TIMES May & June 2021
Community Spotlight
1936
8 5 YEARS OF SERVICE 2021
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Also in this issue May is Electrical Safety Month, Pg. 5 Pipeline Right-of-way, pg 6 Tree Trimming improves service, Pg 11 Plant the right tree, in the right place, pg.12
In this issue 1936
8 5 YEARS OF SERVICE 2021
President’s Message 3 Electrical Safety at Home 4 Pipeline Right-of-Way 6 Director's Corner with Joanne Little 7
1500 Granville Road Newark, Ohio 43058 1.800.255.6815
Community Spotlight: Dawes Arboretum 8 Summer Energy Savings 10 Tree trimming improves service 11 Right Tree, Right Place 12-13
myenergycoop.com Todd Ware President & CEO
Operation Round Up Grant Winners 14 Electrical Safety Word Search 15
Gary Baker Director of Marketing & Public Relations Heather Juzenas Communications Manager Please report any change of email address or phone number to us at 1.800.255.6815 or contact us from myenergycoop.com. The Energy Cooperative Times is the official publication of The Energy Cooperative. This magazine is the bi-monthly communication link between The Energy Cooperative, based in Newark, Ohio, and its 65,500 members.
Photo courtesy of Dawes Arboretum
President’s Message
By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer
Everyone at The Energy Cooperative is committed to building connections with you and the local communities we serve. One of the ways we do this is to provide members with information, resources and services that are as reliable and useful as the energy we supply. We want to be your trusted energy partner and the first Todd Ware stop when you have a question about energy efficiency, renewables, or the cooperative.
Your trusted energy partner. We can help you find ways to use less energy and save money on your monthly bill. Visit myenergycoop.com/save to find simple ways to cut energy expenses. You can also use SmartHub as to help manage energy use. SmartHub provides insight into your energy use with detailed information and data that can help you look for ways to save. With the budget gauge tool, you can enter a desired monthly payment and find out if you are on track to meet that goal. Even small changes, like a few degrees on your thermometer, can make a big difference to your bottom line.
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Save with Co-op Connections As a member of The Energy Cooperative, you have access to even more ways to save. I highly recommend checking out Co-op Connections to save on prescriptions, online purchases, and from hundreds of retailers nationwide. Visit myenergycoop.com/connections to see where you can save and sign up today. Since launching this program in December of 2020, our members have saved nearly $1,000. If you are not taking advantage of this benefit, give it a try!
Annual Meeting We encourage you to join us on June 29 for a virtual annual meeting. The meeting will be streamed from Midland Theater and include special entertainment. Mark your calendar and visit myenergycoop.com/annual-meeting for additional information.
Membership in The Energy Cooperative is a powerful thing. It means you have an energy partner that you can trust to look out for your community’s best interests, not making profit for shareholders. We are ready to help when you have energy-related concerns or questions about your cooperative membership. That's the cooperative difference!
Cast Your Ballot
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As a member of The Energy Cooperative, you can participate in the annual election for our Board of Directors. The Energy Cooperative works with Survey & Ballot Systems to conduct the election. Voting runs from May 20 - June 22 at 4pm, 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 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. Both are located in the paper ballot you receive in the mail. 3. Use both numbers to login and register. 4. Follow the online voting instructions to cast your ballot.
3 If you have any problems voting online, email support@directvote.net or call 952.974.2339.
May is Electrical Safety Month By Connie Hogue, Director of Human Resources and Safety
Connie Hogue
May is National Electrical Safety Month, and it's a great time to raise awareness about potential electrical hazards and how best to avoid them. Electricity is a safe and reliable form of energy. It can be dangerous, however, if not treated properly. Here is a checklist of items to help protect you and your family.
