TIMES JA NU A RY & F EB RU A RY 2 022
Natural Gas Fireplaces
pg. 11
in this issue
radon exposure PG. 5 Concern for Community PG. 6 Director's corner Pg. 8 Financial corner Pg. 10 change in ELECTRIC leadership pg. 13
In this issue President’s Message 3 Portable Generator Safety 4 Radon Exposure 5 1500 Granville Road Newark, Ohio 43058 1.800.255.6815
Concern for Community 6 Director's Corner 8 Financial corner 10
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Natural Gas Fireplaces 11 change in ELECTRIC leadership 13
Todd Ware President & CEO Gary Baker Director of Marketing & Public Relations Heather Juzenas Member Services Manager Natasha Short Communication & Marketing Specialist
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The Energy Cooperative Times is the official publication of The Energy Cooperative. This magazine is a bi-monthly communication link between The Energy Cooperative and its 67,500+ members.
85 Years & Counting
By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer
The Energy Cooperative celebrated 85 years of service in 2021. Built by our members in 1936, this cooperative has grown from a small but mighty group of farmers to more than 67,500 members strong. Our system continues to expand as we bring energy to new areas. We see a significant increase in new services, both residential and industrial, in Todd Ware Western Licking County. As businesses like Amazon and Google flock to Pataskala and New Albany, the large residential neighborhoods follow. Many of our newest members come home to the Farms at Jefferson in Blacklick and the newly expanded neighborhoods in Pataskala, such as Heron Manor, Hazelwood and Legacy Estates. We planned for this growth for many years, and it is exciting to see it happening now.
cooperative returns patronage capital to members. The Energy Cooperative currently allocates capital credits to electric members, and we retire these funds to estates. Finally, reaching 20 percent equity is a significant accomplishment, and we are extremely proud of this milestone.
navigating the pandemic The last couple of years have been challenging for all of us in many different ways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our cooperative had to find ways to navigate the numerous regulations and protocols that were put in place to keep everyone safe. Our field personnel continued to make sure our utility operations carried on as normal. Office personnel worked from home or in the office to support our members and ensure business operations continued to move forward. I am very proud of our employees and their commitment to our members and each other during these challenging times. Finally, I want to acknowledge our members. Thank you for reaching out to us throughout this past year with your questions, positive comments and concerns. We exist to serve our members, so your feedback is important to us and is critical to our cooperative’s success. As a cooperative, our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community and look after its long-term interests. Our growing membership of over 67,500 members make up the communities we serve. In the grand scheme of it all, you are our community, and we look forward to serving you in 2022 and beyond.
Financial milestone Last year, our cooperative achieved a major financial milestone by reaching 20 percent equity, a goal we have been working towards since 2001. In 2001, our equity position was negative 31 percent. The path to positive equity wasn’t easy or fast. The long journey took a deliberate approach to reduce expenses, sell businesses that were losing money, reduce debt and interest costs and focus on operating our core businesses as effectively and efficiently as possible. Patience was the key to success and looking to the long term was the focus. Reaching this goal enables our Board of Directors to consider returning capital credits or patronage capital to members. Patronage capital is the money left over after we pay all the cooperative’s bills. We use this margin as working capital to pay for system repairs, improvements and upgrades to better serve our members. Once this is complete, the surplus is allocated to members as patronage capital based on their energy use throughout the year. The Board of Directors determines if, and when, the
Farms at Jefferson, photo from M/I Homes website
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Portable Generator Safety When the power goes out, a portable generator can be a lifesaver. However, if used improperly, it can also become life-threatening. Below are some basic safety tips for portable generators.
Dangers
Fire: Generators become hot while running and remain hot for a long time after they are shut down. Fuels used in generators can ignite when spilled on hot parts. Prevention: Before refueling, shut down the generator, and let it cool. Keep all fuel containers away from the generator.
Electrical Hazards: If you plug an appliance directly into the
generator, use the manufacturer’s supplied cords or extension cords that are grounded. Make sure the cords are not damaged in any way. Prevention: Keep the generator dry and never mess with the electrical components of a generator if you are wet or standing in water.
