Your Electric Co-op

General Manager

Anthony J. Mercure

Address

P.O. Box 217 • 1135 Camino Escondido Chama, NM 87520

Telephone

575-756-2181

Email

nora@noraelectric.org

Website

www.noraelectric.org

Summer Office Hours

7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (M-Th)

Closed Fridays Board of Trustees President

Steve Rendon Chama, District 2

Vice President

Thomas G. Rivas Chama, District 2

Secretary

Paul Cordova Tierra Amarilla, District 3

Treasurer

Leroy Martinez Canjilon, District 4

Michael Gomez

Lumberton, District 1

Debbie F. Manzanares

Tierra Amarilla, District 3

David Martinez

Canjilon, District 4

Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. via Teleconference and Visual Conference, until further notice.

NORA Board of Trustees Cancel Annual Meeting and Chama Valley Open Golf Tournament

During the June 2020 board meeting, the Board of Trustees of Northern Río Arriba Electric Cooperative, after much discussion and deliberation, decided it would be in the best interest of the community to cancel the upcoming Chama Valley Open Annual Golf Tournament and the 70th Annual Member Meeting due to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NORA’s 70th Annual Meeting

NORA’s Annual Meeting, which would have taken place on the fourth Monday of September, will be the first time in its 70-year history to be canceled. Nearly 200 co-op members annually attend the event for lunch and for a full presentation of the overall operational status of the co-op.

Chama Valley Open Annual Golf Tournament

The Chama Valley Open Annual Golf Tournament would have marked its 21st year this summer. This is a very popular fundraiser for NORA’s Golf Scholarship for graduating high school seniors within the service area as well as the annual golf camp for middle school and high school students.

Thank You for Your Understanding

Although both of these events were highly anticipated and well attended in the past, NORA Electric Cooperative takes the safety and health of our members very seriously which is why we are following the recommendation of public health officials to not engage in any large gatherings and to stay home this year.

If conditions permit, we look forward to resuming our Annual Meeting and the Chama Valley Open Golf Tournament in 2021. Until then, we thank all of our members for your patience and understanding during these turbulent times.

Report Outages

As always, our linemen are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call us at 575-756-2181 to report any outages.

We are Here for You

At this time, our office is still closed to the public, but we are fully staffed and available to service your needs and any questions you may have as your local electricity provider. Call 575-756-2181, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Stay safe and well.

Summer Time Energy Savings

Seal and Insulate. Keeping hot air out and cool air in is our goal in energy efficiency. Taking the time to inspect your home for air leaks and poor attic insulation can help you dramatically improve your energy savings. For the most thorough assessment, consider scheduling a professional energy audit in which technicians use infrared heat mapping to pinpoint your home’s thermal weak spots.

▶ Upgrade to Energy Efficient

Windows. Window replacement can be costly, but you will see a return on your investment over time in energy efficiency and comfort. For single-pane or aged and drafty windows, energy savings could really be significant.

Make a financial plan for this investment if you’re not ready to upgrade now.

▶ Smart Thermostats. Upgrades in technology now allow thermostats to be controlled from anywhere by using a smartphone.

This makes it easy to control the temperature when you’re away from home. Some smart thermostats even have the ability to learn your cooling and heating habits which enable them to anticipate your home comfort needs to save you money.

▶ Tune Up Your Air Conditioner. Schedule this once a year, ideally in spring. Your HVAC technician will clean the system, perform preventative maintenance, and take other steps to optimize energy efficiency and prevent breakdowns. If you don’t have an air conditioner, have the annual tune up done on your heating system in preparation for colder months ahead.

Look What’s in Store

NORA Co-op provides its members with a variety of products: Appliances • ETS Units Security Lights Tesco Surge Arresters Cal for details: 575-756-2181

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR HUNTERS

This hunting season, we encourage all members to be aware of electrical equipment and take necessary precautions while hunting. Keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy the great outdoors.

Take notice of posted warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment.

Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.

Know where power lines and equipment are located on the land where you hunt.

Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible.

Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.

Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Any non-electrical equipment attached to a pole can pose an obstructio n and serious hazards to our line crews.

Dan O'Neill 11th grade, Estancia Valley Classical Academy Edgewood in Santa Fe County Central New Mexico Electrical Cooperative

I’ve been working as an assistant manager for an online company called Contractor Exam Academy. I’ve also been volunteering for Presbyterian Hospice at Kaseman Hospital. I assist in the office with computer and paperwork. I plan to volunteer in the inpatient unit at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital. However, because of the COVID-19 situation, volunteers are not allowed on the hospice unit. I am planning to attend the University of New Mexico after graduation. I am interested in radiology and my goal is to be accepted one day to the UNM School of Medicine.

Eli Terry 11th grade, Floyd High School near Floyd in Roosevelt County Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative

During the COVID-19 quarantine, I have had more time to focus on my FFA and 4-H projects. Since I did not have school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or have track practice or track meets, I have found a lot to do at home. I have been taking dual credit college classes online, refinishing and painting furniture, raising laying hens, and raising 6 Holstein calves as well. Most recently, I have been studying and taking some practice tests for the ACT. All these projects have kept me really busy. Currently, my plans and dreams for the future are to attend and graduate college at Eastern New Mexico University to become a speech therapist. I am interested in a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and a master’s degree in speech therapy. I like the idea of going to college close to home and being able to finish with a master’s degree all at one college. I have looked into the speech therapy program, and I have seen that the program is well respected. Other than higher education goals, I hope to be happy in my life and serve God.

Ella C. Guerro 10th grade, Magdalena Municipal Schools Alamo Navajo Reservation in Socorro County Socorro Electric Cooperative

I have been taking walks with my dog, going fishing at my pond, riding my bike with my cousins, and taking care of my family. My plans for the future are to attend Emory University to become a sports therapist.

Emma Montgomery 12th grade, Artesia High School Piñon in Chaves County Central Valley Electric Cooperative

With the whole family being home, I’ve been able to spend a lot more time with them, which I’m very thankful for. Next year, I will be attending Texas Tech University and majoring in agricultural communications. I hope to serve the agriculture industry by marketing, advertising, and designing for a major agriculture magazine or company.

Heidi Garcia 11th grade, Belen High School Veguita in Socorro County Socorro Electric Cooperative

During this time in quarantine, I’ve picked up new hobbies like writing and making bracelets, but just like everyone else, I’ve been binge-watching my favorite Netflix shows. Once I graduate from high school, my biggest dream would be to study at the Anglo American University in the Czech Republic. I want to travel, meet new people, and learn about different cultures. I want to major in business and come back to the U.S. and go to law school. I want to live in Denver, Colorado, because I love urban cities, especially Denver because it’s close enough to my family.

Helen Bright 11th grade, Quemado High School Between Pie Town and Quemado in Catron County Socorro Electric Cooperative

I have had lots of time to do some of my favorite things, like art and music. On top of that, our ewe had a lamb which she refused to take care of, so I also ended up taking care of a lamb. I also really enjoy the art of cosplay (costume play), when I have felt like quarantine was hard all I had to do was get dressed up, and in some ways, I felt better as it is a way for me to deal with the constant stress of life on my shoulders. For my future, I haven’t completely thought out everything I want; I don’t have some