Louisiana Country, Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative, March 2026

Louisiana

ETREYS

Reconnecting youth through leadership and community Page 18

With its innovative design, modern comforts, and guest-focused philosophy, American Encore is not just a riverboat, it’s the finest expression of American river cruising ever built. Designed to host just 180 guests, American Encore features more square feet per guest than any other small cruise ship with the largest staterooms globally. Small Ship Cruising Done

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COMMUNICATIONS

Conley Bourgeois,

ACCOUNTING

Beth Fraser

Board of Directors

President Michael Heinen

Vice President Roger Dale DeHart

Secretary/Treasurer Richard Sitman

Mike

Mike

Daniel

WIred for growth

Balancing data center demand and reliability

Data centers may feel like a big-city phenomenon, but more of them are showing up in rural communities like the ones we serve—and for good reason. Rural areas offer what data centers need most: affordable land, room to grow and access to transmission lines that can move large amounts of power.

What makes data centers different from other large businesses is their appetite for electricity. These facilities run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Servers must stay online constantly, which means power must be reliable every minute of every day.

For Louisiana’s electric cooperatives, the growth of data centers presents both opportunity and complexity.

On the plus side, data centers have the potential to bring steady, long-term load growth that helps support investments in local grids. With proper planning and policy support, those upgrades—including new substations, stronger lines and smarter technology—could benefit all co-op members and help keep electricity rates steady.

However, providing power to data centers presents challenges, too. These large facilities can be constructed and operating in as little as a year, but ensuring the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and electricity requires longer lead times and significant financial investment. Strategic planning and partnerships—as well as long-term power supply strategies—are essential to the process.

While most data centers operating in Louisiana are served by

investor-owned utilities, co-ops nationwide are fielding requests and inquiries from tech companies.

As member-owned utilities, electric cooperatives have a dual responsibility: to listen to the communities they serve and to provide reliable, affordable electric service to all co-op members.

Balancing those responsibilities is not always simple, especially as new types of large-scale energy users— such as data centers—become part of the local landscape.

Louisiana’s energy landscape continues to evolve, bringing both promise and new challenges. The board and employees of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperative are committed to continuing to listen, communicate, and work with our member cooperatives, policymakers and community leaders to ensure decisions reflect the best interests of the people and communities we serve.

We encourage cooperative members to stay informed and engaged and to reach out to their local electric cooperative with questions about data centers, electric service or other energyrelated issues. Your voice matters. 

Big Data, Bigger Demands

Many companies are choosing rural areas for their data centers because of cheaper land, available power and potential tax breaks. Data centers require huge amounts of electricity to operate, which presents new opportunities and challenges for electric co-ops.

HVAC. Constant cooling is needed to ensure servers function properly.

Server racks. Servers run applications and process data 24/7. One server rack can consume enough electricity to power a small home. A large data center can house thousands of server racks.

Power upgrades. Data centers often require new electrical infrastructure to meet their power needs.

Water source. Many large data centers are deploying evaporative cooling, which is more efficient than compressor-based systems.

Love the Boot Week is Louisiana’s largest litter removal and beautification effort, bringing awareness to our state’s litter problem while empowering organizations and individual citizens to clean up litter and beautify spaces in their communities.

This year, we are cleaning up in honor of America’s 250th birthday! Show your love for your country and your community by participating.

In 2025, 26,935 people volunteered a total of 81,852 hours at over 1,408 events, removing a record 514 tons of litter in all 64 parishes.

Let’s surpass last year’s numbers and grow our impact statewide.

WIN A PORTABLE BLACKSTONE GRILL

Make a $1 donation to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Fund to enter a drawing for a new grill. Tickets are available at your cooperative, and proceeds benefit the Louisiana Youth Leadership Council Representative Scholarship.

The prize drawing is held in July at the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge. The winner is contacted by phone.

PANOLAHARRISON

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

410 E. Houston St. • P.O. Box 1058

Marshall, TX 75671

903-935-7936 local • 800-972-1093 toll-free

Website: phec.us

OFFICE HOURS

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday 24-hour service for outages and emergencies

GENERAL MANAGER

Austin Haynes

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

District 1: Paul Fortune | Treasurer

District 2: Albert Tiller | President

District 3: Jay Goswick | Vice President

District 4: Brad Richardson

District 5: Debbie Burch

District 6: Roger Connell

District 7: Gene Stough

Year organized: 1937

Counties and parishes served: Harrison, Panola, Caddo and DeSoto

Connected meters: 20,648

Members: 13,722

Energized line: 2,465 miles distribution; 72 miles transmission

Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a civil rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination complaint form online at ascr.usda. gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter by mail to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, by fax to 202-690-7442 or by email to program.intake@usda.gov.

