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Storm Preparation

July 18, 2022

Feels like summer

A lineman is pictured clearing a fallen tree
In June, we had nearly 5,000 members without power from a sudden microburst storm that affected members across York County. Crews responded within 30 minutes and worked through the night to get the lights back on for our members with help from out-of-town crews.

To me, it’s fishing season. The humidity in the air and time with family are special to me, but this season also brings a heightened awareness to two key challenges we face each year: summer storms and the potential for high bills. Your co-op has maintained low rates for the past 11 years, but it’s important to note the impact you have on continuing this trend. Through programs like Smart Thermostats and Beat the Peak, we can work together to continue holding down power costs and prevent the need to build more generation sources while working to keep your electric bill as low as possible during the summer months.

Install a smart thermostat

YEC’s smart thermostat program helps you save energy and money. Signing up allows your co-op to pre-cool your location in anticipation for the hottest time during the day. Cycling your unit not only helps you save up to 23% in energy costs, but it also helps your co-op hold down power costs. Sign up for the Smart Thermostat Program today!

Help us Beat The Peak

Postponing household chores such as laundry, cooking, and dishes to later in the day can help lower your electric use and hold down power costs. More than 13% of YEC’s members participate in peak alerts. Together they have helped save 156,163 megawatts of energy, a dollar equivalent of $1,388,557. Sign up for Beat the Peak today!

Storm safety

Additionally, I’d like to turn your attention to being prepared in an outage situation. Your co-op prepares for storms by trimming rights-of-way and maintaining our distribution system. More than half of our lines are now underground. We can’t control summer storms, but we can respond quickly, keep you updated on outage restoration progress online and encourage you to be prepared to keep you and your family safe.

Visit our storm center for help creating an emergency plan, especially if you rely on electricity for life-saving measures, learn more about how power is restored during an outage, and details about portable and whole-house generator safety.

Have fun this summer and make memories that will last a lifetime with your mind at ease; your co-op is working for you to keep the lights on, the bills low and your service safe. We’re proud to always look out for you.

Paul Basha

Sincerely,

Signature

 

 

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

June 29, 2020

Storm views from our boots on the ground

YEC employees work together as a team to get the lights back on. To give you a glimpse of what it looks like from those working on the lines, we interviewed five operations department employees. Although their job titles, skills and years of experience are different, they all have a common goal to look out for you—our valuable members.

YEC Storm Crew
Contractor Coordinator Michael Hill (left), Substation Specialist Zack Smith and Lineman Brandon Fite discuss how they prepare for storms and their motivation to get the lights back on.

Zack Smith, Michael Hill, Brandon Fite, Tommy Huffstetler and Matt Craven all emphasize the importance of being prepared to stay safe and focused during storm work. When asked, all of them discuss keeping their equipment in good shape, stocking their trucks with materials needed to make common repairs, inspecting their personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure it’s in working order, stocking up on water and snacks and making sure they have spare clothes, especially dry socks.

As far as equipment goes, 11-year employee Michael Hill points out that one of the most useful tools during storm recovery is a chainsaw.

“In a storm, your chainsaw can be your best friend,” Hill says, “so I always make sure it is sharp and running properly.”

Tommy Huffstetler also talks about the necessity of charged batteries and working lights since many outages occur at night.

Just like our employees look out for you, they also look out for each other. Fite, who has only been at YEC for a year, enjoyed working and learning during the last storm.

“It was a great experience,” he says. “I had a great teacher, Matt Craven, leading me and showing me the ropes. I thought it was also great to see how all the guys had the same goal of making sure our members are taken care of and happy.”

That same preparedness also applies on the home front. Smith, a 14-year employee, adds, “When we have the luxury of time to prepare, I will make sure my family is safe, has a plan and is prepared with supplies if needed because, chances are, I won’t be there with them. That helps me focus on my work when the time comes.”

Being prepared helps, but storm recovery is hard work.

“Sometimes it’s tough; you really have to dig deep. Storms can be very physically, mentally and emotionally draining,” says Craven.

While our safety programs and procedures help safeguard our employees against hazards, their real motivation to stay safe lies with being able to go home to their families and helping their neighbors.

Huffstetler says he looks forward to “going home to my family the same way I left them and helping the community in a time of need.”

