to install an additional return duct. For example, in my parent’s older two-story home, a return duct was run through a never-used laundry chute to the basement.
Check ducts near the heat pump. If you see short handles on each one, they are for control dampers inside the ducts. When the handle is parallel to the duct, the damper is fully open. Partially close the dampers in the duct leading to the rooms getting too much heating or cool-ing to force more to the problem rooms.
Don’t try closing the damper in the room’s floor or wall registers. First, they typically are leaky, so the air flow will not be reduced by much. Second, because the ducts inside the walls are probably leaky and you have no access to seal them, conditioned air is lost inside the exterior walls.
If these methods do not provide ade-quate temperature balancing, consider installing duct booster fans. These small fans mount in the ducts to the problem rooms and force more conditioned air to them. The simplest fans sense when the main blower turns on, and automatically run at the same time. Others have built-in thermostats to determine when they run. It is best to hire an experienced con-tractor to handle the installation for you. The fan can be wired into your blower switch to turn on with the heat pump.
A simple do-it-yourself option is to install a register booster fan. This small rectangular fan mounts over the register cover in the room and is plugged into a standard electrical wall outlet. The small fan uses only about 30 watts of electric-ity. Some models are adjustable to turn on only when more cooling or heating is needed in that particular room.
Setting the thermostat to continu-ous fan may also help, but note that it will increase your electric bill. The fan setting is most helpful if your new heat pump has a variable-speed blower, which is more efficient than a standard blower motor. n
8 O C TO B E R 2015
This year, the nation was riveted by scenes of record-breaking wildfires storming through five states in the Northwest, killing people and animals and charring total acreage larger than Maryland.
Disasters, whether caused by nature, accidents or hostile acts, put electric co-ops to the test. As the CEO of a co-op and as president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, I am extremely proud to report that co-ops passed the test with flying colors.
Employees put in grueling hours in extreme con-ditions. Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative employ-ees—linemen, engineers, communicators—were de-energizing lines and assisting in containment even as their families were evacuated.
An Okanogan County Electric Cooperative stak-ing technician worked overnight to plot a new route for a power line. Crews, including those from Inland Power and Light, worked 17-hour days to move that line.
As first responders, co-ops can be found on the scene during a disaster and in the immediate after-math, restoring power to hospitals and other critical facilities.
“Journeymen are hardwired to go in and do what it takes to bring the power back up,” said OTEC Director of Engineering and Operations Ned Ratterman in an interview about the Canyon Creek Fires with ECT.coop.
According to Ratterman, once power was restored, “you could hear people hooting and holler-ing in the hills. People were shouting ‘thank you’ up into the night.”
The length of time it takes a co-op to restore power after a disaster—or even after an ordinary outage—is a measure of the co-op’s resiliency. And by this measure, thanks to a raft of new technolo-gies, co-ops are becoming more and more resilient.
Co-ops serve the most rugged, remote terrain in the country, covering more than 70 percent of the nation’s landmass. We have learned how to restore power in incredibly difficult circumstances. And now we are restoring power even faster. Collectively, electric co-ops have reduced the average time
without power their members experience from 142 minutes in 2011 to 105 minutes in 2013, a 26 per-cent decline.
For example, new communication technologies allow utilities to locate outages using information from meters, which can significantly speed up res-toration times. Similarly, new software applications can reroute power around a downed line or other problems, limiting the number of members affected by the outage. Thanks to geographic information system technology, utilities can update members on restoration times via text and email.
Resiliency is multifaceted. It involves every aspect of operations, from the customer service represen-tative in the call center to linemen in the field, and from engineers in the control room to communica-tors who keep the media informed.
But following a disaster, the recovery process can extend beyond power restoration, especially follow-ing large-scale disasters such as floods, tornados and hurricanes. Next comes rebuilding. And with rebuilding, many more challenges.
This year’s fires burned hundreds of poles, and damaged or destroyed substations and transformers.
Unfortunately, because of tight budgets and a struggling economy, many co-ops will face new challenges when applying for reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Administration to rebuild their systems.
Under new FEMA procedures, if rebuilding costs are less than the co-op estimated, remaining funds must be used for FEMA-approved projects to harden the grid to mitigate future damage. On the other hand, if a co-op underestimates costs, the co-op is responsible for paying the difference.
