The Energy Cooperative Times, Issue 2, 2023

Page 1

IN THIS ISSUE Times
2 2023 ENERGY
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE MEMBER SERVICES TIPS HOW TO PLANT TREES SAFELY PG. 3 PG. 12 PG. 16
ISSUE
COOPERATIVE
Cierra Strawser Marketing & Communications Specialist IN
1500 Granville Road P.O. Box 4970 Newark, Ohio 43058 1-740-344-2102 myenergycoop.com Energy Cooperative Times is the official publication of Energy Cooperative. This magazine is a communication link between Energy Cooperative and its 69,000+ members. Natasha Short Marketing & Communications Manager Heather Juzenas Vice President of Marketing & Member Service Todd Ware President & CEO
MESSAGE
OVER, SLOW DOWN CYBERSECURITY & TAXES
CORNER HOME ENERGY CREDITS
SERVICES TIPS
SUBDIVISIONS
& MANUFACTURING
TO PLANT TREES SAFELY OPERATION ROUND UP PG. 3 PG. 5 PG. 6 PG. 7 PG. 9 PG. 12 PG. 14 PG. 15 PG. 16 PG. 18
THIS ISSUE
PRESIDENT'S
MOVE
DIRECTOR'S
MEMBER
POWERING
GAS
HOW

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Your cooperative's leadership creates annual goals to establish or confirm business direction. The goals pinpoint areas for improvement and growth. Continuously seeking progress and growth in all areas is crucial to the quality of service we provide to you, our members. Here are a couple of our goals we met in 2022.

SAFETY

It should be no surprise that safety is always at the top of our priority list. We are proud to report our Incident and Days Away, Restrictions and Transfers (D.A.R.T.) rates fell well below industry averages for 2022 and the five-year average. In addition, our team completed the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (R.E.S.A.P.) observation with excellent results. This reflects our safetyconscious culture and consistent efforts in this area.

TECHNOLOGY

We worked on several impactful projects in technology and communications last year. Our electric members can receive personalized outage notifications. The text message includes outage updates and restoration times. Members can ‘opt in’ to this service and a variety of other notifications in the SmartHub app. We are now testing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for our metered propane members. AMI meters automatically communicate reads with us and members won’t need to send us readings every month. This will be a great benefit to our metered propane members. Our Marketing and Member Services department evaluates how members use our social media pages and website to improve the way we communicate with you.

CAPITAL

For several years, our capital expenditure budget has remained around twenty million dollars and was used to replace infrastructure and update our systems. The extreme growth happening in Western Licking County, however, prompted our Board of Directors to approve a record-setting capital expenditure budget of nearly thirty million dollars for 2022. While our goals outline much of what our teams should focus on, the announcements of companies moving into our service territory challenged our leadership to redirect where necessary and refocus on different needs. The massive growth potential is exciting for our communities, and I am grateful for a staff that can shift directions quickly.

MEMBER SERVICES

We strive to remain above the industry average in meeting your expectations and overall satisfaction. In 2022, our American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores were eighty-four for gas members and eightyfive for electric members. The utility sector averages a seventy-two on this scale of 0-100, according to the Customer Satisfaction Index Energy Utilities Study 202122. We review our ACSI results and participant feedback closely to help us improve our overall member service.

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During times like this, the value of supportive members, directors and employees is imperative, and I am grateful to say we have both. Energy Cooperative's future is bright. There will be challenges, but your cooperative’s leadership will face them working in the best interest of our members.
Todd Ware

MOVE OVER, SLOW DOWN

Ohio’s “Move Over Law” requires all drivers to move over and slow down for any stationary vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road. The law applies to vehicles with flashing lights of any color, including law enforcement officers, emergency vehicles, road construction crews, maintenance vehicles, utility crews and tow trucks. Of course, there are instances where you will find yourself unable to safely change lanes. When that happens, slow down and proceed with caution. Always watch your surroundings and be prepared to stop.

MOVE OVER LAW

Energy Cooperative is a utility company and there are often times when our crews are in charge of traffic control when they are working along the side of a roadway. One wrong move from a motorist passing by could drastically change several lives forever. Moving over and slowing down for any situation is not only common sense, but it is the law.

The Ohio Department of Transportation stated that in Ohio alone, there were 5,226 Move Over crashes between 2015-2020, of which:

• 42% were law enforcement

• 40% were construction, maintenance or utility workers

• 10% were fire or ambulance

• 4% were towing vehicles

• 4% were other

DRIVING SAFETY TIPS

By moving over and slowing down, drivers dramatically reduce the risk of harmful and fatal crashes with stationary vehicles and people (like our utility crews) alongside the roadways.

