PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative

16 The Tennessee M agazine

Pickwick Electric

Cooperative

Serving members in all of

McNairy County and

portions of Chester,

Hardeman and Hardin

counties in Tennessee and

Alcorn and Tishomingo

counties in Mississippi

530 Mulberry Ave.

P.O. Box 49

Selmer, TN 38375

Phone Numbers:

731-645-3411

731-632-3333

800-372-8258

Web site:www.pickwick-electric.com

These five pages contain local

news and information

for members of Pickwick

Electric Cooperative.

How much are consumers willing topay for renewable energy, energy

efficiency and climate change? That ques-tion is emerging in national discussions,particularly as Congress considers legisla-tion aimed at reducing greenhouse gasemissions.

New technologies toreduce the greenhousegases, specifically car-bon dioxide, will costbillions of dollars,according to a recentarticle in The WallStreet Journal. It is an“unpleasant andinescapable truth,” notedThe New York Times,“… that any seriouseffort to fight globalwarming will requireeveryone to pay morefor energy.”

Those in the electricutility industry agree. “Ithink power prices couldgo up 50 percent, maybemore,” an investor-owned utility CEOwarned in the Journal article.

That means a $150 monthly electric billcould go up to $225; a $400 electric billcould climb to $600. And that does notinclude the predicted 10-percent-per-yearincrease many of us can expect to pay tofinance new power plants needed to meetthe increasing demand for electricity.

We are talking about significantincreases in what we pay for electricity.

The Times editorial called theseincreases beneficial. Energy is currentlyunderpriced and therefore overconsumed,it said. “As long as today’s energy is rela-tively cheap, there is little incentive forprivate firms to develop new fuels andtechnologies,” the editorial stated. Higherprices will force consumers to use lesselectricity and make it profitable for othersto invest in alternate, and higher-priced,resources.

These skyrocketing electric bills will bepainful for thousands of electric co-opconsumer-members. But your electriccooperative already knows this. That iswhy representatives at your co-op ques-

tion each proposal brought forward byCongress.

Changes in the electric industry arecoming, but each change needs to have areal, measurable payoff. Additional dollarspaid through rate increases need to fundprograms that result in significant changes

worthy of the sacrificeconsumers will have tomake.

We need moreresearch in most areasto effect real, measur-able change. Moreresearch is needed tofind ways to improvethe efficiency ofrenewable resourcessuch as wind andsolar. We need todevelop ways to storethis intermittent ener-gy so that it canbecome a more stablepart of the system.

Nationally, electricco-ops are leading the

push for more investments in research anddevelopment for carbon capture and stor-age and clean-coal technology. At thesame time, individual co-ops are workingto find new, economically feasible projectsthat will move us toward changes in theindustry.

To promote energy efficiency, manycooperatives give away compact fluores-cent light bulbs as door prizes at theirannual meetings. They also offer the pur-chase of green power to their members aswell as rebates on energy-efficient waterheaters and heat pump financing for moreefficient heating and cooling systems.

Collectively, co-ops are looking at cre-ating a national renewable energy cooper-ative. Co-ops are doing a lot to help cutemissions, improve efficiency and meetthe needs of their members. They strive todo it while remembering that electricity isa necessity, not a luxury.

As we balance what needs to be donewith what it will cost and who will paythat cost, our members can rest assuredthat their electric cooperative will be look-ing out for them.

Karl Dudley President

Pickwick Electric Cooperative

kdudley@pickwick-electric.com

Facing up to high energy costs

Februar y 2008 17

Pickwick Electric CooperativePEC

Maynard Smith, who began his employ-ment at Pickwick Electric Cooperative

on May 6, 1994, as night radio dispatcher, hasretired from the co-op. Smith was honoredwith a retirement luncheon on Friday, Jan. 11,by fellow employees, friends and family.

Smith was born in Chester County andmoved to McNairy County in 1965. Heserved in the Army Reserve for six years.Prior to PEC, he was employed by GeneralElectric.

Smith says, “In my 13 years at PEC, thechange that affected me most was the auto-mated phone system, but you’re never too old to learn.”

Smith, like many other PEC employees, has workedthrough some difficult times. He has spent many nights at

the office due to power outages, making sureeach outage was reported to the on-callsupervisor. “It’s all part of the job,” saysSmith.

Smith and his wife, Shirley, have beenmarried for 43 years and live in BethelSprings. They have two children, Vickie Tay-lor and Felix Smith, and two grandchildren,Macayla and Charles. The Smiths attendLakeview Baptist Church in Selmer.

Smith’s retirement plans include somedeer hunting and fishing, and someday hewould like to visit Alaska.

PEC President Karl Dudley says, “We’d like to thankMaynard for his dedicated service to the cooperative andwish for him many years of good health and happiness.”

Maynard Smith retires

Don’t let your hard-earned money blow away through draftydoors and windows as well as uninsulated attics, walls, floors

and basements. As we stay indoors to stay warm this winter, saveyour money and reduce your utility bills by following these energyefficiency tips:

• Find air leaks inside and around the exterior of the home. Checkaround fixtures such as exhaust fans and electrical outlets that pen-etrate walls. Look for unfilled gaps and cracks near dryer vents,chimneys and faucet pipes.

• Seal leaks between moving parts such as between a door and itsframe with weatherstripping. Caulk cracks between windows andwalls as well as around door frames.

• Replace your screens with storm windows and doors. If you haveolder or leaky windows that you can’t replace, consider doing tem-porary fixes such as plastic film kits that create the effect of aninterior storm window.

• If you are shopping for new windows, doors or skylights, look forones with the Energy Star label.

• Make sure attics and flooring above unheated areas such as crawlspaces and the garage are properly insulated.

• Have your furnace checked by a professional to make sure it’soperating safely and at its optimal level. In addition, change yourfurnace filters monthly.

• Have a programmable thermostat installed to automatically raiseand lower home temperatures for energy savings by day andnight.

Keep the cold air outside this winter

Photo courtesy Werner Ladder Co.

PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative

18 The Tennessee M agazine

James Edward WrightMary Frances WrightJohn and Frances WrightJimmy Ray and Patricia Ann HillTri-County Electric Membership

CorporationAlvine BoydBobby and Teresa StanfordThe youth and staff at Youth TownTennessee Valley AuthorityCity of Michie officials and employeesMcNairy County Adult Education

Center staffCarl and Virginia CrabbEmployer Services, Health Partners,

Work PartnersTony and Peggy DavisNational Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Patterson and Dewar Engineers Inc.4-Way Electric Inc.Pat and Helen MontgomeryMcWhorter and Franklin EngineersMidSouth Utility Consultants LLCVolunteer Energy CooperativeBaldwin Pole and Piling Co. Inc.Hattie BakerService Electric CompanyLee Inspection and Consulting

Service Inc.Betty RickmanLexington Electric SystemLiberty Bail Bonds — Frankie SmithTina and Skyler ReevesTennessee Technology Center

at CrumpNeill Sandler Buick Pontiac GMCBriggs Inc.Ellen RowlandDoug, Andrea, Madeline and Abigail Fiero

Tennessee Valley Electric CooperativeCaney Fork Electric Cooperative IncStuart C. IrbySmith Metals Co. Inc.Nashville Electric ServiceLorena BrowderFayetteville Public UtilitiesPennyrile ElectricThe Southwood InnBilly and Frances Hill

Inman Bros. Wrecker ServiceAlcorn County Electric Power

AssociationAT&TWilliams, Jerrolds, Godwin &

Nichols PLLCR.A. PhillipsLeon and Eyvonne ManessParis Board of Public UtilitiesBetter Source Supply CompanyIBEW, Local 474Torco Testing Services Inc.AQ2 TechnologiesPowerTech Engineering LLCOwen and Jeanell QuallsJunell MooreHoward and Donna McDonnellJohnny HayesMiddle Tennessee Electric Membership

CorporationHopkinsville Electric SystemJeanie SloanMaudene DancerPickwick Drag StripJerry and Belle JarrettCumberland Electric Membership

CorporationFort Loudoun Electric CooperativeHD Supply UtilitiesMr. and Mrs. Ray MilfordCooperative Response Center Inc.Appalachian Electric CooperativeZona McAfeeFrankie Henry and familyCentral Service AssociationNew Jerusalem Hope HouseUnited Utility SupplyElectric Power BoardEmployees of Cellnet + HuntGov. Phil Bredesen and the Gover-

nor’s Books from Birth FoundationBarbara MartinMountain Electric CooperativeElizabeth ClarkSouthern Wood PreservingTerry and Charlotte StackensUtility Equipment ServiceTeen Challenge MemphisRichard and Melvina BabiecRite Aid PharmacyMeriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative

Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association

Southwestern LimitedDavid HatchPowell Valley Electric CooperativeHolston Electric Cooperative Inc.Duck River Electric Membership

CorporationThe Selcat office and staffCarolina Pole Inc.North South Wood PreservingCox Wood of AlabamaDon and Novella SmithLee and Brenda HortonUtilicorDynamic Lighting Inc.Lambert Used CarsBobby and Shirley JohnsonTVA — Jackson Transmission Service

CenterSungardTennessee Valley Public Power

Association Inc.Ruffin and AssociatesPlateau Electric CooperativeAmerican Cancer SocietyEstel and Mary R. MillsHumboldt UtilitiesAlmae Chappell and familyVerbie NixonDonald and Donnie ForsytheKevin and Dena McDonaldGibson Electric Membership

CorporationShawn and Sabrina SmithUpper Cumberland Electric Membership

CorporationHarold and Frankie FinleyRobert and Jane TaylorBlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeDoug and Judy RainesTown of MilledgevilleT.C. KennedyYounger AssociatesDave ClarkRuby PoundsPam WilliamsAllen & HoshallLouise BurnsJerry BurnsMiller & Martin PLLC Attorneys at Law

Cooperative appreciates cardsPickwick Electric Cooperative would like to express sincere appreciation for the

beautiful Christmas cards received from these cooperative members and friends.