From new efforts to reduce risk during disas-ters, to investments in new technology, to rigorous accounting, co-ops strive to shield their members from the effects of disasters.
We don’t know what to expect from Mother Nature the rest of this year, but I can promise you this: Your co-op is working hard to prepare for whatever blows your way. n
Dedication, Resiliency and CommunityNational Cooperative Month recognizes the hard work of co-op staff
Mel Coleman is president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors and CEO of the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative.
Voice BoxCommentary on Power Issues
Voice BoxCommentary on Power Issues
Fort Dalles reaDiness Center402 E Scenic Drive | The Dalles, OR 97058
Saturday, November 14th, 201511:00am Member Registration
12:00 Noon-Buffet Lunch, Cowboy Catering1:00pm- Business Meeting
musical entertainment • buffet lunch • door prizes • guest speaker • business reports • board elections
Y o u ’ r e I n v I t e d ! 76th annual
meetIng
Fort Dalles reaDiness Center402 E Scenic Drive | The Dalles, OR 97058
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Blachly-Lane Electric
Articles XII - XVIThis is the last of a four-part series taking a closer look at Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative’s bylaws, and how they guide the cooperative. We invite you to download the bylaws from www.blachlylane.coop, or stop by the office and pick up a copy to follow along more closely.
As we have learned through this series, Blachly-Lane bylaws can easily be clustered into categories. In previous months we have looked at: Articles I-II, which outline the roles and responsibilities of members.
Articles III-V, which outline the roles and responsibilities of directors.Articles VI-XI, which discuss many business aspects of the cooperative.This month, we complete our exploration by taking a closer look at Articles XII
through XVI of the Blachly-Lane Electric Cooperative bylaws.Article XII determines that BLECs fiscal year—our budget period—follows the calen-
dar year, January 1 to December 31.Article XIII, Membership in Other Organizations, specifies that the board of direc-
tors may authorize the co-op to have memberships in associations and other co-ops such as PNGC Power, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The board also may authorize the co-op to become a member of community service organizations to benefit the best interests of the co-op.
Article XIV describes the corporate seal of Blachly-Lane Electric Co-op as a circle with the name of the co-op inscribed within it. Amendment to Bylaws, Article XV, deals with amending the bylaws as they apply to the sale, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the co-op; a voluntary dissolution of the co-op; a merger or consolidation of the co-op with another business entity; or an amendment that would convert the co-op into a domestic business corporation. This article requires that any action taken in the above situations must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the directors, and that if approved, the action will then be
submitted to the membership for a vote.Article XV says if a vote of this nature is to come before the members, at least 180 days must
pass after the board recommendation before a meeting of the members may be held to take the vote. It ensures each member is given written notice of the proposed action, including an objec-tive explanation of the proposal, and requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members to approve any action related to the sale, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the prop-erty and assets of the co-op; the dissolution of the co-op; a merger or consolidation of the co-op with another business entity; or the conversion of the co-op to a domestic business corporation.
Article XVI is perhaps one of the most important articles to BLEC members. Article XVIdescribes the process for amending the bylaws. It states in simple language, “Either the Board of Directors or ten percent (10%) of the members signing a written petition may propose a mod-ification, amendment, or repeal of one or more of these bylaws. Any such proposal shall be con-sidered and voted upon at any annual or special meeting of the members in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article II of these bylaws, provided the notice of such meeting shall have contained a copy of the proposed modification, amendment, or repeal.”
The member-written and approved Blachly-Lane bylaws reflect the values of the membership as a whole. The bylaws provide members, directors and management with checks and balances necessary to run a healthy business. The bylaws outline the important roles, responsibilities and processes required to protect the interests of BLEC members in receiving safe, reliable electric service.
Bylaws 101: Understanding Blachly-Lane Bylaws
First Addition 2014
Blachly-Lane Electric
Cooperative Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws
Member Approved
July 2014
8 O C TO B E R 2015
Oregon Trail Electricwww.otecc.com
28 O C TO B E R 2015
ZONE 1
100 FEET
30 FEET
10 FEET
ZONE 22
45
6
3
1
7
6 FEET MIN CLEARANCE
30 FEET REDUCED FUEL ZONE 70 FEET
VERTICAL SPACING
Large trees do not have to be cut and removed as long as all of the plants beneath them are removed. This eliminates a vertical “fire ladder.”
