Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 800-328-2368 Branch Office PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 918-775-2211 Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, President Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer Vacant John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Vacant
District 6 District 1 District 7 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5
STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer Jason Fontaine, Director of Engineering Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services
Russell V. Barber, General Counsel Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article. Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.
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Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.
2 | August 2020
Stay safe from lightning – When thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning accounts for more electrical outages than you might realize, which is why we prioritize infrastructure maintenance and improvement so highly. We also like to caution you on some dangers of which you might not be aware. As the sun heats the air, energy is created with air movement, and lightning typically comes from towering storm clouds. Fortunately, accidents involving lightning are very avoidable. SafeElectricity.org offers the following suggestions to stay safe from the dangers of lightning: • There is no safe place from lightning when you are outside. Be aware of weather forecasts and watch for developing thunderstorms, which occur more often in spring and summer. • Lightning can strike many miles ahead of a storm front. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately, because that indicates lightning is within 10 miles of you. Safe shelters include inside a building or in an enclosed metal-topped vehicle. • If you are inside a building, the National Weather Service advises you to stay off corded telephones and away from any electrical device that could carry an electrical surge if lightning entered into your home through wiring. Turn off or unplug such appliances, stay away from television sets, and do not depend on surge protectors to absorb a lightning strike. Conductors can also include the plumbing in your house. • Authorities warn against outdoor activities until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You are not in danger of being shocked by the victim.
Right-of-way clearing to begin in August CHEC has hired Progressive Solutions LLC to control the brush growing in the electric right-of-way. Progressive Solutions is a state licensed Certified Commercial Applicator and will be spraying most areas of Sequoyah County within our service territory. Vegetation management crews will be selectively treating the tall growing brush in the right-of-way throughout the summer, using products that will encourage the growth of grasses and low growing vegetation. Progressive Solutions only uses products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. All products being used have NO grazing restrictions. The Progressive Solutions crews can be identified by their blue uniforms and company name or logo on the door of the vehicle. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions, please call the office at 800-328-2368.