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Whole house • • • • • •
Make sure light bulbs are the proper wattage for all fixtures. Install covers on all unused outlets if small children are present. Keep electrical cords away from foot traffic, and make sure they are not covered by rugs or furniture. Do not use extension cords on a long-term basis. Avoid plugging multiple devices into one outlet. All 15 and 20 amp circuit breakers in your electrical panel should have arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) capability to protect electrical wiring and your house from fire.
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Keep electrical devices, such as radios or hair dryers, six feet from water. Install ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected outlets in the bathroom. GFCIs protect people from shock hazard. Unplug small appliances when not in use.
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Kitchen • • •
Unplug counter-top appliances when not in use. Move appliance cords away from heat sources, such as the stove or range. Make sure all kitchen outlets are GFCI protected.
Don't cover an electric blanket when it is in use.
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Stay far away from downed power lines. Assume all downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Consider any object touching the lines energized as well. Install watertight covers on all outlets that protect the outlet even with a cord plugged in. Make sure all outdoor outlets are GFCI protected. Use power tools that are in good condition and do not have cracked or frayed wires. Store power tools indoors to keep them safe from water damage or excessive heat. When working outdoors, use only weather-resistant extension cords marked for outdoor use. Before digging, contact OHIO811 to have utility lines marked. The safest course of action is to leave tree trimming to the professionals, so you and your family can enjoy the safety and beauty of well-kept yard.
Whether you're working from home, learning from home, or just spending more time at home, it is important to make sure your home is electrically safe, secure, and efficient.
Bedrooms •
Keep the electrical panel free from obstructions, and make sure your hands and the floor are dry before touching the panel. Install GFCI protection in outlets located near clothes washers or wash tubs, or all outlets if it's damp. Place dehumidifiers on a stable and level surface, at least three feet from walls and other objects.
Outdoors
Bathrooms •
Make sure electric blankets are in good condition; check for cracks or breaks in electrical cords. Turn off electric blankets and heating pads when not in use.
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Pipeline Right-of-way By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations A pipeline Right-of-Way (ROW) refers to the land that surrounds a natural gas pipeline. ROWs give utilities space to inspect, test, repair and maintain their pipelines. In most cases, the ROW extends several feet from each side of the pipeline. ROW corridors have brightly colored, highly Dan McVey visible pipeline markers. These markers, however, do not indicate the depth of the pipeline and are not always located precisely over a line. A pipeline may curve or twist underground to avoid natural and/or man made objects, such as tree roots or buried cable.
employees is on your property, give us a call us at 1-800255-6815. One of our member service representatives can assist you. You can also ask to see the employee’s identification.
Who Owns What 1. Members are responsible for the repair and replacement of their gas service line. 2. The Energy Cooperative is responsible for the meter and all main pipelines. Leave at least five feet of clearance on both sides of buried pipelines, and at least three feet of clearance on all sides of the utility meter and other equipment. This clearance is necessary for our employees to safely access the equipment. Plants that are located too close to utility equipment are in danger of being removed or damaged. Utility equipment should be visible and accessible for our employees, even if we do not access it regularly. This includes clear access to your propane tank. Propane tanks need space around them for our employees to work safely. There should also be a clear path from the parked propane truck to the tank.