HORIZONTAL SPACINGCreate horizontal and vertical spacing between plants, the amount of spacing will depend on how steep the slope is and the size of the plants.
*For more information on creating defensible space and legal requirements visit
READYFORWILDFIRE.ORG
Defensible Space is your property’s front line defense against wildfire. Creating and maintaining defensible space around your home can dramatically increase your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire and improves the safety of firefighters defending your property. 100 feet of defensible space is required by law.*
TWO ZONES MAKE UP THE REQUIRED 100 FEET OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE:
ZONE 1: 30 feet of Lean, Clean & Green
1 Remove all dead plants, grass and weeds.
2 Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof and rain gutters.
3 Keep tree branches 10 feet away from your chimney and other trees.
ZONE 2: 30–100 feet of Reduced Fuel
4 Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches.
5 Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees.
6 Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs and trees.
Use Equipment Properly to Keep from Sparking a Wildfire
7 Mow before 10 a.m., and never on a hot or windy day. String trimmers are a safer option (vs. lawnmowers) for clearing vegetation.
WILDFIRE IS COMING.
ARE YOU READY?
O C TO B E R 2015 29
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 7:00 p.m. Choirs of the Valley Concert (McKenzie Theatre, Loso Hall)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 9:30 a.m. Mountaineer Athletic Association Scholarship Golf Scramble (Buffalo Peak Golf Course)
12 – 4 p.m. Homecoming Art Show featuring Alumni Artists (Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall)
1 – 4 p.m. EOU Ambassadors Campus Tours (Hoke 2nd floor)
4:15 p.m. Parade Registration, parade line-up at 4:45 p.m. (Max Square, 4th St. & Adams Ave.)
5:00 p.m. Homecoming Parade (Adams Ave., downtown La Grande)
6:30 p.m. Alumni Honors & Athletic Hall of Fame Reception & Ceremony (Gilbert Center)
8:00 p.m. Eastern Student Entertainment presents a Movie on the Lawn (Intramural Field)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 7:30 a.m. Homecoming 5/10K & 1 Mile Run/Walk (EOU Campus)
9:00 a.m. Alumni Association Breakfast & Annual Meeting (Gilbert Center)
10:00 a.m. EOU Alumni Softball Fast Pitch Game (Peggy Anderson Field)
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Homecoming Art Show featuring Alumni Artists (Nightingale Gallery, Loso Hall)
10:30 a.m. John J. Howard & Associates Tailgate Zone (6th St. & H Ave. parking lot)
11:00 a.m. Eastern Ambassadors Reunion (Stenard Garden)
1:00 p.m. EOU Football vs. University of Montana – Western (Community Stadium)
4:00 p.m. Alumni Association’s 5th Quarter Celebration (Quinn Coliseum Lobby)
6:30 p.m. EOU Women’s Basketball vs. Alumni (Quinn Coliseum)
8:00 p.m. Jazz Concert Tribute to Duke Ellington: Faculty Recital (Groth Recital Hall, Loso Hall 126)
9:00 p.m. Eastern Student Entertainment presents comedian Adam Grabowski (Gilbert Center)
EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING CELEBRATION 2015
OCTOBER 15 – 17
For a complete listing of events and registration, please visit: www.eou.edu/alumni
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Sponsored in part by
Shawn K. Mangum
www.eou.edu
The Nightingale Gallery at Eastern Oregon University opens its 2015-16 exhibition season by welcoming back several talented alumni of the EOU art program.
“Homecoming” presents a selection of work by 10 EOU graduates who have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in the visual arts. The exhibit opens Friday, October 2, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gallery in Loso Hall.
Sponsored in part by the EOU Alumni Association, the exhibition also is open Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during homecoming activities on campus. Works on display encompass a variety of media, from drawing and painting to mixed media and sculpture. The artists included represent a span of almost 40 years of art program graduates.
“We are pleased to have such a variety of talent out in the world representing the strengths of our program and this university,” says Cory Peeke, Nightingale Gallery director. “We are even more pleased they have chosen to come home to where they began their careers to share their creative work with our current students and the regional arts community.”
