INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015

JERRY BERGER, Board President

From

a d

irect

or…

FOLD

FOLD

FOLD

FOLD

Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.

SALEM ELECTRIC • PO BOX 5588 • 633 SEVENTH STREET NW • SALEM, OR 97304-0055PH: 503 362-3601 • FAX: 503 371-2956 • E-MAIL: se@SalemElectric.com • SalemElectric.com

JANUARY 2015

Adam DeshonEmployee profile:

E arly June brings big changes in the lives of high school seniors…graduation! This is the time when

young adults are making important choices about their future. Some decide to jump into the workforce, some take a little time off, but for those who decide to go to college Salem Electric may be able to help.

Salem Electric offers ten $1,000 scholarships for students. The program is administered by the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC). It’s easy to apply. OSAC reviews applications and evaluates them based on academic promise, quality of the application and essay submitted, involvement in the community and school activities. OSAC then selects ten recipients. Recipients are notified and receive their award certificate when they attend Salem Electric’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 6 p.m. at Roth’s West Salem. All members are welcome to attend.

Your home can be less drafty, quieter and cost less to heat and cool

PLUS you can receive a cash incentive to make it happen through the WeatherWise Program. To qualify you must be a Salem Electric member whose home or apartment is electrically heated. The process is easy! Just call Member Services at 503 362-3601 for your free energy audit. The audit will show you which energy saving measures will help to keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, save you money and increase your comfort.

How Do I Know the Job is Done Right?An SE energy expert will perform the audit and personally assist you throughout your weatherization project. The work must be completed by a contractor familiar with our strict installation requirements, or you can do the work yourself but the same specifications and requirements apply. After the work is completed our

inspection process verifies that the installation meets all the program requirements.

Get Your Home Snug & Tight*Even if your home was recently built there are still things you can do to make it more energy-efficient and our energy expert can help you decide which improvements are the most cost-effective for you. Listed below are the minimum recommended insulation levels:

• Replacement Windows (.30 U-value)

• Replacement Patio Doors (.32 U-value)

• Ceiling Insulation (R-49)

• Floor Insulation (R-30 or fill cavity)

• Wall Insulation (R-13)

• Performance Tested Comfort System (PTCS) Air Sealing

• Duct Insulation and PTCS Sealing (R-11)

*(All non-electric heating equipment, excluding wood heat and non-electric heat pump back-up systems, must be removed prior to weatherization).

Salem Electric Pays Cash IncentivesYour energy audit will list which weatherization measures are eligible for WeatherWise incentives. Salem Electric pays up to 50% of the actual cost to insulate your home or rental property and $5.50 or $7.50 per square foot for replacement windows depending on the existing condition. The incentive is not a loan, it is simply a payment to help you conserve electricity. Working together we can delay the need to build new, more expensive energy sources.

Why Wait? Sign Up Today!Energy savings and home comfort are just around the corner. Weatherizing your home can add to the appearance and value of your home, improve the comfort, and decrease your heating and cooling costs. Sign up today for your free energy audit. Call Member Services at 503 362-3601 or email us at se@SalemElectric.com. More information is also available at SalemElectric.com. A

Invest in Your Future

Reduce Your Winter Billthrough the WeatherWise Program S tereotypical isn’t the norm

anymore. For example: Adam is 40 years old,

an electrical engineer and computer hardware expert. Now, before you add horn-rimmed glasses, and a white dress shirt with a pen-filled pocket protector, try to overlay into the frame a jazz trombone and piano, and a couple of vintage hot rods drag racing on Oregon’s most popular strip. Suddenly, the word “typical” becomes “unique.”

Adam Deshon is a distribution engineer at Salem Electric, hired in 2013 after a 15 year career as an operations and maintenance engineer at a paper mill. The cum laude graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology said he enjoyed his stay at the mill but the job became stressful in the final years. The non-stop, on-call responsibility for high-speed process lines began to interfere with his quality time with his wife Kelly and their children.