Volume 43, Issue2

Louisiana Country (USPS 473-180) is published bimonthly by the Association of Louisiana Electric Co-ops Inc., 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, in partnership with Pioneer Utility Resources.

Annual subscriptions: Members $2.79. Nonmembers $5.

Postmaster: Send form 3579 to 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Periodicals postage paid at Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821, and additional mailing offices.

Lineworkers are Ready When it Matters Most

As general manager of Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative, I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave individuals who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers.

Many people are inconvenienced when the power goes out, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always ready when it matters most—leaving family dinners, working through the night and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, extensive experience and a shared commitment to serving others.

What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system—they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand electricity is more than a convenience. It is essential to daily life, local businesses, schools, farms and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal to lineworkers. Electric cooperatives like PHEC were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours behind the scenes.

At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service

territory through a process known as mutual aid.

During major outage events, PHEC crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops— sometimes close to home, and sometimes across state lines—to help restore power. This spirit of mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.

We understand any time the lights go out can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Linework is demanding, physical and, at times, it can be dangerous. Our crews approach each job with a focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.

We celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 13, but one day is hardly enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which are the backbone of our cooperative.

To our lineworkers, thank you for your hard work, readiness and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand behind you and are grateful for all you do.

BILL PAYMENT INFORMATION

Bring your electric bill or bill stub when visiting the co-op office in Marshall with billing inquiries or payment questions. Payments can be made by mail, at our local office, by phone or on our website. We accept cash, check, electronic funds transfer, credit card and check by phone. Call 866-520-1211 or 903-935-4657 to pay by credit card or check by phone, or use our website at phec.us.

Should I Upgrade

By Miranda Boutelle

Buying a new appliance can feel daunting. Before you hand over your hard-earned money, here’s how to choose an appliance that will help you save money over time.

When shopping, keep in mind not all new appliances are highly efficient, and not all old appliances are inefficient. The less efficient your current appliance is, the more you will save with an upgrade.

The yellow EnergyGuide on new appliances shows the yearly energy cost, kilowatt-hour electricity use and Energy Star logo, if certified. Let’s look at some appliance examples to see how the costs and savings stack up.

Refrigerators have seen major efficiency improvements over the years. New refrigerators use up to 73% less energy than a 1970s model and one-third less than 20-yearold models.

To

While visiting my mom, she proudly showed off her 1980s refrigerator she bought when her 1970s harvest gold model died. If her 1980s fridge uses 2,000 kWh per year, at 14 cents per kWh, it costs $280 per year to operate. New Energy Star-certified refrigerator prices start at $500, with yearly energy costs ranging from $38 to $122. If mom buys a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator for $1,000 with $100 in yearly energy costs—saving her $180 per year—it will pay for itself in 51/2 years.

If you intend to keep your old appliance, be sure to weigh the additional energy costs. Maximize efficiency and keep your food safe by setting your refrigerator to 37 degrees and your freezer at zero degrees.

New Energy Star-certified clothes washers and dryers are also more efficient than older models. Use the Energy Star Product Finder at energystar.gov to compare products. Integrated Modified Energy Factor measures the washer’s energy efficiency. A higher number is better. Integrated Water Factor measures water efficiency. A lower number is better.

I recently bought a new washing machine when my old front-load machine died, and I was considering a top-load machine. When I

My Appliance?

compared Energy Star-certified top loaders to front loaders, I changed my mind. Energy Star-certified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator washers, and they use about 25% less energy and water than top-load impeller washers that don’t have an agitator.

My new washer was $698. Based on six loads of laundry a week and an electricity cost of 14 cents per kWh, the yearly energy cost is $15, according to the appliance’s EnergyGuide. Similar non-Energy Star-certified models were $48 per year. Mine didn’t cost much more than non-Energy Star models and will help me save over time.

Then I had to decide whether to buy the matching dryer. My old dryer is functional, but it has features I don’t like and racks up energy costs of $131.04 per year, based on running roughly six loads a week for an hour each at 14 cents per kWh.