Craven adds, “We are motivated to always do all that is possible for the member, but we also want to get home safely to our families. My wife and kids are always on my mind, too.”

At the end of the day, they want to get the lights back on—no matter the challenge. Smith says, “For me it’s rewarding to overcome the challenges and help people get back to normal after being without heat, AC, lights, water and so on—possibly for hours or days.”

And it helps to know, as Hill says, “When the lights are on you get to go home to your family.”

They speak for everyone at YEC when they say they want to get the lights back on as soon as possible.

June 29, 2020

Storm work

YEC understands many members have been affected by the recent storms in our area. During Easter weekend, approximately 25% of our membership, across our entire service territory, experienced an outage. This is the largest amount of damage we have seen in more than 10 years. We appreciated your patience as we worked to make repairs, restoring power to all accounts by the next day. As our crews work to safely repair damages from severe weather, we want our members to understand the work we do ahead of time to prepare and what it takes to get your lights back on. Vice President of Energy and Delivery Denny Lynn offers insight on storm work and life on the line.

What is the biggest challenge we face when we have a storm?

Denny Lynn
Denny Lynn, Vice President of Energy Delivery

Lynn: We face many challenges during and after a storm. Challenges include staying safe in storm damaged working conditions and finding access through the damage to our facilities. Above all, we want to make sure our employees are protected and stay safe. There is also a struggle of balancing our strong desire to restore service quickly with ensuring the safety of our employees, making sure they receive proper rest and nutrition. It is also challenging to determine how to best utilize our available YEC resources to best serve our members, as well as acquiring other assistance and resources from other cooperatives and contractors.

What precautions do we take to prevent storm damage?

Lynn: YEC is proactive in annual preventative maintenance on all aspects of the electric distribution system. From our aggressive right of way schedule, to maintenance and upgrades to facilities on all parts of our system, we always have storms and excellent service in mind. YEC stays on an annual maintenance process, constantly working to make the electric distribution system stronger and better.

Why do some repairs take longer than others?

Lynn: Repairs that take longer are often due to the extent of the damages and the problems of access to lines and facilities. Our employees are well trained and proficient in performing restoration in difficult situations and challenging conditions, but these situations of extensive damage and difficult access do extend restoration times occasionally. Many people are involved when a storm hits.

Can you describe the teamwork that takes place at YEC?

Lynn: Every department and every employee of YEC is actively involved in the restoration process after a major storm hits. We all have a predetermined role that is part of the overall storm response plan. There is a great deal of support work that goes on behind the scenes, including food planning and preparations, answering calls and inquiries from members, coordinating the procurement of materials, continued maintenance and repairs of equipment, communicating with members on our restoration efforts, lodging for out of town crews offering assistance and organizing financial resources to pay for materials. I’m sure I haven’t listed each role played by our team, but you can see there are many key areas that are not readily seen on the forefront of the overall restoration effort.

Describe the hazards that come with storm work and YEC’s safety culture.

York Electric truck with downed tree blocking road
Trees, no matter their size, are one of the most common obstacles our crews face in a storm. Photo by Shannon Littleton.

Lynn: Storm restoration work on an electric distribution system is filled with hazards of every imaginable sort. Large downed trees on power lines, safely handling and working with high voltage, working high in the air on equipment and climbing high voltage poles—all in adverse weather conditions, among debris, while being physically and mentally tired. The hazards often seem overwhelming to us, which is why we work so hard every single day, all year long, to provide everything that our employees need to perform our work safely and efficiently. This includes proper tools, well-maintained equipment, proper training, sound communication, good safety processes and procedures, a well built and well maintained electrical distribution system and, most of all, a strong culture of good safety habits, processes, procedures and protocols that protect our employees. We appreciate the consistent support from our board of directors to continue this culture of safety and education.

How do you approach storm damage? How do you decide what gets attention first?

Lynn: Our initial reaction and response in a storm situation is to quickly assess exactly what is “out” and what areas have been affected. That assessment is typically being done as YEC personnel are reporting to work. All electric utilities perform restoration efforts in a similar fashion. First, we work to restore main lines or feeders and main circuits, thus restoring service to the most members at one time as quickly as possible. Taps, or lines off the main feeders and circuits are assessed and repaired next. Performing restoration efforts in this manner has proven, time and again, power is restored faster for the entire electric system and all affected members.

