Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
News for members of East Mississippi Electric Power Association
4 Smith Countian’s dream of log cabin living
14 Southern dishes
get Mexican makeover
18 Find something fun to do in Mississippi Events
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May 2018
East Mississippi Electric Power Association Louisville 662.773.5741
Meridian 601.581.8600
Quitman 601.776.6271
DeKalb 601.743.2641
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO
April entered like a freight train Saturday morning, April 14, the weathmost of the damage produced by the er looked like a full day of rain, so I didn’t storm. We did have scattered power outexpect to get anything done outside ages from just north of Louisville to the around the house. I decided to go to the lower portion of Clarke County. One office and get some needed paperwork thing I have learned through the years, completed because I had been busy all wind, trees and power lines can make for week with meetings. I noticed as I drove a challenging day. Our personnel respondinto town that the clouds were beginning ed quickly and worked tirelessly through to build and the wind was picking up a the day, and by 7 p.m. Saturday night, bit. No problem, I would be inside at the had restored power to our members. office. I grabbed a cup of coffee, plugged When these events happen, I can’t help in the computer and sat down to do some but worry about the folks that are working work. so hard to return normalcy to your CEO Randy Carroll Suddenly, the power at the office went homes. When the power goes out, adrenaoff. Again, no problem, our generator line kicks in for our front-line employees. would restore the lights, but the generator failed to start As with most things in life, adrenaline can be a good for some unknown reason. I walked to the door and thing or a bad thing. pushed it open to look outside at the generator and see if Adrenaline, unfocused, can be dangerous. Jumping I could determine why it didn’t crank. For the first time into action before assessing the situation will lead to danin my life, I heard the rumble of what I have heard othger. Through the years I’ve heard numerous stories of ers describe as a tornado. It didn’t take me very long to employees that rushed into situations that were unsafe get back inside. because they were in a hurry to restore power. Most of While we lost numerous trees at our Highway 39 the time they recognize the dangers before anything serilocation, overall EMEPA’s buildings were spared from ous happened. Line work is a very unforgiving business,
and we devote a lot of time and energy to making sure our employees are trained in the most current safety practices. As members, we only ask that you understand we must first ensure the safety of our employees and then restore the power. Adrenaline as a good thing prompts attention and provides the needed rush to address the challenge at hand. Our linemen gather the needed safety equipment, trucks and equipment required to move into the stormdamaged areas and begin doing what we do when Mother Nature knocks down our lines. They put them back up safely, efficiently and as responsive as possible. In support of the linemen working the storm, dispatchers field calls from you, our members, and warehouse personnel pull needed materials. Communication personnel post updates as often as possible on our social media sites. Depending on the size of the outage and number of areas affected, all additional personnel needed will be dispatched to assess the damage so that leaders on call can coordinate the correct personnel with the level of damage to get power restored in a timely manner. Just as we have done so many times in the past, be assured we are ready, able and dedicated to serving you, our members.
We will be closed Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend.
Visit emepa.com or call this number to report an outage.
601-581-8600
May 2018 I Today in Mississippi
COMING THIS SUMMER!
East Mississippi Electric Power Association will launch a new money-saving option for members this summer. EMEPA’s Time-of-Use (TOU) electric rate plan offers you a money-saving option for using your electric service during off-peak hours. By reducing your electric use during peak times, you have the opportunity to decrease your monthly energy costs without reducing the overall amount of electricity you use. What is a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plan? EMEPA’s TOU rate plan is based on the time of day you use electricity and our cost of supplying electricity to you during that time. If you use electricity when the total used by all EMEPA members is low (off-peak) your rate will be lower than the standard rate. On-peak hours, or electricity used during periods of high demand, will cost more than the standard rate. Why is EMEPA offering TOU rate plans? TOU rate plans provide you an opportunity to lower your electricity costs without reducing the total amount of electricity used. By shifting electricity use off-peak, we can avoid the need to build new generation plants. In addition, off-peak use will allow our current facilities to operate more efficiently, reducing your electricity costs even more. Who is eligible for a TOU rate plan? Residential and non-residential members are eligible for these rate plans (some restrictions apply). TOU rate plans are not available for temporary/seasonal accounts or accounts participating in the prepay program. How does a TOU rate plan lower my bill? When you shift electric use to periods of lower demand (off-peak), you can potentially see significant savings each year. Shifting your electric use to off-peak hours helps EMEPA avoid peak demand charges, and we can pass those saving on to you. What are the on-peak and off-peak hours for residential accounts?
South System Summer Period (April – October) On-peak: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Off-peak: All remaining hours, major holidays and weekends North System Summer Period (April – October) On-peak: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday Off-peak: All remaining hours, major holidays and weekends South System Winter Period (November – March) On-peak: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday Off-peak: All remaining hours, major holidays and weekends North System Winter Period (November – March) On-peak: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday Off-peak: All remaining hours, major holidays and weekends What kind of savings might I expect from a TOU rate plan? The dollar amount saved will vary among members based on your patterns of electricity use and kilowatt hours used. The more electricity you shift to off-peak, the more money you might save. What behaviors can I change that will help me make a difference in lowering my electric bill? The more electricity use you shift to off-peak hours, the more money you could save. Some tips for shifting the time of your use are: • Use automatic timers to run appliances such as water heaters, pool pumps, etc. during off-peak hours. • Install programmable ther-
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mostats to shift AC/heating to off-peak times. • Plug computers, printers and televisions into power strips that can be turned off when not in use during peak hours. • Do chores such as washing and drying laundry and cooking during off-peak hours. Could I end up paying more money on the TOU rate? By signing up for the TOU rate, you will likely be required to make minor adjustments to your daily routine. If you don’t adjust your energy use patterns, you could pay more. However, by shifting your energy use to off-peak hours, you will likely save. If I choose to try TOU rates, how long is my commitment? EMEPA members who sign up for a TOU rate plan are entering into an agreement for a minimum of six months. The agreement will continue until terminated by either party. Accounts disconnected for nonpayment will be removed immediately from the TOU rate plan. Once terminated, the TOU rate will not be available for members at that location for a period of 12 months. How do I sign up for the TOU plan? Once TOU officially launches this summer, you can sign up by visiting any EMEPA office and completing the TOU Rate Plan Agreement form. If you’re unable to visit one of our offices, give us a call to arrange for electronic submission of the form. What are the current TOU rate amounts? Current rates are listed at www.emepa.com. Are there any sign up fees associated with TOU rates? No, there are no initial sign up fees or charges associated with the TOU rate plan. How does my meter know which hours are onpeak and which hours are off-peak hours? EMEPA’s automated meter infrastructure system is programmed with the applicable TOU schedule and able to record kilowatt-hours for on-peak and off-peak hours at specified intervals.
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May 2018
Electric cooperatives remind members to plug into safety In May, electric cooperatives across the country promote safety awareness to coincide with National Electrical Safety Month. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards, and East Mississippi Electric Power Association, a not-forprofit electric utility, is committed to educating the public about
potential electrical dangers in the home. In 2016, 475,500 structure fires (including residential fires) were reported in the U.S., causing 2,950 deaths, 12,775 injuries and $7.9 billion in property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a residential fire was reported every 90 seconds. Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used. “It is critical that the public understands their home’s electrical system and the safety concerns associated with the latest residential technologies before bringing them into their homes,” explains Randy Carroll, CEO. “With newer technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and more electrical gadgets in the home, people need to ensure they have an electrical system that’s compatible with the increased load.” Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can all play a part in preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the future. Together, let’s plug into safety this May.
PLUG into SAFETY
May is National Electrical Safety Month
Tip of the Month
Laundry Tip: Use rubber or wool dryer balls, which help separate clothing in the cycle, providing better airflow and a shorter drying time. Wool dryer balls can help absorb moisture, which also reduces drying time. Source: energy.gov
This month, we encourage all members to take extra time to plug into safety.
#ElectricalSafetyMonth
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When is the last time you cleaned your water heater? Your water heater most likely will last for 15 years. A little attention a couple of times a year can keep it humming along the whole time. Every few months, drain about a quarter of the water from the tank. That removes any sediment and debris that has found its way to the bottom of the tank. It also will quiet the unit down so it doesn’t make as much noise when it runs. To do that, turn off the water, and connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain value. Run the water into a bucket until the water turns from cloudy to clear. Also: Move boxes, tools or whatever you store near the water tank so they’re at least two feet away from it. It’s a good idea to give the tank “breathing room.” Lower the heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees. That will reduce the risk that someone in your family will get scalded in the shower.