Carbon Monoxide Hazards: Never use a generator indoors. Deadly
levels of carbon monoxide can build up quickly and linger for hours, even after the generator is shut off. Prevention: Use portable generators outside only and keep them at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
For more safety information please consult the manufacturer’s instructions included with your portable generator. You can also access additional safety information at myenergycoop.com/generator-safety.
RADON EXPOSURE
By Connie Hogue, Director of Human Resources and Safety Signs and symptoms of lung cancer from radon exposure can include a persistent cough, hoarseness, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, chest pains and frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
When it comes to improving your health in the new year, one important step could be right under your nose or feet. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to radon accounts for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year and is the leading cause of Connie Hogue lung cancer in people who don’t smoke. The EPA has also designated January as National Radon Action Month, a time when health agencies across the country urge all Americans to have their homes tested for radon.
Reducing Radon in Your Home The American Cancer Society says a variety of methods can be used to reduce radon gas levels in your home, including sealing cracks in floors and walls and increasing ventilation though sub-slab depressurization using pipes and fans. If you believe there is radon in your home, testing can be done and is the only way to determine how much radon is in your home.
Pick up a test kit - Short-term and long-term test kits are available, with the long-term kit producing more accurate results. Do-it-yourself test kits also are available at many local hardware stores.
What is Radon? Radon is an odorless and invisible gas that occurs naturally outdoors, typically in harmless amounts. It enters homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation, floors, walls, construction joints or gaps around service pipes. Levels are typically highest in the basement or crawlspace. It is produced from a natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. People who breathe in these radioactive particles, swallow water with high radon levels or are exposed to radon for a long period of time are susceptible to lung damage and lung cancer.
Hire a professional tester – The EPA suggests that you choose a qualified radon mitigation contractor, because lowering high radon levels often requires technical expertise and special skills. Visit the Ohio Department of Health’s website to find a licensed radon tester and/or radon mitigation contactor in your area.
Radon is a serious issue that requires attention sooner rather than later. With January being National Radon Action Month, this is a great way to kick off the new Radon Exposure The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control stated year by testing your home for radon and following EPA smokers who are exposed to elevated levels of radon gas recommendations for an effective solution to keeping have a 10 times higher risk of developing lung cancer. your family safe and healthy all year long. According to the National Cancer Institute, about one in 15 homes in the U.S. has radon levels at or above the EPA action level. You can't see or smell radon, and, once exposed, symptoms can take a while to appear. Radon poisoning builds up very slowly in your body. All too often radon poisoning symptoms don't appear until you already have cancer or are quite close. Therefore, it is best to test for radon early, even if you haven't noticed symptoms yet.
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concern for COMMUNITY By Gary Baker, Director of Marketing & Public Relations At the Energy Cooperative, our employees fully understand and support Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community. We were built by our communities and always look for ways to give back. The Energy Cooperative and it's employees support many local organizations and community initiatives throughout the year. Gary Baker
Supporting the united way In December of 2021, the Energy Cooperative presented the United Way of Licking County a check for $42,528.50. This money represents the annual donation our employees, Directors and Cooperative as a whole make to the United Way for 2022.
Helping Families in Need In the spirit of the holiday season, the Energy Cooperative employees, members, families and friends donated hundreds of toys, personal care items, hats, gloves and games to the Salvation Army for their Hope Marches On campaign and the Utica Church of Christ for their Pack-a-Sleigh program to help give children in need a joyous Christmas.
community assistance grant The Energy Cooperative recently presented a check to the Village of Utica to help replace sections of their outfield fencing at Miller Park. Miller Park is used for a variety of community and youth activities, such as ball games, school field trips and their Safety City program. The grant was a combination of funding from Ohio's Electric Cooperatives Community Assistance Program and the Energy Cooperative. Thank you to our employees, partners and members for an outstanding year. Together, we can make a big difference in the communities where we live, work and play.