The new matching Energy Star-certified dryer cost $698, and its annual energy use was listed at 607 kWh, which is $84.98 per year at 14 cents per kWh. With an estimated savings of $46 per year, the dryer would take 15 years for the savings to cover the price. That’s a long time and not worth the cost.

To improve your washer and dryer efficiency, wash in cold water, don’t overdry clothes and clean your lint trap between every load.

Just like the light bulbs in your home, LED televisions offer increased efficiency. Energy Star-certified televisions are 34% more efficient than conventional models. If you have a working LED television, swapping to an Energy Star model is more efficient but may not make up for the cost of a new TV. Instead, check the efficiency settings on your TV or buy a smart power strip that turns off other connected devices when not in use.

Whatever appliance you are upgrading or replacing, make an informed decision by comparing the cost of operation and shopping Energy Star models to help lower your electric bill. n

When the lights go out, lineworkers are ready to answer the call, day or night, to safely restore power and keep our communities moving forward. They take pride in powering the places we call home. Today and every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and commitment.

Lineworker Appreciation Day April 13, 2026

ReadyWhen i t Matters Most

You’re invited to the Panola-Harrison Electric CooperativeAnnual Meeting

10 a.m. Saturday, April 18

PHEC Office, 410 E. Houston St., Marshall, Texas

Lighting a

By Cheré Coen

Like many South Louisiana natives, Coby Bailey learned to cook from his parents and grandparents. But it took a fire station to turn it into a passion.

“It really wasn’t until I started as a firefighter that I enjoyed cooking,” Coby says.

That spark turned into a fire that landed Coby on Season four of “The Great American Recipe” show on PBS. After a month of competition, Coby took home the top award Aug. 15, 2025.

“Cajun Country for me is not just food and something to eat but a way of life,” he says. “Everything we do here in South Louisiana is centered around food. I wanted the Cajun culture represented well, and I think I did that.”

Louisiana firefighter Coby Bailey wins ‘The Great American Recipe’ to

inspect their gear and get ready for the day. They’re usually done around 9 a.m. to either train or start cooking for lunch, Coby explains. Sometimes the firefighters make a run to the grocery store to pick up supplies. And yes, they take the fire engine and head off for emergencies when needed.

“We’ve left a lot of groceries in the truck,” Coby says with a laugh.

Back at the station, the fires they attended to were on the stove.

“I was fortunate to have a captain who loved to cook every single day,” Coby says. “He liked to get everyone involved, including other stations or people we liked around the community.”

The firefighters ate well.

“We’d have a great meal,” Coby says. “The other stations would come. We’d tell stories. And we’d always make enough so we’d have supper.”

At the Lafayette Fire Department, the crew arrives early to clean,

When Coby made captain—he’s been at the Lafayette Fire Department for 27 years after serving in the U.S. Navy, including during Desert Storm—he decided to carry on the tradition and teach others at the station to cook. One day, a firefighter approached him about watching his YouTube channel and encouraged Coby to create his own.

“I said, ‘Dude, I watch you every day. I don’t need to know what you do on your day off,’” Coby says with a laugh.

The firefighter challenged Coby to see who could attract the most followers on YouTube. Coby did, and his cooking videos took off. That’s how PBS producers discovered the Lafayette native to invite him to compete on “The Great American Recipe.”

Coby had two requests: He had to bring his own food, and the chief needed to give him a month off to travel to Nashville, where the show is filmed.

“I really didn’t have to sell him,” Coby says of his chief giving permission. “I said, ‘Let’s do it for Lafayette. Let’s do it for the food.’ And he agreed.”

The trick for this Cajun chef was cooking up his recipes with his needed tools in hand. Coby drove to Nashville with a pickup full of his beloved pots and pans, roux spoons and supplies.

Filming began around 6:30 a.m. in a barn where contestants prepared their recipes while telling storie. Filming ended around 8 p.m. The first exercise was for contestants to cook a dish that made them fall in love with cooking. Cody thought of eggs, so he prepared a unique boudin omelet.

“It was important to me to keep the Cajun food and the Cajun tradition in there,” he says.

Other recipes Coby delivered to judges Tiffany Derry, Tim Hollingsworth and Francis Lam were an alligator sauce piquante and seafood gumbo. During one episode, Coby related a heartfelt anecdote about his buddies in Desert Storm. He took the top prize after creating a Cypress knee shrimp po’boy and cornbreadstuffed chicken with andouille cream sauce.

