cooperativeREVIEW

volume 65 • issue 6 • june 2015
cooperative REVIEW
for members of Southern
Maryland Electric Cooperative
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Environmental
Information for
SMECO’s SOS
(As of 2014)
3
SMECO honors math
and science teachers
4
Need help paying
your energy bill?
Help is available!
6
Around Town
7
Four students receive
college scholarships
8
Little things add up,
don’t let pools and
spas pump you dry
It’s June and many people will
be enjoying their pools and spas.
They are a great way to relax or
cool off, but the cost to operate
them can add quite a bit to your
energy bill. A one-horsepower
pool pump running 12 hours a day
can cost over $50 a month. A hot
tub with both pump and heater
running five hours a day can rack
up around $46 a month on your
energy bill.
How can you reduce the
operating costs?
Where is your electricity
generated? See
SMECO’s environmental
information for the Stand
Offer of Service on page 3.
Running the pump to filter the
water can use a lot of energy,
especially if the pump is oversized. A pool specialist can help
you determine if your pump is the
right size, or if a smaller pump
will keep the pool clean and save
you money. Another option is a
variable-speed pump, which uses
varying speeds based on the
pool’s size and volume.
Hot tubs can cost a lot of money
to heat and filter. Keep your hot
tub set to the lowest comfortable
setting and make sure the cover
fits tightly when you are not using
it. If you can see steam rising on
a cold day, it is time to replace the
cover. If your model has an economy mode, use it
as much as possible.
Pump tips
• Replace pool pumps with an ENERGY STAR®
qualified two-speed or variable-speed pump.
They use up to 70 percent less energy.
• Place your
pool pump
on a timer
instead of
letting it run
24/7. Keep
adjusting the
timer down
so you have
clean water
and a short
run time.
• Use the sun
to heat the
pool instead of an electric heater. Solar pool
heaters come in different sizes and price ranges.
Ask your pool specialist for more information.
• Switch the breaker to off when you are no
longer using the pool for the season. If you have
a hot tub, set it to “economy mode” or turn it off at
the breaker when you are away.
• Check pumps annually to make sure they are
working properly.
• Keep intake areas clear of debris. Clogged
pumps work hard and are expensive to run.
Incentives available
In May 2015, SMECO began offering rebates
on ENERGY STAR® qualified pool pumps for
homeowners in eligible residences.
ENERGY
STAR
Certified
Pool
Pumps
Type
Minimum
Energy Factor
Rebate
Two speed
EF≥3.8
$150
Variable speed
EF≥3.8
$400
For more information, visit www.smeco.coop.
Program and incentive levels are subject to change.
2
Environmental information
for SMECO’s SOS (As of 2014)
The following environmental information is for
Standard Offer Service. The data are published
at the request of the Maryland Public Service
Commission and are based on regional averages.
Since the data are PJM Interconnection (the
regional transmission organization) wholesale
market averages, the SMECO-specific emissions
and energy source (fuel mix) data may vary from
these averages.
Electricity can be generated in a number of ways
with different costs and impacts on the environment.
The standardized environmental information shown
below allows you to compare this electricity product
with electricity products offered by other electricity
suppliers. For additional information, contact
SMECO at 1-888-440-3311, extension 4458.
Energy Source (Fuel Mix) values represent
2014 averages for this region: 43.49% coal,
34.72% nuclear, 17.51% natural gas, and 0.25%
oil. Renewable energy: 0.30% methane gas, 0%
geothermal, 0.95% hydroelectric, 0.05% solar,
0.53% solid waste, 1.95% wind, and 0.23% wood/
other biomass.
Air Emissions are air pollution associated with the
generation of electricity production for this region.
They are reported in pounds emitted per megawatthour of electricity generated, as follows: Nitrogen
Oxides (NOX):0.91, Sulfur Dioxide (SO2):2.23, and
Carbon Dioxide (CO2):1,107.77.
CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which may
contribute to global
Other
climate change. SO2 renewable
and NOX released into
Natural
the atmosphere react
gas
to form acid rain. NOX
also reacts to form
ground level ozone, an
unhealthful component
Nuclear
of smog.
Oil
Coal
3
SMECO honors math
and science teachers
SMECO and the school systems of Calvert,
Charles, and St. Mary’s counties recently honored
17 local educators for their accomplishments in
the fields of mathematics and science. Ten math
teachers and seven science teachers from schools
in the three counties received awards.
Calvert
Outstanding Mathematics Teachers
Charles
James Rodenhaver, Huntingtown High School
Justin Debbis, Mill Creek Middle School
Melissa Sydnor, Sunderland Elementary School
St. Mary’s
Jason Miller, St. Charles High School
Jeana Stanley, Theodore Davis Middle School
Corrie Wutka, William Diggs Elementary School
4
Mary Von Fricken, Esperanza Middle School; Dawn
Millerick, Leonardtown Middle School; Colby Gehrig,
Chesapeake Public Charter School; Christine
Stachelczyk, Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School
Over the past 24 years, SMECO has recognized
nearly 350 local math and science teachers.
“Our gifted honorees display a commitment to
classroom excellence and are helping to ensure
that Southern Maryland schools prepare worldclass students. These teachers are ambassadors
in their field, and they deserve all the appreciation
we can give them for the work they do every day for
our children and our communities,” said Austin J.
Slater, Jr., SMECO president and CEO.
