Right-of-Way Clearing Projects Continue
Crews are busy in the Cookson Hills Electric service territory working on clearing the rights-of-way (ROW). The clearing of trees, limbs, foliage and brush is an ongoing effort to decrease the number of power “blinks” and outages, as well as reduce the risk of coming into contact with power lines.
Crews will work on areas associated with Feeder 4 on the Muldrow substation beginning in June. This work will primarily include the following areas: Pier 7, lines along Hwy 141, Gans, from Gans Store going west to Hwy 64.
You may determine which substation serves your location by finding the substation number and threeletter identifier located in the box labeled “Sub” on your electric bill.
Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for Cookson Hills Electric members, the public and our personnel. Please contact Marty Huff at 918-775-2211 with any questions or concerns you may have about this project. [869103]
WATTS INSIDE Vegetation crews to begin spraying in late June >> page 2 Inaugural Foundation scholarship recipients announced >> page 4 JUNE 2023 Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
WATTS
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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
Vegetation Management Crews Scheduled to Begin
Spraying in Late June
In order to better serve our members by ensuring power remains reliable and affordable, Cookson Hill Electric Cooperative has hired Progressive Solutions LLC to control the brush growing in the electric rights-of-way. Progressive Solutions, a state-licensed Certified Commercial Applicator, will spray areas within the Cookson Hills Electric service territory beginning in late June and continuing through August. Managing growth under and near overhead power lines helps crews as they restore power following a storm, as well as mitigates blinks and outages during high winds and thunderstorms.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joe Ogle, President District 6
Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1
Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7
Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2
John Dillard, Trustee District 3
Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4
Mike Rose, Trustee District 5
STAFF
Juli Orme, General Manager
Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer
Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler
Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw
Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services
Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services
Rockey Oldham, Manager of Broadband Services
Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer
Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development
Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering
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.
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.
Applicator crews will be working around the Porum, Stigler, Enterprise, Vian and Keota substations and associated distribution lines. Vegetation management crews will only use products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency designed to impede the tall growing brush while encouraging the growth of grasses and low-growing vegetation. All products being used have NO grazing restrictions.
CHEC members can identify Progressive Solutions crew members by looking for workers wearing hard hats and high-visibility vests with the Progressive Solutions logo. Crews will drive white work trucks with their company logo on the driver-side door.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure safe and reliable electricity for our members. If you have any questions, please call 800328-2368.
bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)
2 | June
2023
Energy-Saving Projects for the Weekend Warrior
By Abby Berry
Are you a weekend warrior? If you’re considering home improvement upgrades that save energy and money, we’ve got a few project ideas for you––all of which can be completed in a day or less!
Here are three energy-saving projects that you can easily tackle whether you’re a weekend warrior pro or a DIY dabbler.
GET SMART ABOUT HOME COOLING AND HEATING.
Cooling and heating your home typically account for a large portion of energy bills. Smart thermostats can help keep your cooling and heating costs in check, with ENERGY STAR®-certified models saving about 8% on annual energy costs.
Now that smart thermostats are more affordable (as little as $70!), this simple upgrade makes for a fun, efficient weekend project. Smart thermostats offer a variety of bells and whistles, but the average model will allow you to set custom temperature schedules, adjust the settings from anywhere (from your phone), and over time, learn your cooling and heating preferences.
Your new smart thermostat will come with step-by-step instructions, but this project typically involves shutting off your HVAC at the breaker panel, disconnecting/removing the old thermostat, installing the new smart thermostat and connecting it to your home Wi-Fi.
Play it safe: remember to carefully read the installation instructions before you get started.
GO GREEN AND BOOST YOUR GREENERY WITH A RAIN BARREL.
If you’ve got a green thumb, you already know that rainwater is the best water for your outdoor plants. Rainwater is free of minerals, salts and treatment chemicals found in tap water or groundwater. It also contains helpful macronutrients to foster healthy plant growth.
Installing a rain barrel is an easy way to harvest large amounts of rainwater and reduce home water use––it’s a winwin. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one rain barrel can save a homeowner 1,300 gallons of water annually.
Most residential rain barrels range in size from 50 to 90 gallons, so the size you purchase will depend on your watering needs.
The simplest way to install a rain barrel is positioning a plastic or wooden barrel directly under your gutter downspout. Basic piping may be required, but this is an easy way to harvest rainwater, and the barrel won’t take up much space. Consider a cover for the top of your rain barrel to keep insects and small debris out of your harvested water.
>> continued on page 4
www.cooksonhills.com | 3 New zones open now! Substation Feeder 1 – STI 1, 2 2 – ENT 4 4 – TEN 1, 2 5 – SAL 1, 2, 3, 4 6 – MUL 1, 2, 3, 4 12 – NIC 1, 2, 3 13 – VIA 1, 2, 3, 4 14 – LIB 1, 2 15 – AKI 1, 2, 3 Substation and feeder numbers can be found on your electric bill.
Ary, Spradlin Named Inaugural Cookson Hills Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The Cookson Hills Electric Foundation Committee is pleased to announce the first-ever recipients of the Cookson Hills Electric Foundation Scholarship. Emilee Ary and Luke Spradlin will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to their chosen college or technical school.
Emilee Jo KyDale Ary, a graduating senior at Stigler High School, is the daughter of Jessie Pridemore and Michael Fagg.
Luke Aaron Spradlin, a graduating senior at Webbers Falls High School, is the son of Stan and Leah Spradlin.
The Cookson Hills Electric Foundation announced this new scholarship opportunity in early 2023 to reward outstanding graduating seniors living in the Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative service territory. Students receiving the CHEC Foundation Scholarship demonstrate quality characteristics inside and outside the classroom. The scholarship criteria include a GPA of 2.5 or higher, good character and good citizenship.
Congratulations, and good luck to these two deserving students!
Weekend Efficiency Projects, continued from page 3
CREATE FRESH SAVINGS WITH A DIY CLOTHESLINE.
If you have enough outdoor space available, installing a clothesline is a great way to save energy. Not only will you save on dryer costs––in the summer, you can also save on cooling costs since unwanted heat from the clothes dryer won’t be added to your home (which makes your air conditioner work harder). Additionally, air drying is much gentler on fabrics and will keep your clothes and linens looking fresh longer.
You can create your own clothesline with two T-posts, wire and hook-and-eye turnbuckles. Depending on your soil, you may need a small amount of Quikrete to set the posts. Another option is installing the line between two trees. A typical load of laundry requires about 35 feet of line, so keep this in mind as you’re determining the best location.
If an outdoor clothesline isn’t an option, no sweat! You can easily create an indoor drying rack that folds to save space. Home improvement websites like thespruce.com and hgtv.com offer step-by-step tutorials for a variety of indoor clothes racks.
These are just a few simple ideas to help you save energy d money. So, get out there, roll up those sleeves and tackle a few projects. Check out www.cooksonhills.com for additional energy-saving ideas and tips.
Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
Join us for our Annual Meeting Saturday, Oct. 7! Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Sallisaw High School gymnasium. More details to come.
