Learn more at www.nnec.coop - Northern Neck Electric Cooperative

Northern Neck
Electric Cooperative
Looking for ways to trim costs in your household budget?
Let our new online Bill Analyzer help! This suite of
energy-saving tools now on our website will help you find
ways to use energy more efficiently
and reduce your cost.
Learn more at
www.nnec.coop
NORTHERN NECK
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
NOTICE OF WHOLESALE RATE INCREASE
85 St. Johns Street
P.O. Box 288
Warsaw, VA 22572-0288
804-333-3621 • 1-800-243-2860
www.nnec.coop
This is to advise that due to a change in the wholesale rates from the Cooperative’s
wholesale suppliers of power, the Cooperative’s charge for electricity will be increased by
$0.00651 per kilowatt-hour. This adjustment in retail rates is in accordance with the
Cooperative’s Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment Clause that is a part of the Cooperative’s
retail rates on file with the State Corporation Commission. This adjustment will be effective with
bills rendered on or after Jan. 1, 2015.
This change is due to Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s (ODEC) rate increase, which is
a direct (pass-through) cost to NNEC’s members. This rate increase is due to:
1. last winter’s extreme cold weather that increased NNEC’s cost for using the Dominion
Virginia Power transmission system (the cost of bringing electricity from the generation plants
to NNEC’s service territory); and
2. Dominion Virginia Power upgrading that transmission system to provide improved reliability
and to increase its physical and cybersecurity of those lines.
Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
President & CEO
Greg W. White
Local Pages Editor
Andrew Packett
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is an
equal opportunity provider and employer.
22
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative
Best Wishes
for a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year
from Directors, Management and Employees
of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative
NNEC board of directors, L-R, front row: Ralph E. Sutton, Elnora F. Tompkins
and J. Steve Thomas, Sr. Back row: Hunter R. Greenlaw, Jr., A. Wayne
Saunders, James A. Wise and Russell G. Brown.
NNEC employees L-R, front row: Valerie Hinson, Jenny Hayes, Sheila Balderson, Vivian Diggs, Coty Dameron, Bette Millward, Jane
Harcum, Pamela Davis, Carey Allen, Steven Minor; second row: Wayne Douglas, Brenda Kram, Gabrielle Dawson, Denise Sanders,
Dawn Green, Chris Neale, Craig Loving, Shawn Coates, John Harhai, Mike Hyde, Mike Finerfrock, Bill Clark; third row: Hunter Beane,
Mike Dunaway, Jim Moss, Greg White, Beverly Jewell, Casey Hayes, Tony O’Bier, Ricky Taylor, David Thomas, Scott Smith, Danny
Delano, Delacy Dodson; fourth row: Steve Smith, David Jackson, Mike Winebarger, Harry Smith, Joey Gay, Richard McLendon,
Marty Mothershead, Pat Henry, Randall Thompson, Keith Balderson, Andrew Packett, Leon Douglas; back row: Mark Evans, Greg
Dove, Len Usual, Edward Courtney, Matthew Hathaway, Davin Brann, Will Schools, Keith Johnson, Derek Pierson, James Kelly, and
B. J. Walker. Not pictured: Bobby Franklin.
January 2015
23
High-School or Home-School Seniors Can Apply Now for
2015 VMDAEC Educational Scholarships
A
ny high-school or home-schooled
senior graduating in 2015 whose
parents or guardians are consumermembers of Northern Neck Electric
Cooperative and whose primary residence
is served by the cooperative is eligible to
apply now for a $1,000 scholarship.
Scholarships are awarded by the
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association
of Electric Cooperatives’ (VMDAEC)
Educational Scholarship Foundation. An
applicant must be entering his or her first
semester at a college or technical/trade
school in the fall of 2015. Scholarships
must be used towards tuition, student fees,
room and board or textbooks.
The foundation selects scholarship
recipients based on a combination of the
following weighted criteria: financial need
at 40 percent; academic achievement at 40
percent; personal statement at 20 percent.
APPLICATION STEPS
STEP 1. Complete the VMDAEC
Educational Scholarship Application form
using a computer. If there is no access to a
computer, the form can be handwritten.
Do not leave any sections blank. Failure to
provide requested information will result
in disqualification. Send the application
electronically via email using the submit
button in the lower right-hand corner of
the form or scan it and email to
scholarship@vmdaec.com no later than
midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015.
STEP 2. Compile all documents listed
below. Do not staple, paper clip, insert into
binders or fold. Do not send any of these
documents separately. Seal all documents
in one envelope in the following sequence
(from front to back):
1. Copy of application form (pages 1
& 2) – completed, signed and dated.
