JUNE 2021
2
CEO’s Monthly Report
3
Ways to save in the laundry room
A supplement to the Oklahoma Living
4
Lig ght Post
the
Air fryer tacos with creamy cilantro sauce
PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS OF KIAMICHI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Right-of-way maintenance beginning in July Part of Kiamichi Electric Cooperative’s mission to provide members with safe, reliable electricity is the proper maintenance of our rights-of-way. This means clearing any vegetation in the vicinity or making contact with our poles and electric lines. “We believe mature, lush vegetation adds to the value of our communities,” said CEO Brett Orme. “Our main goal, however, is ensuring the power we provide to our members is reliable. The more tree limbs and other vegetation we can clear from our lines, the less our members will experience those frustrating blinks and outages.” Members in the McAlester, Red Oak and Shady Point areas may see U.S. Applicators crews spraying in our rights-of-way beginning in July. U.S. Applicators adheres to all state and federal regulations and uses herbicides approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you have any questions, feel free to call our office at (918) 465-2338.
2 | the Light Post
ceo’s report BRETT ORME
C HI E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C ER
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative 944 SW Highway 2 PO Box 340 Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578 tele: (918) 465-2338 toll free: (800) 888-2731 FAX: (918) 465-2950 www.kiamichielectric.org email: support@kiamichielectric.org HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm 24-HOUR OUTAGE HOTLINE (800) 888-2731 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Don Parr, President DISTRICT 5 Mark Ichord, Vice President DISTRICT 6 Ron Pelanconi, Treasurer DISTRICT 3 Russell Shaw DISTRICT 1 Amy Miller DISTRICT 2 David Ray DISTRICT 4 Larry Culwell DISTRICT 7 Brett Orme Executive Vice President-CEO Kiamichi Electric provides reliable and affordable electricity to members in Pushmataha, Leflore, Latimer, Atoka and Pittsburg Counties.
Now that summer is in full swing, like many of you, I welcome more opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather. Summertime brings many of my favorite activities like cooking out with family and friends, afternoons on the water and simply slowing down a bit to enjoy life. But summer months also make conditions right for dangerous storms. These potential weather events can cause destruction to our electrical system, but I want you to know KEC crews are ready and standing by to respond should power outages occur in our area. When major storms knock out power, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they get to work on any downed lines. I would encourage you to also practice safety and preparedness to protect your family during major storms and outages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness, but you can visit www.ready. gov for additional resources. • Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water and other essentials (i.e., diapers and toiletries). • Confirm that you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies including towelettes, soap and hand sanitizer. • Ensure your First Aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current. • Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener and portable,
battery-powered radio or TV. • Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location. In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help avert damage from a power surge, and will also help prevent overloading the circuits during power restoration. That said, do leave one light on so you will know when power is restored. If you plan to use a small generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for storm and emergency information, and check KEC’s app, social media or website for power restoration updates. After the storm, avoid downed power lines and walking through flooded areas where power lines could be submerged. Allow ample room for utility crews to safely perform their jobs, including on your property. Advance planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and can lessen the impact of the storm’s effects. Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings, and download our app to stay abreast of power restoration efforts and other important co-op news and information. I hope we don’t experience severe storms this summer, but we can never predict Mother Nature’s plans. At KEC, we recommend that you act today because there is power in planning. From our co-op family to yours, we hope you have a safe and wonderful summer.
&
SUDS SAVINGS 10 ways to save energy in the laundry room By Abby Berry Your clothes washer and dryer account for a significant portion of energy consumption from major appliances, and let’s face it––laundry is no one’s favorite chore. Make the most of your laundry energy use! There are several easy ways you can save energy (and money) in the laundry room. The Department of Energy recommends the following tips for saving on suds: 1. Wash with cold water. Switching from warm water to cold water can cut one load’s energy use by more than half, and by using a cold-water detergent, you can still achieve that brilliant clean you’d normally get from washing in warm water. 2. Wash full loads when possible. Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy no matter the size of the clothes load, so fill it up if you can. 3. Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle in the washer. This setting will remove more moisture before drying, reducing your drying time and the extra wear on clothing. 4. Dry heavier cottons separately. Loads will dry faster and more evenly if you separate heavier cottons like linens and towels from your lightweight clothing. 5. Make use of the “cool down” cycle. If
your dryer has this cycle option, you can save energy because the clothes will finish drying with the remaining heat in the dryer. 6. Use lower heat settings to dry clothing. Regardless of drying time, you’ll still use less energy. 7. Use dryer balls. Dryer balls, usually wool or rubber, will help keep clothes separated for faster drying, and they can help reduce static, so you can eliminate dryer sheets. 8. Switch loads while the dryer is warm. This allows you to take advantage of the remaining heat from the previous cycle. 9. Clean the lint filter after each drying cycle. If you use dryer sheets, remember to scrub the filter once a month with a toothbrush to remove excess buildup. 10. Purchase ENERGY STAR®-rated washers and dryers. When it’s time to purchase a new washer or dryer, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. New washers and dryers that receive the ENERGY STAR® rating use about 20% less energy than conventional models. To learn about additional ways you can save energy at home, visit www. kiamichielectric.org or www.energy.gov/ energysaver.
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 coops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
the Light Post | 3
4 | the Light Post RECIPE
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 2021: $20,141.83 YEAR-TO-DATE DISBURSEMENTS: $9,630.79 TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION: $1,705,090.21 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION: $1,632,867.81
Energy Efficiency
Tip of the Month
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce INGREDIENTS • • • • • • •
¼ cup Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt • 12 ounces uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1 teaspoon olive oil • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning • 4 (10 inch) flour tortillas, toasted • 1 cup shredded cabbage
DIRECTIONS
A dirty filter causes your air conditioner to work harder than necessary. Remember to change your air filter every month (or every two months) to prevent dust buildup, which can lead to even bigger problems. Source: Energy.gov
Combine yogurt, mayonnaise, cilantro, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined and set aside Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Pat shrimp dry using a paper towel and place into a bowl. Add olive oil and taco seasoning. Stir until evenly combined. Place shrimp in the basket of the preheated air fryer and cook for 4 minutes. Shake and cook for 3 minutes more. Place tortillas on serving plates. Divide cabbage and shrimp between the tortillas. Top with reserved sauce and serve.
Follow Kiamichi Electric on Facebook! • • • • • •
Energy efficiency tips Community activities Outage updates Scam alerts Industry news And more!
Use your smartphone’s camera to scan the QR code to follow KEC on Facebook.