To set up a pipeline ROW, we have the property owner sign a formal, written agreement. This creates a utility easement. Easements are not property transfers. The landowner keeps possession of the property, and the utility is granted permission to construct and maintain the pipeline ROW. The rights and obligations of the easement automatically transfer to the new owner if/ Access to our natural gas pipelines and utility when the land sells. Easements are on file with the county equipment is paramount for us to provide you with safe or state’s public records department. Many of our pipeline and reliable energy. If you have any questions, contact easements were set up years ago. Contact your local Land our member service department at 1-800-255-6815. You Titles office if you are unsure about a pipeline ROW or can also chat with them from myenergycoop.com. wish to obtain a copy of an easement. Our employees regularly travel easements to inspect, test and maintain our natural gas pipelines. It is not uncommon to see them walking the property, with or without a vehicle. If you are unsure if one of our
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Director’s Corner
By Joanne Little, CCD, BL, District 8 Director Each spring, The Energy Cooperative participates in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how our members feel about us. The ACSI is the only national crossindustry measure of customer satisfaction in the United States. ACSI uses the data from interviews with roughly 300,000 customers (or in our case, members) as inputs Joanne Little to an econometric model for analyzing customer satisfaction with more than 400 companies in 46 industries and 10 economic sectors. The ACSI measures customer satisfaction and retention using four standardized questions. The four questions developed by the ACSI focus on overall satisfaction, confirmation of expectations, comparison to an ideal utility company, and intention to choose the utility if given a choice. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have been the gold standard and they strive to be the best in class when it comes to member satisfaction. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy
Cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million members every day. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have participated in the ACSI Monitor Program since 2011 and was the highest rated cooperative energy utility group from 2014-2018 per the ACSI Utility Sector Reports showcasing their continued commitment to the cooperative difference in action. ACSI scores provide insight to The Energy Cooperative’s value and quality in the eyes of our members and we look forward to hearing from members again this year. If you are contacted to complete a survey, please take a few minutes to share your opinions of The Energy Cooperative. If you would like to learn more about the ACSI visit www.theacsi.org.
Get to know your director Joanne is a graduate of Utica High School, Columbus Business University and Central Ohio Technical College. She was the Treasurer of Johnstown-Monroe, Newark City and Olentangy Schools. Joanne also worked at C-TEC and Licking County Education Service Center. She served as President of Ohio Association of School Business Officials, her State professional organization. After retiring, Joanne has served as Interim Treasurer and Financial Consultant for many Central Ohio school districts. Joanne has been married to her husband, Harry, since 1969. They have three children and nine grandchildren.
Congratulations Class of 2021 From all of us at The Energy Cooperative, we wish you continued success and a prosperous future.
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Community spotlight One Man's Dream The idea for an arboretum came to Beman Dawes during his youth in Marietta, Ohio, where his father’s lumber business supported the family. In 1918, Beman Dawes purchased 140 acres, south of Newark, of the old Brumback farm in Licking Township. The farm, known as “Woodland,” offered gently rolling hills and several acres of mature trees native to central Ohio. Beman felt that the farm was well situated; it was located practically in the center of the state with diversified soils and good climate for hardy trees. The Dawes Arboretum, first named Daweswood, was established in 1929 by Beman and his wife, Bertie.
The Dawes Arboretum has a history with wildlife viewing that includes recorded wildlife observations by founders Beman and Bertie Dawes. Recording wildlife observations and wildlife management continues to be a priority of The Dawes Arboretum. With the aid of volunteers, Arboretum staff continues to monitor wildlife populations and inventory wildlife species. Collaborative partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Universities are imperative to wildlife management at The Arboretum.
The Creation of Daweswood
THE DAWES ARBORETUM
The family renamed the farm “Daweswood” and the brick, half-century-old farmhouse became their country home. By this time Beman and Bertie Dawes had passed their love of nature on to their four sons and daughter. It was Beman Dawes’ aim to inspire people to plant trees. He planted trees at Daweswood, striving to obtain specimens from all over the world that would survive in central Ohio.
Wildlife at The Dawes Arboretum
The Dawes Arboretum is open 362 days every year. Hours change seasonally and Arboretum members can enjoy an exclusive hour. Non-members must purchase a ticket in advance. For more information visit dawesarb.org. Photographs and article provided by Dawes Arboretum.
Introducing The Dawes Arboretum By the time The Dawes Arboretum was founded, over 50,000 trees had been planted and the grounds had doubled in size to 293 acres. Beman and Bertie Dawes created The Arboretum as a private foundation: “To encourage the planting of forest and ornamental trees… to give pleasure to the public and education to the youth.” The Dawes Arboretum's collections include over 5300 different types of plants (taxa) with more than 15,400 plants on the grounds.