He grew up in Oregon and quickly learned to love hands-on projects and problem solving. At 14, his father gave him a 1972 Ford pick-up truck…in pieces…and lent him tools and a garage to figure out how it went together. In high school science classes Adam built a siren, an electric motor,

and even an AM-FM radio. In college, where he met Kelly, he souped up a 1965 Mustang coupe for drag racing.

As a middle school student, and extending well into high school, Adam also became accomplished as a trombone player, winning the Louis Armstrong Jazz award for his contributions to the school’s culture and entertainment value. He’s since taught himself to play the piano.

His wife Kelly worked as a trainer and webmaster at Salem Hospital after college and, now with two children, has taken the lead for household and childcare while Adam earns the wages. They live in the country on two acres. Adam helped with land

prep, electrical wiring and finish work on their multi-level home. The daylight basement is a separate space where the kids can play when they’re not at school, outside playing on the trampoline, or in the nearby woods.

Adam’s thankful for a former colleague who joined Salem Electric before him and sent him a job vacancy announcement. He likes the variety, work environment, encouragement to grow professionally, and family atmosphere at Salem Electric.

“There’s not a time when each of us isn’t in some way a customer service representative,” Adam said. As an example, he cited a recent situation where a member called repeatedly about isolated power loss in their house. “I went over to see if I could help. I found that a ground fault circuit interrupter switch had tripped and needed to be reset. I gave the member instructions on how to monitor and reset the switch if it happened again. The detour in my day took no more than a half hour and it helped out a member. It’s great to see the appreciation we get for doing those simple things.” A

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Applicants’ primary residence is served by Salem Electric

• Applicants may be high school graduates, home-school graduates, or GED recipients planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program

• Salem Electric staff, board members, and their immediate family members are ineligible

Application Information:• Visit SalemElectric.com and apply online

• Applications can be printed and mailed with required attachments

• Contact OSAC at awardinfo@osac.state.or.us or call OSAC at 1-800-452-8807 ext. 7387

Timeline:Start early and save your application until you’re ready to submit. Applications available online through SalemElectric.com.

February 15, 2015Early bird application deadline

March 1, 2015 – 5 p.m.FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE for all required materials.

As a cooperative, Salem Electric is invested in the communities we serve. We wish each applicant the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope you’ll apply for one of the scholarships offered by Salem Electric — your community partner. A

©iS

tock

.com

/jpbc

pa

©iS

tock

.com

/may

befa

lse

©iS

tock

.com

/CEF

utch

er

11880 SEL_Newsletter115.indd 1 12/19/14 11:59 AM

INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015 INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015

November 25, 2014

Boar

d M

eetin

g Su

mm

ary

Presented by:

Alicia BonesteeleSecretary/Treasurer

All board meetings are held at 7 PM at Salem Electric, 633 Seventh Street NW, Salem, Oregon

Jerry Berger President

Jeff AndersonDave Bauer

Joe Van Meter Vice-President

Alicia Bonesteele Secretary/Treasurer

Carl BeachPaul Ennor

BOARD OF DIRECTORSUPCOMING BOARD MEETINGSHayden Allbritton

Leadership Youth Rep

F R O M Y O U R B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

FOLD

Water and electricity don’t mix! When your hands are wet or you are standing near water or wet

areas, do not touch a light switch or use electrical equipment. Never place any electrical

appliance near water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into the water, don’t reach in to pull it out — even if it’s turned off. Unplug it first. After retrieving it, don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person. A

A lways assume that all downed power lines are energized power lines.

Since electricity can jump from a line to anyone who gets too close, stay at least 10 feet away from downed power lines. The following tips can help keep you safe:

• If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it.

• The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This minimizes the chance of a human path of electric current

and minimizes the hazards of electric shock.

• If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed power line do not touch the person. Call 911!

• Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive material, if slightly damp or wet, can conduct electricity and electrocute you.

