TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Rural Living Bobby Dodd Board President
Allison Tant Representative
Julius Hackett TCEC C.E.O.
Donnie Waldrep Board Vice President
Jonathan Chambers Conexon Partner
2022 Hurricane Preparedness Guide Inside (Page 4) May & June 2022 Vol. 30 • No. 2
TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Rural Living Vol. XXX No. II May & June 2022
Board of Trustees
Bobby Dodd
Donnie Waldrep
Catherine Bethea
District 2
District 3
District 5
President
Junior Smith District 1
Vice President
George Webb District 4
Secretary/Treasurer
Ann Herring District 6
Co-op Values Translate to Benefits for the Community Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s (TCEC) core job is keeping the lights on, but our passion is serving our members. Because we’re a coop, our purpose is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our community. This service focus is at the heart of who we are. We were built and are led by the members we serve. Whether tested by severe weather events or a pandemic, our co-op puts people first not just during tough times but all the time. On April 11, 2022, we announced our partnership with rural broadband leader, Conexon, to build a fiber communications network across TCEC’s service territory. As part of this partnership, Conxeon’s internet service provider (ISP) subsidiary, Conexon Connect, will offer world-class fiber broadband (high-speed internet) service to communities within Tri-County’s service territory. Our goal: to have fiber broadband available to all members in our service territory in Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, and Dixie counties.
TCEC Staff
TCEC will begin construction of the network this summer and expect that it will take between 2 – 4 years to build a 2,400-mile fiberto-the-home (FTTH) network. This project will be Florida’s first FTTH project launched by an electric cooperative.
Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees. Postage is paid at Tallahassee, Fla.
The “Conexon Connect, Powered by TriCounty Electric Cooperative,” network will deliver world-class internet service to approximately 12,000 – 15,000 homes and businesses across Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, and Dixie counties. Once completed, 100% of TCEC’s members will have access to the service. Service will become available on a rolling basis as construction progresses and we will keep members updated as high-speed internet service becomes available in their areas.
Benny Bishop District 7
Johnny Edwards District 8
Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Brewer, Vice President of Engineering Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services John Tuten, Vice President of Operations Wendell Williams, Vice President of Finance
Publication Team
Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director
Publisher
Joanna Forrester Printed on Responsibly Forested Paper Tri-County Electric Cooperative 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340 www.tcec.com 1-800-999-2285
Do you wonder why we are getting involved in broadband? Simply put, TCEC is taking this opportunity to help meet the critical need of high-speed internet for our rural Florida residents. Now is the time to act because Federal and State grant funds are available for this purpose. Like many rural areas in our country, our communities have been disadvantaged for too long for the lack of vital high-speed broadband services. TCEC is committed to changing that, and improving the lives and communities of those served by the co-op.
Julius Hackett, CEO During the pandemic, many of us were faced with the challenge of stay-at-home school children or working remotely and having limited internet access or none at all. FTTH will open new opportunities for effective remote learning, telemedicine, work-from-home interoffice connectivity, economic development and growth, and even improved real estate marketing and home prices. We are excited to get started and look forward to having our members experience some of the same benefits that our urban and city counterparts experience, while pairing it with our living in a rural setting and enjoying the natural beauty our counties offer. TCEC members, employees, and community members heard from state and local officials as well as TCEC management about the plans to launch a world-class fiber communications network. On April 11, 2022 - TCEC members, employees, and community members gathered with state and local officials to hear from TCEC management and Conexon representatives about the plans to launch a world-class fiber communications network. Photos from the event appear on next page. For more information about our partnership with Conexon, please visit our website tcec.com. If you are interested in learning more about “Conexon Connect Powered by Tri-County Electric Cooperative” broadband internet services, please visit ConexonConnect.com.
Board Meetings The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison.
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May & June 2022
RURAL FIBER BROADBAND ANNOUNCEMENT
Jefferson
Madison
Taylor
Dixie
May & June 2022
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WE’RE READY ARE YOU?
2022 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE 4
May & June 2022
Hurricane Preparedness Resources Access these websites to complete your preparations for an incoming storm:
Tri-County Electric Cooperative
www.tcec.com
The Florida Division of Emergency Management Learn about hurricane hazards, what to do when a warning is issued in your area, and how to prepare for a storm.
floridadisaster.org
The National Hurricane Center Follow the path of any active hurricane to determine if your home is forecast to be in an impacted area.
nhc.noaa.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Apply for assistance after a storm hits, and learn about flood zones in your community.
fema.gov
Ready (From the Department of Homeland Security) Make a plan, build a preparedness kit, and more with tips from this site.
ready.gov
May & June 2022
MAKE A PLAN
PREPARE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT
PREPARE YOUR HOME
To report an electrical outage in your area: Phone 850.973.2285 or 800.999.2285
Text 800.999.2285
To check your co-op’s storm status: Website www.tcec.com
Facebook and Instagram TriCountyElectricFlorida Twitter @ TCECFlorida
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May & June 2022
Who owns what? If your electrical components are damaged, you may be responsible for repairs. Identify your type of service connection below to learn what your responsibilities are. You may need to complete repairs before power can be restored to your home.