In announcing Coby as the winner, Tiffany said, “This home cook stayed true to who they are through every last one of their dishes that truly represented the heart of their cooking and their great American recipe.” 

Coby Bailey’s Alligator Sauce Piquante

10 alligator legs

¼ cup yellow mustard

Capt. Coby’s Cajun Seasoning

2 cups regular coconut oil, not extra-virgin oil

1 cup flour

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced

2 medium yellow onions, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles

3 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 tablespoons dry roux

1 pound peeled Louisiana Gulf shrimp, 31-40 count (or best available)

1 bundle green onions, chopped, for garnish

FOR THE GRITS

1 pint heavy whipping cream

3 12-ounce cans chicken broth

2 sticks butter, divided

4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

16-ounce box quick 5-minute grits

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, apply generous amounts of mustard and Capt. Coby’s Cajun Seasoning to the alligator legs, and mix well. Melt coconut oil in a large cast-iron pot. Toss the alligator legs in flour, then add to pot. Cook until lightly browned. Add sausage, onions and peppers. Cook until browned and all brown bits are lifted from the pot.

Add in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic and dry roux. Let cook for 30 minutes. Stir in shrimp, and let cook for 15 minutes until all flavors come together.

To make the grits, add heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, 1 stick of butter and salt to a pot. Bring to a boil. After liquid comes to a rolling boil, pour in grits. Stir constantly until grits become firm and almost cooked, about 5 minutes. Finish by adding a stick of butter to the grits.

Serve alligator sauce piquante over grits, and garnish with green onions.

Monarchs

Protecting the

There are ways you can help

By Pamela A. Keene

Over the past several decades, the monarch butterfly population has declined because of habitat loss, increased pesticide use and climate variability.

The decreased availability of milkweed— the sole host plant and food source for monarch caterpillars— is another factor in the dwindling numbers of the colorful migrating butterfly. Deforestation, expanded lawn development and increased pavement contribute to reduced native habitats, putting insects at greater risk.

Monarchs are considered a high-profile species, and their plight is frequently described as a “canary in the coal mine” for environmental health. Studying their migration patterns and pollination activity as indicators of a healthy environment helps scientists better understand broader environmental changes.

“Monarchs are among the most recognizable butterflies in the United States,” says Morgan Christman, pollinator ecologist and assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at Louisiana State University. “Scientists and citizenscientists have been studying monarchs for decades and have seen the overall decrease in their populations, as well as environmental and ecological changes.”

sources, and the use of glyphosate herbicides. In Louisiana, we can plant pollinator gardens and include native milkweed species in place of tropical milkweed. We can promote preserving and constructing natural habitats that include places for shelter, breeding sites and nectar sources.”

Morgan’s lab at LSU researches native and managed pollinators across natural, agricultural and urban landscapes to advance understanding of their ecology, threats and conservation.

“As the first pollinator ecology lab at LSU, we aim to address gaps in pollinator research in Louisiana and to translate that science into educational materials for the public,” she says.

Studying Monarch Migration

Think Diversity for Pollinators

Choose colorful native flowers and foliage and heirloom plants for gardens. Pay attention to providing a range of heights, leaf shapes and plant forms. Combine trees and shrubs with perennials to create an aesthetically pleasing area for pollinators and humans.

Plant flowers of different varieties, colors and bloom schedules that give life throughout the year and attract an array of insects. Plant them in clusters to make it easier for insects to find them.

Colorful perennials, such as black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, asters, coreopsis, blazing star, goldenrod, American yarrow, swamp sunflowers and cardinal flowers, can be complemented by flame azaleas, flowering dogwood and coral honeysuckle.

Monarch Watch, an education, conservation and research program based at the University of Kansas, offers ways for the public to become involved in studying and supporting monarchs. One of its most popular endeavors—the Monarch Watch Tagging Program— encourages individuals, schools, nature centers and other organizations to help study migration by tagging monarchs in the fall. That’s when the butterflies make their long commutes from summer breeding areas in southern Canada and the northern United States to overwinter in the warmth of central Mexico.

While monarchs are not listed as threatened in Louisiana, Morgan says they’re worth studying because the species may soon be considered for protection under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Act.

“It is important that all of us work together to mitigate threats to the monarch population,” she says.