2. Copy of most recent electric bill for
primary residence.
3. Personal Statement plus 2 copies.
See directions under Personal
Statement Section.
4. Copy of preliminary official high or
home school transcript. If it is
school policy, the transcript can be
sealed in a separate envelope.
5. Copy of Standardized Test Scores
(SAT and/or ACT).
6. Recommendation letter written by
someone not related to applicant.
24
STEP 3. Submit the envelope
containing the required documents to
VMDAEC Educational Scholarship
Selection Committee using one of two
delivery options:
• Mail – P.O. Box 2340, Glen Allen,
VA 23058-2340
Postmark no later than midnight,
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
• Hand-deliver – 4201 Dominion
Boulevard, Suite 101, Glen Allen,
VA 23060
No later than 5 p.m. on
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
For the educational scholarship
guidelines and application form, please
go online to www.coopliving.com/
community/scholarship.htm or
www.vmdaec.com. The scholarship
application form uses form-submission
features included in recent versions of the
Adobe Acrobat Reader software. In order
to fill out and submit the application form,
please ensure that you have version 7.0 or
later. There is a link on these two websites
that will allow you to download and install
the latest Acrobat Reader for PCs and Macs.
In 2014, the VMDAEC Educational
Scholarship Foundation received 364
applications from students in areas served
by 15 electric cooperatives in Virginia,
Maryland and Delaware. From these, the
Foundation Board selected 55 applicants
to receive Worth M. Hudson Scholarships
in the amount of $1,000 each, four
applicants to receive scholarships from the
C. D Hypes Memorial Fund in the amount
of $1,000 each, and two applicants to
receive scholarships from the James C.
Tennant Memorial Fund in the amount of
$1,000 each for a total of 61 scholarships.
Over the past 14 years, 470 students have
received VMDAEC Educational
Scholarship Foundation grants.
For more information, visit
www.vmdaec.com or www.co-opliving.com/
community/scholarship.htm or contact
Pam Johnson, manager of continuing
education and training, at pjohnson@
odec.com or (804) 968-7153.
SAFETY CORNER
Five tips for space heater safety
by April Lollar, APR, CCC
s temperatures drop this winter,
many will look for supplemental
heating sources for their homes.
Space heaters can be a good alternative
for those who want to warm one area of
their home without turning up the thermostat
on the central heating system. However,
space heaters are also responsible for 32
percent of house fires, according to the
National Fire Protection Association. If you
are planning to use a space heater in your
home this winter, review these tips from
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative to keep
you, your family and your property safe.
Materials — What are the components
of your space heater made of? Parts like
metal grating can be hot to the touch and
may burn anyone who gets too close. Make
sure you purchase a heater that is cool to
the touch and has guards over the coils just
in case little fingers get too close.
Placement — While it can be tempting
to place a small heater on a shelf so it is not
A
in the way of pets and children, it is safest to
leave the heater on a level floor on a
nonflammable surface. Keeping the space
heater on the floor can keep it from falling
over, preventing fire hazards. Also,
remember that space heaters and
bathrooms are not a good combination,
unless the heater is designed for bathroom
use. Moisture can damage the heater.
The most important rule about space
heater placement is the 3-foot rule. Whether
you are using the heater in the bedroom,
living room or kitchen, space heaters should
always be kept 3 feet away from flammable
materials and out of the way of children
and pets.
Special Features — Does your space
heater have an auto shutoff function if
tipped over? Auto shutoff can be a lifesaver.
If you currently own a space heater without
auto shutoff, consider purchasing a heater
with this important safety feature.
Cords — You should never use an
extension cord when plugging in a space
heater as it can cause overheating. The
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative
WATCH
your
WAT T S
How renters can fight the winter chill
by Abby Berry
A
ccording to the U.S. Census
Bureau, 33 percent of Americans
lease their homes. Unfortunately,
many lease agreements forbid major
alterations to rental properties. But don’t
worry, renters! Consider using these lowcost, energy-efficient tips from Northern
Neck Electric Cooperative to improve the
efficiency of your home this winter.
HOT SAVINGS
Heating the home typically makes up
about 48 percent of your utility bill. Set
your thermostat as low as is comfortable
in the winter — Energy.gov recommends
68 degrees Fahrenheit to boost energy
efficiency.
During the winter months, take
advantage of heat from sunlight. Open
draperies and shades during the day to
allow natural light to heat your home.
Remember to close them in the evenings
as the temperature drops and
Did you know?
BRIGHT IDEAS
space heater should be plugged directly
into a wall outlet, and should be the only
thing plugged into the wall outlet. Also make
sure cords aren’t in a high-traffic area so
they are not a tripping hazard.
