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Interruptions for improvements — planned outages benefit all members

Like any electric provider, our cooperative aims to make your electric service as reliable as possible. Planned power outages — though rare — help us achieve that goal.

First, regular maintenance — like replacing a damaged or deteriorating utility pole or trimming trees near power lines — may also require planned outages. These outages allow our employees to work in a safer environment.

“On our system, planned outages are almost always about maintenance,” says NAEC Operations Superintendent Richard Ballard. “If we have a bad pole that we determine is too dangerous for our linemen to work on while it’s energized, we will cut power so they can work safely.”

Second, technological advances allow us to strengthen the grid. Stronger poles and wires, and the development of devices that better protect equipment from winds and wildlife all reduce the chances outages occur, especially during storms.

To make these upgrades, though, we sometimes have to shut off power. Planned outages allow us to notify our members about when these will occur and how long the outages will last, allowing them to prepare and mitigate any inconveniences the outages might cause.

A third reason planned outages may occur is the need to relocate lines and other equipment ahead of public infrastructure improvements like road expansion projects. And yet another reason for planned outages is when we need to add new members to the grid.

As your cooperative, we will aim to schedule these outages at the most convenient times. We also endeavor to provide our members with plenty of notice of any scheduled outages. Keeping your contact information updated will help us with those efforts.

Weathering planned power outages

While losing power may not be ideal, members can take several steps to lessen the inconvenience caused by necessary upgrades to our power grids.

• Charge cellphones ahead of any outage. Keep them and a list of emergency contact numbers in case help is needed.
• Keep flashlights and a supply of batteries for them handy.
• Turn off major appliances like washers and dryers so they do not run unexpectedly when power returns. This includes ovens, stoves, and any other heat-generating devices that could cause fire if left unattended while operational.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve the cold temperatures longer.
• Make sure garages can be manually opened.
• Notify alarm system companies of the impending outage.
• Ensure generators are properly installed. Improperly installed generators can damage property or harm others.
• Have a reserve of water for cooking, flushing, and other needs if your water system relies on electrical service to operate.

Sources: Puget Sound Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric, PPL Electric Utilities, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Closing the gap

Local students eligible for free internet service

For today’s students, a reliable broadband connection is no longer just a helpful tool but a necessity. Students use the internet for everything from checking and completing homework assignments to seeking tutoring and doing research.

In a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018, roughly 6 in 10 students said they used their home internet to do homework every day or almost every day. But 1 in 5 students from ages 13 to 17 also said they are often unable to complete homework assignments because they didn’t have a reliable internet connection.

Addressing that “homework gap” has become even more important over the last year as the coronavirus pandemic has forced many schools to close and placed a greater emphasis on remote learning. That is why North Alabama Electric Cooperative is proud to offer free internet access for eligible students through the Alabama Broadband Connectivity for Students program.

“A reliable internet connection is an essential tool for our students, and it has never been more important than it is today,” says NAEC General Manager Bruce Purdy. “With so many of our students dependent on distance learning, we are pleased to provide the service that will keep them connected to the virtual classroom.”

With the ABC for Students program, Governor Kay Ivey has committed $100 million in Coronavirus Aid Relief and CARES Act funding to provide free internet access to eligible K-12 students at home this fall. The state will use those funds to purchase internet service for students in low-income households so they can fully participate in distance learning.

Who is eligible?

Households with students who are currently enrolled in the National School Lunch Program through their local school and meet that program’s income requirements will receive an ABC for Students voucher in the mail. If you believe your student is eligible for the National School Lunch Program but is not yet enrolled, please contact their school directly.

When will I get my voucher?

Some members may have already received their vouchers. The ABC for Students program began mailing vouchers to eligible households in September. If you want to check on the status of your voucher, contact your school to confirm that your student is enrolled in the National School Lunch Program and that your home address on file is up to date.

What does the voucher cover?

Your voucher covers the cost of equipment, installation, and high-speed internet service through Dec. 30, 2020. Your family will not receive any bills and will not be charged any additional fees. The state will handle all paperwork.