In addition to presenting a diverse selection of creative work by alumni, the gallery also hosts Aaron McNamee’s presentation on his current work Wednesday, September 30, at 6 p.m. in Huber Auditorium, Badgely Hall. Aaron graduated from EOU in 2003 and is an artist in residence for sculpture at the
University of New Orleans. His presentation is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.eou.edu/art or follow the gallery on Facebook.
Art Exhibition Comes to EOU Campus
Andrew Myers, Eastern Oregon University class of 1995, shares his work at the Nightingale Gallery this month. Andrew received his MFA from Portland State University and teaches at Oregon State University.
Ten Ways to Conserve Water OutdoorsSimple ways to use water make a big difference
Water conservation has become an essential prac-tice in all regions, even in areas where water seems abundant. In addition to saving money on your util-ity bill, water conservation helps prevent water pol-lution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.
To conserve water in the yard and garden, and when performing chores outdoors:
• Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants. If you are planting a new lawn or overseeding an existing lawn, use drought-resistant grasses. Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less water than other species. Replace herbaceous perennial borders with native plants, which use less water and are more resistant to local plant diseases. Plant slopes with plants that will retain water and help reduce run-off. Group plants according to their watering needs.
• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Add 2 to 4 inches of organic material such as compost or bark mulch to increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture. Press the mulch down around the dripline of each plant to form a slight depression to prevent or mini-mize water runoff.
• Don’t water the gutters or paved areas. Position sprinklers so water lands only on vegetation.
• Water your lawn only when it needs it. A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it does not need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for watering. Let the grass grow taller (to 3 inches) to promote water retention in the soil. Most lawns only need about 1 inch of water each week. During dry spells, you can stop watering altogether, and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once cooler weather arrives, the morning dew and rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor. This may result in a brown summer lawn, but it saves a lot of water.
• Deep-soak your lawn. When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems.
• Water during the early parts of the day. Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps
prevent the growth of fungus and is the best defense against slugs and other garden pests. Early and late watering also reduce water loss to evaporation.
• Avoid watering when it is windy. Sprinklers can be blown off target and speed evaporation.
• Add organic matter and use efficient water-ing systems for shrubs, flower beds and lawns. Add organic material to your soil to increase its absorption and water retention. Areas already planted can be top dressed with compost or organic matter. Strategically place soaker hoses, and install a rain barrel water catching system and a simple drip-irrigation system. Avoid over-watering plants and shrubs, which diminishes plant health and causes yellowing of the leaves. Use a variable spray nozzle for targeted watering by hand.
• Do not run the hose while washing your car. Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing, and with a spray nozzle. This can save as much as 150 gallons when washing a car. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean paved areas.
• Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings. Leaks outside may not seem as bad since they are not as visible, but they can be just as wasteful. Use hose washers and connections to eliminate leaks.
Water conservation comes naturally when every-one in the family is aware of its importance. Parents are encouraged to teach children simple water-sav-ing methods around the home that can make a big difference. n
Use a pail of soapy water when washing your car. Only use the hose for rinsing.
A Word About Water
Escambia River
8 O C TO B E R 2015
FL-152
3 305.852.2431 • 800.858-8845 • www.FKEC.com
A Little Known a Piece of Co-op History
Florida Keys Electric Cooperativecurrently serves from Key Largo to thebeginning of the Seven Mile Bridge,but that territory is very different fromthe one originally intended. When theCooperative was first beingconceptualized the plan was for FKECto provide electricity to all residentsliving outside of Key West. Remember,in the 1930s Key West was a bustling,energized metropolis but the rest of theFlorida Keys was still without anycentralized power service. In the late 1930s, with the
combination of the Overseas Highwayincreasing population throughout theKeys, Rural Electric Administration(REA) funding being available, and thevision of young, ambitious engineerE.P. McLean entering the scene the ideaof an electric co-op would finally catchsteam. After learning of an inquiry to the
REA to bring power to the FloridaKeys, McLean made a trip south to KeyWest to see if his new engineeringcompany could be the business tobring power to areas outside of KeyWest. McLean’s first stop was to meetwith Key West Conch and prominentbusinessman William Porter. Porteragreed to meet with the engineer butfor only 10 minutes following a dinnerparty.
