ERECutility
Your Monthly Newsletter
ISSUE 09 | JUNE 2026 www.erec.com JAY OFFICE 3425 Highway 4 P.O. Box 428 (mail) Jay, FL 32565 850-675-4521 or 800-235-3848 WALNUT HILL OFFICE 4950 Highway 99A Walnut Hill, FL 32568 850-327-4122 OFFICE HOURS 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every other Friday Closed on alternating Fridays Walnut Hill is closed from 12 :00 - 1:00 p.m. STAFF Ryan C. Campbell, P.E., CEO Sonya Dooley, Director of Finance and Administration Lanie Sells, Director of Engineering Glenn White, Director of Operations Cortney Owens, Manager of Marketing Communications Derek Bridwell, Manager of Information Technology Crystal George, Manager of Accounting TRUSTEES Escambia County Brian Davis James E. Hall Ernie Hester Sam Walker (Vice President) Gary Wiggins Santa Rosa County Mickey Diamond Rick Hunsucker (President) Philip Marshall Wesley Scott Dale Westmoreland (Secretary/Treasurer) The board of directors meets at 5 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the cooperative’s Jay office. FOR POWER OUTAGES Call 877-OUT-EREC or 877-688-3732. For emergency conditions, call 911. Contact Cortney Owens (cowens@erec.com) regarding this monthly publication.
escambiariverelectric
WHY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT MATTERS Ryan Campbell, P.E. There’s something timeless about trees. They ground us, offer shade on summer afternoons and reflect the beauty of each changing season. In our community, that natural landscape is something we all value. At the same time, we share an equally important responsibility, ensuring reliable electricity for our homes and businesses. At EREC, we work every day to balance preserving that beauty with delivering the power you depend on. One of the most important ways we do this is through regular tree trimming. While it may seem routine, managing vegetation near power lines is essential to preventing outages, especially during severe weather. In fact, nearly half of all power disruptions are caused by trees and branches coming into contact with electrical infrastructure. Our Right-of-Way crews work year-round using industry best practices to identify risks early and address them safely and efficiently. Vegetation management is not only about reliability, it’s also about safety. Trees growing too close to power lines can carry electrical current, posing risks to children, families and lineworkers, particularly during storms. Preventative maintenance also helps control costs, reducing the need for more expensive repairs after major outages. You can play a role, too. When planting trees, consider their mature height and distance from power lines, and always call 811 before digging near underground utilities. By working together, we can maintain a community that’s safe, resilient and just as beautiful for generations to come.
June 21, 2026