Use — Never leave a heater unattended
while in use. If you are leaving your home
or going to bed, make sure to unplug the
heater.
Following these tips and making sure to
follow the manufacturer’s instructions can
keep you safe this winter.
November-December 2014
Lighting is one of the easiest
places to start saving energy,
and savings are not strictly
limited to winter months. Try
replacing a few of your most
frequently used light bulbs with
ENERGY STAR-qualified lights,
and save more than $65 a year
in energy costs. ENERGY
STAR-qualified compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
use 75 percent less energy and
last several times longer than
incandescent light bulbs, saving
money on energy bills and
replacement costs. Practicing
energy-efficient habits is
another great way to reduce
energy use. Always turn off
your lights when leaving a
room.
Caulk and seal windows to
avoid air leaks.
OTHER WAYS TO SAVE
NRECA PHOTO
April Lollar
writes on consumer
and cooperative
affairs for the
National Rural
Electric Cooperative
Association, the
Arlington, Va.based service
organization for
the nation’s 900plus consumerowned, not-for-profit
electric cooperatives.
mindful when using electronics at home.
windowpanes become chilly.
Unplug devices when not in use, and use
Does your home have window airsmart power strips to save on energy use.
conditioning units? This winter, remember
To learn more ways to be energy efficient
to insulate the units from the outside with
around the home, visit www.nnec.coop or
a tight-fitting cover, available at your local
www.energy.gov.
home improvement center or hardware
store. This keeps heated air from escaping
Abby Berry writes on consumer and
outside. If desired, you can remove the
cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric
window unit during winter months to
Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based
prevent energy loss.
service organization for the nation’s 900-plus
consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
Another way to save on
heating is to make sure your
water heater is set at the lowest
comfortable setting. Have you
experienced scalding hot water
when taking a shower? If so, it's
Heating your home accounts for up to
likely that your water heater is
48 percent of your utility bill.
set too high — which is a waste
of energy. Older models of
A few tips to help you save:
water tanks are often not
insulated, which can be easily
Clean or replace your furnace filter
once a month (or as recommended).
remedied by covering them
with an insulating jacket.
Leasing an older home or
apartment? Odds are you have
single-pane windows and old
or missing caulk. Don’t let the
winter chill seep indoors!
Apply caulk around window
frames, sashes and door panels
to combat air leaks. Also, be
Keep draperies and shades open
during the day and closed at night.
Visit www.energy.gov for more ways to save!
25
NNEC’s Tools to Stay Informed During a Power Outage
D
uring an outage NNEC has several methods for members
to stay informed. The Outage Map online is easy to
access at http://outages.nnec.coop/ with a new mobile
website provided through Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. The
website is compatible with iPhones and Droids. The Report
Outages number is directly under NNEC’s logo for members to
speed dial.
The outage map shows the outages by county, the volume of
outages in each location per a color chart, and the number of
outages restored. Jim Moss, vice president of Operations,
remarked on the importance of the outage map, “The outage map
on our website provides a convenient way to quickly check for
outages on the NNEC system. Even if your area is shown on the
map, if you are without power we encourage you to call our
outage-reporting number 866-NNEC OUT. More calls collected
into our outage-management system will more accurately define
our outage areas.”
Facebook is another way to keep informed during major
outages. NNEC includes its Facebook feed on its website at
www.nnec.coop or go directly to www.facebook.com/
northernneckelectriccoop. Energy-saving tips, Beat the Peak
alerts and other useful information is posted on Facebook.
Follow NNEC on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NorthernNeckEC.
NNEC tweets a link to the press releases on major outages to
keep members informed. Press releases on major outages are also
posted on NNEC’s website under News and Events.
In order to better serve our members, NNEC has a dedicated
outage number 1-866-NNEC OUT (866-663-2688). This number
is only for outages and it is designed to handle several hundred
calls at one time. This number allows NNEC members to report their
outage information in a timely manner. Report an electricity outage or an
emergency by calling toll-free 1-866-NNEC OUT (866-663-2688). If
there is a high volume of calls for a large number of outages, please use
the automated system. The automated system recognizes your telephone
number and is programmed to report the outage based on the telephone
number identification. Please make sure NNEC has your correct
telephone number.
During normal business hours, customer service representatives are
available or all other inquiries by calling toll-free 1-800-243-2860 or
locally 333-3621.
Take the CHILL out of your Winter Electric BILL
➤ Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees. Save
3-5 percent for each degree the thermostat
is lowered.
➤ Lower the water heater thermostat to 120
degrees and insulate all hot water pipes.