• Do not go near water where a downed power line is located.

• If you are in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed power line, stay in the vehicle,

honk your horn for help, tell others to stay away from your vehicle, and call 911.

• If you must leave your vehicle due to fire, jump from the vehicle with both feet together to avoid contact with the live car and the ground at the same time. This reduces the risk of becoming part of the path of electricity from the car to the earth. Shuffling away from the car is also important.

• Never drive over a downed power line.

• Report any damaged Salem Electric equipment to our office at 503 362-3601. A

Debbie, serving you since 1994

503 362-3601 salemelectr ic .com

I’m not only a Member Services Coordinator

I also make and donate quilts to newborns

A Potentially

Board Action: The board unanimously approved the proposed 2015 budget.

AdministrativeServices:

Belleque reviewed historical service terminations and explained the monthly and year-to-date variance from last year. The fluctuations in the numbers year to year do not indicate a change in Salem Electric’s policies or procedures, but are attributed to changes in the weather.

Revolvement: Nearly all of this year’s $1.6 million in revolvement payments have been issued.

MemberServices:

Willie Ball, who has worked at Salem Electric for 27 years, has been promoted from energy analyst to energy specialist. In his new position he will be handling industrial and commercial conservation in addition to training Marcos Huerta who, after five years as a customer service representative, was promoted to energy analyst.

Tree trimming for the season is underway with one entire crew dedicated to keeping limbs away from Salem Electric’s lines.

Service Reliability:

The IT Department has completed the updating of audio visual equipment in all of Salem Electric’s meeting rooms. Connections can be made from a variety of devices for more options and versatility in training opportunities.

InformationTechnology:

Leadership Youth: Hayden Allbritton reported on his recent school activities and plans for college.

January 27 February 18 March 18

Stay Away from

Do Your HomeworkDeadly Combination

Downed Power Lines

I f you’re having work done around your house, do your homework first and consider the following:

Is your contractor bonded, licensed, insured and registered with the Construction Contractor’s Board? Start with a call to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board at 503 378-4621 or visit their website at: www.oregon.gov/CCB/pages/index.aspx and select “Consumer Help”.

Answers to these questions can play a role in how happy you will be when the job is completed. If there are problems that aren’t fixed to your satisfaction or if the above-mentioned items are in place, you have an avenue for recourse.

And remember, if your plans include weatherization of your electrically-heated home or installing a new heat pump, Salem Electric has programs and incentives to help. A

Many utilities in the United States have installed automated metering throughout their service areas.

More than 36 million homes have automated metering, also referred to as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).

Salem Electric has taken a cautious approach. Our AMI mini-pilot project (approximately 30 meters), has been in place for the past 18 months. This allowed us to test program features, compare reading accuracy, study data, and provide members involved in the pilot with current energy usage information.

The board has approved an expanded pilot for 2015 that will include an entire circuit in West Salem and a Keizer apartment complex — a total of about 400 meters. Through this expanded pilot there will be added benefits including:

• The ability to more quickly identify outages or malfunctioning equipment

• The option of remote connects and disconnects

• Improved reading efficiency

• Additional data accessibility

• Enhanced customer service

Over the next several weeks members included in this expanded pilot will be contacted by our office with information and more details about AMI.

For additional information on AMI contact our Engineering Department by calling 503 362-3601, emailing us at se@SalemElectric.com, or visiting our website at SalemElectric.com. A

AMI UPDATE

©iS

tock

.com

/ter

min

ator

1

©iStock.com/da-kuk

©iS

tock

.com

/pat

ty_c

©iStock.com/malerapaso

11880 SEL_Newsletter115.indd 2 12/19/14 11:58 AM

INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015

JERRY BERGER, Board President

From

a d

irect

or…

FOLD

FOLD

FOLD

FOLD

Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.