“For instance, we can address the disappearance of habitats, the decrease in the availability of native milkweed and nectar

“The tagging program helps us understand more about the eastern monarch population’s fall migration,” Monarch Watch Director Kristen Baum says. “Since the start of the tagging program, the data we’ve collected with the help of many community scientists has revealed new information about the timing and pace of the migration, how weather can affect the migration, where migrating monarchs come from and more.”

Now in its 35th year, Monarch Watch sells tagging kits through its website. Each kit contains weatherproof adhesive tags with unique alphanumeric codes, datasheets for recording information about tagged monarchs, tagging instructions and other information. Visit monarchwatch.org for details.

Insects and butterflies seek sources for both pollen and nectar. Make sure to include a good assortment of each. Consider bloom time to ensure a continuous food source.

Pollinators and insects prefer differing flower shapes to accommodate their body types. For instance, butterflies prefer tubular blossoms so they use their proboscis to harvest nectar. Bees are drawn to bowl-shaped flowers, or those where pollen is easy to reach, where they have a place to land.

Remember to include a shallow water source or two, such as a saucer or a bowl that’s filled with small rocks.

Include at least one variety of milkweed. Not only do monarchs thrive on it, but other insects and butterflies are attracted to it as well.

Monarch Watch is a mark-andrecapture program, meaning its data comes from information participants provide when reporting insects’ recovered tags. Tagged monarchs are reported along the migration route, and some are recovered every year from overwintering sites in Mexico. Each year, Monarch Watch compiles and publishes this information for the public to view.

Monarch Waystations and Nectar Sources

Monarch Watch also developed the Monarch Waystation Program to encourage people to create, conserve and protect monarch habitats. The organization provides educational resources to help people establish and maintain Monarch Waystations, the program’s term for monarch habitats, to support butterflies during spring, summer and fall.

It’s easy to create a Monarch Waystation in home gardens, schools, businesses, nature centers and along roadsides. Sometimes all it takes is creating a small space with several nectar-producing plants and a clump of native milkweed. However, it is important to

have a plan to sustain the space, regardless of size.

Good practices include thinning plants, mulching, watering, avoiding insecticides and removing invasive species. It is also helpful to occasionally add more native milkweed plants.

To date, Monarch Watch has recorded more than 54,000 registered Monarch Waystations worldwide.

“The Monarch Waystation Program is celebrating 21 years this year, and it’s been incredible to see how many people have registered their habitats as Monarch Waystations,” Monarch Watch Communications Coordinator Jess Anderson says. “These habitats provide crucial resources for monarchs, and we need to continue planting milkweed and nectar plants. This not only will benefit monarchs but many other pollinators and wildlife.”

Native Milkweed Is Key

As monarchs’ sole host plant, milkweed is crucial to the future of the species.

“We urge people to only plant native milkweed,” says David Mizejewski,

naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization.

In Louisiana, recommended native species include aquatic milkweed, swamp milkweed and butterfly weed.

“We strongly advise against planting tropical milkweed because it is nonnative and it can carry a parasite called OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) that is harmful to monarchs,” David says. “Although tropical milkweed is sold at some retail nurseries, it’s not native to the United States. Its distinctive reddish orange and yellow blooms may be pretty, but they signal, ‘Don’t plant; nonnative.’

“The reason to plant native is that native wildlife and native plants coevolved together over millennia and, as a general

BELOW: Aquatic milkweed, asclepias perennis, is an exceptional native host plant for monarchs.

rule, rely on each other for survival in a way that nonnative plants often can’t replicate,” he says. “Nonnatives can also become invasive or spread disease to native species.”

OE can be present on all types of milkweed, but it’s most prevalent on the colorful tropical milkweed. Unlike native milkweed, tropical milkweed does not die back seasonally, allowing the parasite to persist year-round.

“The OE parasite’s life cycle on tropical milkweed is not interrupted,” David says. “When the native milkweed dies back, the virus dies with it.”

Debate about milkweed species sometimes stands in the way of taking action.

“Finding native milkweed can be challenging, but it is important to ensure that you’re only planting native,” David says. “Take the extra time to seek out native milkweed at native plant sales at public gardens, arboretums and area native plant societies, such as the

Louisiana Native Plant Society, lnps.org, that maintains a listing of plant sales, workshops and conferences.”

Ray Moranz, pollinator conservation specialist with Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation in the central region of the United States, says OE may not be the main issue around preserving monarch butterflies.