What type of internet service can I get?

NAEC will be offering free service at 50 Mbps download and upload speeds to qualifying households with a valid voucher.

Once you receive your voucher, call one of NAEC’s member service representatives and let them know you have an “Alabama ABC voucher.” They will be able to help you sign up for internet service, schedule installation, and answer any other questions you may have.

Easy as ABC

The ABC for Students program will provide free internet access for eligible students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. NAEC is working with the state of Alabama to make the process as easy as possible for households that want to participate.

If your student is already enrolled in the school lunch program, you are automatically enrolled in the ABC for Students program. Have your prepaid voucher ready and take the following steps:

• Step 1 — Call NAEC when you have received your voucher in the mail.
• Step 2 – Let a member service representative know you have an “Alabama ABC voucher.”
• Step 3 —NAEC will provide equipment and installation support to you if available in your area.
• Step 4 —Help your student connect to distance learning through their school.

If your student is not enrolled in the school lunch program but you believe your household meets the income requirements:

• Step 1 — Contact your school to confirm your student’s eligibility.
• Step 2 — Enroll in the National School Lunch Program. Your household will automatically be added to the ABC for Students mailing list.
• Step 3 — Receive your ABC voucher in the mail and follow the steps listed above.

If you have not received your voucher and believe that you should have, please contact your student’s school to confirm their enrollment and that your address is up to date.

Hey, kids! We want your Christmas art!

Christmas is coming, and NAEC is looking for the perfect cover for its December 2020 issue of Alabama Living. Do you think you could help? If so, enter the 2020 NAEC Christmas Art Contest!

Any student in kindergarten through fifth grade is encouraged to apply. The cover of our magazine will feature the first-place winner’s artwork, and all students entered will have their names recognized in the issue. All entries will be judged by a committee.

To enter, complete the Contest Entry form (PDF) and submit with your entry to:

NAEC Christmas Art Contest
P.O. Box 628
Stevenson, AL 35772

Make sure to read the contest rules before you submit. Good luck!

Contest Rules

This contest is open to students in grades K-5 who live in the NAEC service area.

• Artwork must be approximately 8.5” x 11” in size. Do not fold.
• Artwork should have a Christmas theme.
• Artwork should be an original creation of the child.
• Artwork should be in color, using markers, crayons, paint, etc.
• The entry form must be signed by a parent or guardian and enclosed with the artwork.
• Deadline to turn in entries is Oct. 23.
• Only one entry per child.

The Cooperative Difference

Each October, cooperatives throughout the country celebrate National Cooperative Month. Cooperatives were created in 1936 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act. Today, there are 834 distribution cooperatives and 63 generation cooperatives serving more than 42 million people across the United States.

The Benefits of Membership

• Cooperative members are owners of their utility, not just customers.
• Cooperative leaders know the communities they serve because they
  are part of them.
• The elected board of trustees gives members a say in the running of
  their cooperative.
• As not-for-profit utilities, the good of the members is the first
  priority for cooperatives.

The Seven Cooperative Principles

• Open Membership — Membership is open to anyone ready to accept the responsibilities that come with it.
• Democratic Control — Cooperatives are democratically controlled by members who actively participate.
• Economic Participation — Members contribute to the cooperative and share in its benefits in proportion to those transactions.
• Autonomy — Cooperatives are independent organizations and can only enter agreements with member support.
• Education — Cooperatives educate members and representatives about the electric industry so they can make informed decisions.
• Cooperation — Cooperatives work together to improve service and overcome major outages.
• Concern for Community— Cooperatives work to develop their communities with member-supported policies.

Where NAEC equipment ends and member-owned equipment begins

When storms hit, North Alabama Electric Cooperative is responsible for repairing any damage to its equipment while members are responsible for fixing their own. But how can you tell member-owned equipment from the cooperative’s? This illustration shows which equipment connected to your home is your responsibility and which parts are owned by the cooperative. If member-owned equipment needs repairs, members should hire a licensed electrician to make them.