SALEM ELECTRIC • PO BOX 5588 • 633 SEVENTH STREET NW • SALEM, OR 97304-0055PH: 503 362-3601 • FAX: 503 371-2956 • E-MAIL: se@SalemElectric.com • SalemElectric.com

JANUARY 2015

Adam DeshonEmployee profile:

E arly June brings big changes in the lives of high school seniors…graduation! This is the time when

young adults are making important choices about their future. Some decide to jump into the workforce, some take a little time off, but for those who decide to go to college Salem Electric may be able to help.

Salem Electric offers ten $1,000 scholarships for students. The program is administered by the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC). It’s easy to apply. OSAC reviews applications and evaluates them based on academic promise, quality of the application and essay submitted, involvement in the community and school activities. OSAC then selects ten recipients. Recipients are notified and receive their award certificate when they attend Salem Electric’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 6 p.m. at Roth’s West Salem. All members are welcome to attend.

Your home can be less drafty, quieter and cost less to heat and cool

PLUS you can receive a cash incentive to make it happen through the WeatherWise Program. To qualify you must be a Salem Electric member whose home or apartment is electrically heated. The process is easy! Just call Member Services at 503 362-3601 for your free energy audit. The audit will show you which energy saving measures will help to keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, save you money and increase your comfort.

How Do I Know the Job is Done Right?An SE energy expert will perform the audit and personally assist you throughout your weatherization project. The work must be completed by a contractor familiar with our strict installation requirements, or you can do the work yourself but the same specifications and requirements apply. After the work is completed our

inspection process verifies that the installation meets all the program requirements.

Get Your Home Snug & Tight*Even if your home was recently built there are still things you can do to make it more energy-efficient and our energy expert can help you decide which improvements are the most cost-effective for you. Listed below are the minimum recommended insulation levels:

• Replacement Windows (.30 U-value)

• Replacement Patio Doors (.32 U-value)

• Ceiling Insulation (R-49)

• Floor Insulation (R-30 or fill cavity)

• Wall Insulation (R-13)

• Performance Tested Comfort System (PTCS) Air Sealing

• Duct Insulation and PTCS Sealing (R-11)

*(All non-electric heating equipment, excluding wood heat and non-electric heat pump back-up systems, must be removed prior to weatherization).

Salem Electric Pays Cash IncentivesYour energy audit will list which weatherization measures are eligible for WeatherWise incentives. Salem Electric pays up to 50% of the actual cost to insulate your home or rental property and $5.50 or $7.50 per square foot for replacement windows depending on the existing condition. The incentive is not a loan, it is simply a payment to help you conserve electricity. Working together we can delay the need to build new, more expensive energy sources.

Why Wait? Sign Up Today!Energy savings and home comfort are just around the corner. Weatherizing your home can add to the appearance and value of your home, improve the comfort, and decrease your heating and cooling costs. Sign up today for your free energy audit. Call Member Services at 503 362-3601 or email us at se@SalemElectric.com. More information is also available at SalemElectric.com. A

Invest in Your Future

Reduce Your Winter Billthrough the WeatherWise Program S tereotypical isn’t the norm

anymore. For example: Adam is 40 years old,

an electrical engineer and computer hardware expert. Now, before you add horn-rimmed glasses, and a white dress shirt with a pen-filled pocket protector, try to overlay into the frame a jazz trombone and piano, and a couple of vintage hot rods drag racing on Oregon’s most popular strip. Suddenly, the word “typical” becomes “unique.”

Adam Deshon is a distribution engineer at Salem Electric, hired in 2013 after a 15 year career as an operations and maintenance engineer at a paper mill. The cum laude graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology said he enjoyed his stay at the mill but the job became stressful in the final years. The non-stop, on-call responsibility for high-speed process lines began to interfere with his quality time with his wife Kelly and their children.

He grew up in Oregon and quickly learned to love hands-on projects and problem solving. At 14, his father gave him a 1972 Ford pick-up truck…in pieces…and lent him tools and a garage to figure out how it went together. In high school science classes Adam built a siren, an electric motor,

and even an AM-FM radio. In college, where he met Kelly, he souped up a 1965 Mustang coupe for drag racing.

