Were a Success!
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Wake ElectriConnection “The power to make a difference” For members of Wake Electric Membership Corporation APRIL 2014 February Member Advisory Committee Meetings Wereake Electric held its Membera AdvisorySuccess! Committee W(MAC) meetings on February 10 and February 17 and they were a great success! Wake Electric had to postpone two of its MAC meetings because of winter weather and combined them together for the February 17 meeting. Thank you to our members for their flexibility and willingness to meet on a different night. More than 120 members attended the two meetings and heard Phil Price, chief operating officer and assistant general manager of Wake Electric, give an overview of Wake Electric’s programs and practices. A catered dinner was included for all attendees and there were several drawings for $25 credits on electric bills. Celebrating 20 years of Bright Ideas grants lectric cooperatives across education grants for the 2014–15 the state are celebrating a big school year. Teachers in K–12 public E milestone in 2014. Our Bright school classrooms with creative Ideas education grant program, which ideas for hands-on learning projects provides funding to Tar Heel teachers are encouraged to apply for a grant for innovative learning projects, is up to $3,000. turning 20 years old this year. Grant applications will be Since 1994, educators statewide accepted Tuesday, April 1, through have received more than $9.1 million September 15. It could pay to in Bright Ideas grant funding, and apply early: all teachers who submit well more than 1.6 million N.C. their applications by the early students have participated in 8,800 bird deadline of August 15 will be Bright Ideas projects. Last year alone, entered into a drawing for one of Wake Electric awarded more than five $100 gift cards. $49,000 for 21 projects supporting Teachers can apply individually or local teachers and students. as a team, and grants are available Wake Electric is now accepting for all subjects. applications for Bright Ideas Continued on page 31 Call to report outages: 919.863.6499 or 800.743.3155 Regular office hours: M–F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Telephone hours: M–F, 7 a.m.–6 p.m., 863.6300 or 800.474.6300 Underground locating service: Call 811 Dedicated pay-by-phone number: 866.999.4593 Yard Safety Tips for Spring The weather is warming up, and When pulling weeds, be careful of what you are pulling. It’s you may be eager to breathe important to be familiar with the some life back into your yard types of weeds you are pulling after winter. Follow these tips to to avoid things like poison ivy. stay safe while doing yard work: When picking up objects from the ground or dark areas, BEFORE YOU START be mindful of where you are Wear the appropriate clothing, putting your hands. Critters like including long pants and sleeves snakes and black widow spiders to protect your legs and arms. sometimes hide and don’t like You should also wear closed toe being disturbed. Be careful putting gas in shoes. If you are lifting a lot of Stay hydrated by drinking plenty machinery. Always turn the heavy materials, you may want of water. equipment off and let it cool to wear steel toe shoes. Wearing before filling it up with gas. gloves can prevent blisters and MOWING AND MACHINERY Always read the manufacturer’s safety glasses can prevent debris Before mowing the lawn, be sure instructions before operating from getting in your eyes. you have removed rocks, sticks tools or machinery. If you have Bug repellent and sunscreen can and other objects that can sling to step away from machinery, be keep you from feeling the sting up and hurt someone. sure to turn it off. in the morning. Never stick your hands or feet When operating loud equipment, If you’re doing strenuous work, under the lawn mower to clear be sure to wear ear plugs. consider stretching your muscles it. The blades under the mower for a few minutes before starting. could still be spinning, which It might seem like an extra step, but could cause serious injury. heeding safety precautions is well GENERAL worth the time invested. When using a ladder, be sure it is firmly on the ground and someone is holding it from the bottom. You should also watch WakeElectriConnection out for overhead power lines Published monthly by Wake Electric when using a ladder. Stay 10 feet P.O. Box 1229, 414 East Wait Avenue, away from overhead power lines. Wake Forest, NC 27588, www.wemc.com Before digging, make sure you call 811 to find out if there are BOARD OF DIRECTORS Roy Ed Jones, Jr. Bill Bailey utility lines buried where you President Mike Dickerson plan to dig. It will keep you safe Reuben Matthews Joe Hilburn Vice President and save money and time. Call Suzy Morgan Joe Eddins Allen Nelson before you dig. Secretary Howard Conyers Yard work such as raking leaves Treasurer can cause muscle soreness from PERSONNEL Fred Keller Manager, Member Services the repetitive motion. Changing Jim Mangum your position will help prevent General Manager & CEO Scott Poole Manager, Customer Service stiffness and muscle fatigue. Phil Price Chief Operating Officer & Suzanne Shoaf Ward When lifting heavy objects, lift Ass’t. General Manager Public Relations/Communications Specialist and Editor with your legs (bending at your Don Bowman Manager, Engineering knees), to prevent injury. 