• Co-op owned equipment — Power distribution lines, transformer, power pole, padmounted transformer, overhead service line, and meter.
• Member-owned equipment — Weatherhead, service mast, service mast guy, service panel, meter socket, meter socket and jaws, underground service line, and tree trimming (trimming trees around service line is the member’s responsibility).

Right-of-way crews clear the way for reliable power

When Brandon Evans first took over as right-of-way foreman about five years ago, North Alabama Electric Cooperative (NAEC) had just changed its approach to tree trimming. For the last few years, he had worked on the crew trimming back the vegetation around electric lines by the hour. It wasn’t working.

“We weren’t accomplishing anything; we were just surviving,” Evans says. “Then, we started trimming by the mile, and if crews didn’t trim the way they should, they didn’t get paid. It made a world of difference.”

These days, Evans estimates NAEC’s two four-man contract crews that trim by the mile can each clear around 10 miles per month. Their work frees up a third crew to focus on hot spots around the system, where they can cut down a tree threatening to fall on electric equipment or deal with a section of line experiencing frequent outages.

Along with the cooperative’s two in-house right-of-way crew members, including Evans, NAEC works on a four-year cycle for trimming and a five-year cycle for mowing to cover the entire system. In between those five-year mowing cycles, the crews also spray to keep vegetation growth to a minimum.

“That’s why it’s so crucial for us to maintain the right-of-way,” says Evans. “The member has to realize when we’re trimming we may not be back through there for a few years because we’re on a schedule.”

Making a Difference

Evans understands that some members may not be happy to see his crews come around. Not every member wants their trees trimmed, and, in some cases, they may not need it. Those with backup generators might not be inconvenienced by an electric line to their home going down periodically. But it is important for members to keep in mind that they may not be the only ones affected.

“They might not mind if their power goes out, but what if they have a neighbor down the road who is on oxygen?” says Evans. “She needs her power. Some folks have to have it to survive, and then it becomes an issue.”

In some cases where trees have needed to be cut down entirely, NAEC has replaced them by planting new trees away from electric lines. After all, the right-of-way team’s ultimate goal is to improve the reliability of members’ service, not mess with their landscaping.

“We’re not cutting to harm them or damage their property,” says Evans. “We’re here for the member, so when that storm comes, maybe they have power all night instead of having a tree or a limb knock it out.”

A Smart Investment

Clearing right-of-way pays off by:

• Improving the reliability of electric service
• Keeping electric rates low for members
• Protecting members who rely on medical equipment

A Cut Above

Who turned out the lights?

Some of the most common causes of electric outages include:

• Falling trees and limbs
• Wildlife contacting power lines
• High-speed winds
• Lightning
• Vehicle collisions

Clear the way

NAEC clears growth 15 feet from each side of an active power line, resulting in:

• 30 feet of space around active, single-phase poles
• 38 feet of space around active, three-phase poles

Maintain a ‘safe zone’ when planting trees

• Maintenance Zone — No vines, shrubs or trees should be planted within 10 feet of the farthest point on a utility pole.
• Low Zone — 10-20 feet or farther from the Maintenance Zone. Examples: Redbud, Dogwood.
• Medium Zone — 20-50 feet or farther from the Maintenance Zone. Examples: Holly, Ornamental Cherry.
• Tall Zone — 50 feet farther from the Maintenance Zone. Examples: Maple, Spruce, Oak, Pine.

From submitting your resume to interviewing, it’s an online world

Technology has changed the way we look for a job. A high-speed NAEC Fiber connection is more important than ever to making a good impression with the first round of interviews often held online through videoconferencing. Even with a crystal clear connection, it is a whole new world for today’s job hunters. This guide can help you navigate it to find and land that dream job.

Job Boards

These days, most job opportunities are found through online sources, such as job boards where employers post openings and describe the position, job duties, and type of candidate they are seeking.

