Electric Power Association of Mississippi News

Call before you dig…

01/09/12

Underground power lines:
The danger beneath the backhoe

Electric power associations build underground power lines to withstand most damage due to natural causes. But nothing can protect them from the direct impact of excavating equipment—except the operator’s awareness of electrical safety.

The danger is real: On average, 325 people die and 4,400 are injured each year because of electrical hazards, according to data published by the National Safety Council. Electricity ranks sixth among all causes of occupational fatalities. The leading cause of fatal electrical incidents while on the job is contact with power lines, both above and below ground.

By calling the Mississippi One-Call System before digging, the electric utility serving your work site will be alerted of your intentions. Utility personnel will determine whether an underground power line or other electrical facilities exist at your work site and, if so, dispatch a representative to mark their location. This is a service that Mississippi’s consumer-owned electric power associations are happy to provide to help protect you and your workers, foremost, but also to prevent power outages and avoid costly damage to underground electrical facilities.

Electric power associations urge you to devote a few minutes to electrical safety before digging by calling the Mississippi One-Call System at 811 at least two days before the work is scheduled to occur. For more information, visit www.ms1call.org.

Co-ops offer benefits to members

01/09/12

    Electric power associations in Mississippi make up the state’s largest cooperative network. You, as a member of an electric power association, benefit in many ways from the power of this network. Electric power associations work together to control expenses, devise solutions to common challenges and restore power during emergencies, just to cite a few examples.
    How does this cooperation affect you? The short answer: You pay the least amount possible for your electric service. And it is among the most reliable in the world.
    Here are a few more benefits of being a member of an electric power association:
   • Local management. You are invited each year to attend your electric power association’s membership meeting where you can talk face to face with top management. You can ask questions or make comments directly to the CEO and the board of directors (which the members elect). How many other businesses are this accessible? Have you ever talked to the CEO of your phone company, TV provider or superstore?
   • Energy-efficiency leadership. Your electric power association is serious about helping you control energy costs by being more aware of your energy use. Every time you flip a switch on or use hot water, you are buying electricity. Today in Mississippi has a long history of promoting wise energy use to electric power association members. How many other companies actually encourage you to use less of their product or service?
   • Fast power restoration. Your electric power association is poised to respond to any outage, any time of day or night. When the big storms mow down our lines, your electric power association can call on emergency power restoration help from other electric co-ops in Mississippi and other states. We’ve had co-op crews from across the region pour into Mississippi by the hundreds to repair destruction to lines from hurricanes, ice storms and tornadoes. We’ve returned the favor when our sister cooperatives were similarly stricken.
   • Legislative watch dog. Electric cooperatives in Mississippi and throughout the nation monitor proposed state and federal legislation with your energy interests in mind. We target any proposal that might threaten the cost, reliability or availability of your electricity. Our government relations team makes every effort to point out potentially harmful legislation to elected officials. We want them to understand the unique nature of not-for-profit electric cooperatives and the needs of our membership.
   • You are an owner. Your electric power association is owned by the members it serves. Not by stockholders across the globe. Your electric power association is governed by local members (the directors you elect at the annual meeting) and staffed by local employees. The result is a cooperative focused entirely on providing service—not pleasing stockholders—and leading efforts to make your community a better place to live.
    Cooperatives truly help build a better world.

What's on your mind? EXPRESS YOURSELF

01/09/12

   Most of us have attended a sporting event and witnessed the excitement prior to the competition. Both sides combine their voices, proclaiming their allegiance and anticipating a victory. Their voices are heard. But at game’s end only one side will be able to declare victory. Simply put, that’s what happens. It’s why they play the game.
   It’s much the same way in government. People routinely gather at our state Capitol or at local courthouses and city halls to demonstrate their passion for a certain cause and to voice their opinion. They hope to encourage lawmakers to take their side. It’s why men and women have fought many battles to ensure each of us continues to have the right to voice our opinions.
   I believe it’s important for us to exercise freedom of speech in an appropriate manner. While coffee shops make great places to debate government actions and sometimes judge our lawmakers, it does little good to leave your discussion there. Your voice should be taken outside your friendly gathering place and into a place where it can be openly discussed and receive attention. Public policy has never been born out of silence.
   In January, our state elected officials will take office and begin the task of tackling issues facing all of us. As a past elected official, I personally know the importance of hearing from the people. I wanted to hear from both sides before making a decision on an issue.
    If you have a concern or a cause, let the men and women who represent you hear your voice. They want to hear from us. Our voices will help lawmakers craft legislation that ensures Mississippi continues to be a great place to live and work.
   As we try to influence others, the greatest resource we have is our voice. Used in the proper manner, it can literally change lives and our surroundings.
    But we must know how to use our voices to benefit others. Throughout history, many great leaders have used their strong voices to direct us in a path that has made America a great nation.
   When we speak out, we should be clear and concise. Too often after hearing people speak, we look around and wonder, “What did they say?”
   We are accountable for our spoken words. It’s time for people to be careful when speaking. Today’s technology has created a new arena for instantly speaking out, which can crank up the rumor mill. It’s important to use our voice only after we know the facts. We must hold each other accountable for the messages we deliver.
   The second part of this communication lesson is the art of listening. We must have dialogue with others and be willing to listen to the opposing view. If we listen closely, we can find good advice and common ground.
   In sharing my thoughts, I am reminded how much this parallels with electric power associations and their boards of directors, who are elected by the people they serve. Each month, more than 225 men and women gather in their local electric power association’s board room to tend to the business of ensuring reliable, affordable electric service for more than 1.8 million Mississippians. This unique way of doing business affords you an opportunity to voice your concerns with the people who represent you at your electric cooperative.
    As we begin the new year, let’s work on our communication skills. We have many easy-to-use forums to share our voices. Our website, www.epaofms.com, features Let’s Talk. It’s a place to let us know what’s on your mind.
    I will continue to use my monthly column to voice useful information and to promote ideas for helping others. And, as always, I will listen.