Be Prepared For Winter Weather

All the leaves have fallen off the trees and the temperature has dropped…that’s right…winter is definitely upon us!  While it’s good to have that nice cup of hot chocolate and a blanket to keep warm on cold nights, we want you to be prepared should winter weather hit.  Whether it’s freezing rain, snow or ice, consider the following precautionary measures in case of severe winter weather and possible disruption of your electrical service:

• Have emergency supplies available.  Be sure to keep flashlights and batteries, candles and matches, portable radio and, of course, your cell phone in an easily accessible place.

• Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible during a power outage.  Consider storing food in insulated coolers and placing them outside (if temperatures are below freezing).

• Leave one light switch on, both inside and outside, so you and our crews working the area will know when your power is restored.

• Stay away from downed power lines.  Don’t attempt to move them or drive over them.  Simply stay away.  Call Sawnee EMC immediately to report the downed lines.

• Isolate generators from your power service.  If you use a generator, this is a necessary precaution to avoid feedback into Sawnee’s electrical system.  Isolating the generator from our system will eliminate the possibility of electrocution to anyone coming in contact with downed lines.

Sawnee EMC is dedicated to providing dependable and reliable electrical service to its members/owners under all types of weather conditions.  We can’t control the weather, but if power outages do occur in extreme winter weather, you can be assured that we will work diligently to restore power as quickly as possible.

“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service!”

Electric Service “Blinks” Sometimes Can’t Be Avoided

Have you experienced a “blink” or a brief loss of electrical service in your home lately?  Maybe the power flickered once for just a second, then flickered again.  Members contact our Call Center and questions if these “blinks” could mean that there is something wrong with their electric service.  The answer is “No”.  These occurrences are normal and usually indicate that the protection devices on our electrical system are protecting against a “temporary” event such as a falling tree, limb, a squirrel or a lightning strike.

These temporary events are usually caused by “uncontrollable” actions and can be attributed to nature.  Trees falling or brushing against a line is one of the largest causes of electrical blinks.  Other common causes of blinks occur from storms…such as lightning, wind or ice.  Animals, such as squirrels, and sometimes vehicle collisions can cause brief interruptions or blinks in your electric service as well.

The reality is that protections devices prevent much longer and widespread outages on Sawnee’s electrical system.  We work hard to keep these events to a minimum.  But remember, should the electricity blink in your home, it is usually nothing to be alarmed about – rather the system is just “Doing Its Job”.  Got a question about blinks?  Call a member of our Engineering staff at 770-887-2363.

Energy Saving Tips

Keep warm this winter by following these simple tips:

• Open shades and drapes during the day to allow sunlight to enter and heat your home.

• Make sure furniture and rugs do not block the flow of warm air from vents and open registers.

• Make sure all windows and doors are properly weather stripped and caulked to help keep heat in your home.

• Close your fireplace damper when you are not using your fireplace to help keep out cold air.

• Upgrade attic insulation in your home to an R-38.  Sawnee will help with the cost by offering a rebate of ½ of the cost to a maximum of $200.

Interested in additional energy saving tips?  Visit us online at www.sawnee.com.

Operation Round Up…Is Rounding Up Again!

Have you heard about Operation Round Up?  If you have been reading your Sawnee Highliner each month, you know that this program allows Sawnee EMC members to “round up” their electric bill to the next highest dollar.  The money…approximately 50 cents per month…is then donated to charitable organizations, within Sawnee’s service area, that need assistance.  Keep reading to learn more about the difference that Operation Round Up is making in your community!

• Bethany Place (Merismos Ministries) – A check for $6,104.00 was awarded to complete ceiling work for this women and children’s shelter in Cherokee County.

• Foster Care Support Foundation, Inc. – This North Fulton organization accepted a check for $10,000.00 to purchase clothes and needed supplies for local foster children.

• Canine Assistants – This organization will use $15,000.00 to train a dog for a disabled person in the North Fulton area.

• Healing Hooves – Accepted a check for $5,000.00 to purchase a trailer for transporting their horses to pet therapy appointments within Sawnee EMC’s entire service territory.

• Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia, Inc. – A check for $1,000.00 was awarded to enclose a handicap accessible platform tent at the Girl Scout camp on Lake Lanier.

• Special Populations Tennis Program, Inc. - $1,350.00 will be used to purchase equipment and other items for this facility which offers children and adults with mental disabilities the opportunity to help underprivileged children in the seven (7) counties that Sawnee EMC serves.

• Special Holiday Donation – A $5,600.00 donation was made to help underprivileged children in the seven (7) counties that Sawnee EMC serves.

The above gifting took place on November 14, 2006 and helped to make the holidays a little brighter for the many people they assisted.  Are you ready to make a difference?  It couldn’t be easier.  Join your neighbors today and sign up to contribute to Operation Round Up by contacting our Customer Call Center at 770-887-2363 or online at www.sawneeemc.cc/round-up.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Electrification Administration
APPENDIX A
Statement of Nondiscrimination

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, citizenship or veteran status shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Michael A. Goodroe, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may file a written complaint with this organization; or the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250; or the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, D.C. 20250.  Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discriminatory action, or by such later date to which the Secretary of Agriculture or the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service extends the time for filing.  Identity of complaints will be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.