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veteran's grant Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11072 Dresden, OH The Energy Cooperative is proud to support our local veteran groups through our American Veterans Grant Program. On November 22, 2021, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Gary Baker, and our Propane Operations Manager, Mike Sharkey, delivered a check to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 11072 in Dresden, Ohio in the amount of $2,660.34. The money will be used to repair their fundraising food concession trailer, rebuild the brake system on their military jeep used in parades and military honors at funerals and will help give scholarship money to teachers and veterans through local programming.
Do you know an organization that could benefit from a Veteran's grant? To learn more about the program or to apply for a Veteran's grant, visit myenergycoop.com/veterans-grant.
Back row from left to right is Commander Jerry Wade (Vietnam), Trustee Roy Noland (Vietnam), Junior Vice Commander Mitch Hatfield (Vietnam). Front row from left to right is Gary Baker, Secretary Larry Wilbur (Vietnam), Senior Vice Commander Dan Spiker (Iraq) and Mike Sharkey.
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DIRECTOR'S CORNER By Dustin Buckingham, CCD, BLC, DGC, District 7 Director On a family trip this summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Coulee, Chief Joseph and Libby hydroelectric dams. These massive structures electrify millions of homes and provide a stable electric supply for much of the Northwest. The hydroelectric dams were America’s original clean power generation. The Grand Coulee Dustin Buckingham Dam alone produces 6,809 megawatts of electricity, the equivalent power necessary for 4.2 million households. The dam contains 12 million cubic yards of concrete, enough to put a four foot wide and four inch thick sidewalk around the world twice. Today’s renewables are much less reliable than the old hydroelectric dams. Wind farms and solar fields are intermittent power sources that require nature to cooperate. Solar energy production drops from 40 percent to 60 percent in the winter versus peak production in the summer. Since Ohio is ranked twenty third on the sun index and thirtieth for average wind speed in the United States, neither technology can be used at its optimum production. Wind and solar can play a larger part in our power grid by shaving peak demand and slowing the need for new electric generation. However, you can understand the concern with replacing large amounts of our baseload coal, natural gas and nuclear generation with intermittent power generation from renewables like wind and solar.
electric generation is coming from these two intermittent power sources. EIA also projects new generation capacity will be dominated by solar. My concerns are three-fold. First, the mining and manufacturing process used to make solar panels is not green. The process creates toxic bi-products and currently uses much carbon-based energy in the production of the panels. Second, disposal is problematic because of the lead and cadmium each panel contains. The Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) recommends not disposing of solar panels in a regular landfill. Third, China manufactures 80 percent of all solar panels. They also mine and refine 64 percent of the world’s silicon, a key component.
Ohio’s cooperatives continue to work together through Buckeye Power to balance environmental challenges, reliable service and financial prudence for our members as it relates to electric generation.
Buckeye Power has built 23 solar arrays across the state that are rated for 2.1 megawatts of energy. Data shows the solar arrays system peaks at about 1.6 megawatts or enough electricity for 1,295 homes. Members can buy a portion of their power from these fields if they choose. The Places like Texas have already made large capital investments in renewables. According to Governor Greg fields diversify Ohio cooperative’s energy portfolio and Abbott in 2018, Texas led the U.S. in wind generation give the co-ops sound data to make informed decisions and was second for installed solar capacity. Yet, they about future renewable investments. Over the last 20 years, experienced catastrophic results last winter as Texas Buckeye Power has invested over $1 billion in adopting power generation failed to meet demand. According to technologies to clean emissions from our 1800-megawatt the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, this caused 111 deaths, coal-fired electric plants. These plants produce enough bankruptcies and $80 – $130 billion in direct and indirect electricity for 1.1 million homes. economic loss. When Texas needed more power generation, renewables did not produce. According to the United Coal-fired power plants and other electric generation from States Energy Information Administration (EIA), wind carbon-based fuels are under attack across the country constitutes 8.4 percent of our electric generation and solar regardless of emission investments. adds 2.3 percent. EIA charts show that 76 percent of new 8
Attention Natural Gas Members
Currently, many investment groups are considering non-financial factors like environment, social and governance (ESG) in their investment decisions. One of the intended consequences is to drive capital investment away from carbon-based electric generation.
In accordance with Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations 49 CFR, Part 192.16, The Energy Cooperative is required to inform members that the member shall be responsible for their gas service lines.
Additionally, nuclear electric generators have added only one reactor in the last 25 years. Nuclear power is shrinking as new reactors are not keeping pace with the retirement of old reactors. The Wall Street Journal ran an article entitled "Nuclear Power is the Best Climate Change Solution by Far". The co-authors, Andrew Fillat and Henry Miller, explain how greenhouse gas emissions for the complete life cycle of manufacturing, operation and decommissioning of nuclear are a fourth of solar and requires one-four-hundreth as much land. One person’s lifetime use of nuclear energy would be about half an ounce of waste. Nuclear waste is more difficult to dispose of, but its volume is one-tenthousandth of solar and one-five-hundreth of wind when considering abandoned infrastructure that ends up in landfills.
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.
Americans need reliable, clean, affordable and self-reliant electricity. This can only be accomplished by a balanced approach to electric generation. The U.S. electric grid will be placed under greater stress than ever before as the automotive industry switches to electric vehicles (EV). This will reduce our need for petroleum but will stress our nation’s electric generation and distribution as the grid absorbs the EV impact. Disproportionate investment in intermittent power sources while defunding stable power generation from coal, natural gas and nuclear generation will cause future electric reliability issues.
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, the Energy Cooperative strongly recommends a DOT-qualified plumber be used for all buried gas piping.
The Energy Cooperative will continue to search for the best path forward making environmental improvements while maintaining electric reliability for our members.
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Financial corner By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Did you know natural gas can be stored in underground natural gas reservoirs for future consumption? Depleted gas reservoirs (also referred to as storage fields) are the most prominent and common form of underground storage. They are typically natural gas wells that have produced all their Pat McGonagle economically recoverable gas and are readily capable of holding injected natural gas. Using these wells has proven to be economically attractive because start-up costs for a storage facility are eliminated by taking advantage of existing space, gathering systems and pipeline connections. Depleted reservoirs are also attractive because their geological and physical characteristics have already been studied and are well known. National Gas & Oil Corporation (National), a subsidiary of the Energy Cooperative (TEC) utilizes three on-system storage fields to balance the seasonal requirements of its members. The three storage fields that National owns and operates are Perry, Zane and Muskie. The capacity of these fields is 2 Bcf (billion cubic feet) which equates to nearly one third of the annual system usage throughout the cooperative. The Zane and Perry fields were developed in the mid 1950’s primarily to meet the seasonal needs our increased residential load during that time period. The company’s residential load continued to grow through the 60’s and 70’s and contributed to the need for the Muskie storage field beginning in 1973. The cooperative’s three gas storage fields are located close to our transportation infrastructure (pipelines and distribution systems) which also helps control the transmission costs of getting the product to our members. Typically, these facilities are operated on a single annual cycle; natural gas is injected during the off-peak summer months when demand is low, and natural gas is withdrawn during the winter months of peak demand. This cycle provides security of both supply and price for you, our members.
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Two of the most important characteristics of an underground storage reservoir are its capacity to hold natural gas for future use and the rate at which gas inventory can be withdrawn -- its deliverability rate. Generally, a storage facility’s deliverability rate varies directly with the total amount of gas in the reservoir. In order to maintain working pressures in depleted reservoirs, about 50 percent of the natural gas in the formation must be kept as cushion gas or base gas. However, since depleted reservoirs were previously filled with natural gas, they do not require the injection of gas that will become physically unrecoverable, as this gas is already present in the formation. The pressures in TEC’s storage facilities are at their highest when the reservoir is full at the end of October. The pressure declines as gas is withdrawn over the winter months. Typically, in early April, TEC begins the process of purchasing and re-supplying the fields to ensure adequate levels and to secure the best pricing. The close monitoring of our withdrawal and injection cycles year-round is critical to providing our members with a reliable natural gas energy supply at affordable rates.
Natural Gas Fireplace By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations In a competitive housing market, builders are always looking for ways to make their new homes stand out. A natural gas fireplace can provide that extra spark and grab a potential homebuyer's attention. Gas fireplaces provide the warmth and ambiance associated with traditional wood fireplaces but with the low cost and Dan McVey convenience of natural gas. Both inside and outside the home, a natural gas fireplace adds a touch of elegance and visual appeal.
Design Options Class B vent units feature operable doors and require a through-the-roof flue to remove the hot combustion gases. Direct-vent fireplaces are much easier and less expensive to install than traditional wood-burning or gas masonry units. The need for a flue is eliminated; pipes can be installed through the wall. Ventless models, which are prohibited in some states, are adjusted to burn at optimum efficiency, minimizing the level of harmful carbon monoxide and allowing the exhaust to be vented into the home. Direct-vent fireplaces have efficiency ratings typically ranging from 70 percent to nearly 87 percent, depending on the model. Builders should choose fireplaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating, which use the same test as energy-efficient furnaces. Natural gas fireplaces are offered in a variety of styles and sizes suitable for nearly any type of home, and include: • A wide array of designer fronts and doors • Traditional looks with a clean face design • Modern linear fireplaces with panoramic views • Contemporary styles incorporating stainless steel
Gas fireplaces are now safer by requiring a protective barrier for all new glass-front fireplaces. The U.S. Department of Energy recently proposed efficiency standards to eliminate the continuously burning pilot light — thus reducing wasted energy going out the chimney — for all vented or ventless hearth products. Many products already use electronic ignition, eliminating the need for such pilot lights.
Maximize Outdoor Living Space A natural gas fireplace is the perfect centerpiece of a modern outdoor room. Outdoor fireplaces can range from rustic simplicity to very extravagant. They can be free standing or built-in structures that match the overall look of the space. A natural gas fireplace as part of a welldesigned outdoor room can be that extra touch that makes a home more attractive to homebuyers. For today's homebuyer, natural gas fireplaces are a costeffective way for builders to make their homes a hot item in the marketplace. Clean-burning natural gas fireplaces can also be a part of a larger effort to target homebuyers interested in reducing their environmental impact.
What is the Cost? Before buying a gas fireplace, it’s smart to ask that question. In short: natural gas fireplaces are relatively inexpensive to run. Here are the estimated costs of running small, medium and large gas fireplaces per hour using the current cost of natural gas: • Small 10,000 BTU - $0.15 per hour • Medium 20,000 BTU - $0.25 per hour • Large 40,000 BTU - $0.50 per hour The total cost of running gas fireplaces depends on several factors. These include per day usage, average percentage heating output and gas fireplace efficiency.
Hand-molded logs and authentic-looking flames make the experience just like a wood-burning fireplace without the mess and inconvenience. Digital remote controls are available, which appeal to tech-savvy owners. 11
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Power is restored.
change in electric leadership Glover retires and Board approves Filler as new VP & COO of Electric Operations
Gary Glover
With more than 35 years of distinguished service with the Energy Cooperative, Gary Glover announced his retirement in November of 2021 from the Energy Cooperative as Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Electric Operations, a role he held since May 2013.
Glover began his career as a purchasing agent for the cooperative’s electric operations, where he advanced to the position of operations manager in 1998. In 2013, he was named vice president and chief operating officer of the Cooperative’s electric division. Over Gary’s tenure, he has actively been involved in, supported and volunteered for numerous organizations including Rotary, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties, Ohio Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (O.U.P.S.). One of his most impactful projects was called Project Ohio which built the infrastructure to provide electricity to members of a Guatemalan village.
The Cooperative’s Board of Directors and management remain committed to their succession planning efforts to ensure the right talent is in place for future success. They unanimously approved the promotion of Josh Filler to Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Electric Operations Josh Filler following Gary's retirement. Josh has been an integral part of the Cooperative’s succession planning and has worked hard preparing for this transition. Josh was hired with the Cooperative in February 2014 as an Engineering Manager. Prior to that he worked as a distribution planning engineer for AEP in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a licensed professional engineer and earned his MBA and BS in electrical engineering, both while in Indiana. He is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering degree in Power Systems. Throughout Josh's tenure with the Cooperative, he has been actively involved in and supported numerous community organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties and the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
“I am very excited to have Josh as part of my executive team. His leadership and experience is a true asset to this Cooperative and I look forward to the contributions he will bring to the Cooperative and to my executive team." -Todd Ware, President & CEO
Gary Glover helping in the Guatemalan village.