It is important to remember to limit distractions when driving, pay attention to traffic control and watch for every flashing light that may be behind or in front of you.

• Keep your eyes on the road – Pay attention to cars in front of you, beside you, in your blind spots and behind you.

• Just drive – Set your radio before you start driving; do not use your phone while driving; and do not eat or perform other tasks that take your hands off the wheel or your attention off driving safely. All those things can wait until you arrive safely at your destination.

• Stay a safe distance away from the vehicle in front of you – This prevents collisions if the person in front of you brakes suddenly.

• Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol – Not only is it illegal, but it could cause severe injuries or fatalities.

Public officials create laws to ensure safety and security in our state. It is crucial to practice the safety tips listed above. The “Move Over Law” was created to prevent incidents on our roadways and keep all roadway workers, drivers and pedestrians safe.

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As a utility company, we understand the risk of working alongside the road. Remember to always move over or slow down for all vehicles with flashing lights –it is not a courtesy, it is the law.
Connie Hogue

CYBERSECURITY & TAXES

In today's digital age, cybersecurity is a real concern for everyone, especially those who deal with sensitive financial data such as taxes. Tax season is an ideal time for cybercriminals to take advantage of unsuspecting taxpayers. For that reason, it is necessary to take precautions to ensure your data is protected and secure.

It is common to use digital platforms in tax preparation. Cybercriminals can easily exploit weaknesses in online tax preparation software and use phishing scams to steal sensitive financial information. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and protect yourself from tax-related cyber threats.

One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from tax-related cyber threats is to use a secure online tax preparation and filing service. Well-known and reliable tax preparation services create codes to protect your sensitive data, such as social security numbers, tax identification numbers and bank account information from unauthorized access.

Be sure the tax preparation service you use is legitimate and has a good reputation. Scammers often set up fake tax preparation websites to try and trick new (and even

experienced) taxpayers into giving out their personal and financial information. Do research and verify the legitimacy of any tax preparation service you plan to use. Another way to protect yourself from tax-related cyber threats is to keep your computer and software up to date. Outdated software and operating systems are more likely to cause cyber-attacks. Always install the latest updates and patches as soon as they become available.

You should also be cautious of phishing scams during tax season. Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information. Scammers pretend to be a trustworthy entity to get your valuable information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. These scams can take many forms, such as fake emails, social media messages and phone calls.

To avoid falling victim to a phishing scam, never click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails or messages. Also, be wary of any requests for sensitive information, even if they are from a legitimate source. Reliable organizations will never ask you to provide sensitive information over the phone via email or social media.

Protecting your financial information during tax season is essential. Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to steal personal and financial information, and tax season is no exception. By using secure tax preparation services, keeping your software up-to-date and being cautious of phishing scams, you can protect yourself from tax-related cyber threats and ensure your financial information remains safe and secure.

CAST YOUR BALLOT

As a member of Energy Cooperative, you can participate in the annual election for our Board of Directors. Energy Cooperative works with Survey & Ballot Systems to conduct the elections. Voting runs from March 22nd to April 24th at 4 p.m. EST. There are multiple ways to vote. Find one that works best for you and cast your ballot.

VOTE BY MAIL

1. Complete the paper ballot you will receive in the mail.

2. Detach the ballot and return in the enclosed envelope.

VOTE IN SMARTHUB

Visit myenergycoop.com and click the Vote Now button. You can also vote in the SmartHub mobile app. Look for the Vote Now option.

VOTE ONLINE

1. Go to the website: directvote.net/tecoh

2. Enter your member number and election passcode that are located in the paper ballot you will receive in the mail.

3. Use both numbers to login and register.

4. Follow the online voting instructions to cast your ballot.

If you have any problems voting online, email support at support@directvote.net or call 1-952-974-2339.

DIRECTOR'S CORNER

After a long winter, I cannot help but look forward to spring. Spring reminds me of better weather and our cooperative elections. Energy Cooperative is governed by nine directors and each of them represent a portion of our system. Each year, three cooperative directors are elected for a three-year term.

DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL

As a cooperative, we abide by the Seven Cooperative Principles. Cooperative Principle #2 is Democratic Member Control. This means all our members get to vote on the three directors they feel will best represent them, even if they live in a different district of the cooperative. The candidates, however, must live in the district they are running to represent. As in most elections, the candidates are nominated to run. If the candidate meets the qualifications to run in our by-laws, they meet with the nominating committee. Once the nominating committee approves a candidate, they will be placed on the ballot in the district where they reside.

Democratic member control separates cooperatives from Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU). The Public Utility Commission of Ohio (PUCO) governs IOUs, working to ensure fair practices for their customers since they have no voice in that system. Cooperatives have members, not customers, and the members keep local control through the democratic process. In practice, cooperatives follow many PUCO guidelines to support industry uniformity, but they do not govern us. Democratic Member Control means our board is accountable to the members they represent. This means we focus our core values and priorities on member service.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S TRAINING

The Energy Cooperative Board of Directors is made up of people from our local communities. They are accessible and visible in their districts. Once a person is elected to the Board of Directors, they are expected to take training classes through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The training helps directors better understand and address cooperatives’ issues.

NRECA offers three levels of training. Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD), Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) and Director Gold Certificates (DGC). NRECA has some of the best content and instructors for Board training in the nation.

Becoming a Director at Energy Cooperative requires an investment of time for monthly meetings, training and conferences. However, it is an honor to represent our community. On behalf of your Board of Directors, I encourage you to stay active in our democratic process.

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Dustin Buckinham Owner of Buckingham Electric, an electric contracting company operating in Knox and surrounding counties Graduated from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Serves on the board of The Peoples Bank of Gambier, Teacher and Deacon at the Millwood Church of Christ and is Past President of the East Knox School Board Married to Amy and has three children and two grandchildren GET TO KNOW YOUR DIRECTOR

THANK YOU TO OUR LINE WORKERS & GAS CREWS

Attention Natural Gas Members

In accordance with Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations 49 CFR, Part 192.16, Energy Cooperative is required to inform members that the member shall be responsible for their gas service lines.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The member is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all gas piping from the gas meter to all gas appliances.

The member is responsible for the repair/replacement of the gas service line located on the member’s property from the buried curb valve to the inlet of the gas meter. Buried gas piping that is not maintained may be subject to the potential hazards of corrosion and leakage.

For your safety, all buried pipe should be periodically inspected for leaks. If the buried piping is metallic, it should also be periodically inspected for corrosion. If an unsafe condition is found, the gas piping will need to be promptly repaired.

When digging near buried gas piping, the piping should be located in advance and the excavation done by hand. As a reminder, any time you are excavating, OHIO811 should be called by simply dialing 811 or 1-800-362-2764 at least 48 hours prior to digging. OHIO811 will notify various utility companies to locate utilities lines in the area.

Plumbing and heating contractors can assist in locating, inspecting and repairing the member’s buried piping. The Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that a DOT-qualified plumbing contractor must be used to repair or replace a member’s buried piping upstream of the meter, including the gas riser attached to the meter set. While this is not required for piping downstream of the meter, Energy Cooperative strongly recommends a DOT-qualified plumber be used for all buried gas piping.

We appreciate the dedication our crews have to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy to our members and the community.
Natural Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18 l National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18

HOME ENERGY CREDITS

Home energy upgrades can help you save money and reduce your environmental footprint, but the initial cost can be expensive. Fortunately, there are a variety of federal tax incentives to help. The Inflation Reduction Act that passed in 2022 expanded and extended a series of tax credits for home energy improvements and clean energy upgrades.

HOME ENERGY-EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS

Federal tax credits of up to 30% of the cost of qualifying home improvements are available for projects installed between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2032. Each project is subject to individual maximum amounts, which are specified below. Only improvements made to existing homes that are the principal residence of the taxpayer can qualify for these credits. The maximum credit is $1,200 per year for home weatherization.

HOME WEATHERIZATION

• Exterior doors - Eligible doors must be ENERGY STAR®-certified (maximum $250 per door, $500 total)

• Windows and skylights - Windows and skylights must meet ENERGY STAR® product requirements ($600 maximum)

• Insulation and air sealing - Includes insulation, weatherstripping, caulk and expandable foam. Materials or systems must meet International Energy Conservation Code requirements ($1,200 maximum)

APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT

• Air source and geothermal heat pumps ($2,000 maximum)

• Central air conditioning ($600 maximum)

• Heat pump water heaters ($2,000 maximum)

Qualifying systems must meet efficiency requirements set up by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE).

