TIMES NOVEMBER & DECEMBER • 2020
Warm your home this winter Simple tips to keep cold weather outside
pg. 6
Also in this issue Electrical Safety at home, Pg 4 A Smarter Electric Grid, pg 8 Cooperative History, Pg 10 Cybersecurity safety, pg 12
ELECTRIC • NATURAL GAS • PROPANE 1
1500 Granville Road Newark, Ohio 43058 1.800.255.6815
myenergycoop.com Todd Ware President & CEO 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 bimonthly communication link between The Energy Cooperative, based in Newark, Ohio, and its 65,500 members.
In this issue President’s Message
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Electrical safety at Home
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Director's Corner
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Warm your home this winter
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A smarter electric grid
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Look at the time 10 cybersecurity safety 12 Co-Op month word search 15
President’s Message By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer The Energy Cooperative was born when neighbors worked together to bring electricity to our communities. When investor-owned utilities bypassed rural areas, opting instead to build in more highly populated areas, people across the United States decided to take matters into their own hands. In 1936, a group of farmers in Todd Ware Knox and Licking Counties organized to take advantage of low-cost loans offered by the Rural Electrification Act. They canvassed the area to find farmers and rural residents willing to help build power lines. Their efforts were successful and Licking Rural Electrification (LRE) was born. LRE, known today as The Energy Cooperative, was built by our community for our community. The Energy Cooperative has grown from 410 members in 1936 to more than 65,500 today. While we started out providing only electricity, we’ve grown to support the needs of our members. We provide electricity to 26,000 members, natural gas service to 36,000 members, and propane to 4,500 members. As residential and commercial development continues to grow, especially in western
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Licking County, we receive calls for new services every day. Since 1936, our directors and employees have worked hard to see the communities we serve succeed. Why? The answer is simple: cooperative employees are your friends and neighbors. That is the essence of the seventh cooperative principle, Concern for Community, one of seven guidelines that govern cooperative operations. We work to strengthen our communities by supporting them. We help members and their neighbors in need by sponsoring community and school events, donating to community organizations, supporting first responders, and giving back to non-profit organizations. As we look toward the future, The Energy Cooperative will continue to explore new ways to help our members and our communities. We continue to hear from our members every day. As always, we welcome your participation as we plan for 2021. I recognize the spirit that helped create this cooperative must continue today. While times and technology continue to change, our commitment to you will not. When it comes to The Energy Cooperative, providing safe and reliable energy comes first followed by a very close second - commitment to our community. That’s the cooperative difference.
Electrical safety at home By Connie Hogue, Director of Human Resources and Safety Inspect heating pads and electric blankets
It is no surprise that winter months bring increased potential for fire risks and electrical safety hazards. This makes sense because during the coldest months, we all use more electrical devices and appliances, like space heaters, electric blankets, and portable generators.
These items cause nearly 500 fires every year. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old create added risk for a fire hazard. Inspect your electric blankets and heating pads – look for dark, charred, or frayed spots, and make sure the electrical cord is not damaged. Do not place any items on top of a heating pad or electric blanket, and never fold them when in use.
Use portable generators safely Unfortunately, winter storms can cause prolonged power outages, which means members will use portable generators to power their homes. Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. For portable generators, plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator. Start the generator first, before you plug in appliances. Run it in a well-ventilated area outside your home. The carbon monoxide it generates is deadly, so keep it away from your garage, doors, windows, and vents.
Connie Hogue
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that 47,700 home fires occur each year in the U.S. due to electrical failure or malfunction. These fires result in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries and $1.4 billion in property damage annually. Safeguard your loved ones and your home this winter with these electrical safety tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
Do not overload outlets Overloaded outlets are a major cause of residential fires. Avoid using extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliance connections. Plug cords directly into a wall outlet. If you are relying heavily on extension cords in general, you may need additional outlets to address your needs. Contact a qualified electrician to inspect your home and add new outlets.
Check Old Appliances Older appliances are more likely to have loose or damaged wiring, which means they’re more likely to catch fire. Check older appliances for damage and determine if it’s time to upgrade or replace. Also check to ensure you’re using appliance-grade outlets. A qualified electrician can help with installation.
Never leave space heaters unattended If you use a space heater, turn if off before leaving the room. Place heaters at least three feet away from any items. Also, remember that space heaters take a toll on your energy bills. If you are using space heaters throughout your home, it may be time to upgrade your home heating system.
MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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Director’s Corner By Tom Graham, CCD, BL District 9 Director
Tom Graham
Who would have thought 15 years ago when YouTube and Facebook were invented that social media would have the impact it does today? From the way we communicate with family and friends, to the way news and business information is transmitted, social media impacts almost all of us.
The Energy Cooperative has actively used social media for over 10 years, as a means of offering information to its members. Benchmarks for social media use for electric cooperatives puts the average number of “followers” at 12% of their total membership. The Energy Cooperative’s Facebook page currently engages 24% of our membership, which equates to over 15,000 followers. The Cooperative uses social media as a timely method of keeping its members up to date on important activities, news, and outage information. Another feature of “social” media is the fact that it allows back and forth communication with you the members. The Cooperative also utilizes other social media platforms to share information. We also realize that not everyone uses social media. That's why we continue to publish this bi-monthly newsletter. The newsletter is available digitally on myenergycoop.com.
In the beginning, as this “new” form of communication appeared, both individuals and businesses questioned its usefulness and effectiveness. Many wondered if it would really catch on. Currently there are more than a dozen social media platforms to choose from. Over 45% of the population using at least one of them and over 90% of those users doing so on mobile devices! Within those users 90% are millennials, 77% Gen Xers, and 48% are Baby Boomers. Approximately 73% of businesses believe that using social media has a significant effect on their business.
Whether you take part in social media or not, it is a communication tool that is here to stay. And with this tool the management and staff at The Energy Cooperative will continue to offer information that we hope improves your knowledge of the cooperative. Please search for The Energy Cooperative on your favorite social media platform and give us a “like” and a “follow!”
My introduction to social media came in 2010 from a foreign exchange student our family was hosting. I became very intrigued and interested in what kind of uses it would have. Over the last 10 years I have become comfortable with social media and actively use three or four different platforms. My main interest (other than for family sharing) was to learn, collaborate and educate others about agriculture. One activity I am particularly proud of is partnering with Ohio Pork in hosting virtual tours of our farm’s pork production facility to classrooms throughout the state. Through the internet and social media, we can bring hundreds of students into the barn at a time and teach them things about agriculture that few would ever otherwise experience.
Get to Know Your Director Tom Graham was elected to the board in 2009. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the National Gas & Oil Cooperative and National Gas & Oil Transmission Boards. He is also a member of the Operation Round Up Foundation Board. Tom lives in Jackson Twp, Muskingum County, where he farms corn, soybean, wheat, hay and raises cattle and hogs in partnership with his family. He is the past director of the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Districts and served on the Ohio Farm Bureau State Young Farmers Committee. Tom and his wife Sue have three children and four grandchildren.
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Warm your home this winter Simple tips to keep cold weather outside
MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer – Gas Operations Closed or blocked vents
While our members use natural gas and propane year-round, we typically see the use increase during winter months. A large difference between the inside and outside temperature requires more energy to maintain a desired temperature. This increase in energy use means higher Dan McVey utility bills. We want to help you maximize this investment. From simple solutions to larger projects, here are ways to ensure your home stays warm during the coldest time of the year.
Do you have rooms in your house that are too cold or too hot? Make sure all supply and return air vents are open and not covered by furniture or rugs. Closed or covered vents restrict airflow, reducing comfort and heating system efficiency.
Replace or retrofit your furnace If your furnace is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it. Newer models come with built-in safeguards, such as supply-air temperature limit controls, electronic flame sensors, and blower-proving switches. Furnaces can also integrate with advanced control systems for single-point monitoring of a wide range of household operations.
Change your furnace filter regularly
If your furnace is not that old, targeted retrofits can significantly increase energy savings. Your best options include the following improvements: • Install vent dampers, which prevent loss of heat by closing the vent when not firing • Downsize the burners if the furnace is oversized for your home • Install efficient burners to improve fuel combustion and reduce emissions • Upgrade to a programmable thermostat, allowing for automatic temperature adjustments • Add an in-duct humidifier, which makes occupants feel warmer by increasing relative humidity during the winter
Dirty filters make your system work harder to get heated air into your living space and can cause damage to system components. Change your furnace filter at the beginning of the heating season and regularly thereafter according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
Inspect windows and doors for air leaks Air escaping from your home makes your heating system work harder (and your family less comfortable). Check for gaps around exterior doors and windows, as well as wiring or piping holes in your attic and/or basement walls. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, you can likely feel cold air coming inside. Seal any gaps with caulk, weatherstripping or expandable foam.