"The Energy Cooperative is proud to partner with Dawes Arboretum for the benefit our members and the greater community. We look forward to working together in 2021 and beyond."
Tree Dedicators Beman and Bertie Dawes established an endowment fund, that continues to be one of the major sources of funds for The Dawes Arboretum that now includes nearly 2,000 acres. In 1927, they began a tradition of honoring distinguished individuals and groups with living tributes in the form of trees. The Dawes Arboretum has celebrated more than 100 Tree Dedications installing a bronze plaque at the base of the tree tells you who the tree is dedicated to, who it is dedicated by, accomplishments and the date of the dedication. MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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— Gary Baker
The Energy Cooperative Director of Marketing & Public Relations
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Summer Energy Savings By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Pat McGonagle
Air conditioners keep you cool and comfortable during summer months. They also increase household energy use, which means a higher energy bill. Fortunately, there are ways to save on summer cooling costs. Here are five tips for saving energy (and money) while an air conditioner cools your home.
Bump up the thermostat before you leave the house. It is a common misconception that air conditioners use more energy when you adjust the temperature throughout the day. In fact, the energy needed to return your home to a cool temperature is roughly equal to the energy you save by turning it down. Real savings comes when you adjust the thermostat for lengthy periods of time (4-8 hours). You can also use a programmable thermostat to optimize savings and automatically adjust temperatures to your family’s schedule.
Cover the windows.
Pay attention to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures. You can save energy by setting the thermostat as close to the outdoor temperature as possible, while maintaining your family’s comfort. This is because the bigger the difference in the inside and outside temperatures, the more energy it takes to cool your home. Let’s look at energy use for someone who keeps the thermostat at 72°F. Their air conditioner requires more energy when it is 90°F outside than it does at 80°F.
More than seventy percent of sunlight on a standard double-pane window turns into heat. Use window coverings to maximize your energy savings. Close draperies on windows in direct sunlight. Selecting draperies with whiteplastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%. Cellular shades reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 80%. Outdoor window awnings reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.
Use fans and ventilation to cool your home. Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. Use the exhaust fans to remove heat and humidity from your home. Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes.
Maintain your cooling system. For maximum energy affordability, schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment. Clean or replace filters on air conditioners once a month, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Vacuum air intake vents regularly to remove dust buildup. Do not block airflow through your registers with furniture or other items. By taking a few extra steps, you can keep your energy bill in check during the hot summer months. Questions? Give us a call at 1-800-255-6815 or visit myenergycoop.com/save.
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Tree Trimming Improves Service
By Gary Glover, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Electric Operations We work hard to avoid power outages. They are disruptive for you, your neighbors and create added work for us. One important way we prevent power outages is to keep trees off power lines. We do this by proactively maintaining our right-of-way through vegetation management. Gary Glover
Right-of-way (ROW) is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair power lines. This land is often found on private property however, the cooperative has the right and responsibility to maintain it. ROW access is critical for us to keep your power on all of the time. Our right-of-way crews remove trees, branches and other obstructions that can hinder power line installation, maintenance or operation. Clearing the ROW includes cutting, mowing, and spraying 15 feet on either side of a single-phase line and 20 feet on either side of a three-phase line. It also requires we maintain a safe distance around our electric facilities. In certain situations, we use herbicides to control unwanted weeds, brush, and trees from rights-of-way. When doing so we practice precision application and use buffer zones to provide an extra measure of precaution. Vegetation management benefits our members in three important ways. It improves safety, supports reliability, and reduces overall cost.
Safety
Reliability Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and power lines cleared of hazards don’t cause outages problems. Proactive trimming keeps lines clear and promotes reliability.
Affordability As a member-owned cooperative, we strive to keep our costs in check. This extends to our approach toward vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone.