You can also claim up to $150 to cover the cost of a home energy audit. The audit must include an inspection of a dwelling that is the principal residence of the taxpayer as well as a written report detailing recommended energy improvements and associated cost and savings estimates. A certified home energy auditor must conduct the audit.

CLEAN ENERGY UPGRADES

Tax credits are available for up to 30% of project costs for clean energy upgrades, including solar panels, solar water heaters, small wind turbines, fuel cells and geothermal systems. Battery storage technologies are also eligible. In some situations, solar roofing tiles and solar roofing shingles serve as solar electric collectors while also performing the function of traditional roofing and structural support may also qualify.

There is no dollar maximum to the clean energy credit. It is only limited to 30% of qualifying expenses for systems installed between 2022 through 2032. By taking advantage of these incentives, you can reduce your energy bills and your environmental footprint without making a dent in your budget.

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Pat McGonagle

Since 1936, Energy Cooperative has delivered safe, reliable and affordable utility services and plays an important role in the economic and civic life of Central Ohio.

ELECTRIC

27,046 accounts

9 counties

3K miles of distribution lines

40 miles of transmision lines

20 substations & 3 switching stations

Data shown is accurate as of January 2023

NATURAL GAS

38,300 accounts

7 counties

National Gas & Oil Cooperative provides natural gas service to more than 38,300 residential and commercial members within a seven-county area.

Energy Cooperative has over 69,000 members residing in 15 counties. Our values have not changed since Licking Rural Electrification lit up rural central Ohio in 1936. In October of 1998, Licking Rural Electrification acquired National Gas & Oil Company (NGO) and its subsidiaries, National Gas & Oil Corp., Producers Gas Sales, NGO Development Corp., NGO Transmission, Inc. and NGO Propane.

PROPANE

NGO Propane Cooperative provides propane service to 4,956 accounts in 12 counties.

12 counties

4,956 accounts

10K+ propane deliveries

87K miles traveled by delivery trucks

1,013 miles of distribution pipelines

3 billion cf of natural gas consumed in 2022

900 new services added since 2022

MEMBER SERVICES TIPS

When it comes to member service, we work hard to show you the cooperative difference. Simply put, Energy Cooperative exists to serve you. Our Marketing and Member Services department interacts with members every day, and we value that connection. We greet you at the drive thru, process your payments, answer your phone calls, prepare your bills, respond to your messages and much more. I asked our team to share their best tips to help you take control of your Energy Cooperative account.

The best tip I can give you is to use the knowledge and expertise within our team. Contact us when you have questions about your bill or energy use. That is why we are here.

What we want our members to know:

We appreciate you! Everyone at Energy Cooperative works hard to bring our 69,000+ members safe, reliable and affordable energy with exceptional member service.

Beth

Space heating, space cooling and water heating are the largest energy expenses in any home. You will also see your Energy Cooperative bill go up when you use pools and aquariums.

Christy

Energy Cooperative owns and operates a 456-panel solar farm at our Utica Service Center. Electric members can subscribe to a certain number of available panels, and we calculate the energy produced by those panels into your monthly bill. You get the solar energy. We take care of the maintenance and associated costs.

Nichoal

If you are unable to pay your bill, call us to discuss payment options. We can help you connect with assistance programs or set up a payment arrangement. If we disconnect your service for non-pay, you must re-establish your credit by paying a deposit (in addition to outstanding charges). Avoid this situation by getting on a payment arrangement and sticking with it.

Always include your account number on checks when sending in your monthly payment. This is especially important when your bank sends the check to us.

Natasha

The employees watching social media are not the same people who dispatch crews during outages and emergencies. If we have more than five hundred members without power, you will see regular updates on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. You can also see outage updates from our website, myenergycoop.com/outages.

12 myenergycoop.com " "
Heather Juzenas Donna Cierra

If you do not see all of your accounts in SmartHub, give us a call. We can help members see all their accounts and easily keep track of payments and energy use for each account.

Lisa

Sometimes it is necessary to estimate energy use on your bill. This can happen if the meter stops sending information to our systems. When we estimate bills, we charge based on the same amount of energy used last year during the same month.

you have more than one account. It is also important to remember your account number changes when you move to a new address.

When using the drive thru, do not get out of your vehicle. This is for your safety. Also, when paying your bill with cash, please put the dollars and coins in an envelope.

We record all our phone calls and cannot take payments over the phone due to PCI compliance rules. Instead, we transfer members to our online payment system or help you set up autopay from our website.