As a middle school student, and extending well into high school, Adam also became accomplished as a trombone player, winning the Louis Armstrong Jazz award for his contributions to the school’s culture and entertainment value. He’s since taught himself to play the piano.

His wife Kelly worked as a trainer and webmaster at Salem Hospital after college and, now with two children, has taken the lead for household and childcare while Adam earns the wages. They live in the country on two acres. Adam helped with land

prep, electrical wiring and finish work on their multi-level home. The daylight basement is a separate space where the kids can play when they’re not at school, outside playing on the trampoline, or in the nearby woods.

Adam’s thankful for a former colleague who joined Salem Electric before him and sent him a job vacancy announcement. He likes the variety, work environment, encouragement to grow professionally, and family atmosphere at Salem Electric.

“There’s not a time when each of us isn’t in some way a customer service representative,” Adam said. As an example, he cited a recent situation where a member called repeatedly about isolated power loss in their house. “I went over to see if I could help. I found that a ground fault circuit interrupter switch had tripped and needed to be reset. I gave the member instructions on how to monitor and reset the switch if it happened again. The detour in my day took no more than a half hour and it helped out a member. It’s great to see the appreciation we get for doing those simple things.” A

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Applicants’ primary residence is served by Salem Electric

• Applicants may be high school graduates, home-school graduates, or GED recipients planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program

• Salem Electric staff, board members, and their immediate family members are ineligible

Application Information:• Visit SalemElectric.com and apply online

• Applications can be printed and mailed with required attachments

• Contact OSAC at awardinfo@osac.state.or.us or call OSAC at 1-800-452-8807 ext. 7387

Timeline:Start early and save your application until you’re ready to submit. Applications available online through SalemElectric.com.

February 15, 2015Early bird application deadline

March 1, 2015 – 5 p.m.FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE for all required materials.

As a cooperative, Salem Electric is invested in the communities we serve. We wish each applicant the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope you’ll apply for one of the scholarships offered by Salem Electric — your community partner. A

©iS

tock

.com

/jpbc

pa

©iS

tock

.com

/may

befa

lse

©iS

tock

.com

/CEF

utch

er

11880 SEL_Newsletter115.indd 1 12/19/14 11:59 AM

INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015 INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015

November 25, 2014

Boar

d M

eetin

g Su

mm

ary

Presented by:

Alicia BonesteeleSecretary/Treasurer

All board meetings are held at 7 PM at Salem Electric, 633 Seventh Street NW, Salem, Oregon

Jerry Berger President

Jeff AndersonDave Bauer

Joe Van Meter Vice-President

Alicia Bonesteele Secretary/Treasurer

Carl BeachPaul Ennor

BOARD OF DIRECTORSUPCOMING BOARD MEETINGSHayden Allbritton

Leadership Youth Rep

F R O M Y O U R B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

FOLD

Water and electricity don’t mix! When your hands are wet or you are standing near water or wet

areas, do not touch a light switch or use electrical equipment. Never place any electrical

appliance near water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into the water, don’t reach in to pull it out — even if it’s turned off. Unplug it first. After retrieving it, don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person. A

A lways assume that all downed power lines are energized power lines.

Since electricity can jump from a line to anyone who gets too close, stay at least 10 feet away from downed power lines. The following tips can help keep you safe:

• If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it.

• The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This minimizes the chance of a human path of electric current

and minimizes the hazards of electric shock.

• If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed power line do not touch the person. Call 911!

• Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive material, if slightly damp or wet, can conduct electricity and electrocute you.

• Do not go near water where a downed power line is located.

• If you are in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed power line, stay in the vehicle,

honk your horn for help, tell others to stay away from your vehicle, and call 911.