McLean’s pitch to Porter wentwell, very well, and at 11pm Porter andhis guests were still up planning theFlorida Keys Electric Cooperative.When FKEC was incorporated in
1940, the intent was to serve membersfrom Key Largo to Stock Island. In fact,75 of the 300 memberships required toobtain incorporation were purchasedby residents living south of Marathon. To follow this intent, in 1942 FKEC
began operating a 100kw generator toserve portions of Stock Island andBoca Chica Army Air Station. Electriclines were also constructed, but dueto the lack of adequate generationFKEC was unable to energize thoselines.In search for generation to
serve the Lower Keys, FKECattempted to purchase the KeyWest Electric Company, but thateffort failed and, instead, the Cityof Key West created City Electric.When efforts to purchase energyfrom City Electric (now KeysEnergy Services) also failed,FKEC was forced to give upefforts to serve the lower Keys. In 1945, FKEC sold the Stock
Island generator and distributionlines to City Electric, and removedthe un-energized line in StockIsland to provide materials to
complete the transmission line betweenTavernier and Marathon.After petitioning the county to
begin serving the Lower Keys area,City Electric began providing power tothat area in 1953. At that time the co-oprefunded the $5 membership fee to the75 members south of Marathon andFKEC’s service territory officiallybecame from the Monroe-Dade countyline down to the Seven Mile Bridge.
Engineer E.P. McLeanIn 1939, electric engineer E.P. McLeantraveled to Key West to seek support tobuild a rural electric cooperative to serveresidents from Key Largo to Stock Island.
FKEC’s Original Territory was to Serve all of the Keys
Oct-2015-final_Layout 1 9/14/15 11:39 AM Page 7
Evaluate and Act on Problem AreasStart saving with a home energy audit
By Anne Prince
Whether your home is old or new, chances are you spend more on energy costs than necessary.
Armed with some basic knowledge and a little time, you can conduct a baseline energy audit of your home to identify where you are losing energy—and money. Use a checklist and take notes on prob-lems you find as you walk through your home.
Remember: The audit itself will not save you money. You need to act on your findings.
DIY 101Where do you start? If your home has multiple lev-els, work from the top down. Begin in your attic or highest floor, and work your way to the first floor or basement.
• Insulation and air leaks (drafts). According to the U.S. Department of Energy, improving your home’s insulation and sealing air leaks are the fastest
and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste and make the most of your energy dollars. Check to see whether there is sufficient insulation in the attic. Are openings that contain piping, ductwork and chimney sealed?
• Electronic devices. Inventory all of the elec-tronic devices you have and how often you use them. Computers, printers, DVD players, phones and gaming consoles are notorious “vampire power” users. They drain energy even when not in use. If items can be turned off without disrupting your life-style, consider plugging them into a power strip that can be turned on and off, or put them on a timer.
• Lights. Note where you still have incandescent bulbs. Can you replace them with light-emitting diodes or compact fluorescents? Do you have night-lights? If so, consider replacing them with LED nightlights. Are there places where you can install motion sensor lights in low-use areas, such as a closet, porch or garage?
• Thermostat/indoor temperature. Do you have a programmable thermostat? When was the last time it was programmed? Are the date and time cor-rect? If not, this could throw off the automatic set-tings. Is it set so the temperature is adjusted during the day and/or times when no one is home and at night when people are sleeping? Consider raising the temperature a few degrees.
• Appliances. If your appliances are more than 10 years old, they are likely not as energy efficient as today’s options. Appliances are large energy users. How and when you use them make a difference. Do you wash your clothes in hot water, or can you use cold water instead? Do you use your washer, dryer or dishwasher during the day? Consider running them at night, during off-peak times. Does your hot water heater have a blanket? If not, consider insu-lating it. Make sure your dryer vent is not blocked. This not only saves energy. It also may prevent a fire.
EvaluationOnce you have completed the audit, take a look at the findings. Prioritize actions you can take based on your time and budget, weighing where you will get the most impact for your investment.
Increasing your home’s energy efficiency will make your family comfortable and save you money. n
When assessing your home for energy-saving opportunities, make sure your programmable thermostat is set to maximize efficiency.
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DIY Home Energy Audit Check List
1. Insulation and air leaks (drafts) Result/suggested action Next steps
* Is the attic hatch above an air-conditioned space weather stripped and at least as heavily insulated as the attic?* Does the attic hatch close tightly?* Are openings for pipes, ductwork and chimneys sealed?* Are drafts coming from windows, doors or electrical outlets?* Are there gaps along the baseboard, edge of flooring and/or at junctures of walls or the ceiling?