Propane members with a meter need send us a current reading and tank percentage every month even when they are not using propane.

740-344-2102 LOCAL. WE'RE " NEED TO REACH US? CALL OUR LOCAL NUMBER.
Morgan
P.
Ashlynn Karen

POWERING SUBDIVISIONS

Energy Cooperative has served several large residential subdivisions since the 1970’s, including Apple Valley Lake and Beechwood subdivisions. We have continued to serve additional subdivisions as growth has continued in our service territory. A new subdivision requires a great amount of coordination and planning.

First, developers have to assess water and sewer availability, local zoning restrictions, electric and natural gas availability, terrain and more to determine if the site is suitable for development. During this time, they may develop illustrative or conceptual plans as shown in Figure 1.

In some cases, communication lines are installed in a joint trench with electric. Natural gas, sewer and water are typically installed along the front of the lots along the road.

As the project progresses, the developer creates detailed engineering plans including civil drawings, layout drawings and plat drawings as shown in Figure 2. The engineering drawings outline any grading that is necessary, the layout of the lots, roads, utilities, green spaces, etc. We work closely with the developer and other utilities to establish locations for our infrastructure. Our infrastructure typically falls into the utility corridors, which are around the perimeter of each lot. Electric facilities are typically installed in the rear lot for easy access to meter locations on the back or side of a residence. Communication companies (internet and cable) typically follow electric in this rear lot location.

Construction begins on the main line utility infrastructure when the lots are at, or very near, final surface grade. This ensures the grade will not change and risk exposing or burying utility infrastructure. After we install the main line, the developer typically starts developing the lots. A temporary service is typically requested to power any tools, heaters, pumps, etc. during construction. Once the meter base and internal electric work is complete, either Energy Cooperative or the developer installs the permanent service. This permanent service line is installed from a transformer or a power pedestal to the homes meter base mounted on the outside of the home. Finally, we set a meter and the new service is complete.

The key to smooth and successful development projects is having a great relationship with the developer and other utilities. The effort ultimately creates a better experience for our members which is the goal.
Josh Filler Figure 1
14 myenergycoop.com
Figure 2

GAS & MANUFACTURING

Ohio is a state with a rich industrial background and has benefited from the use of natural gas in the manufacturing sector. Natural gas, a clean-burning fossil fuel, has become a vital energy source for the state's manufacturers. It also has several economic, environmental and operational benefits.

BENEFITS OF NATURAL GAS

One of the key benefits of natural gas is its low cost. Ohio has access to some of the largest reserves of natural gas in the country which has led to lower natural gas prices. This low cost of energy enables manufacturers to save significant amounts of money on energy expenses, increasing their profitability and competitiveness.

Another benefit of natural gas is that it burns clean. Natural gas produces low emissions of greenhouse gases making it an environmentally friendly energy source. This is critical where the manufacturing sector is a major contributor to the state's economy and has been under pressure to reduce its impact on the environment.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

In addition to its economic and environmental benefits, natural gas has also had a positive impact on the operational efficiency of manufacturers. The use of natural gas in processes such as heating, cooling and power generation allows manufacturers to optimize their operations and improve their overall efficiency. This results in increased productivity and reduced costs making Ohio's manufacturing sector more competitive and sustainable.

In recent years, Ohio has made significant investments in the development of natural gas infrastructure. The state worked to expand its pipeline network, build new natural gas-fired power plants and encourages the use of natural gas vehicles. These investments further enhance the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas which results in Ohio being a leader in the use of this clean energy source.

The reliability and consistency of natural gas supply is another advantage for manufacturers in Ohio. Unlike other forms of energy, natural gas moves through a vast network of pipelines providing a consistent and stable supply of energy to manufacturers. This reliability is critical for manufacturing processes, as fluctuations in energy supply can result in lost production, increased costs and decreased competitiveness.

Natural gas plays a significant role in the success of Ohio's manufacturing sector. Its low cost, cleanburning nature, reliability and operational benefits have all contributed to the competitiveness and sustainability of the state's manufacturing industry. With continued investment in natural gas infrastructure, Ohio is well-positioned to continue to reap the benefits of this clean energy source for years to come.

Manufacturing facilities at Central Ohio Aerospace Technology Center in Heath
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Technology Center in Heath Dan McVey

HOW TO PLANT TREES SAFELY

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.

• Star magnolia

• Crabapple

• Lilac

Keep shrubs at least 10 ft. away from transformer doors and 4 ft. away from the sides.