Some of the most popular job boards include Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, and Glassdoor. These sites will allow you to post your resume for employers to review. They also let you search for openings based on location, career field, or keyword. While they may have some differences, most job boards have the same basic features. They allow you to search for jobs you may qualify for, and they often let you apply directly from their site. Others may link you to the employer’s site to submit your resume and fill out an application.

Resume

Your resume is your calling card. It is the first thing a potential employer will see when determining if you are a good candidate for the opening. A resume should be simple and easy to read. It should be concise and only contain relevant information. It should summarize your accomplishments and highlight relevant skills. Here are some tips to help you create a winning resume.

• Keywords — Look for keywords in a job posting that describe what the employer is looking for and use those words in your resume.
• Font — Always use a basic, clean font
  like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Information — Keep your resume as brief as possible, without leaving out key information. Only include relevant information that highlights your qualifications for the position.
• Design — Make sure your resume is clear and easy to read, with defined sections and appropriate margins.

Social Media

Networking is the new king of modern job hunting. That’s why some social media sites like LinkedIn have become go-to sources for employers and job seekers alike. According to The Muse, an online source for job seekers, 92% of employers are using social media to fill their ranks.

LinkedIn is probably the most popular social media site for job hunters. It is an excellent source to find job postings as well as to network with others within your field. But LinkedIn isn’t the only social media site companies are using. According to The Muse, 93% of employers use LinkedIn to find candidates. About 66% use Facebook, and 54% use Twitter.

The Muse also warns candidates to review and clean up their social media sites, because the majority of employers review a candidate’s social media posts for questionable content. Remember, it is a two-way street. Just like employers are evaluating you to determine if you are a good fit for their team, you should be evaluating whether the job would be a good fit for you.

Where to find the best local produce

There’s nothing better than fresh fruits and vegetables as part of your favorite home-cooked meals. Buying local from farmers markets in your area is a great way to get healthy produce for your family, and there are plenty of options in North Alabama.

Maggie Valley Berry Patch and Gardens

Berries and flowers, pick-your-own or chosen for you by the owners

Where: 458 Babe Wright Road, Grant, AL 35747
When: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See Facebook for additional hours.

Jackson County Farmers Market

Fresh produce and more from farmers across Jackson County

Where: 218 Bob Jones Road, Scottsboro, AL 35768
When: Tuesday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., May to November

Crow Mountain Orchard

Variety of fruits handpicked for you

Where: 6236 County Road 39, Fackler, AL 35746
When: Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guntersville Farmers Market

Products grown or made in the Guntersville area, from produce and flowers to locally sourced hand scrubs and jams

Where: 880 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976
When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, April to November

Cool ways to save this summer

Saving on your electric bill doesn’t have to require big changes around the house. Even making a few simple adjustments to your family’s daily habits can have a big impact on your energy usage each month.

Summer is the perfect time to start making new energy-efficient habits, since electric use tends to climb during the warmer months. While North Alabama Electric Cooperative does not raise its rates during the summer, higher temperatures and kids spending more time at home can add up to increased energy costs.

Try taking a few of these easy steps to keep your electric bill under control this summer:

Light it up — Traditional incandescent lightbulbs turn the majority of the energy they use into heat. Upgrading to more efficient LED bulbs will not only keep your home cooler during the summer, but it will also save you money throughout the year.

Fire up the grill — Kitchen appliances produce a lot of heat. Stoves and ovens can raise the temperature in the kitchen as much as 10 degrees. Doing your cooking outdoors on the grill is not only a great way to enjoy the summer weather, but it also helps you avoid raising the temperature in your home. Don’t have a grill? Microwaves use less energy than an oven while producing less heat.

Location, location, location — Take note of where you place the devices that produce the most heat in your home. Electronics like TVs or lamps near the thermostat can fool it into thinking your home is hotter than it is. The system may use extra energy to compensate.

Throw some shade — Enjoy the summer sun outside, but make sure the blinds or curtains are closed if you’re trying to keep your home cool. Sunlight will heat your home, especially if you have south-facing windows. You can open them back up in the evening when the temperature cools off.