• If you must leave your vehicle due to fire, jump from the vehicle with both feet together to avoid contact with the live car and the ground at the same time. This reduces the risk of becoming part of the path of electricity from the car to the earth. Shuffling away from the car is also important.

• Never drive over a downed power line.

• Report any damaged Salem Electric equipment to our office at 503 362-3601. A

Debbie, serving you since 1994

503 362-3601 salemelectr ic .com

I’m not only a Member Services Coordinator

I also make and donate quilts to newborns

A Potentially

Board Action: The board unanimously approved the proposed 2015 budget.

AdministrativeServices:

Belleque reviewed historical service terminations and explained the monthly and year-to-date variance from last year. The fluctuations in the numbers year to year do not indicate a change in Salem Electric’s policies or procedures, but are attributed to changes in the weather.

Revolvement: Nearly all of this year’s $1.6 million in revolvement payments have been issued.

MemberServices:

Willie Ball, who has worked at Salem Electric for 27 years, has been promoted from energy analyst to energy specialist. In his new position he will be handling industrial and commercial conservation in addition to training Marcos Huerta who, after five years as a customer service representative, was promoted to energy analyst.

Tree trimming for the season is underway with one entire crew dedicated to keeping limbs away from Salem Electric’s lines.

Service Reliability:

The IT Department has completed the updating of audio visual equipment in all of Salem Electric’s meeting rooms. Connections can be made from a variety of devices for more options and versatility in training opportunities.

InformationTechnology:

Leadership Youth: Hayden Allbritton reported on his recent school activities and plans for college.

January 27 February 18 March 18

Stay Away from

Do Your HomeworkDeadly Combination

Downed Power Lines

I f you’re having work done around your house, do your homework first and consider the following:

Is your contractor bonded, licensed, insured and registered with the Construction Contractor’s Board? Start with a call to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board at 503 378-4621 or visit their website at: www.oregon.gov/CCB/pages/index.aspx and select “Consumer Help”.

Answers to these questions can play a role in how happy you will be when the job is completed. If there are problems that aren’t fixed to your satisfaction or if the above-mentioned items are in place, you have an avenue for recourse.

And remember, if your plans include weatherization of your electrically-heated home or installing a new heat pump, Salem Electric has programs and incentives to help. A

Many utilities in the United States have installed automated metering throughout their service areas.

More than 36 million homes have automated metering, also referred to as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).

Salem Electric has taken a cautious approach. Our AMI mini-pilot project (approximately 30 meters), has been in place for the past 18 months. This allowed us to test program features, compare reading accuracy, study data, and provide members involved in the pilot with current energy usage information.

The board has approved an expanded pilot for 2015 that will include an entire circuit in West Salem and a Keizer apartment complex — a total of about 400 meters. Through this expanded pilot there will be added benefits including:

• The ability to more quickly identify outages or malfunctioning equipment

• The option of remote connects and disconnects

• Improved reading efficiency

• Additional data accessibility

• Enhanced customer service

Over the next several weeks members included in this expanded pilot will be contacted by our office with information and more details about AMI.

For additional information on AMI contact our Engineering Department by calling 503 362-3601, emailing us at se@SalemElectric.com, or visiting our website at SalemElectric.com. A

AMI UPDATE

©iS

tock

.com

/ter

min

ator

1

©iStock.com/da-kuk

©iS

tock

.com

/pat

ty_c

©iStock.com/malerapaso

11880 SEL_Newsletter115.indd 2 12/19/14 11:58 AM

INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015 INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015

November 25, 2014Bo

ard

Mee

ting

Sum

mar

yPresented by:

Alicia BonesteeleSecretary/Treasurer

All board meetings are held at 7 PM at Salem Electric, 633 Seventh Street NW, Salem, Oregon

Jerry Berger President

Jeff AndersonDave Bauer

Joe Van Meter Vice-President

Alicia Bonesteele Secretary/Treasurer

Carl BeachPaul Ennor

BOARD OF DIRECTORSUPCOMING BOARD MEETINGSHayden Allbritton

Leadership Youth Rep

F R O M Y O U R B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

FOLD

Water and electricity don’t mix! When your hands are wet or you are standing near water or wet

areas, do not touch a light switch or use electrical equipment. Never place any electrical

appliance near water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into the water, don’t reach in to pull it out — even if it’s turned off. Unplug it first. After retrieving it, don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair person. A

A lways assume that all downed power lines are energized power lines.