Outstanding Science Teachers
Doris O’Donnell, Dowell Elementary School
Sara Wiles, Huntingtown High School
Matthew Watkoski, Maurice J. McDonough High School
Holly Fallica, General Smallwood Middle School
Jennifer Elder, Arthur Middleton Elementary School
Guy Barbato, Leonardtown High School
Michael Gallo, Margaret Brent Middle School
5
Need help paying
your energy bill?
Help is available!
Having trouble paying your electric bill? You may
be eligible to participate in one of two payment
programs offered by the State of Maryland.
If you qualify for the Maryland Energy Assistance
Program (MEAP) or the Electric Universal Service
Program (EUSP), you may receive payment
assistance. EUSP participants are required to
be enrolled in a monthly budget payment plan.
MEAP customers have the option to participate
in a special budget payment plan offered through
the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) that
is designed to safeguard MEAP customers from
termination of service.
To find out if you qualify for a MEAP or EUSP grant
you can apply at your local Office of Home Energy
Programs (phone numbers are listed below) or
attend the Energy Assistance Fair held at SMECO
Headquarters in Hughesville on July 8, 2015.
If you cannot attend the Energy Assistance Fair,
or if your service has been turned off, please visit
the Southern Maryland Tri-County Community
Action Committee during the hours of 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 8371 Old
Leonardtown Road in Hughesville. Tri-County will
not accept any Energy Assistance Applications
until after July 1, 2015.
If your electricity has been turned off, you may be
able to be reconnected and placed on a MEAP or
EUSP budget payment plan. If you fail to make your
monthly payments after being placed on a payment
plan, you can be dropped from the program and
your service can be turned off.
MD Office of Home Energy Programs
Southern Maryland Tri-County
Community Action Committee for
Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties
888-255-5313; 301-274-4474
6
Prince George’s County
Department of Social Services
301-909-6300
Pr. George’s County
aroundTOWN
July 3
Barenaked Ladies, Violent
Femmes, and Colin Hay
to Perform Live at the
Calvert Marine Museum
Sponsor: Calvert Marine Museum
7:30 to 10 p.m. Calvert Marine
Museum, Solomons. $ Admission.
410-326-2042, ext. 16
calvertmarinemuseum.com
Fourth of July Holiday
SMECO offices closed. Our
Contact Center is available 24/7.
1-888-440-3311
www.smeco.coop
July 18
Music at Summerseat Farm
Sponsor: Summerseat Farm
2 to 8 p.m. Summerseat Farm. The
summer concert will feature two
local bands: Franklin Square and
the David Norris Band. Gates open
at 2 p.m. and music runs from 4 to
8 p.m. with two sets from each band.
Local vendors will provide drinks
and food for purchase. Parking is
free. $ Admission. 12 and younger
are admitted for half price.
301-481-7975
summerseat.org
July 25
Live Auction and More
Sponsor: by Mt. Zion United
Methodist Men
July 4
4th of July
Watermelon Bash
Sponsor: Town of La Plata
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. La Plata
Town Hall. Come out for hot
dogs, games, wet fun, and
plenty of watermelon.
301-934-8421
townoflaplata.org
July 7
Kids’ Summer Show
Sponsor: Town of La Plata
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. La Plata
Town Hall. “Science Tellers—Super
Heroes.” Throughout the tale,
volunteers from the audience help
conduct exciting experiments that
make the characters’ super powers
and heroic deeds come to life.
301-934-8421
townoflaplata.org
2 to 6 p.m. Mt. Zion United
Methodist Church, 27108 Mt. Zion
Church Road, Mechanicsville. Live
auction and more. Doors open at 11
a.m. Auction begins at 2 p.m. with
Rodney Thompson of Homestead
Auctions. Flea Bops Rockabilly
Band performs at noon. Car wash
from 9 a.m. to noon, proceeds
benefit Mt. Zion youth groups. Meet
Pinch, mascot of the Southern
Maryland Blue Crabs, at 2:30 p.m.
Sarah Circle will have Rada Cutlery
sale, and Circle of Friends will
have baked goods for sale. Plan to
have lunch with Rita B’s Catering.
Ice cream will be available. Call to
donate items for the auction. All
donations are tax deductible.
301-481-6388
mtzionmech.org
July 28
Kids’ Summer Show
Sponsor: Town of La Plata
10 to 11 a.m. La Plata Town
Hall. Class Acts Art will
present “DinoRock,” a
dinosaur musical revue.
301-934-8421
townoflaplata.org
www.smeco.coop/ourcommunity/aroundtown.aspx
7
Four students receive
college scholarships
SMECO awarded four $1,500 college
scholarships to local high school
seniors who live in the cooperative’s
service area for 2014. Scholarships are
based on each applicant’s scholastic
achievement, financial need, and school
and community involvement. Over the
past 22 years, SMECO has awarded
scholarships to 92 students.
The following students each received a
$1,500 college scholarship this year.
Jordan R. Parker, daughter of Robert
and Stephanie Parker, graduated from
McDonough High School. She plans to
attend St. Mary’s College of Maryland to
study education and English.
Melanie Lippert, daughter of Richard
and Catherine Lippert. Melanie
graduated from Calvert High School and
plans to study biology at the University
of Richmond.
Annie Rose Yates, daughter of
Ronald and Mary Yates, graduated
from St. Mary’s Ryken. She plans to
study elementary/special education
at Loyola University of Maryland.
Ricardo McNutt, son of Robert and
Iliana McNutt, graduated from The
King’s Christian Academy. He plans to
study music and computer engineering
at Liberty University.
SMECO provides scholarships to local
students who excel academically and
who show promise in their chosen
field of study. Past scholarship winners
include students who have become
teachers, nurses, and a medical doctor.