May & June 2022
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Powering Up After An Outage When a major hurricane causes widespread damage, extended outages may result. Our line crews work long, hard hours to restore service safely to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest time possible. A single pole, if damaged beyond repair, can take anywhere between 8 and 18 hours to replace. Here’s what’s going on if you find yourself in the dark:
1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines
Transmission towers and cables supply power to transmission substations (and thousands of members), and they rarely fail. But when damaged, these facilities must be repaired before other parts of the system can operate.
2. Distribution Substation
A substation can serve hundreds or thousands of members. When a major outage occurs, our line crews inspect substations to determine if problems stem from transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation itself, or if problems exist further 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 members in our local communities.
4. Tap Lines
If local outages persist, supply lines (also known as 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.
5. Service Lines
If your home remains without power, the service line between a transformer and your residence may need to be repaired. If you experience an outage, please contact us so we can isolate the issue.
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May & June 2022
What’s on a pole? Equipment may vary based on location and the service provided. A single pole, if damaged beyond repair, can take anywhere between 8 and 18 hours to replace after a storm.
May & June 2022
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Primary wires run on top. Each carries at least 7,200 volts of electricity from a substation. A crossarm holds power lines, allowing required clearances between lines. Surge arrestors protect the transformer from lightning strikes. A secondary service drop carries at least 120/240 volts of electricity to the end user. It has two “hot” wires from the transformer, and a bare neutral wire connected to the ground wire on the pole.
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Telephone and cable TV lines are typically the lowest wires.
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The neutral wire acts as a line back to the substation and is tied to the ground, balancing the electricity on the system.
A head-high “birthmark” shows the size of the pole as well as where and when it was made. 40-foot poles are set six feet into the ground. Insulators (made of porcelain or a composite) prevent energized wires from contacting each other or the pole.
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Transformers convert higher voltage electricity from primary wires to lower voltage for use by consumers.
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Guy wires help stabilize poles. They are connected to the pole’s ground wire.
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Pole ground wire - running the length of the pole - connects to the neutral wire to complete the circuit inside the transformer. It also directs electricity from lightning safely into the earth.
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Co-ops are responsible for keeping vegetation around poles trimmed to avoid interference with the electric system.
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Generate Safely - Safe Generator Operation Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment:
Generate Safely - Safe Stationary An approved generator transfer switch,Generator which keeps your house circuits Generator separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional. Operation Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only Portable Plug appliances directly into the outlet two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment: Generator provided on the generator. Stationary An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits Generator separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.
Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure Portable Plug appliances directly into the outlet it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows, and vents. The carbon monoxide Generator provided on the generator. generated is DEADLY. Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows, and vents. The carbon monoxide Use a heavy-duty extension cord generated is DEADLY.
to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator. Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator.
Start the generator BEFORE connecting Start the generator BEFORE connecting appliances. appliances. Source: SafeElectricity.org
Source: SafeElectricity.org
Developed jointly by the Energy Education Developed jointlyResource by theCouncil Energy Council & Rural Electricity
Education Council & Rural Electricity Resource Council
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May & June 2022
Easy Stovetop Mac & Cheese
Ready in 15 minutes, this is a great weeknight dish that kids will love!
Recipe from The Stay @ Home Chef
Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
16 ounces – elbow macaroni ½ cup – salted butter ½ cup – all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoon – onion powder 1-1/2 teaspoon – ground mustard 1 teaspoon – salt ½ teaspoon – pepper 3 cups - milk 8 ounces – freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions 1. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Stir in macaroni; cook until al dente. Drain well. 2. Meanwhile in another large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, and mustard powder. Cook 1 – 2 minutes. 3. Pour in milk and whisk until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for 3 – 5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Turn off the heat and whisk cheese until melted. 4. Pour cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and stir well to combine. Serve hot.
May & June 2022
This Publication’s Inspirational Holiday Schedule Moment
Reminder
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (NIV)
All Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Monday, May 30, 2022, in observance of Memorial Day. We will have standby crews available for power restoration if needed. Please see “Stay Connected to your Co-op” at the bottom of this page.
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Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340
Rural Living TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE