commentary currents
BY DENNIS KRUEGER G E N E R A L M A N A G E R
Kiwash At Work For You! K
Power Outage? Know What to Do.
When a power outage occurs in your area, knowing what to do can help your electric co-op get the lights back on more quickly.
When you notice you’re out of power, take the following steps:
1. Check household fuses or circuit breaker box
2. Check with neighbors to see if their electricity is off
3. Call toll free, 888-832-3362. Kiwash dispatchers will answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
For better service, please report line trouble as soon as it occurs. Don’t assume that someone else in your area has already reported it.
When a major weather event occurs, your co-op will post periodic weather and outage updates on Facebook. Please remember it is nearly impossible for your co- op to accurately predict when an outage will occur or how it long it will last. For that reason, Kiwash encourages you to be prepared. Stock an emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, battery-powered radio or TV, portable heater (oil or gas), camp stoves and lanterns, candles, matches or lighters, bottled water, canned food and snacks, and, if you own one, instructions on how to operate your generator.
For more tips, please contact your co-op at 888-832-3362.
iwash Electric Cooperative (KEC) has many programs that are designed to either save you
money or keep you safe. Some of these special services are listed below, while others can be found at
www.kiwash. coop. Reviewing these programs from time-to-time is a good reminder that your co-op is here to help you.
Creating Local Jobs
With funding from the USDA Rural Development Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDL&G), Kiwash Electric’s revolving loan continues to help finance startup businesses, community projects, and existing businesses in west-central Oklahoma. The KEC revolving loan fund has been used to build infrastructure, improve factories, renovate existing businesses and fund new ventures. Over a 17 year period, Kiwash has loaned more than $1.13 million dollars, and created or retained roughly 130 jobs. Kiwash accepts loan applications on a monthly basis. The key to loan process is job creation. These loans have nothing to do with your electric rates.
Controlling Rising Power Costs
Bust That Peak. A member-owned, whole- home generator provides backup power in the event of a major power outage. Now that same generator can make money for co-op members who sign up for Kiwash Electric’s new peak shaving program. The Peak Buster program can save you from $32.50 to $60.00 per month by allowing your generator to run during high usage periods.
Cash Rebates. Install an all-electric, energy efficient geothermal heat pump and qualify for a rebate from your co-op of up to $1,000 per ton. Units must have a minimum seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 18.5 and a coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.6. The rebate applies to geothermal heat pump installations in new
2 | FEBRUARY 2015 | Kilowatt
homes, conversion from a gas furnace, or upgrades from an air-source heat pump. Geothermal units with a gas back- up system qualify for the air-source rebate rate of $175/ ton. Be sure to save the proof of purchase, installation receipt, and energy efficiency rating information to apply for the rebate.
Safety Matters
10 Foot Rule. The abundance of hay this year is a welcome sight, but it’s important to keep hay bales away from electric lines. Lightning storms, farm equipment and varmints have been known to spark power lines causing an arc that can ignite hay bales located in the utility easement. It is every member’s responsibility to honor the utility easement (normally 10 feet each side of the wires) and protect their property from potential fire problems. Kiwash Electric is not responsible for hay bale damage within the easement. The 10 foot rule refers to the distance extending 10 feet in every direction from any power line. Please observe this rule when you’re working outdoors with equipment such as a crane, forklift, backhoe, dump truck, TV antenna, drilling rig or skid loader. Keeping machinery, tools, and other items you are carrying at least 10 feet from power lines will protect you from accidentally touching the line and fatally electrocuting yourself.
Downed Power Lines. Stay away from downed power lines and poles! Never attempt to touch or move a downed power line or remove trees from power lines, even if you think the line is not energized. Even a “dead” line may be re-energized unexpectedly using automated equipment. Report downed power lines and broken poles to Kiwash Electric immediately at 888-832-3362.
Have a great Valentine’s Day and please stay safe!
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152