30 April 2014 Wake ElectriConnection Spring Forward Prepare for Summer Heat, Increase Energy Savings By B. Denise Hawkins Adding a few items to your list of making the air conditioner work spring chores can help make your harder on hot summer days. home more energy efficient and Dust the fan blades if you can know it. A roofing professional deliver electric bills that won’t make do so safely. Make sure air can can assess and repair things you sweat when temperatures soar. flow freely over the inside and like loose or missing shingles, Start with your air conditioner. outside coils. Vacuum registers repair leaks, and clear gutters. Spring and early summer are good to remove any dust buildup. Make your electric times to make sure that your air Check weather stripping. cooperative a resource. conditioning unit is ready to work When using window units, ensure Wake Electric can help you when you flip the switch: that weather stripping is in place. determine the right steps for Get help from a professional Placement should be between your home, including whether who can inspect and service the middle of the top window an energy audit will help find your unit. pane and the bottom pane. more savings. You can also visit Give your air conditioner a Check out your roof. See how TogetherWeSave.com to find do-it-yourself cleaning. Shut well your roof has weathered out how little measures around the unit off, and clear away the winter. Few things can the house can add up to big leaves and yard debris outside. shorten the life of your home energy savings as temperatures Inside the unit, clean or replace faster than a roof leak; even a outside climb. filters that can restrict air flow minor one can damage your B. Denise Hawkins writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric and reduce overall efficiency by attic insulation before you Cooperative Association. BRIGHT IDEAS GRANTS Continued from page 29 ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP These days, it may be easier to trim To apply, or for more information your refrigerator’s energy use than about the Bright Ideas grant it is to trim your waistline. Consider program, visit www.wemc.com/ this energy-saving and maintenance brightideas.aspx or regimen to keep your refrigerator in www.NCBrightIdeas.com. shape. Set the refrigerator temperature Funding for Bright Ideas grants above 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Make comes from Wake Electric members sure door seals are in place and who agree to round up their light are snug when closed. And keep bill to the nearest whole dollar outside coils unobstructed and clean; through the Operation RoundUp dirty ones could overwork the unit’s program. For example, if the bill is compressor. $190.91—the bill will be rounded up —Energy.gov 9 cents to $191. These pennies add up to major dollars. Partial funding also comes from the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), located in Raleigh. The NCEMC consists of a family of corporations formed to support the state’s 26 electric cooperatives. Wake ElectriConnection April 2014 31 Aden Perry Jordan Metcalf Amy Nguyen Wake Electric’s ‘Give Us an A’ Claire Wilson Program Rewards $25 VISA Gift Cards to High-Achieving Students RECENT “GIVE US AN A” WINNERS Wake Electric recently awarded 40 Name School County County $25 Visa gift cards to area students Holly Baker North Forest Pines Drive Elementary School Wake County who received at least one “A” (or its equivalent) on their report cards Emily Berrier North Raleigh Christian Academy Wake County through the co-op’s “Give Us an A” Ronald Berrier North Raleigh Christian Academy Wake County program. This program encourages Savannah Blalock Franklin Academy Wake County academic achievement and Wake Electric encourages the winners to Kendall Bland Heritage Middle School Wake County purchase a savings bond through Alexandra Butulis North Forest Pines Drive Elementary School Wake County www.treasurydirect.gov with their Christopher Butulis North Forest Pines Drive Elementary School Wake County Visa gift card money. These awards Timothy Cannizzaro Wakefield High School Wake County are part of a drawing held three times a year. William Clement, IV East Wake High School-Health & Science Wake County Students in any grade in Durham, Wade Creech Zebulon Middle School Wake County Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Whitley Creech Zebulon Middle School Wake County Vance and Wake counties are Emily Deem Wake Forest-Rolesville High School Wake County eligible to apply.