coloradocountrylife.coop 74 AUGUST 2016

SOUTHEAST COLORADO POWER ASSOCIATION

[Rural Life]

It was only six months ago I shared the exciting news about SECOM’s purchase of Ark Valley Internet. I am happy to share that integra-tion want extremely well, and the combined compa-nies are now stronger than the sum of their parts.

Since that announcement, SECOM labored to continue that economic principle. I’m pleased to announce two additional acquisitions that strengthen our ability to provide both high-speed wireless and fiber optic broad-band services.

The first is in the town of Vilas. SECOM acquired network assets, adding a number of residential consumers to services al-ready provided to governmental organiza-tions and businesses. This transition did not receive much of the traditional fanfare but is equally important as all other merg-ers that are a part of SECOM’s history, and we are excited to welcome these new con-sumers. This community will always have a special place as the Vilas School District

was one of SECOM’s original customers.

The second acquisition, DD Wireless, did receive more media attention within this region. This represents an even larger scale integration than AVI and is an exciting oppor-tunity not only from a techno-logical vantage point (because it enhances our overall network

capabilities), but also from a business standpoint because it both complements and expands our geographic footprint. We are ready to share SECOM’s quality experience with these new consumers.

Sometimes I’m asked, “Why purchase existing businesses instead of just spend-ing that same money on expanding our existing company?” The simple answer is that we do both.

SECOM is just as committed to an organic growth strategy as any other. Despite this recent activity, it is still our primary effort on a daily basis to ensure our services reach as many consumers as we can within our market territory. That

said, some business deals are more cost ef-fective than building a similar infrastruc-ture, especially when operational expense reductions can be achieved with greater economies of scale.

What I can share is that our team continuously evaluates our strategy thor-oughly to ensure your equity investment is consistently maximized. Both these acqui-sitions advance SECOM’s strategic growth plan, which has more than doubled its consumer base over the past 18 months.

I’m also asked, “How is this good for Southeast Colorado Power Association?” SECOM is a wholly-owned subsidiary, so its success is a shared success. Simply explained, cost sharing and margins from SECOM put more downward pressure on electricity rates. I believe we can count that as a collective goal among us all!

If this past year is any indication of the future, I am optimistic more good news is awaiting both SECPA and SECOM. It is our team’s pleasure to serve member-owners, and we appreciate you entrusting us with that vital responsibility.

NEW ACQUISITIONS CONTINUE AT SECOMBY JACK JOHNSTON || CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER || JACKJ@SECPA.COM

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If you find your name in this issue as follows (WIN* your name, your account number), please contact Southeast Colorado Power Association at 719-384-2551 or 800-332-8634 to receive a credit on your next power bill. Last month’s winner was Frankie Stoker from Haswell.

You Could Be A Winner This Month

OFFICES CLOSED LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 5

Jack Johnston

coloradocountrylife.coop8 AUGUST 2016

[Rural Life]

THANDY APPS FOR MANAGING ENERGY USEBY ANNE PRINCE

Tracking your steps, tracking your children, monitoring your bank-ing activity or locating your parked car — these days, it seems there is an app for everything. If you are efficiency-savvy and want to manage your energy use, there may be an app that works for you. While there are several energy use apps to choose from, some can be difficult to use, particularly those aimed at general efficiency. There are no clear standouts, so try a few and choose the app that works best for you.

Purchasing a smart thermostat for your home is a great way to begin managing your energy use, but if you are looking for a more granular way to obtain information about your energy use, an app can provide useful insight into how specific actions impact your util-ity bill. The following is a snapshot of a few energy efficiency mobile apps. All of the apps mentioned in this article are available for Apple and Android systems.

NestOwned by Google, created by Nest Labs and linked only to the Nest thermostat, this free app has several useful features. You can adjust your home thermostat by simply using your smartphone, iPad or iTouch, whether in your car or on your couch. App users can view and edit a thermostat schedule and keep an eye on how much energy is being used. You can also opt to receive extreme temperature alerts before your pet overheats or your pipes freeze. In addition, there is an option for smoke and carbon monoxide alerts, among others.