MEDIUM TREE ZONE

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

• Washington hawthorn

• Eastern redbud

• American arborvitae

• Dogwoods

LARGE TREE ZONE

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

• Maple

• Oak

• Spruce

• Pine

• Birch

• Sweetgum

• Linden

Trees beautify our neighborhoods, and when planted in the right spot, they can even help lower energy bills. However, the wrong tree in the wrong place can be hazardous especially to power lines. Are

50 ft. 60 ft. 70 ft. 40 ft. Maximum tree height 15 ft. 10 ft. 4 ft 40 ft. high or less 30 ft. 20 ft. 10 ft. 0 Over 40 ft.
you planning an outdoor project that involves digging? Call 811 before you dig.
Call 811 before you break ground. Your local utility companies will visit your site and mark the location of any underground lines free of charge. Knowing where your utility lines are buried will help you avoid injury, service outages and costly repairs. FLAG COLORS FOR UTILITY MARKERS Electric Gas Communications Water Sewer

We Trees, Too.

Proactive vegetation management benefits cooperative members in three tangible ways.

SAFETY AFFORDABILITY RELIABILITY

Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines and lineworkers.

Electricity can jump from a power line to a nearby conductor, like a tree. Proactive trimming reduces the risk of danger for lineworkers to restore power during a severe storm or when working on maintenance on a power line.

Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages.

Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines do not cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability.

If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases.

Proactive trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone.

We know everyone in our community enjoys the beauty and shade trees provide. But trees and power lines can be a dangerous mix without regular trimming during the growing season.

If you see us out in the community trimming, remember the many benefits it brings:

• Keeps power lines clear of tree limbs

• Helps us restore power outages more quickly

• Keeps crews and members of our community safe

• Reduces unexpected costs for repairs

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Tree trimming improves service reliability for you, the members we serve.

rounding up their bills to the next whole dollar amount each month, the Energy Cooperative's Operation Round Up Foundation has donated more than $4.1 million to community organizations.

The Operation Round Up Foundation awarded $39,821 to the following community organizations in February:

Abbot Home toward convection oven City of Pataskala for security cameras

Larry Miller Intermediate School for STEM supplies

MTVarts to purchase laptops, software and peripherals

Muskingum County Agriculture Society for downspouts and gutters

Shane Center for Horsemanship for a handwashing station

Sheridan High School to purchase furniture

South Zanesville Fire Department toward an updated alert system

Do you know an organization that could benefit from an Operation Round Up grant? Scan the QR code with your smart phone or visit myenergycoop.com/roundup

18 myenergycoop.com

SPRING EFFICIENCY WORD SCRAMBLE

Did you know there are several ways you can save energy during spring months?

SPRING EFFICIENCY WORD SCRAMBLE

Read the efficiency tips below and unscramble the bolded letters to reveal how you and your family can save energy during springtime.

Did you know there are several ways you can save energy during spring months?

Read the efficiency tips below and unscramble the bolded letters to reveal how you and your family can save energy during springtime.

Don’t forget to check your work in the answer key below!

Don’t forget to check your work in the answer key below!

1. Sealing air leaks around doors and diwwson saves energy and keeps your home comfortable.

1. Sealing air leaks around doors and diwwson saves energy and keeps your home comfortable.

2. LED hlgist typically use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

2. LED hlgist typically use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

3. Unplug devices and electronics that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like phone scragher.

3. Unplug devices and electronics that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like phone scragher.

4. Planting shade esrte around your home can block unwanted heat from the sun.

4. Planting shade esrte around your home can block unwanted heat from the sun.

5. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave the room to save yengre.

5. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave the room to save yengre.

Answer Key: 1) windows 2) lights 3) chargers 4) trees 5) energy

Answer Key: 1) windows 2) lights 3) chargers 4) trees 5) energy

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1500 GRANVILLE ROAD

P.O. BOX 4970

NEWARK, OHIO 43058-4970

BUSINESS INFORMATION

Energy Cooperative’s business hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Member service: 1-740-344-2102

• Electric outages or emergencies: 1-888-535-5732

• Natural gas or propane emergency: 1-740-344-2102

SAFETY REMINDERS

If you see a downed power line or other electrical hazard, call 911 then call our outage line at 1-888-535-5732. Assume every downed power line is energized and dangerous.

If you smell rotten eggs or suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately. Call 911 then call us at 1-740-344-2102.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO.
COLUMBUS, OH
608 Energy FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST
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