“The biggest concerns are the declines in the availability of milkweed and nectar plants,” he says. “Rising temperatures, loss of habitats and the use of pesticides are also some of the other major threats.”

Ray says places for monarchs to feed on nectar, lay their eggs and protect themselves from predators are vanishing as native and natural habitats disappear.

“It’s up to all of us to be aware of the monarch’s dwindling population and to each do our part to help them survive and thrive by creating pollinator gardens with plants that haven’t been sprayed with insecticides, reduce our use of pesticides and help preserve native habitats,” he says. 

Helpful Resources

Reputable organizations in Louisiana can provide a wealth of information about native plants and sources, monarch butterflies and pollinators. Here are a few resources:

 Louisiana Native Plant Society—Find native plant lists, plant seeds and sources, plus information about area-specific Native Plant Society Chapters; lnps.org

 Louisiana State University Agricultural Center—Provides Louisiana-specific recommendations and information about pollinators and monarch butterflies; lsuagcenter.com and lsuagcenter.com/ topics/lawn_garden/native-plants

 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries—Offers the Louisiana Native Plant Resource Guide; wlf.louisiana.gov

 Xerces Society—Is dedicated to protecting monarch butterflies; xerces.org/monarchs

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service— Home of the Save the Monarch initiative, fws.gov/initiative/pollinators/save-monarch

 Monarch Watch—Offers ways to support monarchs; monarchwatch.org.

Help the Lineworker Spring into Action

Did you know March 20 is the first day of spring? This time of year marks new beginnings and fresh blooms, but it can also bring powerful storms that interrupt electric service.

Help the lineworker find his way through the maze to the bucket truck so he can restore power.

Reconnecting youth through leadership and community ETREYS ETREYS

By Sadie McDonald

The East Texas Rural Electric Youth Seminar was formed in 1988 through the collaboration of nine cooperatives in the East Texas area. The idea behind ETREYS was to expose college-bound high school students to the electric industry and the concept of a cooperative, while helping them develop confidence, leadership skills and a sense of community.

“Delegates leave camp each year with improved social skills and feeling more confident in their futures,” says Ebony Foster, an accountant for

Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative and ETREYS coordinator.

In a world dependent on the internet for answers—where creativity is increasingly being replaced by technology and youth mostly bear the negative consequences of these influences—one initiative that continues to positively affect young people and serve the community through engaged learning is ETREYS.

From the beginning, ETREYS has been held on a college campus to give students firsthand exposure to higher education.

Today, the camp is hosted annually at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, a setting that allows participants

to experience college life and, ideally, feel encouraged to continue their educations.

Each year, the seminar brings together approximately 125 students from across East Texas and Northwest Louisiana, many of whom form lifelong friendships through shared experiences.

Throughout the camp, students hear from speakers who share their life experiences and describe how they overcame obstacles to become successful. These sessions are paired with activities designed to foster leadership and personal growth.

“They learn perseverance, gain confidence, and build skills to be assets and leaders in their communities,” Ebony says.

In addition to leadership development, delegates can earn scholarships, an incentive that further supports their academic goals.

Leadership development is a central focus of the ETREYS experience. Activities and speakers emphasize positive values, networking, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving and leadership development. These are skills students can carry with them into college, careers and community involvement.

“Our goal is to encourage young people to integrate into society with confidence, understand they can do anything they strive to do and to never give up,” Ebony says.

ETREYS participants are selected based on overall excellence and involvement in extracurricular activities, including leadership roles, academic achievements and community

engagement. Students and families interested in the program should contact PHEC for specific application details.

Since its inception, ETREYS has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to deserving high school students throughout East Texas.

The seminar’s partnership with ETBU is rooted in a story of collaboration and shared mission. One year, just weeks before camp was scheduled to begin, the campus hosting ETREYS unexpectedly canceled. The organization reached out to ETBU at the last minute, explaining the situation’s urgency. The university graciously welcomed the camp and worked closely with program leadership to prepare for all activities. That moment marked the beginning of an ongoing relationship, and ETREYS remains grateful for ETBU’s continued participation and support.

In a time when young people often feel disconnected, ETREYS continues to offer something increasingly rare: a place where students can build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and envision a future rooted in leadership, perseverance and possibility.

PLUGGED IN

Home Lighting 101

By Abby Berry

Lighting is something most of us don’t think much about—until it’s wrong. Maybe the living room feels too dim for reading or the kitchen lights cast an odd glow. We often grab whatever bulb or fixture looks good without considering how it will perform. With a little planning, your home can be brighter, cozier and more energy efficient.