Mending the Mess

YEC linemen documented the hazards they encountered before mending the mess to get the lights back on for members as quickly and safely as possible.

 

June 29, 2020

A peace-of-mind investment: new generator program

In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo wreaked havoc across our area, leaving thousands without power. Who knew that our inland towns and communities would be torn apart by 90 mph winds? Like many weather events since, we can see how storms can be unpredictable—sometimes devastating.

Despite our best planning efforts, storms prove no co-op can prevent all outages. We at YEC pride ourselves on providing reliable service to our members. We do our best to prepare for the worst. That includes increasing YEC’s underground distribution system from 445 miles of underground line to 1,938 miles of underground line since 2003. It means maintaining a true five-year right-of-way maintenance plan to lessen the number of downed trees. Rest assured that every outage is addressed with dedication. Our crews work through wind and rain to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.

Oliver Dowdle sitting on Generac generator
Oliver Dowdle, YEC Safety Coordinator Erin Powell

Although we pray storms stay clear of our service area, no one can guarantee the weather. Holding true to our commitment to look out for you, we have researched another way to provide you with the power you need, even in the worst storm. YEC has become a certified Generac dealer, working with a local installer to provide members the option to purchase a whole house generator at a discounted rate. We understand that electricity is a necessity and we want to do our part, even when it might be out of our control, to keep your power on. If you have any questions about purchasing a generator for your home, please contact Energy Services Coordinator Brent Clinton at or apply here online.

 

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[PDF] Generac Response Series Brochures

1.84 MB 149 downloads

 

Tried and true, tested for you

YEC’s 35-year employee Oliver Dowdle was the first participant in the generator program. Before marketing the product to our community, we wanted to be sure it was the right choice to offer members. Who better to test the product than our own safety coordinator? Dowdle has been pleased with the results. As he notes, “I wanted to install a generator to increase reliability. When I’m out working a storm, it’s nice to know my family has power at home.”

We look forward to serving your needs with this program, helping you stay powered on all the time.

 

Paul Basha, CEO, York Electric Cooperative

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer


Update: 
The York Electric Cooperative Board of Directors voted to suspend the 79th Annual Meeting because of the coronavirus pandemic. Voting on the proposed bylaw changes and single-member district voting will take place at a later date.   

Proposed bylaw changes for York Electric

York Electric Cooperative encourages members to review the proposed bylaw changes that will be voted on at the Annual Meeting of Members. The full document showing these material changes, along with some additional typographical corrections, is available for download here.

 

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[PDF] 2020 Proposed bylaw changes

1 file(s) 5 MB
Download PDF

 

Right of Way Maintenance FAQ

a

What is right of way (ROW)?

ROW refers to the corridor or pathway an electric line follows, whether it’s along the road or through the woods. ROW provides utility crews with access to lines for improvements, maintenance, and repairs. It also provides an operational safety zone between the electric lines and trees, buildings, etc. On the majority of its lines, York Electric holds easements that give it the right to clear land 15 feet from either side of the wire.

Category: Right of Way Maintenance FAQ
a

Why is a clear ROW important?

A clear ROW minimizes outages, improves power quality, reliability, and safety.

Category: Right of Way Maintenance FAQ
a

What happens when trees and vegetation remain in the ROW?

  • Causes power outages
  • Causes lights to blink
  • Obstructs visual inspections, making repairs difficult and costly
  • Blocks access for maintenance and repairs, causing delays
  • Wastes electricity by drawing it to the ground
  • Becomes a fire hazard
  • Becomes a safety hazard for utility workers and members
  • Children and adults should never climb, trim, or touch trees that contact power lines!
Category: Right of Way Maintenance FAQ
a

How is the ROW cleared?

The ROW is cleared by cutting, trimming, mowing and where permissible, applying herbicides. In most cases, all shrubs, brush and trees are removed under primary (main), overhead power lines. They are also removed, as and around secondary, low-voltage power lines that bring power from the transformer to your meter. Cutting and trimming are done by trained, professional utility tree trimmers using specific and proven standards typical to the industry.