Improved operation and maintenance of your heating system saves energy and saves your money on your heating bill. If you have not already, consider an annual tune-up and a preventive maintenance program to achieve and sustain savings.
Warm air also leaks out of gaps and cracks in the rim joists, where the wall meets the ceiling, as well as plumbing and wiring holes on outside walls. Caulk is best for sealing gaps or cracks that are one-quarter inch or smaller. Use spray foam insulation to fill gaps up to three inches. Fill larger gaps by cutting and stuffing pieces of insulation.
Consider an energy audit We have a qualified energy adviser who can perform an energy assessment of your home. During this process, you will receive recommendations to improve the efficiency of your home and make it more comfortable year-round.
Insulation A well-insulated basement reduces heating costs, and make your living space more comfortable. A variety of insulation types are available. Fiberglass batt insulation is an excellent choice for unfinished basements, while blow-in products are good for a finished space. Consult a local insulation contractor to help you find the best type of insulation for your home.
Contact Us If you are interested in an energy audit, or would like to discuss ways you can save energy, call us at 1-800-2556815. 7
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A smarter electric grid
By Gary Glover, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer – Electric Operations Our poles and wires have been running alongside the highway for years. While they might look the same, those iconic poles and wires are now part of a “smart grid” that can be operated using software and automation. For electric cooperatives, the “digitalization” of electric infrastructure kicked into high gear in 2013 when the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded technology research at 23 electric cooperatives across the Gary Glover country. That partnership evolved into a robust research program exploring everything from drones and smart solar inverters to cybersecurity training and carbon capture technology. This investment in a smarter electric grid benefits both the cooperative and it's membership. Here are four ways you benefit from a smarter electric grid.
Improved restoration Times In certain situations, smart feeder switching can re-route power around problems such as downed power lines, which can reduce the number of people affected by an outage.
Cost savings from increased efficiency Many of the new technologies improve the efficiency of cooperative operations—from reducing the amount of electricity lost in transmission to reducing the need for dispatching crews.
Improved safety The data from smart technologies provide utility operators a more detailed view of what is happening on the electric system. Cooperatives have found this data helps find electrical hazards faster.
the power to save Our upgraded meters supply hourly data about the electricity you use. This information can help you better manage and take control of your energy usage. Armed with this data, our member service representatives now have more information to help you address billing inquiries. MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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Partners in Innovation The research partnership between electric cooperatives and the U.S. DOE, including the national laboratories, has enabled cooperatives nationwide to increase their total solar energy capacity, install cutting-edge batteries for energy storage and microgrids, develop data analytics tools and find new ways to capture emissions from coal and natural gas power plants. This partnership gives electric cooperatives in some of the most remote regions of the country access to an amazing network of researchers, including researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University and the University of California at Berkley. In exchange, the researchers can see how these new technologies operate in the real-world. The next time you are driving down a long highway and you see poles and wires stretching into the far distance, know there is more to that system than meets the eye. While the electricity in your home powers the toaster just as it always did, that electricity is more efficient, more reliable, and safer thanks to innovation made possible by cooperation.
Monitoring the Line for Reliability
Electric co-ops use a variety of monitoring and automation technologies that improve power reliability, shorten outage times and reduce labor time for crews. Here are four technologies we use to improve reliability.
Drones
Drones may be used to inspect the power lines we maintain. Drones can provide infrared evaluation to locate hot spots on power lines and vegetation assessment to locate trees and other vegetation that can cause outages.
Power Sensors
Power sensors typically clamp on or connect to the power line and provide near real-time reporting on power, voltage, current and more – all of which helps to provide more reliable energy to consumer-members.
AMI
Reclosers
(Antenna)
Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) provides real-time data to the co-op. In addition to meter reading, this data helps us detect faults and other potential problems on the electrical system, resulting in increased power reliability for consumer-members. 9
A recloser acts like a circuit breaker for power lines. When a problem occurs, the recloser temporarily shuts off power. If the problem is temporary, the recloser restores power. (This is why you sometimes see the power blink.) If the problem persists, the recloser will shut off power until a crew can make repairs. The recloser’s antenna provides wireless, real-time data back to the co-op.
