News for members of Coast Electric Power Association
Drivers can do more to make 4 Mississippi roadways safer
9 Outdoors Today: Back to Africa
Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
with fresh 14 Cooking Gulf Coast seafood
MHP Capt. John Poulos
10 Today in Mississippi
June 2018
Communicators: April Lollar and Merilee Sands For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com
Where our members have the power CEO’s message
Coast Electric is prepared for hurricane season June has arrived and with it comes the start of this year’s storm season. Every year, we speculate about what the upcoming hurricane season will be like – how many named storms there will be and how strong and intense the winds will get. The fact is that if there are two storms or 20, it only takes one to drastically affect our communities and cause widespread outages. While I can’t predict if a storm will come our way or not, I can promise that Coast Electric employees are prepared to respond. We are a local company that was built by and is led by people in this community. We understand what it’s like to be in the heat of the summer with no AC. The men restoring your electric service aren’t just working on lines, poles and transformers, they are lighting the homes of their families, friends and neighbors. I hope that the tropics are quiet this year but if they aren’t, you can be sure that there is a group of people working for you that understand what it’s like to be in your shoes and who will do everything they can to safely bring power to your homes and businesses. We want you to be prepared, too. The following pages Ron Barnes have lots of tips and information that will keep you and President and CEO your family safe and ready this storm season. I encourage you to take a few moments to look at this information and sit down with your family to review your plan for storm season. If you have any questions or would like any tips, please contact us at 877-769-2372 or visit www.coastepa.com and we will be happy to answer your questions about storm preparation.
COAST ELECTRIC will be closed Wednesday, July 4, in observance of
Independence Day Crews will be on call throughout the holiday and dispatchers will be on duty.
If you experience an outage, please use our free CE on the Go mobile app for instantaneous outage reporting or call us at 877-769-2372.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Watt’s up this month
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Concern for
Community: Coast Electric employees participate in community service
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Be prepared
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Mark your
calendars for the 4th annual Glow Run 4TH ANNUAL
Join US!
June 23
Concern for Community
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Fill A Bucket Coast Electric crew members visited local Walmart locations in Picayune, D’Iberville and Waveland to collect items for the annual Fill A Bucket food drives. Because of the hard work of our crews and the generosity of our members, more than 2,646 pounds of food and other materials were collected for Manna Ministries in Pearl River County, the Hancock County Food Pantry and the Salvation Army in Harrison County.
Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build Coast Electric's Power Tulles were proud to participate in Habitat for Humanity's build day for women. Coast Electric and Chemours partnered to help build a home in Gulfport.
Safety presentation at HMS Coast Electric’s safety team recently visited students at Hancock Middle School to demonstrate the importance of electrical safety. Need a presentation? Give us a call!
Dragon Boat Coast Electric’s Team High Voltage participated in this year’s Dragon Boat Race to benefit the United Way of south Mississippi. These paddlers got an arm workout paddling to support local charities!
Cooperatives are different from other businesses. Coast Electric is a not-for-profit business that is owned and led by those we serve. As someone who receives service from Coast Electric, you are a member and owner of the cooperative. For the co-op to function effectively, it takes everyone doing their part – employ-
Adopt a Highway In April, volunteers removed 39 bags of trash and debris from a 3-mile stretch of Hwy 11 in Pearl River County and 21 bags of trash and debris from a 3-mile stretch of Hwy. 603 in Hancock County. We love the communities we serve and are proud to keep them beautiful!
ees, board members and you – to work toward a common goal. Although the tasks in each department may differ, the goal is the same – to provide superior service to the people of south Mississippi. Our control center employees work 24/7/365. These dedicated employees are the ones who work with our outage management system to get vital information to crews when your power goes out. Their knowledge of our service territory and electrical distribution system means more reliable service for you. For Coast Electric to function effectively, it takes everyone doing No one wants their power to go out but when it does, their part. Control Center employees like Will Perry, above, work to provide safe, reliable electric service to members. these employees are here for you day and night.
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Are you ready for the 2018 storm season?
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Coast Electric is. Here are some of the things we do to make sure we are ready to respond if a storm comes our way.
Right-of-way clearing Making sure lines are clear in the areas just beneath and surrounding our lines is an important part of reducing outages caused by vegetation. Trees and limbs still cause outages but keeping these areas clear can mean fewer outages and faster restoration times.
Inventory When storms hit, Coast Electric must have the necessary items like lines, poles, transformers and more to restore service. Our purchasing and warehouse team keep inventory of the materials we have and ensure any materials necessary for power restoration are on standby if there are major outages.
Practice makes perfect Each year, Coast Electric staff members rehearse storm scenarios to ensure processes and procedures are clear and understood by every employee. It’s important for every employee to know their role in the restoration process. When storms hit, it’s all hands on deck at Coast Electric and employees take their responsibility to our members seriously.
Communication Communicating with employees, members and government officials is an important part of the storm restoration process. Coast Electric works to keep lines of communication open. Employees are assigned to speak to elected officials and to serve as liaisons between Coast Electric and emergency operations centers across the service area. The communications staff is dedicated to responding to members on social media outlets and communicating with local TV and radio stations and newspapers. Members can keep updated on Coast Electric's social media channels, at www.coastepa.com, by calling 877769-2372 or via the CE on the Go mobile app.
Safety
Nothing is more important than safety. When employees are working with and around high voltage electricity, it’s important that they are prepared to do so. Our highly-skilled employees receive the best training possible on a continual basis.
Technology Technology in the energy industry is always changing. Coast Electric utilizes an advanced automated metering system and gives crew members systems to communicate with operations personnel quickly for faster power restoration.
