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Protecting Our Utility Poles


It is easy to take something for granted when you see it every day. We drive by row after row of them, but how often do we think about utility poles? Utility poles are critical to Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s mission of de- livering safe, reliable, and affordable power.


Lake Region Electric Coopera- tive owns and maintains more than 3,000 miles of line stretching across seven counties, Cherokee, Wagoner, Muskogee, Rogers, Mayes, Adair, and Sequoyah. Some of these lines can be found underground, but for the most part they stretch above ground, winding down roadsides and climbing through harsh terrain to deliver power to homes. LREC relies on utility poles to de- liver power through these lines, and these loyal supporters of electricity are under constant attack from the el- ements, storms, woodpeckers, insects, moisture, and harsh soils. People play a part in pole erosion, too. You may have driven by a pole and noticed yard sale signs or ads tacked to


the base. It is illegal to attach unauthor- ized items to poles. When a lineman is responding to an outage and climbing a pole, these unauthorized attachments can get in the way. Abandoned nails or tacks can rip through protective gloves, leaving the linemen potentially exposed to thou- sands of volts of energy. Even when nails are removed, the leftover holes provide easy entry for bugs and water, causing a pole that should have lasted for decades or more to weaken much faster. We need your help. If you notice any- one trying to attach something to a utility pole, let them know it is dangerous and against the law. Whenever we see an il- legal attachment, whether it is a satellite dish, a birdhouse, a basketball hoop, deer stand, or anything else, our employees will remove it and are not responsible for any damage caused to the unauthorized item. Thanks for your 890404 help as we work together to prolong the lifespan of these utility poles that provide members with safe, reliable, and affordable electric service.


During the holidays you may be paying for more electricity


Your turkey will not be the only one who is stuffed this Thanksgiving. Your refrigerator and freezer will be stuffed before and after the big meal. With all that extra use, it pays    cooking time rolls around. If you are one of the many home- owners whose refrigerators are more than 10 years old, you might be paying more than you have to for electricity. That aging appliance may still keep food cold, but it is do- ing so at a cost. With an Energy Star-quali-   you can maxi- mize your energy and dollar savings  features you want. En-


2 LREC Powerline Press


        Department of Energy to use 20 percent less energy than models not labeled with the Energy Star logo. -


 your fridge. Use the Energy Star savings calculator at  you will save by replacing your existing refrigerator. When you shop for a refrigerator or freezer, read the


EnergyGuide label that you will see in the store. It tells you how many kilowatt-hours of electricity the unit will consume in a year. The smaller the number, the better. You -  refrigerators use innovative drawer designs and improved temperature controls to keep your food fresher, longer.


Source: U.S. Department of Energy


Touchstone Energy Photos


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