Quick fixes:
Long-term solutions:
2. Electronic devices Can device be plugged into a strip (and/or put on a timer?) Next steps
Inventory of electronic devices: - Computers/printers- Mobile devices- DVD/Blu-ray players- Stereo- Gaming consoles
Quick fixes:
Long-term solutions:
3. Existing incandescent lighting Switch to CFL or LED bulbs? Next steps
Note locations of existing incandescent lighting:- Hallways - Living area- Bedrooms - Kitchen- Bathrooms - Dining area- Closets - Porch- Nightlight areas - Laundry/mudroom- Utility/storage areas
Quick fixes:
Long-term solutions:
4. Thermostat/indoor temperature Result/suggested action Next steps
* Do you have a programmable thermostat? * When was the last time it was programmed? * Are the date and time correct?* Is the temperature adjusted during the day and/or times when no one is home and at night when people are sleeping? * Can you adjust the temperature a few degrees and still be comfortable?
Quick fixes:
Long-term solutions:
5. Appliances and cleaning Result/suggested action Next steps
* Which appliances are more than 10 years old?- Refrigerator/freezer- Stove- Dishwasher- Washer/dryer
* Can you wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot? * Can you use your washer, dryer or dishwasher during an off-peak time instead of during the day?* Does your hot water heater need an insulating blanket?* Is your dryer vent blocked?
Quick fixes:
Long-term solutions:
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Gulf Coast
Don’t Forget a Smoke AlarmCampaign emphasizes the importance of installing a detector in every bedroom
Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm. If you did not know that, you are not alone. An online questionnaire dis-tributed by the National Fire Protection Association showed that 42 percent of 36,000 respondents—nearly half—did not know a smoke alarm should be installed in each bedroom of the home.
To better educate the public, NFPA has announced “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week October 4-10.
A smoke alarm is required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
According to NFPA statistics, half of U.S. home fire deaths occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when people are most likely to be sleeping. One quarter of home fire deaths are caused by fires that started in the bedroom.
Home fires killed an average of eight people every day in 2013. Three of every five U.S. home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Having a working smoke alarm in the home cuts the risk of dying in a fire in half.
In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 93 percent of the time, while battery-powered alarms operated only 79 percent of the time.
When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.
An ionization smoke alarm is gener-ally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelec-tric alarms are recommended.
According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both devel-oped and practiced a home fire escape plan. Almost three-quarters of Americans have an escape plan, but more than half have never practiced it.
One-third of survey respondents esti-mated they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less. Only 8 percent said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 369,500 home structure fires in 2013. They caused 2,755 deaths, 12,200 civilian injuries and $7 billion in damage.
Between 2007 and 2011, an average of one of every 320 households a year reported a home fire.
Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more information about smoke alarms. nReprinted with permission from the National Fire Protection Association.
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Hunt Down Vampire ElectronicsBy Scott Gates
Most homes these days never quite shut down for the night. Although lamps may be off, dark rooms are typically spotted with tiny red and green lights of appliances and the glow of digital clocks.
All of those little lights, clocks and seemingly “sleeping” appliances are using more electricity than you might think.
Sometimes called vampire electronics, these devices suck up 5 percent of all energy used in the United States and cost consumers more than $3 bil-lion a year. For the average homeowner, vampire electronics add 20 percent to monthly electric bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
To trim this excess energy use, you need to know where these vampires reside and keep them in check.
Take a closer look at appliances around your home. Those that use remote controls such as TVs, DVD players, ceiling fans and stereos are sus-pect. Any digital displays—such as microwave and coffee machine clocks—are working against your electric bill. Many of those chargers around the house—those that keep cell phones, power tools and MP3 players at the ready—constantly draw power when plugged in.
Unplugging these vampires effectively drives a stake into their energy-consuming hearts. Power strips provide another way to thwart them. Simply plug appliances into a power strip and switch it off when those appliances are not being used.
In addition, unplug any battery-operated electronic device once charged. You would not walk away from a flowing water hose, after all. You cer-tainly do not want to keep feeding those vampires. n
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