Pickwick Electric CooperativePEC

An electric utility pole is the last place tomount an object such as a satellite

dish, sign or basketball goal. You mightthink it is harmless, but for Pickwick Elec-tric Cooperative employees, it creates a verydangerous situation. Part of a lineman’s jobis to climb these poles and perform a num-ber of tasks like installing a security light,changing a bulb, replacing a transformer orhooking up a new service.

Linemen’s jobs become even more diffi-cult when they have to contend with objectsthat are attached to the poles they work onduring inclement weather and at night. Sowhen you consider mounting an object on autility pole, remember the tasks of a lineman.

Tennessee state law states that it is illegalfor any person to place or attach any type of

show-card, poster or advertising material —including election campaign literature — ordevice on any kind of poles, towers or fix-tures of any public utility company, whetherprivately or publicly owned, unless autho-rized to do so.

Finding another location to mount objectsaround your home is one way you can helpprotect a lineman from injury or possiblysave his life.

The management and staff of PEC workhard to provide a safe working environmentfor all of its employees. This is quite anaccomplishment, given their daily workroutines.

So please consider the safety of thosewho serve you before you attach anything toan electric utility pole.

Sometimes our members find it necessary to know how

much their electric bills are in advance of receiving a bill.

Today, this information can be viewed in your home by going

to our Web site, www.pickwick-electric.com. In addition, a

host of valuable information about your electric cooperative is

at your fingertips.

PEC’s Web site contains information for our members and

potential customers concerning the cooperative’s history, orga-

nization structure, billing and special services.

By using the Web site, members can access billing informa-

tion that will allow them to see the amount of their electric bill,

meter reading, date the meter was read and number of kilowatts

used. Members wishing to access their account online will

need a user name and password. This can be obtained by fill-

ing out the information on the back of your electric bill, calling

the office or by e-mail.

You also have the option of paying your bill online using

your debit or credit card. Simply press the “See & Pay Bill

Online” button on our homepage and follow the prompts or call

toll free 1-866-843-9535. There will be an additional conve-

nience fee added for this payment option. (You do not have to

set up a user name and password to pay your bill online.)

We encourage you to use our Web site and would appreciate

your input on areas where we can improve.

You can make comments by filling out the survey under the

“Race for Quality” topic.

View and pay your electric bill at www.pickwick-electric.com

Keep our linemen safeDo not install objects on cooperative poles

Februar y 2008 19

20 The Tennessee M agazine

During extended power outages such as those caused by icestorms or tornadoes, many Pickwick Electric Cooperative

members have considered installingstandby generators as a backup sourceof electricity. Although a generatordoes offer a steady supply of electric-ity, safety precautions should be takenbefore energizing one. The generatorshould be in accordance with themanufacturer’s and PEC’s recommen-dations. By taking these precautions,the member not only ensures his ownsafety but that of PEC employees aswell.

If you are connecting the generatorto your house wiring system, the con-nection must be made through a dou-ble-throw switch. Once the switch isinstalled, an inspection by the state electrical inspector isrequired. This switch will disconnect your electric systemfrom PEC lines and switch it to the generator. The switch is

required by the National Electrical Code, which applies to allresidential, commercial and farm wiring.

Portable generators must not beplugged into the house wiring system.If installed in this manner, the genera-tor will backfeed through the servicepanel and energize the incoming ser-vice wires. This jeopardizes the safetyof utility line crews who may beworking on the lines.

The safest way to use a portablestandby generator is to plug yourappliances directly into it. To avoidserious injury, keep family membersand pets away from the generator.

We at PEC encourage our membersto follow these safety precautionswhen installing property or equip-

ment. Whatever the reason for buying an emergency generator,please remember the vital importance of installing a transferswitch.

Standby generators pose danger

• Turn down your heating system’s thermostat to 68degrees Fahrenheit. Turn it down even lower if noone is home for several days.

• Lower your water heater temperature to 120degrees Fahrenheit and reduce hot water use bytaking shorter showers and using cold water forlaundry whenever possible.

• Turn off lights, televisions and computers whennot in use.

• Remove and recycle your second refrigerator.

• Keep curtains open on the south side of the houseand closed on the north side during the day.

• Clean refrigerator coils and set the temperature to36 degrees to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and the freez-er to zero to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Make sure the fireplace damper is closed whennot in use. Don’t send warm air up the chimney.

• Match the size of your pot or pan to the size ofstove burner and cover them with lids whencooking.

• Once a year, drain about one gallon of water fromyour water heater to remove sediment.

• Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher’sheat-drying option.

Lower your energy billTen no-cost steps you can do this winter

Pickwick Electric CooperativePEC