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THIS MONTH’S NEWS • Happy New Year, page 1 • Winter Storm Prep Tips, page 2 • Operation Roundup Grants, page 3 • Scholarship Deadlines, page 3 • Advanced Power Strips, page 4 • Recipe Box, Page 4
HAPPY NEW YEAR A Message from Your Chairman
W As the pandemic continues, the safety of our employees and members is at the top of our list. We will continue to take all precautions necessary to keep everyone safe while continuing to provide reliable service. The New Year brings a new administration in the White House and newly elected officials at federal, Brenda P. Green, state, and local levels. We will strive to maintain Chairman strong relationships with our elected officials and key governmental agencies to continue to provide you affordable, safe and reliable service. We encourage you to stay engaged, as well. While many things slowed down with the pandemic, the electric industry continued to evolve at a rapid pace. Technology continues to progress, both for the EMC and our members. Energy efficient solutions continue to grow inside the home and electric vehicles become more viable every year. We value the trust you place in us as energy experts and we encourage you to take advantage of the tools and solutions we provide. We continue to explore bringing internet solutions for our members. We have now completed a feasibility study and a survey of our membership. The feedback you provided was very beneficial in understanding the broadband challenges in our community and the areas with the greatest need. We are in the final stages of our decision-making process and hope to announce a decision within the next 60 days. I expect a busy, challenging and exciting year. With challenges come opportunities. The cooperative principles and the best interests of our membership will continue to guide everything we do. Whatever the future brings, Tri-County EMC’s team stands ready to serve you.
Tri-County EMC plans for disasters and maintains power line right-ofway, but even with preparation, ice storms can deal a heavy blow to our system. Now is the time to prepare for Mother Nature’s winter weather.
FLASHLIGHTS
Have flashlights with extra batteries on hand. While candles can be helpful as light sources, flashlights are the safer option.
FOOD
Stock up on non-perishable food items that do not require cooking. Remember, your electric can opener will not work without electricity. Have a manual opener on hand.
HEAT
Gather heavy clothes and blankets. If you have a working fireplace, now is the time to stock up on firewood.
WATER
For those with well service, have a case of bottled water on hand. Fill any bathtubs and extra pitchers with water as well.
AFTER THE STORM
BEFORE THE STORM
WEATHERING T H E S TO R M
KEEP AWAY FROM POWER LINES
All downed power lines should be treated as if they are live. Do not touch them and be sure to keep children and animals a safe distance away.
REPORT AN OUTAGE
Report outages and downed power lines to Tri-County EMC by calling 1.866.254.8100, using your myTCEMC mobile app, or visiting tricountyemc.com/storm-center.cms on your mobile phone or tablet.
WATCH FOR UPDATES
Listen to local radio stations, sign up for alerts from your Emergency Managment Agency and visit the outage viewer on tri-countyemc.com to check power outages in your area.
BE SAFE
Do not use a grill in an enclosed area. Keep candles away from furniture, draperies and flammable materials. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
INFORMATION
Keep a battery-powered radio on a local station to get weather and outage updates. Be sure to charge all cell phones before the storm hits. Have a car phone charger in case you need to recharge your phone. Sign up for alerts from your local Emergency Management Agency.
MEDICAL
Have a first aid kit and several days of prescriptions handy. Those who depend on electricity for medical devices may need to move to another location until power is restored.
KEEP THE FRIDGE CLOSED
Do not open freezers and refrigerators more than necessary. A refrigerator can hold its temperature for about 4 hours, and the freezer for about 48 hours, if the doors are left closed.
HAVE PATIENCE
Our first priority when the power goes out is safely getting power restored to members and our linemen will work until the job is complete. We appreciate your patience as we work to get power back to you as
quickly as possible.
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TRI-COUNTY EMC FOUNDATION GRANTS $21,000 IN DECEMBER
In December 2020, the Tri-County EMC Foundation Board approved grants for 8 projects, totaling $21,256.17 in Operation Roundup funds, to benefit organizations or individuals in local communities. BALDWIN COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE: $2,581 to purchase CPR mannequins and an AED Training System for community classes BRAVE MEADOWS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER: $1,000 to provide therapeutic riding lessons for individuals with disabilities FRIENDS OF MORGAN COUNTY LIBRARY: $1,500 to purchase library and programming materials for patrons JASPER COUNTY FOOD BANK: $3,000 to purchase food for a food bank serving Jasper and Putnam Counties
JONES COUNTY DEPT. OF FIRE AND RESCUE: $1,800 to purchase a rescue saw to be used in extrication, forcible entry and ventilation in on-ground fire operations NORTHRIDGE CHRISTIAN CHURCH RAMP MINISTRY: $8,454.97 to construct wheelchair ramps for three individuals with mobility and health issues in Baldwin County THE GEORGIA PARENTING PROJECT: $1,000 to purchase food for a food bank in Putnam County
Baldwin County Fire & Rescue received an Operation Roundup Grant to purchase CPR mannequins and an AED Training kit to provide community training classes.