Together We SaveTouchstone Energy® Coopera-tives offers the Together We Save app, which enables users to calculate the energy use of many household appliances based on national averages.

This free app includes roughly 100 calculators that determine the projected energy use and cost of particular appliances and activities. The app also offers 100 practi-cal energy-saving tips. For Touchstone Energy® Coopera-tive members, the Together We Save app calculates energy costs based on your actual utility rates for even greater accuracy. In addition, the app links to Southeast Colorado Power’s website for timely updates and information.

SmartHubThe SmartHub app transmits utility data, enabling consumers to see near real-time information about their energy use. Essentially,

this app helps customers better understand how and when they use energy.

The SmartHub app was devel-oped by National Information Solutions Cooperative and uses the same data as the SmartHub web portal. While all members can pay their utility bill using

their mobile device, prepay customers can also view their balance. For members who have solar photovoltaic systems installed at their home, the app enables them to check their offset power compared to their purchased power. (James Harper, Acct. # 1912030000)

Lennox iComfort The Lennox iComfort app is only compatible with Lennox prod-ucts — in this case, the Wi-Fi thermostat. It has similar features to the Nest, in that users can remotely control their home thermostat and other settings. In addition, the app allows users to program the system to an energy-saving away mode when no one is home. For example, you can select the settings you wish to run, then cancel the “away mode” as you return home to ensure a comfortable tempera-ture awaits you.

Your trusted energy resourceWhile these apps employ the latest technology to maximize your abil-ity to manage your energy use, the next generation of energy apps will likely integrate across multiple plat-forms: managing your thermostat, appliances, water heater, home elec-tronics and other devices from the convenience of your smartphone. In the meantime, while app tech-nology continues to evolve, your best resource for saving energy and money is your local electric co-op.

Southeast Colorado Power can provide guidance on energy savings based on your account information, local energy use and weather patterns for your region and other factors unique to your location. Contact Southeast Colorado Power’s energy experts to learn more.

Anne Prince writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Elec-tric Cooperative Association.

coloradocountrylife.coop 94 AUGUST 2016

[Rural Life]

When we talk to people about energy efficiency, we always remind them that becoming more efficient costs money. Some-times these extra costs make sense and sometimes they may not. It’s all about what we want as consumers and what choices we are willing to make.

Southeast Colorado Power Association partners with Tri-State Generation and Transmission to offer rebates to members who in-stall new energy-efficient products, appliances or equipment. These rebates can be used on new heating and cooling equipment for your home, appliances, commercial or residential lighting, electric irrigation motors, variable-speed drives and thermal storage.

To be eligible for rebates, minimum efficiency standards and sizes apply. These include Energy Star rating for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dishwashers. Water heaters must have a minimum 30-gallon capacity with a six-year tank warranty. Air conditioners and heat pumps must meet minimum sizing require-

ments and efficiency standards to be eligible. Residential lighting must meet minimum lumen outputs and are limited to 50 lamps per account per year. These are only a few examples of the mini-mums and standards that must be met to qualify for SECPA and Tri-State rebates. Proof of purchase older than 180 days will not be eligible for rebates.

Whether you are replacing an appliance, building a new home, retrofitting lighting in your home or business or just want to be more energy efficient, take advantage of the rebates offered by SECPA and Tri-State. It’s another benefit of cooperative member-ship.

A comprehensive listing of eligible items for rebates can be found on SECPA’s website at www.secpa.com under the products and services tab. If you have any questions, please contact Telly Stanger at 719-383-1341.