Insulate the hot water tank. Always follow
the manufacturer’s instructions given in your
owner’s manual. (Water heater jackets are
not recommended for all models.)
➤ Install a programmable thermostat to lower
the temperature when you’re sleeping
or away.
➤ Run ceiling fans on reverse at the lowest
speed to move warmer air at the ceiling
down toward the living space.
➤ Caulk and weatherstrip openings such as
cracks in walls, around windows, and where
doors do not fit or close properly. Insulate
electrical outlets and switches, they are an
often overlooked source of energy loss from
cold air.
➤ Open your blinds and curtains during the
day. Allowing natural light in from the sun
will warm the air. Remember to close the
blinds and curtains at night.
➤ Close the doors and vents to rooms you
don’t use daily. Keep them open if you use a
26
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
heat pump, because efficiency depends on
proper air flow.
Replace heating system air filters monthly.
Check insulation levels in the attic, crawl
space and basement. Add more if needed.
Keep the fireplace damper closed when not
in use.
Use your oven sparingly. When you do use
it, leave the oven door open after you are
finished cooking to warm up the room.
However, do not use your oven to heat your
home — it will cost more than running your
heating system and it is very dangerous.
Use exhaust fans sparingly. Minimizing the
use of these fans will keep the warm air
inside, but use them during showers to
avoid mold.
Run your dishwasher and your clothes
washer only when they are full.
Keep the refrigerator door shut.
Flannel bed sheets and extra covers keep
you warm on cold winter nights without
turning up the thermostat.
NNEC understands that members are
concerned about their electric bills. The
Cooperative offers its members several payment
options including Levelized Billing. Contact
Customer Service at NNEC at 800-243-2860
or 804-333-3621.
Sign up today at My Account, NNEC’s
Member Portal, to use the interactive energy
suite Analyze My Bill. This program uses the
data you enter about your home to help you
find ways to use energy more efficiently and
reduce your cost. Analyze My Bill looks at your
total energy footprint so you can achieve the
maximum savings potential for your household.
My Account also allows you to:
• make payments online, manage your
account and much more;
• sign up for Automatic Bank Draft or credit
card draft;
• sign up for ebill;
• sign up for daily or weekly electric use
emails to monitor your daily use of
electricity to conserve energy;
• receive “Beat the Peak” alerts via email;
• view payment history;
• sign up for high energy use alerts when
you use more than your established
kilowatt-hours per month; and
• sign up for Levelized Payment Plan.
Visit NNEC’s website at www.nnec.coop to
sign up for My Account and Analyze My Bill.
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative
Powering Up
When an outage occurs, line crews work to pinpoint problems
1 High-Voltage Transmission Lines
Transmission towers and cables that supply power to transmission
substations (and thousands of consumers) rarely fail. But when
damage occurs, these facilities must be repaired before other
parts of the system can operate.
2 Distribution Substation
Each substation serves hundreds or thousands of consumers. When a major outage
occurs, line crews inspect substations to determine if problems stem from
transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation
itself, or if problems exist down the line.
3 Main Distribution Lines
If the problem cannot be isolated at a distribution substation,
distribution lines are checked. These lines carry power to large
groups of consumers in communities or housing developments.
5 Individual Homes
If your home remains without power, the service line
between a transformer and your residence may need
to be repaired. Always call to report an outage to help
line crews isolate these local issues.
4 Tap Lines
If local outages persist, supply lines, called tap lines, are
inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, either
mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground
service, outside businesses, schools, and homes.
When electricity goes out, most of us expect power will be restored within a few hours. But when a major storm causes widespread damage,
longer outages may result. Co-op line crews work long, hard hours to restore service safely to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest
time possible. Here’s what’s going on if you find yourself in the dark.
Why Is My Electric Bill So High in Winter?
inter is here. Electric bills go
up when the temperatures go
down! During the winter it is
important for you to know why your
electric bill is higher and to note ways to
reduce your electricity usage.
Here are a few items that might
contribute to higher bills this time of year:
W
➤ Less daylight results in using
more lights.
➤ Water heaters use more electricity
to heat colder water.
➤ Clothes cannot be dried outside in
freezing weather.
➤ In the winter people are inside
more watching television and
playing video games.
November-December 2014
➤ The holiday season includes
additional cooking and
houseguests, parties and family
gatherings.
➤ Colder temperatures outside
require more household heating.
The colder the outdoor temperature,
the greater the heat loss from inside
your home and the longer a
heating system must operate to
maintain a level of comfort.
➤ When the outside temperature is
close to freezing, the auxiliary heat
will come on automatically to
maintain the desired temperature.
