current lines March 2015
A monthly publication for Tri-County EMC members
In this issue:
Spring Cleaning
Scholarships, Earth Day
page 1
page 2
Statement of Nondiscrimination, Green Power page 3
Raffle, Recipe Box page 4
Spring Cleaning Inspect Your Attic
With longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, spring is the perfect time to inspect your attic for proper insulation. During summer, attic temperatures can quickly rise to above 100 degrees, making it an uncomfortable and unsafe workplace for any lengthy period of time. Follow these steps to make sure your attic is properly sealed, and your conditioned air is not being wasted.
1) Inspect your attic for disconnected or damaged ducts
If your home is not heating or cooling properly, your ductwork would be the source of the problem. If your ducts are disconnected or damaged so that air can escape, you could be paying to condition the air in the attic. A disconnected duct is easy to spot and repair with duct ties or mastic duct sealant.
2) Look for light
If all doors to the attic are closed, you should still be able to see light. This confirms the proper attic ventilation is present. Light and air should travel through soffit vents, gable vents, continuous ridge vents and mushroom vents, so be sure to remove any objects that may be blocking air flow.
3) Check to see that bathroom exhaust fans are operating correctly
Bathroom exhaust fans play a critical role in maintaining the indoor air quality of the home. The fan’s primary role is to move the humid air from inside the bathroom to outside the home. Bathroom exhaust fans pull moist air up and should exhaust to the outside, often through a soffit vent or eave vent hood.
4) Ensure that insulation batting has not been pulled away from the wall.
Over time, your attic’s insulation batting can work itself away from the wall. During projects, insulation is often thrown aside and not replaced before completing the job. Insulation should be flush with the wall in order for it to be most efficient.
5) Seal around the attic door
hatch cover
Air can easily escape through your attic hatch door if it is not sealed properly. If you can feel air coming through the edges of the door, some self-adhesive weather stripping may be helpful for you. For those feeling very ambitious, an attic hatch door cover, shown to the right, can be constructed to better stop air flow from the attic into the home. For more information on how to better insulate your attic and other energy saving tips, contact our Energy Services Department at 1.866.254.8100.
insulation
Scholarship Deadlines Drawing Near As part of Tri-County EMC’s commitment to our local community, each year we offer a number of leadership and scholarship opportunities to area youth. Applications for the following scholarships are due on April 15, 2014.
Operation Roundup Scholarship
Cooperative In Memory Scholarship Jane Haddock Each spring, Tri-County EMC awards three $2,000 Cooperative scholarships to students residing within the cooperative’s service area. One scholarship is awarded in each of the three Tri-County board districts. Applications are judged by an outside panel of education professionals based equally on academics, financial need and community involvement. High school seniors and nontraditional undergraduate students are eligible to apply. This year, the scholarship is given in memory of Miss Jane Haddock of Jones County - a longtime educator and friend of the cooperative. Applications are available by mail upon request or may be downloaded at www.tricountyemc.com. Applications must be received by April 15.
In addition to funding community grants, the Tri-County EMC Foundation offers scholarof ships to undergraduate and graduate students (with preference given to non-traditional students), to help pay their college costs. Through Operation Roundup, a total of $4,000 is awarded annually to students residing in the homes of Tri-County EMC members. The applicant must be enrolled in any U.S. accredited college or university and have maintained at least a 2.0 average. Applications are available by mail upon request or may be downloaded at www.tri-countyemc.com. Applications are due April 15 and October15 of each year. (68789001)
For more information on these and other scholarship opportunities, visit www.tri-countyemc.com or contact Kim Bonner at 478.986.8126 or kimb@tri-coutnyemc.com.
Celebrate Earth Day with Tri-County EMC
L
ower your bill, conserve energy and make a difference in the environment! Stop by Tri-County EMC Gray and Eatonton offices on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,to pick up a free CFL, enjoy refreshments and to learn more about No Sweat, GreenPower EMC and energy conservation. (23544002)
Did you know? It’s time for spring cleaning! Cleaning your air filters regularly can allow your air conditioner or heat pump to run more efficiently.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
T
ri-County EMC is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities. (51361001)
Did you find your account number?
The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is C. Hill Bentley, CEO. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or fi le a written complaint with this organization; or the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.
Find your complete account number in this issue of Current Lines and win a $50 bill credit. Call 478.986.8126 to claim your bill credit.
Green Power is Green-e Energy
G
reen Power EMC received Green-E EnergyTM certification October 25, 2008 for its “Green Power EMC Green Power Program.” Green Power EMC sources renewable energy generated at its biomass landfill projects. Green-e Energy protects the consumer by verifying that the EMC meets high environmental and consumer standards.
The certification was performed by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS). CRS is a national nonprofit organization with global impact that builds policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions and energy efficiency to foster healthy and sustained growth in national and international markets. Members can sign up to purchase green power or find more information at www.tri-countyemc.com/greenpower.da or by calling 1.866.254.8100.
YETI Cooler Raffle to benefit the American Cancer Society About the Cooler: YETI Tundra 65 qt. Cooler White, Includes 1 Basket
Name:_________________________________ Phone Number:_________________________
Raffle to Benefit American Cancer Society In order to support Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society, Tri-County EMC is raffling off a 65 qt. YETITM Cooler. 100% of proceeds raised will benefit the American Cancer Society. To purchase a ticket, please complete the form shown and mail back to Tri-County EMC with your money enclosed. Tickets can also be purchased at the Gray office. Checks are acceptable and can be made to the American Cancer Society. The last day to purchase tickets is May 14. The winner will be announced on Tri-County EMC’s Facebook page on May 15. The winner will also be notified by phone.
# of Raffle Tickets Purchased:____________ Pricing: 1 ticket for $1, 15 tickets for $10 No limit on the amount of tickets purchased. Return Ticket to Tri-County EMC
Checks Payable to American Cancer Society Winner Announced May 15, 2015
About the Cooler: YETI Tundra 65 qt. Cooler , White, Includes 1 Basket
Recipe Box Veggie Bake Thanks to Diane Pierce for submitting this recipe. 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.
Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • •
1 small crown of broccoli separated into florets 2 small zucchinis - sliced 2 small yellow squash - sliced 1 medium onion - sliced 2 14-oz cans diced tomatoes (Drain 1 can well) 1 10-oz. bag fresh baby spinach 1 can white kidney or pinto beans - drained and rinsed 2 small boxes corn muffin mix prepared as directed on package (do not bake) Italian seasoning salt & pepper olive oil 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 FAX 478.986.4733 www.tri-countyemc.com
Directions:
Sauté broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, tomatoes, beans, and seasoning to taste in olive oil. Add spinach until wilted. Pour veggie mix into a baking dish and top with cheese. Spread muffin mix batter over top. Bake uncovered on 400 degrees for approx 20-25 min or until cornbread is done. Serves 4-6.
C. Hill Bentley, CEO
Board of Directors Tom Thompson Jr., Chairman Brenda P. Green, Vice Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer Dan Greene, Sammy Hall, Chester Mercer, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike S. Rainey III
current lines Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members Kim Bonner, Editor Communications Specialist