BACA COUNTY FAIR AND RODEOAugust 6, 2016 This annual fair and rodeo is held the first weekend in August. Various competitions and entertainment go on throughout the week leading up to the rodeo weekend. Food, games, activities, barrel racing, team roping, 4-H and FFA projects and a demoli-tion derby are a few of the events you can attend during the week, as well as a parade in Springfield and free barbecue at the fairgrounds on Saturday.

www.facebook.com/BacaFairAndRodeoIncBaca County Fairgrounds 28500 County Road 24.6 Springfield, CO 81073Bob Gourley - 719-529-0727

SPRINGFEST MUSIC IN THE PARK Saturday August 27, 201610 Live Bands in Springfield

Tipton Street Springfield, CO (turn west on Tipton off of Main and go one block)Andrea Keenan - 719-523-3143

MOON MAN CAR SHOW Saturday September 3, 2016

Springfield City Park Tipton Street Springfield, CO (one block off of Main)Brad Viner - 719-353-2316

PUMPKIN SHINEOctober 24, 2016Always the Monday of Halloween WeekPumpkin carving contestHalloween costume contestChili cook-off contest Cash prizes for winners

748 Main St. or U.S. Highway 287 Springfield, CO 81073

HOLIDAY BAZAAR November 19, 2016Always the Saturday before Thanksgiving.Handcrafted and artisan items

Baca County Fairgrounds Minnick Building28500 County Road 24.6 Springfield, COPam Crane - 719-361-0262 pamela.crane@gmail.com

BLACK FRIDAY, SANTA ARRIVES and FREE MOVIEAlways the day after Thanksgiving

Baca County Courthouse 748 Main St. Springfield, CO Free Movie: 1485 E. 9th Ave. Springfield, CO

EMT CRAFT SHOWDecember 10, 2016Always the second Saturday in DecemberGem Theater and the Walsh Community Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

100 N. Colorado Walsh, CO 81090Virginia Bitner - 719-324-5628kvbitner@gmail.com

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF REBATES FROM SECPA

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Baca County and Springfield 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

coloradocountrylife.coop10 AUGUST 2016

[Rural Life]

A car accident can happen so quickly, yet the final seconds may seem to slow down just before the car and its passengers jolt on contact. Such an accident can inflict serious injury and damage, and when the car wreck involves power poles, there is an added danger. Safe Electricity shares tips to help keep you safe when there is a car accident involving power poles and lines.

In February 2016, a vehicle crashed into a utility pole in Lawrence, Kansas. The power pole snapped and lines were in contact with the car and with a nearby wooden fence. In fact, the fence caught fire from the incident. The Lawrence Journal-World reported that, fortunately, law enforcement officials told the driver to stay in the car for his safety. Once the utility personnel arrived on scene and cut the power, the driver was able to safely exit the vehicle.

Knowing what actions to take to stay safe can make the difference between life and death. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that, on average, auto accidents with power poles result in 1,000 deaths each year.

Should you be involved in an automobile wreck with a power pole, Safe Electricity provides the following safety information:

• Stay in the car. Call 911 to have the utility notified.

• Do not leave the vehicle until utility professionals have de-energized the line and they advise you that it is safe to do so.

• If you must exit the vehicle because it is on fire, jump clear of it with your feet together and without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time. Keeping your feet together, “bunny hop” to safety. Doing this will ensure that you will not have different strengths of electric current running from one foot to another.

• Be aware that, after an accident with a pole, wires can fall at any time.

• Downed lines can sometimes show they are live by arcing and sparking with electricity, but this is not always the case. Treat all downed wires as though they are energized.

• Remember, most power lines are not insulated. The coating on the lines is for weather proofing and will not offer any protection from the electrical current.

• The tires of the vehicle do not insulate it from electrical dangers.

Follow the above safety precautions even if the car rolls and is upside down or on its side. The vehicle is the path to ground for the electrical current, so while you remain in the car, you are safe. If you step out of the car, you are in danger of becoming the path to ground.

For more information on electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.

ADDED DANGER IN CAR WRECKS WITH POWER POLES

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