Safety is our number one priority. We know that trees touching power lines pose a grave danger to all. Our proactive approach to vegetation management reduces the chances of trees falling on power lines during severe weather events. Be sure everyone in your household knows Vegetation management helps us keep power lines clear, to stay far away from downed power lines. It is important prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability to assume a downed power line is energized and dangerous. of the grid. This also includes any objects touching the power lines.
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Plant the right tree, Trees can conduct electricity and create a safety hazard if limbs grow too close to electric lines. Power outages or flickers can occur when trees contact overhead lines. Electrical arcing from a wire to a nearby branch can cause fires. Of greatest concern is the safety risk when children climb trees near power lines. Accidental contact of electric wires with a tree limb or person around the tree could be FATAL.
40 + feet
40 feet
Do not plant within 20 feet
15 feet
20 feet
40 feet
Zone 1 - Right of Way Zone 1 is the utility easement area. Do not plant in this area. If you do, plant 20 feet away from any side of a power line. Plants of no higher than 15 feet when mature are recommended.
60 feet
Zone 2 Medium Trees Zone 2 is the area 40 feet away from any side of the power line. For this zone, a tree height of no higher than 40 feet when fully mature is recommended. 12
in the right place. Trees growing near power lines must be pruned to maintain a safe distance from the wires. If you have trees that appear to be growing into power lines, contact us at 1-800-255-6815. Never prune them yourself. Utilities have skilled professionals trained to safely trim trees for electric power line clearances. Allow at least one foot of clearance for every one foot of height the tree will reach when fully mature.
50 feet Zone 3 Tall or Large Trees
Transmission Lines
Zone 3 is the area 60 feet away from any side of the power line. For this zone, a tree height of 40 feet and higher when fully mature is allowed.
Transmission lines use much taller poles and carry much greater voltage. If your property is near a transmission line, please leave the area within 50 feet clear of any trees. 13
Attention Natural Gas Members 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.
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, The Energy Cooperative strongly recommends a DOT-qualified plumber be used for all buried gas piping.
Operation Round Up Donations The Operation Round Up Foundation donated $54,674 to the following community organizations in April 2021. • • • • • • • • • •
Knox County Head Start for a commercial freezer Knox County Task Force for older adults to purchase tokens for Eat Fresh Eat Local St Vincent dePaul Center toward a point-of-sale and security system Fostering Further toward the creation of Hope Landing Dresden Swim Team toward the starting system Licking Co Educational Service Center, Phoenix Central School toward a water bottle filling station Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center, Muskingum Valley Preschool toward purchasing supplies and equipment for classrooms Bethel Mission Inc. toward a video surveillance system Johnstown Youth Athletic Association toward improvements at Chambers Field Learning 4 Life Farm toward construction of a barn in Phase 2
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Look Up Ministries for lighting in the Look Up Center Mental Health America of Licking County for YES Club fencing Clear Fork Youth League Football for scoreboard repairs North Licking Conservation Club for Road repairs Beechwood Trails Park & Pool toward the purchase of 2 pool lifts Northridge Education Foundation toward development of The Viking Exchange store.
Thank you to all of our members who round their monthly energy bill to the next dollar. Together, we can make a big difference in our communities. To learn more about Operation Round Up Foundation, or apply for grants, visit myenergycoop.com/operation-roundup.
1936
85 Years of Service
2021
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
1500 Granville Road P.O. Box 4970 Newark, Ohio 43058-4970 1.800.255.6815
PAID
COLUMBUS, OH PERMIT NO. 608
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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 • • •
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Member service: 1.800.255.6815. Electric outages or emergencies: 1.888.535.5732. Natural gas or propane emergency: 1.800.255.6815.
Kids Day Update The Energy Cooperative will not host Kids Day at The Works this year. In place of the large event, we will partner with The Works in a new way and create Kids Day Kits. Stay tuned for details on picking up the free kits.
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.
Annual
Meeting
Streamed Live From the Midland Theater June 29th
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