Category: Right of Way Maintenance FAQ
a

Does ROW maintenance affect the environment?

York Electric’s ROW maintenance program balances the preservation of natural habitats against the service reliability needs of our members and the safety needs of the general public. In fact, it can actually benefit the ecosystem and other natural environments. ROW maintenance efforts create open areas that encourage the growth of wildflowers, ferns, grasses, flowers, berries, and other low-growing shrubs.

Category: Right of Way Maintenance FAQ

August 30, 2019

Are you prepared for hurricane season?

Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, is officially here, and forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict a “near-normal” year with nine to 15 named storms packing winds of 39 mph or higher. Meteorologists say as many as four of the storms could become dangerous Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.

As the guardians of the state’s largest utility network—more than 75,000 miles of electric distribution lines serving 1.5 million people across all 46 counties—South Carolina’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives have emergency plans in place to deal with violent weather should a hurricane threaten the Palmetto State. Along with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), co-ops urge all state residents to have their own plans in place to protect friends, family, pets and property. Here are some useful resources:

SC Emergency Manager mobile app

Available for free in the Apple App Store and on Google Play, this handy app links users to every SCEMD resource they need before, during and after a storm, including evacuation and shelter maps and planning checklists. It even has a useful “tools” function that turns your smartphone into an emergency flashlight, signaling device and a GPS locator.

SCEMD.org

No smartphone? No problem. All of the app’s planning resources, maps and links to the latest emergency information are available on SCEMD.org. In the case of a hurricane (or any natural disaster), SCEMD will update the site to provide the best real-time information users need.

2019 South Carolina Hurricane Guide

From both the website and the app, you can download SCEMD’s 2019 South Carolina Hurricane Guide, a comprehensive 14-page booklet filled with tips and resources. To access the guide online, visit scemd.org/media/1416/2019-hurricane-guide_website.pdf.

South Carolina Living Storm Center

South Carolina Living’s storm center pages are filled with information to help co-op members prepare for and survive natural disasters. Readers will find useful how-to guides on building a storm kit, evacuating with pets, staying safe when power lines are down, and how to report power outages. There’s even a live, statewide outage map to track the storm damage and the status of repairs in co-op-served territories. See all the resources at SCLiving.coop/storm-center.

Source: South Carolina Living Magazine

YEC has a storm plan, do you?

February 21, 2019

Weathering the storm

Providing you with peace of mind that your cooperative is ready in all types of weather is our priority. Weather may come in the form of wind and rain, but a storm can also be changes in policy, procedures and opinions.

As they say, actions speak louder than words which is why showing up, getting the lights back on, standing up for cooperative values and service excellence shows how we look out for you. Your cooperative is not complacent. We have a sense of urgency to continue improving for you. That’s member comfort. That’s the cooperative difference.

We can’t control the weather, but we can prepare for the worst and stand up for what is in our membership’s best interest. Your cooperative is just as dedicated to forming good relationships with our legislators and cultivating growth in our economy to improve your lives as we are to restoring power in a storm. We stand up for what is right and good for you.

In the February 2019 issue of South Carolina Living magazine, please take note of your local delegation. These men and women spend their time forming laws and updating policy that affects your day-to-day lives. We encourage you to reach out, let your voice be heard and always remember to vote.

New operations center, same dedication

Last year, we dedicated resources to improve our operations center. We are now officially up and running. That’s the hub of your cooperative and the brains behind the organization of our crews. From here, we can use technology to locate outages, dispatch our lineworkers efficiently, focus on safety and organization, and communicate important information to our employees in the field. Although we might not be outside, our connections and communications to employees working across our service territory puts us in the trenches with them when it matters most.

In an outage, time is of the essence, Dispatchers Mary Brown (left) and Holly Williams work together to set up the space to be efficient for day to day operations. “Our improvements have streamlined our technology and visual access” says Williams. Behind these walls, we can continue working to get the job done for you.

Holding true in a changing world

Our world will continue to change. Our promise is that we will continue adapting and improving—we will weather whatever storm comes our way—holding true to providing you with safe, reliable and affordable energy. Your cooperative is ready for the future. In fact, we look forward to what it brings for our membership.

Paul Basha, CEO, York Electric Cooperative

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

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