Counterculture — Running a ceiling fan counterclockwise will cool the room down, allowing you to turn your thermostat up a few degrees while maintaining the same level of comfort. If you don’t have a fan in your home, a portable fan can provide a nice breeze just as well.

Cold shoulder — Most of the energy used when washing clothes is from heating the water. Using cold water whenever possible can help lower your electric bill. If the weather is right, you can even airdry clothes instead of putting them in the dryer.

Farmers master a challenging season

Loyd Brothers Farm, 10 miles out from Stevenson, Alabama, grows corn, cotton, soybeans, and, for the first time this year, hemp. While the crops may change over time, some things do not, including the arrival of long, hot summer days. “You’ve got to go through it every year,” says Jackie Loyd, who has farmed for over 50 years. “The hot summer’s going to be here, and you’ve got to prepare.”

Preparation comes down to timing. “If you don’t do something at the right time, you’ve lost your chance to do it,” Loyd says. That means planting and fertilizing before it gets too hot. Then, as temperatures begin to climb, the use of the right chemicals protects crops from heat, insects, and more. It’s all part of dealing with the “dog days of summer” on the farm.

While that term may bring to mind images of a dog lounging in the shade to escape the heat, it actually has roots in astrology. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the arrival of the hottest days of the year, which usually fall between July 3 and Aug. 11, typically coincide with the dawn rising of Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star.” Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, except, of course, for the star responsible for all that summer heat: the sun.

Throughout those hot summer days, farmers must work long hours to care for their crops. “Farming in the spring, the summertime, the fall — it’s never an eight-hour-a-day job,” Loyd says. “Sometimes we work 11 or 12 hours a day. When you’re out in the weather, you’ve got to drink a lot of water, wipe your sweat off and keep going!”

Mitigating the risk of drought

Even with all the hard work farmers put in, farming is a risky venture. Robert Hereford runs Hereford Farms in Madison County, Alabama, 20 miles from Huntsville. “The equipment’s expensive,” Hereford says. “The input’s expensive — fertilizer, seed, and chemical. And it’s a really low-profit margin normally for the risk involved. But if everything works, we can make a really good profit.”

It can be quite a big “if.” From foreign policy on exports to the whims of insects, much remains out of farmers’ control, including how much rain falls on the crops in those dog days of summer. For much of history, farmers could do nothing but wait and pray for that rain. When it didn’t come, the results could be tragic. Hereford remembers one summer drought that almost put him out of business in 1980. Fortunately, modern irrigation systems help mitigate some of that risk.

Today, Hereford Farms has enough equipment to water a little over half of the crop, no matter how much rain falls. “I feel a little bit more confident that I will make an acceptable yield where I have irrigation,” Hereford says. “It makes it easier to presell some of my crops to the granaries because I have a better feeling of what I might make.”

Still, nothing is ever guaranteed for a farmer. “You work at it, but you realize you can’t control the outcome,” he says.

“You’ve got to learn to be patient and take what you can.”

Working hard to feed America

Mike Sisk, a county commissioner in Jackson County, Alabama, is the son and grandson of farmers. He says many people don’t realize just how big a role farmers play in feeding America. “Agriculture is the backbone of our country,” he says. “Every time your elbow bends and mouth opens, a farmer helped to put that food on your plate. As the bumper stickers say, ‘No Farmers, No Food.’”

So what can communities do to support their local farmers during the dog days of summer? More than anything, farmers seem to just want people’s patience. “When we travel up and down the roads with this big irrigation equipment, it holds people up and slows people down. We don’t want to do that, but we have to get the job done,” Hereford says.

When drivers slow down and pay attention on rural roads, the farmers can safely get their equipment where it needs to go. Then, they can ensure the crops stay watered and healthy in the summer heat so we can all enjoy the harvest on our grocery store shelves and dinner plates in the months to come.

“Safety is the main thing,” Sisk says. “When farmers are moving our equipment, we want to take care of the oncoming traffic we’re meeting and not be a harm to them in any way. It’s just something people don’t understand when they’re in a hurry.”