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Look At The Time By Gary Baker, Director of Marketing & Public Relations Can you imagine having to wait an hour, a day, a week, even a month to see the photographs taken today with your mobile phone? Long before digital photography, people took photos with a manual, mechanical camera. The photographer took the photos, removed the photographic film from the camera, and took them to a darkroom. They washed the Gary Baker photos in chemicals and water, rinsed them, and left them to dry. The image slowly revealed during this process. This action, called processing or film development, took a considerable amount of time. In contrast, if it took thirty seconds to see photos taken on our phone, we would likely think something was wrong and search for a new phone. Charles Dillon Dunlap was the first General Manager of Licking Rural Electrification (LRE), who happened to also be a photographer. He was a farmer, a father, a husband, and community advocate of this cooperative. I recently had a zoom call with his daughter, Louella and sons Charles and Lee to hear stories of their father and the cooperative.
MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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Charles, known as Dillon, and his wife Thelma were active in starting Licking Rural Electrification in 1936. On May 20, 1935, Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act that allowed the federal government to make low-cost loans to farmers who had banded together to create non-profit cooperatives for the purpose of bringing electricity to rural America. The funding was channeled to cooperative electric power companies, hundreds of which still exist today. The Charles McKinney residence, two miles south of Piqua, was the first energized by Ohio cooperatives on June 15, 1935. Dillion served on the original committee that organized local farmers to secure the funding needed to start Licking Rural Electrification. He served as General Manager of LRE from 1936-1965. The offices were in downtown Utica, where Dillon displayed many of his photographs. Louella remembers sitting on the secretary’s desk chair spinning around and playing with the Rolodex. “One of the fascinating things to me was the trucks drove under the building and parked in an underground garage,” said Louella. Dillon and Thelma, a school teacher, produced the first magazine for the cooperative, “Flashes”. They drafted the articles, took the photographs, and printed the magazine themselves. Dillon was very influential in communicating
the mission and principles of the cooperative. He went on to play a key role in the production of the statewide publication, the Rural Electric Digest.
Meter Dep art
ment, 1958
In 1959, LRE built a new facility on State Route 13, south of Utica. Dillon and a fellow cooperative employee, Russell Reiter, designed a photography dark room in the new office. Dillon processed and developed hundreds of photographs in this dark room during his time at LRE. The facilities’ pole yard and offices still serve The Energy Cooperative today, as the Utica Service Center. Annual
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If you can help us identify people in the photos , please send an email to pr@theenergycoop.com.
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Cybersecurity safety By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Let’s face it: in today’s world, the cybersecurity threats facing our nation can seem overwhelming – and downright scary. Cybersecurity, specifically the protection and security of members’ assets and the nation’s complex, interconnected network of power plants, transmission lines and distribution Pat McGonagle facilities is a top priority for electric cooperatives and other segments of the utility industry. The Energy Cooperative participates in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) each October. By raising awareness and understanding of basic cybersecurity practices, we can all work together to combat cyber threats.
Tip #4 - Practice good password management • •
Tip #5 - Be careful what you click •
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Tip #1 - You are a target to hackers
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Don’t ever say, "It won't happen to me." We are all at risk and the stakes are high - both for your personal and financial well-being.
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Installing software updates for your operating system and programs is critical. Always install the latest security updates for your devices.
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Tip #3 - Avoid Phishing scams •
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Phishing scams are a constant threat to trick you into divulging personal information such as your login ID and password, banking or credit card information. Phishing scams can be carried out by phone, text, or through social networking sites - but most commonly by email. Be suspicious of emails or phone calls asking for personal or financial information.
MYENERGYCOOP.COM
The physical security of your devices is just as important as their technical security. If you need to leave your laptop, phone, or tablet for any length of time - lock it up so no one else can use it. For desktop computers, lock your screen or shutdown the system when not in use.
Tip #7 - Use mobile devices safely
Tip #2 - Keep software up to date •
Avoid visiting unknown websites or downloading software from untrusted sources. These sites often host malware that will automatically install (often silently) and compromise your computer. If attachments or links in the email are unexpected or suspicious for any reason don't click on it.