Watts vs. Lumens

When shopping for light bulbs, it’s easy to focus on wattage, but that only measures how much energy is used. When it comes to brightness, what matters is the lumen count.

Lumens measure the actual light output. For example, an 800-lumen LED bulb gives off about the same amount of light as an old-fashioned 60-watt incandescent bulb.

You’ve likely replaced all incandescent bulbs with long-lasting, energy-efficient LEDs. If not, it’s time to make a switch.

A rule of thumb: The higher the lumens, the brighter the light while lower watts result in less energy consumed. Check wattage ratings for fixtures and install bulbs that meet the fixture’s wattage safety requirements.

Color Temperature and Consistency

Light bulbs vary in color temperature. This detail is often overlooked—until you replace one bulb and notice the new light

doesn’t match the others.

Consider installing bulbs of the same brand and wattage at the same time. That way, the look stays consistent, and you won’t be stuck hunting for a perfect match later.

Dimmers and Switches

Installing dimmers in place of on/off switches can be a game changer. Dimmers give you more control over brightness, help save energy and create a more comfortable atmosphere. Not all bulbs are dimmable, so double check labels before buying.

While thinking about light switches, consider whether you have enough of them and whether they’re in the right places.

A light you can only turn off from one end of a hallway becomes annoying. For installations or upgrades, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician to ensure everything is wired safely and efficiently.

Form Meets Function

Bulbs are only part of the equation—fixtures matter, too. Each type serves a purpose.

Ambient lighting from sconces or glasscovered ceiling fixtures provides general illumination. Task lighting—provided by pendants, desk lamps or track lighting— focuses light where you need it most.

When choosing a fixture, think beyond looks. Does the light provides the right amount of brightness for the space? A beautiful chandelier might look perfect over

the dining table but leaves the rest of the room too dim. Alternatively, an oversized fixture could flood the room with more light than needed, wasting energy and money.

Energy Efficiency Meets Convenience

Smart lighting adds a layer of control, but the real magic is convenience. With smart bulbs, you can adjust brightness and colors, and set schedules from your phone or an assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant. Want the lights to dim automatically for movie night or to turn on before you get home? Smart bulbs make it easy.

Smart lighting also personalizes your space. You can go classic with warm, white tones or experiment with colors to set the mood—anything from a soft glow for winding down to vibrant hues for a party.

Smart bulbs rely on power from a wall switch, which needs to stay in the “on” position for remote controls to work. If you prefer using a physical switch, consider pairing smart bulbs with a smart light switch. Many of today’s smart switches also come with motion detectors, adding another level of efficiency and convenience.

Good lighting makes your home look better and feel better. You can create spaces that are welcoming, functional and energy efficient. Whether you stick to traditional bulbs and fixtures or explore the flexibility of smart lighting, thoughtful choices today will brighten your home for years to come. 

A Word About Water

Tap Into Water Heating Savings

If your home is like most, you and your family use about 64 gallons of water each day. If your water heater is electric, that probably accounts for about 18% of your power bill.

That makes your water heater the second-largest energy expense in your home. Why not use less electricity to heat it?

Today’s high-efficiency water heaters use much less energy than older models, so you don’t need to give up comfort for energy savings. That’s good news for your power bill.

There is a newer option to consider: an electric heat pump water heater. These units give you the hot water you need by pulling heat from the surrounding air to heat the water—like a refrigerator in reverse. Because they do not directly produce heat, electric heat pump water heaters are two to three times more energy efficient than standard units.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a family of four can save about $550 a year on water heating costs, which adds up to $5,610 over the lifetime of the unit.

A heat pump water heater may cost a bit more upfront than other models. However, according to the DOE, most people see a payback in less than three years due to the unit’s lower operating costs and energy savings. Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for a water heater.

Tankless electric water heaters are another option, but carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks. These smaller units quickly heat water to provide it when called upon, but can use eight times more electricity than a standard water heater.

This high demand increases your co-op’s cost of purchased power, which plays an important role in how much you pay for electricity. In some cases, people who use electric tankless water heaters must upgrade their home’s wiring to support the greater demand for electricity.

Other ways to lower your energy costs include setting your water heater’s thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees, fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures, and using energy-efficient dishwashers and washing machines.

Helping you save energy and money is another way your co-op is always here for you. n