Many thermostats have an
indicator light that indicates when
the auxiliary heat is in use. The
auxiliary heat will also come on
f
e
d
when a person adjusts the
thermostat more than 3 to 4
degrees up at a time. Most new
homes have heat pumps; therefore
cold temperatures will activate the
auxiliary heat, resulting in much
higher energy consumption and
consequently a higher electric bill.
27
ANDREW PACKETT PHOTO
Moonshine Memories
by Andrew Packett, NNEC Writer
R
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT WATKINS
Watkins with his book, Not Necessarily in
Them Thar Hills, and models of stills used in
the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
He uses the models to explain the types of
stills and the process of making moonshine
in presentations to civic organizations and
upon request. • Below: Confiscated
moonshine lined up in mason jars. •
Bottom: This still located and destroyed by
Wakins used a 275-gallon oil drum to
make moonshine. These drums are used
for holding heating oil.
Author’s Note: Almost 25 years ago I
worked as a police officer and chief of
police in Warsaw. I am fortunate to have
worked with Bobby after most of his days of
fighting the bootlegging industry were over.
Bobby is a short man in height but tall in
stature, as feisty as a bantam rooster, and
complete with a full, colorful vocabulary.
Bobby has a strong work ethic and
integrity; two key characteristics for a
good law enforcement officer.
eflecting on the once-thriving moonshine industry in the
Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, retired ABC agent Robert F.
(Bobby) Watkins says, “Work and money were scarce for many
families in our area. Bootleggers made moonshine to sell. Selling
moonshine was meant to feed the family. Sometimes I would catch the
whole family involved in making moonshine. It was a sin for them to
drink it.
“It was a cat-and-mouse game for the bootleggers and me. If I caught
the bootleggers or they got away, there were no hard feelings. They were
just trying to make a living. There was an unwritten law between the
bootleggers and us; you don’t shoot at me and I won’t shoot at you. Keep
in mind that a firearm within 100 yards of a still was another felony violation.
“The biggest stills I located and destroyed used truck radiators to cool the
steam. These radiators were very dirty. A big concern was the lead soldered
joints in the radiators that could cause lead poisoning, blindness and such. The
mash contains water, grain and sugar to ferment. The alcohol being distilled
would dissolve some of the lead solder in the joints. That’s where you would
get lead poisoning.”
Watkins worked as a Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control agent for 38 years.
Born in Warsaw with deep family ties to Tappahannock, Watkins worked
mainly the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula region for almost 20 years
confiscating moonshine, locating and destroying the stills making the
liquor, and apprehending the bootleggers.
Recently, Watkins published a collection of stories about his
adventures chasing bootleggers, titled Not Necessarily in Them Thar Hills,
a statement on the moonshine industry in the Northern Neck and Middle
Peninsula. This book is now in its fifth printing. The book is available on
Amazon or by contacting Bobby Watkins, P.O. Box 397, Tappahannock,
VA 22520, phone 804-443-3213.
Northern Neck Electric Cooperative
Cooperative Helping Hands Association
Sponsors 5-Stand Sporting Clays Tournament
T
he Cooperative Helping Hands recently sponsored
its Fourth Annual 5-Stand Sporting Clays
Tournament. The tournament included five
member teams with individual recognition for the three
high guns (top shooters). The course consisted of
shooting 10 rounds from five stations. Winners were the
teams with the highest scores after completion.
Congratulations to all winners and thank you to all who
participated to make this event successful. Cooperative
Helping Hands Association is the fundraising
organization established by the Northern Neck Electric
Cooperative employees to donate to local charities.
1st Place: Score –198
From left: Richard Haynie, Russell Haynie, Joey Gay, Richard
McLendon and Carvel Whaley.
High Gun Award
From left: 1st – Russell Haynie – 47; 2nd – Richard Haynie – 46;
3rd – Joey Gay (pictured) & Marion James Packett – 39.
2nd Place: Score –140
From left: Glen Branich, Brian Oliff, Danny Allensworth, Trevor
Johnson and Benny Johnson.
Left: Emily Gay is congratulated by Denise Sanders on winning the
raffle for the Browning Silver shotgun. Right: Denise Sanders and
Dawn Green of NNEC’s Cooperative Helping Hands congratulate
Richard Haynie on winning the $50 Walmart gift card.
Special Thanks to:
• Wood Preservers for the use of their facilities.
• Peyton Motley, who helped with planning and
running the tournament.
• Essex Concrete
• Tappahannock Walmart
• The NNEC employees (members of the
Cooperative Helping Hands Association) who
helped plan and work the Sunday event.
3rd Place: Score –131
From left: Craig Brann, Marion James Packett, Curtis Packett,
Jason Dameron and Wayne Medlin.
29