Low Temps Cause High Bills

Light Post
the
January - February 2014
published for members of kiamichi electric cooperative
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Low Temps Cause High Bills
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative
966 SW Highway 2 • PO Box 340
Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578
Record-setting cold in December prompts calls to co-op
tele: (918) 465-2338
toll free: (800) 888-2731
FAX: (918) 465-2950
T
emperatures in December put the
freeze on Oklahoma, causing home
heating units to work overtime
keeping homes comfortable. Meanwhile,
families rang in the holidays with
Christmas lights, nonstop cooking, and
kids on vacation in front of the TV. The
result: Higher than normal electric bills.
Kiamichi Electric's average residential
bill in December 2013 increased by 52
percent over that of December 2012.
Oklahoma Mesonet, who tracks climate
changes in state, ranked the last month of
2013 as the 17th coolest December on record
since 1893. With the statewide average
temperature at 35.2°F. in December, it's still
no match for 1983's record cold of 25.8°F.,
but it is far cooler than 2012's 42.1°F.
At Kiamichi Electric, the phones began
ringing almost immediately after members
received their bill. "A lot of callers said they
didn't understand it because they never
touched their thermostat,” said Renee
Taylor, KEC billing supervisor. “They may
not have done anything different, but the
weather outside was very different.”
Frigid temperatures force heating units
to cycle “on” more frequently—even if
the thermostat is set at 68°F. To take the
chill off, some members rely on space
heaters to heat bedrooms, prevent pipes
from freezing, or warm the garage for
a pet. “Space heaters can use a lot of
kilowatts in a short period of time,” Taylor
noted. “When we see high usage, that's
one of the first things we ask about.”
Air-source heat pumps with emergency
heat strips are another culprit. "When
the temperature dips below 32°F, the
heat strips will kick on to provide extra
warmth," she explained. "A lot of the
time the heat strips get stuck in the "on"
position, and that uses a lot of energy."
Kiamichi Electric on the Web
www.kiamichielectric.org
www.facebook.com/kiamichielectric
email: [email protected]
With single digit temperatures kicking
off the month of January, Taylor
worries that co-op members could
see another round of high bills.
To control winter costs, members are
encouraged to practice good energy
conservation behavior: wear warmer clothes
in the house, caulk around windows and
doors, seal leaks around plumbing pipes,
outlets, and other drafty areas, and 0pen
blinds to allow the sun to warm your home.
Taylor also recommends KEC billing
programs such as budget billing and
prepaid payments. "Budget billing is an
excellent alternative to seasonal high
bills," she said. Budget billing averages
your usage over the year so monthly bills
fluctuate less. To participate, members
must have at least a 12-month service
with KEC and a good payment history.
KEC's prepaid billing program allows
members to pay in advance for the
electricity use and free themselves from
monthly billing cycles completely. "Prepaid
members tend to be more aware of their
usage so they typically use less," Taylor
said. "When they see their account is
getting low, they know to take measures
immediately to lower their usage. Members
who aren't on prepaid aren't aware of what
they've used until they've already used it."
■ page 3
24-Hour Outage Hotline
(800) 888-2731
Convenient Bill Payment Options
■ Pay online using our secure payment
site at www.kiamichielectric.org.
■ Pay via smart phone, iPad or tablet
using our mobile app. Download the
free app at www.kiamichielectric.org.
■ Pay via telephone 24 hours a
day using a major credit card at
800-888-2731.
■ Pay in person at Kiamichi Electric, or
use our drive-through payment drop
box, available 24 hours a day.
■ Pay using the payment kiosk
at the following authorized
Kiamichi Electric payment locations.
For details on KEC's budget billing or
prepaid program, please visit www.
kiamichielectric.org, or call 888-832-3362.
the heart of our building plans helping members
communities
underway
improve efficiency
■ page 2
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8 am to 5 pm
■ page 4
generator safety
is the rule
■ page 5
Dr. Doo’s Lakeside Motor Sports
Highway 9 East, Longtown
BancFirst
E. Carl Albert Parkway, McAlester
The Rhone Agency
1318 S. Main Street, McAlester
Western Auto
312 Dewey Street, Poteau
youth tour
contest kicks off
■ page 7
commen tar y
The Heart of Our Community
Board of Trustees
Larry Culwell, President
district 7
David Ray, Vice President
district 4
Don Parr, Secretary-Treasurer
district 5
Members
Dale Shaw
Richard Medlock
Doug Binns
Mark Ichord
district 1
district 2
district 3
district 6
Jim Jackson
Executive Vice President-CEO
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative (KEC) is
committed to providing reliable and
affordable electric service to members in
Latimer, LeFlore, Pittsburg, Pushmataha
and Atoka counties.
The people and businesses that purchase
electricity from Kiamichi Electric are
considered member-owners of the co-op.
Each member—regardless of how much
electricity they purchase – has an equal
say in how the cooperative is operated.
To exercise their right, Kiamichi Electric
members are encouraged to attend co-op
meetings and vote in co-op elections.
Kiamichi Electric service territory is
divided into seven districts. Members
within each district meet every two years
to choose a fellow member to represent
their interests on the Kiamichi Electric
board of trustees. KEC board members set
policy and oversee cooperative business.
Through local leadership and control,
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative members
can rest assured their electric co-op
remains focused on the needs of its
members and its rural communities.
2 | january-february 2014 | Light Post
Let's salute the spirit of giving in Southeast Oklahoma
V
'alentine’s Day could be a great
holiday, but the cards and candy
cramming aisles miss the mark.
I need a card for our community.
It’s great to let loved ones know you care
about them, but let’s go a step further. As
a member-owned electric cooperative,
we’re committed to powering our rural
communities and empowering you to
improve your quality of life. How can
life be better in southeast Oklahoma?
We need hearts for service.
On February 14, take time to thank a police
officer or rural firefighter. Give a pat on the
back to a school teacher. Visit a retirement
home and spend some time with the folks
who built our community, or volunteer
your time to the United Way, Salvation
Army, Turning Point, or your local church.
These organizations are the heart of our
community, and their work goes a long
way in helping southeast Oklahoma
residents of all ages live a better life.
I'm proud of those who serve our area,
and I'm particularly proud of Kiamichi
Electric members. Through Kiamichi
Electric's Operation Round Up program,
members like you have donated over $1
million to improve the lives of others
and build our rural communities.
Some of the good things happening with
Operation Roundup funds include:
• Providing $4,000
to support nutrition
programs such
as the backpack
program for kids.
• Equipping rural
fire departments
with $7,900 worth
of firefighting
equipment and
safety gear.
By Jim Jackson
• Making sure local
chief executive officer
residents stay safe
by contributing
$9,200 for storm sirens and other
community improvement projects.
Your generosity—and spare change—
have made these improvements
possible. There are more, of course,
but listing them all is impossible.
Last year alone, our members donated
donated more than$35,000 to service
organizatons across our community.
Your support helps youth groups, food
banks, low income home restoration
projects, health clinics and senior
citizen centers, to name a few.
On Valentine’s Day—and every day— let’s
celebrate those who work to make southeast
Oklahoma a better place to live. That spirit
of giving is the true heart of our community.
operation rou n du p
Monthly Financial Report
year to date collections:
year to date disbursements: total collected since inception: $88,124.26
$96,866.50
$1,106,056.65
total disbursements since inception:
$1,053,504.91
Operation Roundup
is a voluntary bill
roundup program that
benefits southeast
Oklahoma communities,
organizations and needy
families. Applications
for funds are available at
Kiamichi Electric, local
social services , or online at
www.kiamichielectric.org.
inside y o u r co-op
Building Plans Underway
Plans progress on KEC's new office facility
K
iamichi Electric Cooperative
board and staff continue to study
plans and meet with architects
regarding a possible new office facility.
KEC CEO Jim Jackson said the co-op is
working closely with Guernsey, Architect/
Engineering and Wynn Construction
on building cost and design.
"We are still hopeful that costs will be
in the range we originally expected,"
Jackson said. "We are looking forward to
moving ahead with the project and have
a facility that is safe from health hazards
for both employees and members."
The board of trustees is expected to make
a decision on possible building options
by February 1. If costs are in line with
expectations, construction crews could
break ground on the new facility in April.
The new structure would encompass
30,000 square feet, with space for
both offices and the co-op warehouse.
Plans call for many new safety features
and energy efficient enhancements
including geothermal heating and
cooling, LED lighting throughout the
building, and motion sensitive lights
that turn on and off automatically.
Kiamichi Electric's current office
building was built in 1971 and is not
compliant with American Disability Act
requirements or fire safety codes. It also
suffers from serious leakage programs.
Jackson said that options to remodel
or add to the current building are still
being considered, however, architectural
plans show it to be a costly venture, even
more expensive than a new building.
The co-op will continue to keep members
informed on decisions regarding the
office building. Please keep an eye on
the Light Post for further updates.
Right of Way Work Pays Off
Clearing contributes to fewer outages during ice storm
K
iamichi Electric's right of way
maintenance program paid off
in considerably fewer power
outages due to Winter Storm Cleon.
The storm on December 5 caused
widespread outages across the state. At
one point, Choctaw Electric Cooperative,
serving Choctaw, McCurtain and
Pushmataha counties, reported
10,000 consumers without power.
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative
(KEC)escaped relatively unscathed,
with just 75 outages reported in
the Poteau and Hodgen area.
While the storm dumped more snow
than ice across KEC territory, members in
the co-op's southeastern region saw ice
accumulations up to one inch thick. Right
of Way Supervisor Bob Owen said these
areas received plenty of damage, yet the
majority of powerlines were unaffected.
Who to call
at your co-op

Kiamichi Electric Cooperative is dedicated to
providing excellent service for its members. The
following employees are available to help you when
you have questions regarding your electric service.
Please call 800-888-2731 or 918-465-2338, or email
questions to your co-op at
[email protected].
administration
Jim Jackson, Chief Executive Officer
Linda Baldwin, Executive Assistant
Sharla Blackledge, Management Assistant
operations
Bob Owens, Manager of Operations
Tony Nixon, Manager of Construction
Kevin Davis, Manager of Engineering
office services
Crystal Butler, Chief Financial Officer
Renae Taylor, Customer Service Supervisor
Charlie Watkins, Chief Customer Service Representative
Mandy Holy, Customer Service Representative
Rashell Ward, Customer Service Representative
Susan Conley, Customer Service Representative
Jakiebeth Ben, Customer Service Representative
Michael Cawley, Customer Service Representative
meter services
Cindy Cockburn, AMR Systems Coordinator
Brenda Saxon, Connects/Disconnects
Rick Sheppard, Meter Technician
new services
Jodie Miller, New Services Representative
Wendy McCarley, New Services Assistant
"Our three-phase lines held up
under the storm," he said.
accounting
Kristi Vickers, Accountant
Julie Guazdausky, Assistant Accountant
Right of way work along three-phase
lines played a large role in preventing
the major outages experienced
elsewhere, he explained.
engineering
Allen Littlejohn, Field Staking Technician
Chris Alexander, Field Staking Technician
KEC right of way crews recently cleared 15
miles of line from the Hodgen substation.
None of these lines were affected, he said.
The right of way team tries to clear
all lines running from at least three
substations every year, roughly 1,000
miles of line per substation. "It's hard
work," Owen said, "But it's paying off."
dispatching services
Heather Ziverk, Dispatcher
John Cook, Operations & Engineering Clerk
public relations/member relations
(Includes Newsletter, Co-op Connections, Exede
Internet, Energy Rebates, Safety, Youth and
Operation Roundup)
Todd Minshall, MR-PR Director
Light Post | january-february 2014 | 3
c o -op values
Lower Energy Costs For
Kiamichi Members
t
wo new programs from Kiamichi
Electric Cooperative (KEC)
aim to lower energy costs
for co-op members while reducing
KEC's systemwide power demand.
"It's a win-win for everyone," said Jim
Jackson, Kiamichi Electric CEO.
KEC's new geothermal program reduces
installation costs for qualifying members
by eliminating the expense of installing
the in-ground loops. Instead, KEC
installs and maintains the loops with the
member paying a small monthly fee.
When coupled with the co-op's existing
rebate program—which pays up to $650
per ton on qualifying geothermal units—
the cost for a ground source heat pump
becomes much more affordable. To further
sweeten the deal, homeowners who install
geothermal heat pumps can also qualify for
a tax credit from the federal government.
To participate, members must own
the property where the unit will be
located. For details, contact Todd
Minshall at 800-888-2731.
KEC's new partnership with Energy Pioneer
Solutions (EPS) broadens the savings
options for members by providing up to
$6,000 in financing for a variety of home
improvements such as storm windows
and doors, energy efficient appliances,
insulation and more. Improvements are
based on a thorough inspection of the
home by trained energy specialists.
When the assessment is complete, the
homeowner will receive a unique package
of solutions to save energy based on the
home's structure and family usage patterns.
Kiamichi Electric members who qualify
are able to include payment for the
energy upgrades they wish to finance
on their monthly electric bill. This
will make it easier for the member
to make a single payment and save
energy and money at the same time.
To take advantage of these services,
call EPS at 855-937-9484, or visit
energypioneersolutions.com.
4 | january-february 2014 | Light Post
Cold Enough For You?
What NOT to do when it's cold outside
Don’t light up your wood-burning fireplace.
A crackling fire doesn’t contribute much
heat to your room. Plus, the open flue sucks
the heated air out of your house through
the chimney. Burning a fire in the hearth
when the temperature dips into the 20s
can actually increase your heating bills.
Don’t overstuff your refrigerator. Stacking
holiday leftovers on top of each other
and squeezing extra containers of food
onto every refrigerator shelf prevents the
air from circulating around them. This
forces the appliance’s compressor to
work harder and use more electricity.
Don’t crank the thermostat way up to heat a
cold house in a hurry. Turning the heat up
to 90 degrees won’t warm up a 70-degree
house any quicker than turning it up to
73 degrees, and if you forget to turn the
thermostat back down before your house
overheats, that’s a waste of energy.
Don’t run bathroom and kitchen exhaust
fans any longer than you have to. Flip them
on to clear smoke or steam. Once the air
clears, turn them off. They pull heated air
from your home, which can cause your
heater to run longer than necessary.
Don’t use a barbecue grill or a propane
patio heater indoors. Even if your central
heating system is on the fritz, this is a
fire hazard and can expose your family
to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Don’t leave a space heater running when
you leave the house. Even if the room
will be cold when you return, shut off
portable heaters if you’re not going
to be there to see them topple over,
overheat or catch something on fire.
Don’t turn off your ceiling fans. Ceiling
fans save energy during the summer
and winter. The trick: Reverse the
direction that the blades spin. Heat
rises, so in the winter, the blades should
blow warm air down into the room.
Don’t close the blinds. No matter how cold it is
outside, let the sun shine into your room to
warm it up and give your heating system a
break. Close blinds and curtains after dark.
Don’t close off unused rooms. When you
do, you restrict the flow of air that
helps your heating system warm your
home evenly. Cutting off that air flow
makes your heater run longer and
work harder to maintain a comfortable
temperature in the rest of the house.
Don’t turn your furnace completely off,
even if you’re going on an extended
winter vacation. Set the thermostat
to 55°F. so the plumbing pipes in an
unheated house won’t freeze and burst.
For more ways to save energy this winter,
please visit www.kiamichielectric.org or
togetherwesave.com.
en ergy wise
Own a Portable Generator?
Be sure to install a transfer switch before operating
I
f you rely on a portable or standby
generator to energize your home
during a power outage, please make
sure your unit has a transfer switch
installed before you operate it.
Without this important safety
enhancement, you are violating the National
Electrical Safety Code. More importantly,
you are risking the lives of others.
“Removing a meter and plugging a generator
into a meter socket is no longer allowed,”
said Todd Minshall, director of member
services for Kiamichi Electric Cooperative.
Generators that aren't properly wired into
the home can back feed electricity onto
co-op power lines, Minshall explained.
Kiamichi Electric line workers—or anyone
else coming into contact with the reenergized line—could be electrocuted.
A transfer switch prevents this tragedy
from happening by isolating the new,
temporary power source from the main
power lines feeding your home.
Before the next big storm strikes, please
make sure your standby generator
is properly installed and includes
Generator Safety Tips:
•
Portable generators should never
be plugged directly into a home
outlet or electrical system: Use an
extension cord to plug appliances
into an outlet on the generator.
Remember, standby generators
require a transfer switch.
•
Make sure nothing is plugged into
the generator when you turn it on.
This prevents a power surge from
damaging your generator and your
appliances.
•
Don't overload the generator:
The total wattage used by your
appliances should be less than the
generator's output rating. Putting
too many appliances on the generator could damage them. It's also
a fire hazard. If in doubt, don't add
the extra load.
•
Never operate a generator in a
confined area such as your home,
garage, basement, or any other
enclosed or partially enclosed
area, even if the area is ventilated.
Generators produce deadly carbon
monoxide that is nearly impossible
to detect until its too late.
•
Install battery-operated or plug-in
(with battery backup) carbon
monoxide (CO) alarms in your
home, following manufacturer’s
instructions.
•
Generators pose electrical risks,
especially when operated in wet
conditions. Protect the generator
by operating it under an open,
canopy-like structure on a dry
surface where water cannot form
puddles or drain underneath it. Be
sure that your hands are dry before
touching the generator.
•
Make sure the engine is cool
before refueling. This will prevent
a fire from starting if the tank
should overflow.
know the difference?
Gasoline-powered portable generators
typically power a few appliances for a
few hours at a time. Portable generators
can power a variety essential items and
can be used in multiple applications,
such as camping or tailgating.
Home standby generators are
permanently installed and can keep the
power flowing when the primary power
source goes out. This allows you to run
more appliances continually, such as
air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators,
washers/dryers and lights. Standby
generators use your home's existing
fuel source — propane or natural
gas — and turn on automatically.
a transfer switch. Be sure to hire a
qualified, licensed electrician to install
it so you can rest easy knowing your
generator is ready for safe operation.
If you have questions about your
generator or how to operate it, please
don't hesistatet to contact your electric
cooperative at 800-888-2731.
How a Transfer Switch Works
Standby generators should have a transfer safety
switch installed by a professional. An approved
generator transfer switch keeps your home
circuits separate from the electric co-op, and
prevents power from back feeding on to co-op
lines.
Light Post | january-february 2014 | 5
yo ur c ommunity
Youth Tour College Scholarship
Youth Tour alumni could win $10,000 for college
A
coming up
in Kiamichi Country
February 8
Metcalf Gun and Knife Show
Southeast Expo Center, McAlester
March 7 -8
Southeast Hunting & Fishing Exp
Southeast Expo Center, McAlester
March 7
Atoka Fire Truck Parade
Court Street, Atoka
March 8
St, Paddy's Day 5K Run
Patrick Lynch Public Library, Poteau
March 8
Youth Trout Fishing Derby
Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton
scholarship program for former Youth
Tour participants aims to strengthen
their commitments to the seven
cooperative principles and prepare them
for leadership roles in their communities.
Youth Tour alumni who’ve completed
their first year of college or received the
equivalent credits can now apply for the
Glenn English National Cooperative
Leadership Foundation scholarship.
More than 5,000 former youth tour
participants dating back to 2009 are
eligible to apply for the scholarship.
“Each year, the foundation will
present a $10,000 award to a student
who has previously participated in
the Rural Electric Youth Tour,” said
NRECA CEO Jo Ann Emerson.
Named for former NRECA CEO Glenn
English, who led the organization from
1994 until 2013, the foundation oversees
an endowment created in his honor.
“Glenn loved the Youth Tour program,
and felt strongly that a portion of his
legacy be dedicated to assisting students,”
Emerson said. “He believed that the
youth tour program was a great way
of nurturing the next generation of
leadership for the nation’s cooperatives.”
Youth Tour alumnus pursuing his
or her first undergraduate degree
are eligible for the scholarship. The
recipient will be selected from among
applicants sponsored by local electric
cooperatives who have demonstrated
commitments to their communities
and the seven cooperative principles.
“This scholarship is designed to
support students who want to make
a real difference,” said Curtis Nolan,
president of the NRECA board and
chairman of the foundation board. “The
selection of our awardees will be from
among those most committed to the
future of their rural communities.”
Applications will be accepted from
January through March. As part of the
application, students must include a
link to a video testimonial explaining
how they have demonstrated one of
the seven cooperative principles.
The scholarship application can be found on
the Youth Tour portal at www.nreca.coop.
March 15
Choctaw Powwow
Southeast Expo Center, McAlester
March 25
Junk Hippy Road Show
4500 W. Hwy 270, McAlester
March 29
Vike Hike Half Marathon
Carl Albert State College, Poteau
April 12
Mountain Gate Poker Run
Downtown Talihina
6 | january-february 2014 | Light Post
KEC Kicks Off Youth Tour Contest For Teens
T
eens interested in participating
in the Rural Electric Youth Tour
are encouraged to enter
Kiamichi Electric's Youth Tour essay
contest. Open to high school juniors in
co-op service territory, the competition
asks teens to write an essay
addressing the following question:
New EPA regulations regarding coal could
significantly increase electric bills across the
nation. As electricity prices go up, the cost of
nearly everything will be impacted. What common
sense solution would you propose to balance
energy needs and environmental concerns while
keeping electric bills as affordable as possible?
Kiamichi Electric Youth Tour judges will
select two winners from contest entries.
The winners will travel to Washington
D.C. with over 60 other teens from across
the state. The trip includes stops at the
Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial,
Smithsonian Museums and scores of
other famous sites. The all-expenses
paid tour will be held June 13-19, 2014.
Youth Tour information packets
and applications are available at
local high schools, Kiamichi Electric
Cooperative in Wilburton, and online
at www.kiamichielectric.org. The
deadline to enter is March 28, 2014.
co -op issu es
CO2 Proposal Eliminates Coal
EPA revisions fail to include new power plants
Kirk Johnson, NRECA senior vice
president of government relations, said
the proposal’s additional carbon storage
and reporting requirements would
actually hamper the use of carbon dioxide
captured from power plants for enhanced
oil recovery. In addition, operational
changes by those recovering oil could
jeopardize a power plant’s compliance
with the carbon dioxide standard.
EPA’s latest carbon dioxide standards would bar
coal as a future reliable fuel choice, NRECA finds.
C
arbon dioxide standards as
revised by the Environmental
Protection Agency still “effectively
eliminate new coal power plants as
a future electric generation option,”
NRECA CEO Jo Ann Emerson warned.
“The emissions standards require
carbon capture and storage at new
coal plants despite this technology not
existing on a commercial scale at any
power plant anywhere in the world,”
she added. EPA’s new proposal takes “a
reliable domestic fuel with a historically
predictable cost off the table.”
NRECA is continuing to urge the
administration to reconsider this
proposal in light of its potential
cost to rural communities.
“Electric co-ops rely on a diverse fuel mix to
provide affordable, reliable electricity to 42
million Americans. We believe strongly in
our responsibility both to our environment
and to members, who often serve some
of the most economically vulnerable
populations in this country,” Emerson said.
EPA contends that the “best system
of emission reduction” for fossil fuel
generation is partial implementation of
carbon capture and storage technologies.
Agency cost analysis assumes that
revenue from using the carbon for
enhanced oil recovery would make the
costs of partial CCS more reasonable.
As evidence of the potential availability
of CCS, the agency’s new proposal lists
four projects under development and
notes that three of the four received
financial aid from the U.S. government.
But existing law prohibits such standards
based on government-funded technologies,
House Energy and Commerce Committee
Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., told
EPA in a letter last November, and asked
the agency to withdraw the proposal.
“We still have yet to receive a response to
our letter questioning the legality, but EPA
appears to be moving full speed ahead with
this proposed rule despite the concerns
we raised that it is in clear violation of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005,” Energy
and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed
Whitfield, R-Ky., said. “We will continue
our vigorous oversight of this rulemaking,
which has been fraught with irregularities.
We continue to believe the EPA is acting far
beyond the scope of its legal authority.”
The proposal sets separate carbon dioxide
standards for new electric generation
from coal and natural gas. EPA said it is
not, at present, proposing standards for
modified or reconstructed power plants.
EPA plans to propose carbon dioxide
standards for existing power plants in June.
Co-op members are urged to
voice their concerns to the EPA
through the Cooperative Action
Network at www.action.coop.
source: electric co-op today.
Senators Call for More
LIHEAP Funding
T
hirty-nine US senators have
signed a letter calling onPresident
Obama to increase funding for the
Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP). The lawmakers
asked that “no less than $4.7 billion”
be allocated to the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program in the
president’s fiscal 2015 budget proposal.
“We understand the ongoing discretionary
budget challenges. However, we are
deeply concerned that funding for
LIHEAP has declined more than 30
percent in recent years,” the senators
wrote. “Moreover, the number of
households eligible for assistance
continues to exceed available funding.”
In fiscal 2013, LIHEAP funding
came to $3.29 billion after cuts
mandated by sequestration.
In November, the Department of Health and
Human Services released some $2.93 billion
in LIHEAP money under the continuing
resolution that funded the federal
government through Jan. 15. Lawmakers
still have to come up with a plan to allocate
funding for the remainder of fiscal 2014.
“Access to affordable home heating is
not a luxury—it is a matter of health and
safety,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
"LIHEAP funding is a vital lifeline that
helps prevent people from having to choose
between heating their home, paying their
bills, or going without food or medicine.”
The senators’ letter came just weeks
after a group of governors called on
Congress to increase LIHEAP spending.
Light Post | january-february 2014 | 7
endnotes
Mark American Heart Month with improved
health that can prevent heart disease
B
efore you finish
reading this article
(about 40 seconds), an
American will have a stroke.
One in four Americans will
die from heart disease. Don’t
be a statistic. Be the cure.
Checking blood
pressure on a
regular basis offers
early warning signs
of heart disease.
Heart disease, including
stroke, is the leading cause of
death for men and women in
the United States. Oklahoma
ranks second in deaths due
to cardiovascular disease.
The good news? Heart disease
can often be prevented
when people make healthy
choices and manage their
health conditions.
To prevent heart
disease and increase
awareness of its effects,
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative is
joining the nation to
mark American Heart
Month in February.
It all begins with you. By
making healthy changes,
you can to lower your risk
of developing heart disease.
If you already have heart
disease, remember that
controlling or preventing risk
factors remains important.
To lower your risk:
•
Watch your weight.
•
Quit smoking and
stay away from
secondhand smoke.
•
Control your cholesterol
and blood pressure.
•
If you drink alcohol,
drink in moderation.
•
Get active and eat healthy.
Learn more at yourethecure.
org or www.heart.org.
buy•sell•trade
■ for sale
Lot in Hot Springs Village. Call Clyde Kinsworthy at 918/6772447 or email me at clyde [email protected].
5 acres east of Bengal, Sec 31-5-22. Flat Land. Call 918-465-1555.
Blue Heelers for Sale: Purebred, $100 each, born March
2013. Also have ¾ Heeler - ¼ Border Collies available,
$50 each, born Jan 2013. Text 918-424-5740.
Ads in the Buy•Sell•Trade section are free for Kiamichi
Electric members! Ad deadlines for the 2014:
Light Post Issue
Ad Deadline
March-April March 10, 2014:
May -JuneMay 10, 2014
July-August
July 10, 2014
September-OctoberSeptember 10, 2014
November - DecemberNovember 10, 2014
kiamichi electric cooperative
buy•sell•trade
Ad submission form
Check one:
❏ buy ❏ sell
❏ trade
Your Name ___________________________________________________
Billing Address_________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_________________________________________________
Telephone No._________________________________________________
Check one: ❏ Autos/Pickups/RVs
❏ Farm Equipment
❏ Livestock❏ Pets ❏ Real Estate
❏ Boats ❏ Motorcycles & ATVs
❏ Miscellaneous
Please print or type your ad below. Use sheet of paper if you prefer. Ads may be
edited. ______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Energy Efficiency
___________________________________________________________
Tip of the Month
___________________________________________________________
When you’re checking your home for air leaks, remember to
inspect the exterior of your home, too. Air leaks are often found
where two types of building materials meet, including exterior
corners, outdoor faucets, where siding and chimneys meet, and
the areas where the foundation and the exterior walls meet.
Source: US Department of Energy
8 | january-february 2014 | Light Post
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
Submit ad by mail, fax, or e-mail to Todd Minshall, KEC Light Post, PO Box 340,
Wilburton, OK 74578. Email ad to [email protected], or fax to
918-465-2950/Attention Todd Minshall.
Deadline for the January - February issue is January 10, 2014.