Tip #6 - Never leave devices unattended
You have a role to play in ensuring the security of your personal and professional data. Use the tips below to safeguard your devices:
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We all have too many passwords to manage - and it's easy to take short-cuts, like reusing the same password. A password manager can help you to maintain strong unique passwords for all of your accounts
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Lock your device with a PIN or password - and never leave it unprotected in public. Only install apps from trusted sources (Apple App Store Google Play). Keep the device's operating system up to date. Do not click on links or attachments from unsolicited emails or texts. Avoid transmitting or storing personal information on the device.
We hope you will join us in raising cybersecurity awareness. Practicing effective preventive controls will minimize the probability that your data will be breached but it is always good practice to remember that you are the first line of defense against cybersecurity threats.
T hank you Operation Round Up Members !
The Energy Cooperative Operation Round Up Foundation has donated nearly $3.5 million to community groups and organizations. Many of our members round up their energy bills to help their community. Operation Round Up grants are awarded to community groups or organizations that serve people living in our member communities. We would like to thank our members for making an overwhelming difference in their communities through their generosity and support of the Operation Round Up program. To learn more about Operation Round Up Foundation, or apply for grants, visit myenergycoop. com/operation-roundup.
Do you know an organization who could benefit from an Operation Round Up Grant?
The Operation Round up Foundation
The Operation Round Up Foundation awarded $22,331 in October to the following community organizations.
Application materials need to be received ten days prior to the meeting date for consideration at that meeting, The remaining meeting date for 2020 is Dec 1.
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2020 Bruce Sumner Memorial Golf Outing to Benefit the Operation Round up foundation
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The Salvation Army Newark for coat drive Mount Vernon's East Elementary School toward library books Hospice of Central Ohio toward mattresses Tri-Valley High School Swim Boosters for swimming gear Utica Area Foundation toward library ramp Northridge Youth Athletic Association toward tractor.
Bruce Sumner was incredibly dedicated to Operation Round Up and the Round Up Golf Outing. Bruce’s signature and favorite phrase often heard in the halls of the offices, “Happy Monday.” While a very different event in 2020, this year's outing raised $13,522.63for the Operation Round Up Foundation.
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Director Featured in Ohio Cooperative Living
Ohio Cooperative Living magazine featured one of our Directors, Tom Graham, in the article, YouTube Sensations. Graham is part of the Ohio Pork Council’s virtual pig farm field trip program. He hosts virtual field trips at his farm near Frazeysburg. You can see one of his virtual tours on the Ohio Pork Council’s YouTube channel. To read the article, visit ohiocoopliving.com/youtube-sensations. We would like to thank Ohio Electric Cooperatives for sharing the photos with us. The photographs were taken by Damaine Vonada, who also wrote the article for Ohio Cooperative Living.
Tom and Sue Graham
The Energy Cooperative Director, Tom Graham
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. MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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. 14
WINTER WONDERLAND WORD SEARCH Can you find all the words associated with winter in the puzzle below? Use the word bank to check your work.
E P P X P N R L W Z C P B I Y
M K B W B L C O A I X H P Z F
C E A E C A L P E R I F I W E
C A V L N F C C H Y R O P Q U
G R I H F Y E S D L Q Y C F H
WINTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP:
H M S S G W N X N L H V O H Z
S U I E O O O M S I C S O E V
L F I T W Q T N M H Z I Y V D
B F E B T E Y I S C L W J F N
N S A W K E G D A O C O C M L
F L X N I Z N Y Z U A H D D W
L R A D I G E S C J X O A S R
L L A I C I C L E S W C J P B
B K K C B C V I B K W S Y S Q
WORD BANK: • • • • •
Instead of turning up the heat in your home, wear an extra layer of clothing or get cozy under your favorite blanket! 15
snowflake mittens scarf snowball chilly
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icicles cocoa earmuffs fireplace blanket
L L L U S R U H R W L M L P F
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 • • •
Member service: 1.800.255.6815. Electric outages or emergencies: 1.888.535.5732. Natural gas or propane emergency: 1.800.255.6815.
• • •
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 us at 1.800.255.6815. Assume every downed power line is energized and dangerous. Consider any object touching lines energized as well.
Do you know how to recognize a gas leak? 1. To help you SMELL a leak from a gas line or appliance, a familiar odor like rotten eggs is added to our natural gas and propane gas. 2. Near a gas leak, you might SEE blowing dirt, bubbling water, or an unusual area of dead vegetation. 3. A leaking pipeline might make a hissing sound you can HEAR.
Questions? The Energy Cooperative • 1.800.255.6815 • myenergycoop.com