The Energy Cooperative's President and CEO, Todd Ware, stated, "I want to thank Gary for his many years of service to the Cooperative and for the impact he has made on our overall electric operations. Gary’s leadership created a culture of safety that surpassed expectations and achieved a long-time history of no lost time accidents. Gary’s leadership will truly be missed." 13
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OPERATION ROUND UP PROGRAM Thank you to our members for their continued support of Operation Round Up. The Energy Cooperative's Operation Round Up Foundation has donated more than $3.5 million to community groups and organizations through the generosity of our members rounding up their bills to the next whole dollar amount.
The Operation Round Up Foundation awarded $13,450 in DECEMBER To the following community organizations: Hospice of Central Ohio for a network project Newton Township Fire Department for AEDs Thorn Township Fire Department for new fire hoses Muskingum County Agricultural Society for a new safety fence
Do you know of an organization who would benefit from an operation round up grant? Application materials need to be received ten days prior to the meeting date for consideration at that meeting, except in November when the application materials need to be received by November 21, 2022 for early disbursement before the Holidays. The meeting dates for 2022 are Feb 1, April 5, June 4, Aug 2, Oct 4, Dec 6. To learn more about Operation Round Up Foundation or to apply for a grant, visit myenergycoop.com/operation-roundup.
YOUTH PROGRAMS scholarship programs The Energy Cooperative and the Operation Round Up Foundation offer scholarship programs to high school seniors whose parent(s) or legal guardian are members of the Cooperative receiving electric, natural gas or propane services. Each January, information is mailed to guidance counselors at the high schools in the Cooperative’s service territory. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior who has been accepted at an accredited four-year college or two-year technical school and is the son or daughter of an active Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up Foundation Program participant. Another scholarship opportunity is the Jay Barker Scholarship which was created for those who plan to pursue a future in business or finance. Applicants must be either a high school senior or enrolled in college and must be a resident of Licking County.
youth tour During the month of June, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives sponsor a group of students going into their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school to go on the National Rural Electric Cooperative’s Association (NRECA) youth tour trip to Washington, D.C. This gives students an opportunity to meet with congressional leaders, network with other students from around the country and tour historical sites. For more information on the scholarship programs or Youth Tour, visit our website myenergycoop.com/youth-programs. 14
ENERGY CONSERVATION BINGO Cross off a square for each energy conservation task you complete. Share this with your friends and family to see who can get a “BINGO” first!
B Turn water off while brushing your teeth
I
N
Use a reusable bag
Pick up trash
Unplug unused Collect items to phone chargers recycle
Use a smart power strip
Take a 5-minute Use solar lights shower outdoors
FREE
Carpool with friends
Reuse a water bottle
G
O
Walk Turn off lights somewhere when you leave instead of riding a room in a car Carpool with friends
Reuse a water bottle
Unplug unused Use a reusable phone chargers bag
Pick up trash
Turn off lights Take a 5-minute Collect items to when you leave shower recycle a room
Use a smart power strip
Turn water off while brushing your teeth
Walk somewhere Use solar lights instead of riding outdoors in a car
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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Business hours
Safety Reminders
The Energy Cooperative’s business hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. We respond to outages and emergencies 24/7/365. Call if you need us. Our crews are on call and ready to respond.
Important phone numbers • • •
Member service: 1.800.255.6815. Electric outages or emergencies: 1.888.535.5732. Natural gas or propane emergency: 1.800.255.6815.
• • •
If you smell rotten eggs or suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately. Call 911. Then call us at 1.800.255.6815. 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. Consider any object touching lines energized as well.
Our crews respond to outages and emergencies 24/7/365. If we know about your outage, be assured we are working to restore it - safely and promptly.
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