Annual air conditioner maintenance time is here Every spring, before the weather gets too warm, call a qualified service technician to inspect and tune-up your air conditioning unit. During this annual maintenance visit, the tech will be able to tell you if your a/c will make it through the summer or if it needs some repairs. If the unit is old, the service technician might recommend that you replace it. In addition, you can do two things on your own to make sure your a/c stays in good working order: 1. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter. If you have a reusable filter, wash it and dry it every month during the summer. If you have a disposable filter, replace it. A dirty filter can get clogged with dust and dirt, and that can restrict the air flow. That will make your system work extra-hard to cool your house, which wastes energy and can drive up your electric bill. Plus, a dirty filter can push dust back into the home, which makes the air less healthy, especially if someone in your family has allergies or asthma. 2. Keep the area around the outside of the air conditioner unit clean. Remove dirt, grass and any debris that has collected around it so those things don’t restrict its air flow. Trim shrubs away so they don’t touch it. You also should rinse your unit every now and then—but shut off the power to the unit first. A tip: Never use a power washer to clean the outdoor unit.
26 Electric Cooperatives serving over 1.8 million people in Mississippi
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Safety above all else
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May 2018
By Anne Prince “Safety” is a universal word that is mentioned often and used loosely. Communities large and small as well as companies across all industries are committed to safety. Sports leagues, at every level, take safety seriously. Unfortunately, when it really counts, steps to keep the public, workers, athletes and loved ones safe are often ignored in the interest of expediency or convenience. However, safety is a serious issue, especially when it comes to electrical safety. For East Mississippi Electric Power Association, it’s the number one priority. This is not empty talk. Over time, EMEPA has created a culture of safety by putting our employees’ safety and that of the community above all else. At its essence, EMEPA’s mission is to provide safe, affordable and reliable electricity to its member-owners. At the end of the day, we strive to deliver affordable and reliable electricity to our memberowners, but equally important, we want to return our workers home safely to their loved ones. To do this requires ongoing focus, dedication and vigilance. Following leading national safety standards Working with electricity is an inherently dangerous job, especially for lineworkers. EMEPA has a safety team whose focus is keeping employees and the community safe around electricity. We established and follow safety protocols based on leading national safety practices for the utility industry. We require our lineworkers to wear specialized equipment when working next to or with power lines. There are specific protocols that our lineworkers follow when dealing with electricity. Our safety team has regular meetings where they discuss upcoming projects from a safety perspective. They monitor and track near-misses of accidents in order to understand them, share “lessons learned” and improve in the future. As importantly, we encourage all of our crews to speak up and hold each other accountable for safety. By cultivating a culture of openness and transparency, we promote problem-solving with regard to safety, rather than defaulting to a blame game. We examine the information and data gleaned from near-misses and accident reports to discern patterns and use safety metrics to improve in those areas where we have fallen short. As appropriate, we brief contractors on
our safety protocols and set expectations for their engagement. Keeping the community safe Because we live and work in the community we serve, we care about our neighbors. We often conduct electrical safety demonstrations in schools and for community events. May is National Electrical Safety Month. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, each year thousands of people in the United States are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents and electrocution in their own homes. Many of these accidents are preventable. There is much you can do to keep yourself and your community safe around electricity. Don’t attempt electrical DIY projects or overload your outlets. Report downed power lines, unlocked substations or padmount transformers that look amiss.
Contact EMEPA for additional electrical safety tips. If you would like us to provide a safety demonstration at your school or community event, please contact our Marketing and Communication department at 601-581-8624. Be mindful when it comes to electrical safety. Pause and take the extra time to plug into safety. Anne Prince writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
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Co-op Connections Business Spotlight Each month, EMEPA spotlights local businesses that participate in the Co-op Connections Program. This month’s featured businesses are:
Free brake inspection 5214 Marion Drive EMEPA has been delivering value to our communities for more than 79 years and now we are proud to offer another member benefit – the Co-op Connections Card. Through this free program, you will receive discounts on products and services from participating local and national businesses. The card is a simple membership card that in identifying you as a member, also
qualifies you for special discounts and offers at local participating businesses. There are no sign-up or participation fees and we do not track your participation or purchases. There is no charge to you for this program. This is just one more way you benefit from being a cooperative member. To receive discounts, simply show your Co-op Connections card to any participating business.
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Phone: (601) 482-6688 Order online and get a large 2-t oppin pizza for just g
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2815 N Hills Street
Phone: (601) 483-7181
The time to prepare is
The 2018 hurricane season begins on Friday, June 1. Are you prepared to protect your family? Stop by your local EMEPA office anytime during normal business hours from Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 8 for East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s SevereWeather SafetyWeek. Pick up educational materials on preparing for hurricane season as well as other severe weather occurrences. This storm safety information, such as proper use of a generator, will better equip you to provide for and protect your family during a severe weather situation.
Severe Weather Safety Week