Prepare for hurricane season

Fall 2016
News, Resour
Resources,
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Answers
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Cleco
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Customers
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Prepare for hurricane season
Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Cleco offers tips to help you learn how to
prepare in advance of severe weather.
Make a family plan. Know where to go if evacuation is necessary. Be aware that
communication may be difficult following a storm. Cell phones and land lines may be out
of service.
Have copies of important papers placed in a waterproof box. This includes insurance policies,
property titles, personal identification documents, wills, deeds and family mementos.
Stock up on supplies. This includes water, baby essentials, medicine and prescription
drugs, battery operated radio, matches, flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs,
non-perishable foods, manual can opener and utensils.
Get your home and car ready. Have a plan for securing your property should you need
to evacuate. Once a hurricane watch is issued, fuel your vehicle and get extra cash.
Make a decision to evacuate or stay. Depending on the situation, you may need to
evacuate. When severe weather is predicted, listen for updates on television or radio. If an
evacuation order is used for your area, plan to leave as early as 36 hours and no later than
24 hours before landfall of a storm, depending on your location.
Visit www.cleco.com for more hurricane preparedness tips.
Cleco Alternative Energy
Center makes mark on
Louisiana
Supports research, economic development
and education
Cleco and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are building a
big vision for the future of alternative fuels.
The Cleco Alternative Energy Center is a part of the five-acre
UL-Lafayette Energy Development Complex in Crowley. It was
created to research the production of electricity from sustainable
materials native to Louisiana, rather than fossil fuels. Potential
energy sources include rice hulls, sugar cane bagasse, sweet
potatoes and switchgrass.
The public-private partnership not only tests renewable energy
sources as possible fuels to generate electricity, but benefits the entire
state of Louisiana through economic development and outreach.
Energy Emergency Deferred
Billing Program enrollment
Cleco’s Energy Emergency Deferred Billing
Program allows some customers to defer an
excess portion of their bill for several months
during an energy emergency declared by the
Louisiana Public Service Commission.
Customers must meet certain eligibility
requirements in order to qualify for the
program, and must re-qualify every two years.
For eligibility requirements and enrollment
information, visit www.cleco.com, call
1-800-622-6537 or visit your nearest Cleco
customer service office.
The Cleco Alternative Energy Center serves as a resource and a test
bed for other companies who are investigating new alternative
energy technologies.
Continued on reverse >
WWW.CLECO.COM
Fall 2016
Alternative Energy Center
Cleco wrapped up its 16th Annual Fan Drive in June. This year,
Cleco donated 660 fans to 22 councils on aging and other
agencies across Cleco’s service territory.
> Cont’d
Some companies,
who have sought the
expertise of the faculty
and staff associated
with the center,
relocate to Louisiana.
The center also has
helped sponsor
undergraduate and
graduate students who have been involved in research
projects at the center, which assists in the workforce
development of alternative energy professionals in Louisiana.
The center serves an important role in the area of education
and outreach, and it is the destination for tours from
government officials, the public and local schools.
Tips to remember:
Bill pay scammers are back
in action taking advantage
of Cleco customers through
fraudulent phone calls that
demand immediate
payment and threaten
disconnection of power.
Individuals who appear
knowledgeable of a
customer's account call
demanding payment of an
electric bill using a pre-paid
card. The caller will even tell
customers where to buy the
cards. Customers are asked
to call back with the card
number. When making the
return call, the customer
will hear a recording that
identifies the number as a
valid Cleco payment service.
1. Cleco does not make personal
calls demanding payment of
overdue accounts.
2. Cleco representatives will not
suggest a payment method.
3. Cleco does not demand that
customers use certain locations
for payment.
If a Cleco customer receives
a call that raises doubt, the
customer should hang up the
phone immediately, and call
Cleco’s toll free number at
1-800-622-6537. Customers
should not use the number
given by the caller.
Customers also can validate
a balance on a bill by using
the company’s free online
customer service application,
MyAccount.
Experts
Recommend
Water heating
Set your water heater’s thermostat
at the lowest temperature that
meets your needs. Experts
recommend 120º F. Wrapping
your electric water heater in an
insulating blanket will also save
energy used to keep the water
warm in the tank.
Cleco in the Community
Cleco’s Fan Drive has
become a company tradition
and a way for Cleco to
help its elderly customers
stay cool and manage their
electric bills during the hot
summer months.
Natchitoches Parish Council on Aging representatives, Rosene Walker,
Wanda Holden, Patrice Parker and Alice Barrios join Tripp Dungan,
Cleco’s principal governmental services representative, in organizing
the 30 fans Cleco donated to the agency.
Congratulations to the
Cleco Reaux Power team
for placing first in the
Dragon Masters flight and
having the third overall best
time at the 6th Annual
Louisiana Dragon Boat Races
held on Sat., May 7 at
Buhlow Lake. The event
supports the Alexandria
Museum of Art.
Cleco sponsored the Young
Professionals Group of
Central Louisiana’s breakfast
with Gov. John Bel Edwards.
The event, held at The
Diamond Grill in Alexandria,
underscored Cleco’s
commitment to community
involvement and professional
development.
Jeff Andry, Cleco business developer; Shirley Turner, Cleco vice
president of customer experience; Gov. John Bel Edwards; Jennifer
Cahill, Cleco associate communications representative; Sybil Montegut,
Cleco supervisor of corporate analytics; and Anthony Bunting, Cleco
chief administrative officer.
Ingredients:
¼ lb. butter
2 T. flour
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 qt. milk
1 (16 oz.) can cream style corn
1 can cream of potato soup
¼ tsp. mace
¼ red pepper
1 lb. lump crabmeat
¼ lb. grated swiss cheese
2 T. snipped parsley
2 T. finely chopped green onion
Directions:
In a large heavy pot, melt
butter. Stir in flour until
well blended, but not
brown. Add onions, cook
on medium heat until
onions are soft, about
10 minutes. Add milk,
corn, soup, mace and red
pepper. Simmer about 15
minutes. Stir in crabmeat,
cheese, parsley and green
onions. Cook on low
heat for another ten
minutes. Serves 6 to 8.