JANUARY 2023
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LIGHT POST Published for members of Kiamichi Electric Cooperative
Calling all EnergySaving DIYers Three DIY efficiency projects to tackle this year B Y A B B Y B E R RY
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A note from KEC CEO
A New Year brings new opportunities to save energy––and money. You may think energy efficiency upgrades require a great deal of time and expense, but that’s not always the case. If you’re interested in making your home more efficient but don’t want to break the bank, there are several DIY projects you can tackle to increase energy savings. Let’s take a look at three inexpensive efficiency upgrades that can help you save energy throughout the year. TRIM DRYER VENT
Level of difficulty: easy. Supplies needed: tin snips, gloves, measuring tape and masking tape. Estimated Cost: about $25 depending on the supplies you already have. If your dryer vent hose is too long, your dryer is working harder than it has to, using more energy than necessary. The vent hose should be long enough for you to pull the dryer out a couple feet from the wall, but the shape of the hose should form a line––it should not have a lot of slack, with twists and curves. A shorter, unobstructed vent hose increases the efficiency of your dryer, dries clothing faster and reduces lint buildup, which can create potential fire hazards.
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KEC, CoBank grant recipients selected
Simply measure, mark and trim the hose to the desired length, then reattach the hose to your dryer and exterior vent. If you’re unsure about the hose length, check out YouTube.com for a quick video tutorial. SEAL AIR LEAKS
Level of difficulty: moderate. Supplies needed: caulk and caulk gun, weather stripping, gloves, putty knife, paper towels. Estimated Cost: $25 to $50 depending on the materials you purchase. Sealing air leaks in your home can help you save 10% to 20% on heating and cooling bills. Apply caulk around windows, doors, electrical wiring and plumbing to seal in conditioned air. You should also weather strip exterior doors, which can keep out drafts and help you control energy costs. Types of caulking and weather stripping materials vary, but ask your local hardware or home store for assistance if you’re unsure about the supplies you need. For more information, the Department of Energy provides stepby-step instructions for caulking and weather stripping: https://bit.ly/2Kesu6W CO N T I N U E D O N PA G E 3 > >
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Renewables Report
944 SW Highway 2 PO Box 340 Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578 (918) 465-2338 (800) 888-2731
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ron Pelaconi, President DISTRICT 3 Russell Shaw, Vice President DISTRICT 1 Amy Miller, Treasurer DISTRICT 2 David Ray DISTRICT 4 Don Parr DISTRICT 5 Mark Ichord DISTRICT 6 Larry Culwell DISTRICT 7 Brett Orme Executive Vice President-CEO
t944 SW Highway 2 PO Box 340 Wilburton, OK 74578 (918)465-2338 (800)888-2731
w w w. k i a m i c h i e l e c t r i c . o rg
Brett Orme General Manager
Happy New Year Kiamichi Electric We all want the best for the people in our lives – our family, friends, community, and others. That includes you, our members. It’s why we make safety a top priority at Kiamichi Electric Cooperative and devote time and energy to making everyone aware of how to stay safe around electricity. For instance, if you’re working with tall ladders, cleaning gutters or trimming trees, or undertaking other projects outside, we remind you to look up for and stay safely away from overhead power lines, especially those connected to your home. If a project involves digging, be sure to call 8-1-1 a few working days in advance to get underground utilities marked. Help children understand the importance of staying away from electric utility equipment, to never climb trees near power lines, and to fly kites in wide open spaces safely away from power lines. Know how to prepare for and stay safe after storms and other natural disasters that could leave behind hidden electrical hazards, such as downed power lines and submerged electrical devices. These are just some of the safety measures that we want you and everyone to know. We don’t want anyone to take a chance that could end in tragedy. We encourage you to visit SafeElectricity.org, where you’ll find life-saving information presented in videos, interactive games for children, online teacher resources and much more. We also offer a KEC Safety Show for elementary students to help them learn how to stay safe around electricity. We value your safety and well-being, and we will continue working to educate everyone on important safety considerations and continue to provide you with safest, most reliable electricity. After all, aren’t you and the people you care about worth it? We think so. In fact, we know so. Have a great, safe day!
KEC, CoBank shared grants support community organizations Each year, Kiamichi Electric Cooperative (KEC) and CoBank, a lender of KEC, team up to provide grants to charitable organizations in our service area. This year, the recipients were Salvation Army and Wilburton Lions Club. As part of the CoBank Sharing Success Grant Program, which provides matching grants, Salvation Army received a total donation of $1,500 — $750 from KEC and $750 from CoBank. KEC also selected Wilburton Lions Club as one of the 2022 recipients, in which they received a total donation of $2,000 — $1,000 from KEC and $1,000 from CoBank. The donation is used to help fund the Junior Livestock Show held each January. We are happy to support these organizations
Projects for the Energy-Saving DIYers, continued INSULATE ATTIC STAIRS OPENING
Level of difficulty: moderate. Supplies needed (if you build the box yourself): rigid foam board, faced blanket insulation, tape for foam board, measuring tape, utility knife, caulk and caulk gun, plywood. Estimated Cost: $50 to $100. A properly insulated attic is one of the best ways to optimize energy savings and comfort in your home, but many homeowners don’t consider insulating the attic stairs, or the opening to your attic space. Even a wellinsulated attic can leak air through the stair opening, but luckily, there’s an easy fix. An insulated cover box can seal and insulate the attic stairs opening. You can build your own insulated cover box or purchase a pre-built box or kit from a local home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s for about $60. If you decide to build your own, check out these step-by-step instructions from the Department of Energy: https://bit. ly/36YNCYQ. It should also be noted, if your attic opening is located in a garage that you do not heat and cool, this upgrade will not be as effective. Saving energy doesn’t have to be hard. With a little time and effort, you can maximize energy savings and increase the comfort of your home. To learn about additional ways to save, visit www.kiamichielectric.org. 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 percent of the nation’s landscape.
operation round up M O N T H LY U P D AT E
Operation Round Up® is a voluntary bill roundup program that benefits local communities, organizations ,and needy families. Funding applications are available at Kiamichi Electric, local social services, or online at www.kiamichielectric.org. YEAR-TO-DATE COLLECTIONS 2022: TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION: TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION:
$72,722.00 $1,752,089 $1,813,022
BBQ Chicken Grilled Pizza INGREDIENTS
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1 cup chopped cooked chicken ½ cup barbeque sauce, divided 1 (13.8 ounce) package refrigerated pizza dough 2 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup diced tomatoes, or to taste
Energy Efficiency
DIRECTIONS
Did you know insulating your electric water heater could reduce standby heat loss by 25% to 45%? This could save you 7% to 16% on annual water heating costs. Insulating your electric water heater is an easy, inexpensive project that can improve energy efficiency and save you money each month. The Department of Energy rates this project level as medium difficulty, meaning most homeowners can tackle this project on their own. You can purchase pre-cut jackets or blankets for about $20 at most home improvement stores. Visit energy.gov for project tips and additional considerations.
Roll dough onto a work surface and cut in half to form 2 rectangles. Brush the top of each rectangle with olive oil.
Tip of the Month
Renewables Report
Data collected from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative — KEC’s wholesale power provider — reflects generation during October 2022, which shows 29 percent of the power generated by WFEC potentially came from renewable sources.
Preheat grill for medium heat wand lightly oil the grate. Mix chicken and 2 tablespoons barbeque sauce together in a bowl until evenly coated.
Place dough, oil-side down, onto the grill; cook until bottom of dough is browned and top is bubbling up, about 5 minutes. Brush the tops of each dough with oil and flip. Spread the remaining barbeque sauce over each crust; top with chicken, Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, and tomatoes. Close the lid of the grill and cook pizza until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove pizza from grill and cool before slicing, 2 to 3 minutes. Recipe from AllRecipes.com