March 2023 Newsletter

Be Prepared for Springs Fickle Foul Weather

Spring is a ckle season that brings nature's renewal of buds and blooms to the trees and elds and also brings dark, powerful rolling storms that can wreak havoc. From 2016 through 2020, the National Weather Service recorded 28 deaths, 133 injuries and over $64 million in property and crop damage from weather events in Indiana alone.

Weather disasters can occur year-round, but most of the worst storms Indiana receives come in the spring.

Here are some tips from RSE for staying safe before and a er a storm hits.

BEFORE THE STORM

• Make sure your cell phone is charged. Consider purchasing an external battery charger to charge your phone with.

• Have a battery-operated radio available so you can stay updated on the latest weather watches and warnings.

• Unplug appliances and other electrical items, such as computers. Damage can occur from power surges caused by nearby lightning strikes.

• Have an emergency kit ready and create a family communication plan.

FOLLOWING THE STORM

• If you are driving and come upon fallen power lines, turn around. Never drive over or around fallen lines.

• If a downed power line falls on your vehicle, stay in the vehicle. Call 911. Exit only if your life is in immediate danger from a re or other reason. en, jump clear of your vehicle being certain to never touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time; then shu e away keeping your feet together at all times.

• While checking for damage outside your home, be aware of hazards from exposed nails, broken glass and broken tree branches dangling on other limbs.

• To avoid the chance of a re or explosion, use a ashlight, instead of a candle or torch, to inspect your home in the dark.

• Since downed power lines could still be energized, do not touch them or any objects in contact with them. Call 911 to report the downed lines.

When the spring storms arrive, know how to keep yourself, your family and your property safe from harm during a severe storm.

TIPS FOR SAFELY CLEANING UP AFTER A STORM

• Wear proper safety material. As you are cleaning, wear proper protection to prevent injury. Work gloves, safety glasses, heavy-duty work shirt with long sleeves, work pants and steel-toe boots are a good idea if you are clearing large amounts of broken, splintered or sharp debris.

• Stay away from power lines. Always assume a downed power line is live. Downed power lines pose a particularly dangerous threat in areas where individuals are clearing fallen trees and branches from roads and lawns. Let the professionals handle this job. It's not worth the risk. If you see a downed power line that is sparking or on re, call your electric utility immediately.

• Stay away from damaged buildings or structures. If a building has been subjected to ood waters or high winds, it may not be structurally safe. It's best to stay away from these types of structures until professionals can assess the extent of the damage.

• Never operate gasoline-powered equipment indoors. Gas engines emit carbon monoxide - an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas you should never breathe.

BE PREPARED FOR SPRING STORMS

Are you prepared when a storm hits? Here are some helpful tips to keep you, your loved ones and your property safe.

• Have an emergency kit ready and create a family communication plan before a storm hits

• Program the outage number, 800-284-3452 into your cell phone. is will make it easier to report a power outage.

• Plumbing and bathroom xtures can conduct electricity. Use with caution.

• If you notice frayed wiring or sparks, or smell a burning odor, shut o the electrical system at the main circuit breaker immediately.

• Know how to properly use portable generators if you lose power during the storm.

Students graduating from high school this May can apply for a $1,000 scholarship from RushShelby Energy. Two scholarships will be awarded.

Students must be the child of a RushShelby Energy member, residing in a home served by RushShelby Energy electricity. Applications will be judged on scholarship, citizenship and school activities. Each application must include a 750-to-1,500-word essay. All scholarship requirements and essay information can be found on our website at www.rse.coop. e deadline to apply is April 7, 2023.

Spring is just around the corner, and there's never been a better time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Perhaps you're making plans for a new garden or a lawn makeover. However you're planning to revamp your backyard oasis, remember to keep safety in mind for all projects - especially those that require digging near underground utility lines.

Most of us never think about the electric, gas, water and other utility lines buried below the ground, but hitting one of these lines while digging is not the reminder you'll want - trust me! RushShelby Energy reminds all members who are planning a digging project to call 811 at least three business days before you start. Or you can submit a request online by visiting www.call811.com/811-In-YourState. Here's how the process works.

1. NOTIFY

Call 8-1-1 or make a request online two to three days before your work begins. The operator will notify the utilities affected by your project.

2. WAIT

Wait two to three days for affected utilities to respond to your request. They will send a locator to mark any underground utility lines.

3. CONFIRM

Confirm that all affected utilities have responded to your request by comparing the marks to the list of utilities the 8-1-1 call center notified.

4. RESPECT

Respect the markers provided by the affected utilities. The markers are your guide for the duration of your project.

5. DIG CAREFULLY

If you can't avoid digging near the markers (within 18-24 inches on all sides depending on state laws), consider moving your project location.

By taking this important step before you break ground on your project, you can help protect not only yourself but our community. Disrupting an underground utility line can interrupt service, cause injuries and cost money to repair, so remember to call 811 rst and know what's below.

Create an electrical safety plan before you plant a tree!