Always looking ahead Employees are always looking for ways to improve the company’s response plan. After every practice and every outage event, co-op workers examine the process and determine where improvements can be made so members like you receive the best possible service.
Did you know? When larger storms hit, Coast Electric will request assistance from other co-op crews. Depending on the severity of the storm, crews could be from neighboring cooperatives in Mississippi or from states across the country. Bringing in extra manpower to a storm-ravaged area isn’t always easy. Lots of things must be considered to keep trucks rolling and buckets in the air like food, housing and laundry. Coast Electric’s energy experts become logistical experts after storms, changing their roles temporarily to make sure crew members have what they need to safely restore electricity.
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PREPARING
for disaster in advance Every year, the U.S. is hit by many natural disasters, including snow and ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires. These types of disasters pose a significant threat to our communities and homes. The most important step you can take to keep you and your family safe is to prepare beforehand, but knowing what to do during and after the event is crucial as well. Before disaster strikes, familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that are common in your region, especially if you’re new to the area. Many of the specifics depend on what type of disaster you’re expecting, but there are several general guidelines to keep in mind as you prepare: • Water: You will need one gallon per person per day. If you assume your family of four may be stranded for a week, store a minimum of 28 gallons. • Food: Stock up on non-perishable or long shelflife items, such as wheat, soybeans, canned fruits, peanut butter, jelly and condensed soups. • First Aid Kit: Make sure your kit includes adhesive bandages (assorted sizes), antiseptic wipes, aspirin, hydrocortisone ointment, scissors and a thermometer. For a full list of suggested items, visit www.redcross.org. • Flashlights and candles: Be sure to keep extra batteries and matches (in a waterproof container) on hand. For additional guidance on emergency items to keep around the house, visit www.ready.gov/build-a-
kit. Also consider training offered by local emergency management services such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes. Some disasters occur suddenly, but many bring advance warnings, like hurricanes and winter storms. Pay special attention during the week leading up to the event for local and state government warnings and evacuation notices. Make sure every family member knows what your emergency plan is: staying or leaving, safe rooms in the house, where supplies are located, what to do if anyone is separated, and how to notify loved ones that you’re safe after the event. It’s also a good idea to know where your home’s main water and gas shutoff valves are located. While the U.S. electric grid is reliable, it is possible to lose power during a storm. The outage could be momentary or last hours or even days. If you live in an area where loss of power after a storm could be dangerous, consider purchasing a backup generator for your home. These can cost anywhere from a few hundred to few thousand dollars, depending on your needs. Be sure to test the generator before the disaster to ensure it’s operating properly. If you don’t have a backup generator and lose power, don’t panic. Most power outages in the U.S. are short and will not last more than a few hours. However, without knowing in advance how long the outage will last, it’s wise to assume and act as though it will last for days. Here are a few general tips for wise energy practices during a disaster:
• Consume perishable and refrigerated foods first before they spoil. • Pack frozen foods close together and consider freezing water bottles to eliminate any air pockets. The frozen water will help keep the food cooler longer. • Make sure you have alternative lighting sources, like candles and flashlights (with spare batteries) located throughout the home. • Keep manual tools such as a can opener on hand to replace any electronic gadgets you typically use. • Similar to filling a bathtub with water before a storm, make sure that all cell phones are fully charged. • If the disaster involves lightning, unplug all electronic devices to protect against a power surge. After the storm, be cautious when leaving your home. Listen to government warnings and use common sense when approaching any damaged buildings or fallen trees. If you see a power line that is down, always assume the wires are live and dangerous. If possible, call your local electric cooperative to report the downed power line. With a little bit of forethought, you’re highly likely to make it through a disaster without too many problems. Remember, you and your family’s safety should always come first. For more information on disaster preparedness, visit www.ready.gov.
Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30 Start thinking now about the supplies you will need to make it through an extended power outage. No doubt there are numerous other items necessary to meet the specific needs of your family. And don’t forget about pets. • Water – at least one gallon daily per person for 3-7 days • Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices – enough for each person for 3-7 days • Special food for infants or the elderly • Non-electric can opener • Cooking tools/fuel • Paper plates/plastic utensils
• Blankets/pillows, etc. • Clothing – seasonal, rain gear, sturdy shoes • Toiletries • Full tanks of gas in vehicles • First aid kit complete with prescription drugs • Flashlight/batteries • Radio – Battery operated NOAA weather radio • Cash – Banks and ATMs may
not be open after a storm • Important documents – including insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security Cards, etc. Make sure these items are stored in a water proof container.
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Even the handiest of handymen shouldn’t mess with electricity. Instead of tinkering with plugs and wires, it’s a good idea to hire a qualified, licensed electrician to do electrical work around your house. Not convinced? The Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends: I Learn as much about your home electrical system as possible so you will know how to maintain it safely. I Know your limitations. Do not start an electrical project that is beyond your skill level. Getting help from a pro could save your life and prevent a fire. I Turn off the power to the circuit that you will work on. I Unplug any appliance before you work on it. I Test wires to make sure the power has been turned off before you touch them. I Stay away from plumbing and gas pipes when you’re working on electricity.
Tip of the
Month
Keep warm summer air outside where it belongs! Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows. Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Going the Extra Mile Did you know electric cooperatives maintain more miles of power lines per consumer and acquire less revenue than other types of electric utilities?
Electric Cooperatives Number of consumers served: 8
Revenue:
$19,000 Other Electric Utilities Number of consumers served: 32
Even though they serve fewer consumers and acquire less revenue (per mile of line), electric co-ops always go the extra mile, maintaining a tried-and-true record of delivering safe, reliable electric service to the members they serve.
Revenue:
$79,000 Sources: EIA, 2016 data. Includes revenue and consumer averages per mile of line.
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