ZION COVENANT FELLOWSHIP: $1,920.20 to make home repairs for an individual in need in Putnam County
ABOUT OPERATION ROUNDUP
Operation Roundup is funded by voluntary contributions from Tri-County members to the Tri-County EMC Foundation. Participants have their monthly bill rounded up to the next dollar, with that surplus amount going to fund Operation Roundup. Any charitable or government institution, civic organization or other non-profit group located within Tri-County’s eight county service area are eligible to receive funding. Applications must be for special needs or projects. Applications can be found on our website at tri-countyemc.com/operation-round-up.cms or mailed upon request by calling 478.986.8126. The next deadline is March 1, 2021. (200433001)
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES Tri-County EMC will award $10,000 in scholarships to students with a primary residence in our service area this year. Visit us at www.tri-countyemc.com/scholarships-overview.cms to learn more or to apply.
ACCOUNTNUMBER
• Walter Harrison Scholarship: Applications Due February 1 • Operation Roundup Scholarship: Applications Due April 15 • Cooperative Scholarship: Applications Due April 15
Did you find your Tri-County EMC account number? Three random account numbers are hidden in each issue of Current Lines. Find your complete account number inside parentheses in this issue of Current Lines for a $50 bill credit. Call us at 478.986.8126 to claim your credit.
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RECIPE BOX GEORGIA CANE SYRUP-GLAZED ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS INGREDIENTS • • • • •
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved, with loose leaves 2 tablespoons pecan oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup pure cane syrup, maple syrup or molasses 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans, optional
DIRECTIONS
SAVE ENERGY WITH ADVANCED POWER STRIPS Upgrade to Advanced Power Strips for Energy Savings If making your home more energy efficient is on your list of resolutions this year, consider replacing your standard power strips with advanced power strips to save energy. Advanced power strips look like ordinary power strips, but they have built-in features that are designed to reduce the amount of energy used by standby electronics that consume energy even when they’re not in use. This concept is known as phantom load - and is the electric equivalent of a leaky faucet. With an advanced power strip, you designate one device as the “control”. For example, if you designate your TV as your control, the AppleTV, the DVD Player and gaming system that are also plugged into that strip are automatically powered off when you turn off the TV.
Photo Courtesy of Tricklestar.com
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with pecan oil, salt and pepper. Set bowl aside.
Small changes can add up quickly when it comes to energy efficiency. An advanced power strip is one easy way to make an impact on your energy usage with minimal impact on your lifestyle.
Choose a rimmed baking sheet large enough to accommodate the sprouts in one layer. Arrange Brussels sprouts on baking sheet. Roast sprouts for 20 minutes, tossing halfway through the baking time, until the smaller leaves are crisp and the sprouts are beginning to brown in places.
Fore more energy efficient tips, visit www.tri-countyemc.com/energy-savingtips.cms or visit www.energy.gov. (62990001)
WANT TO SAVE ENERGY?
Visit tri-countyemc.com/energy-saving-tips.cms for simple ways to conserve energy in your home. If you want to take savings a step further, there you can also find our online energy calculators and online energy audit.
Place syrup in a medium-size, microwavesafe dish and heat for 1 minute. Remove sprouts from the oven. Carefully transfer sprouts to the bowl, and toss with the hot syrup to coat them. Return Brussels sprouts to the pan and roast for 10 minutes more. Remove sprouts from oven and arrange on a serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped pecans, if using. Serve immediately. Serves 8.
This recipe is courtesy of Georgia Grown. Did you know your recipe is worth $20 if chosen? Send your best recipes to kimb@tri-countyemc. com or mail to P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA 31032.
Ray Grinberg, CEO
Owned By Those We Serve P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 www.tri-countyemc.com *Tri-County EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer*
Board of Directors Brenda P. Green, Chairman Sammy Hall, Vice-Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer George “Buck” Comer, Dan Greene, Chap Nelson, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike Rainey
CURRENTLINES
Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members