Trees and power lines o en coexist without problems. However, there are precautions to take when planting a tree. Not only do dangers lurk for the person planting a tree, but nearby power lines and trees can also be harmed. Trees growing too close to electrical lines are the primary cause of momentary short circuits and ickering lights. When it storms, tree limbs that are too close to power lines can knock the lines out entirely and create a more signi cant threat to your safety.

Overhead utility lines are the easiest to see and probably the ones we take for granted most. Although these lines look harmless enough, they are extremely dangerous.

Meanwhile, underground utility lines can be buried close to the ground's surface. at's why it's so important to call before you dig. You can't spell plant without a plan is what RushShelby Energy wants DIY'ers to remember when landscaping.

On the previous page we discussed 811, Call before you dig. Before planting, please call 811. Never assume the utility lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig.

Once you know where to plant to avoid underground utilities, nd the prime planting spots away from overhead utility lines. If you are planting a small tree that will grow no larger than 25 feet tall, planting it 25 feet away from power lines is a safe distance. If the tree is 24-40 feet tall, plant it 40 feet away from power lines. e bigger the tree, the farther it should be. So, if the tree is expected to grow more than 40 feet high, it should be planted 60 feet away from utility lines.

Keeping trees away from these utility lines not only keeps you safe, but it keeps the trees safe as well. Trees planted too close to underground lines can su er root damage. Trees planted too close to overhead lines need regular pruning.

RushShelby Energy works hard to provide you with reliable electric service. You can help by following these few simple guidelines when managing the trees on your property. Knowing these dangers and how to avoid them can keep you, your home and tree safe.

Plant Trees Safely

LOW TREE ZONE

Avoid planting within 20 ft. of power lines. If planting is unavoidable, only plant shrubs and small trees that reach a mature height of 15 ft. or less.

MEDIUM TREE ZONE

Plant medium trees (under 40 ft. when mature) at least 25 ft. away from power lines.

LARGE TREE ZONE

Plant large trees (over 40 ft. when mature) at least 50 ft. away from power lines.

Before you dig, call 811 to locate buried utility lines.

Safety Awards

25 years - Jim Draper and Brad Means

20 years - Rita Adams, Lance Sparks and Doug Wagner

5 years - Cameron Cox, Bruce Everhart and Brad Rogers

20 years - Rita Adams, Tony Adkins, Lisa Boaz, Chris Chastain, Greg File, Linda Hood, Joy Lux, Brad Means, Kris Meredith, Cathy Rhoades, David Toll and Doug Wagner

5 years - Keith Combs, Cameron Cox and Brad Rogers

Draper Receives New Title A er completing NRECA's Introduction to Distribution Engineering and Leadership Edge through Indiana Electric Cooperatives, Jim Draper has earned the title of Vice President of Engineering.

Welcome Jared

Jared Maley has recently joined RushShelby Energy as an IT Support Specialist. Welcome to the team.

Quick Links

Operation RoundUp Grant Recipients

April Festivals

April 14-16

e Indiana Hot Luck & Fiery Food Marketplace -Madison

April 15

Indiana State Festivals

Association Spring Workshop -Franklin

April 19-22

Welcome to Fairyville -Noblesville

THIS COULD BE YOUR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION - Next grant cycle is in May with applications due on May 4. Application and more details are available at www.rse.coop.

Energy Efficiency Tip

Washing windows and screens is a great way to practice energy e ciency during spring cleaning. Clean windows and screens make your home brighter by allowing more sunlight in, reducing the need for lamps and xtures. Clean screens also allow more fresh air in the home when the windows are open to recycle indoor air. Natural light and clean air are energy savers, and they enhance overall health and productivity.

April 22

Rock the Block Greenwood

April 28

Crossroads Acoustic Music Festival

-Seymour

April 29

Metamora Mandolin Gathering -Metamora

2023 Indiana Festival Guides are available in our lobby!

Je Standeford, Operation RoundUp President and Lisa Boaz, RSE Administrative Assistant present a check to the Fountaintown Volunteer Fire Department for a Lucas Device.

Cathy Rhoades, Marketing/Member Services Cooridinator and Je Standeford, President of Operation RoundUp, present a check to the Marietta Volunteer Fire Department for a Lucas Device.

Lisa Boaz, Administrative Assistant, presents a check to the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department for turn out gear.

Do you know the difference between insulators and conductors? Materials act differently when they come in contact with an electric current. Insulators provide difficult paths for electricity, so the current doesn't flow through them. For this reason, insulators can help protect you from electric shock. Conductors provide easy paths for electricity, which means currents pass through them quickly. This makes conductors dangerous around electricity, including lightning. Unscramble the letters to reveal the names of common insulators and conductors for electricity. Use the pictures below for clues.

Insulators:

1. REBUBR ____________________

Conductors:

4.LATME ____________________

2. LGSAS _____________________

5. TERWA _____________________

3. SIPALTC ____________________

6. SRETE____________________