Since electricity can jump from a line to anyone who gets too close, stay at least 10 feet away from downed power lines. The following tips can help keep you safe:

• If you see a downed power line, move away from the line and anything touching it.

• The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This minimizes the chance of a human path of electric current

and minimizes the hazards of electric shock.

• If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed power line do not touch the person. Call 911!

• Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive material, if slightly damp or wet, can conduct electricity and electrocute you.

• Do not go near water where a downed power line is located.

• If you are in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed power line, stay in the vehicle,

honk your horn for help, tell others to stay away from your vehicle, and call 911.

• If you must leave your vehicle due to fire, jump from the vehicle with both feet together to avoid contact with the live car and the ground at the same time. This reduces the risk of becoming part of the path of electricity from the car to the earth. Shuffling away from the car is also important.

• Never drive over a downed power line.

• Report any damaged Salem Electric equipment to our office at 503 362-3601. A

Debbie, serving you since 1994

503 362-3601 salemelectr ic .com

I’m not only a Member Services Coordinator

I also make and donate quilts to newborns

A Potentially

Board Action: The board unanimously approved the proposed 2015 budget.

AdministrativeServices:

Belleque reviewed historical service terminations and explained the monthly and year-to-date variance from last year. The fluctuations in the numbers year to year do not indicate a change in Salem Electric’s policies or procedures, but are attributed to changes in the weather.

Revolvement: Nearly all of this year’s $1.6 million in revolvement payments have been issued.

MemberServices:

Willie Ball, who has worked at Salem Electric for 27 years, has been promoted from energy analyst to energy specialist. In his new position he will be handling industrial and commercial conservation in addition to training Marcos Huerta who, after five years as a customer service representative, was promoted to energy analyst.

Tree trimming for the season is underway with one entire crew dedicated to keeping limbs away from Salem Electric’s lines.

Service Reliability:

The IT Department has completed the updating of audio visual equipment in all of Salem Electric’s meeting rooms. Connections can be made from a variety of devices for more options and versatility in training opportunities.

InformationTechnology:

Leadership Youth: Hayden Allbritton reported on his recent school activities and plans for college.

January 27 February 18 March 18

Stay Away from

Do Your HomeworkDeadly Combination

Downed Power Lines

I f you’re having work done around your house, do your homework first and consider the following:

Is your contractor bonded, licensed, insured and registered with the Construction Contractor’s Board? Start with a call to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board at 503 378-4621 or visit their website at: www.oregon.gov/CCB/pages/index.aspx and select “Consumer Help”.

Answers to these questions can play a role in how happy you will be when the job is completed. If there are problems that aren’t fixed to your satisfaction or if the above-mentioned items are in place, you have an avenue for recourse.

And remember, if your plans include weatherization of your electrically-heated home or installing a new heat pump, Salem Electric has programs and incentives to help. A

Many utilities in the United States have installed automated metering throughout their service areas.

More than 36 million homes have automated metering, also referred to as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).

Salem Electric has taken a cautious approach. Our AMI mini-pilot project (approximately 30 meters), has been in place for the past 18 months. This allowed us to test program features, compare reading accuracy, study data, and provide members involved in the pilot with current energy usage information.

The board has approved an expanded pilot for 2015 that will include an entire circuit in West Salem and a Keizer apartment complex — a total of about 400 meters. Through this expanded pilot there will be added benefits including:

• The ability to more quickly identify outages or malfunctioning equipment

• The option of remote connects and disconnects

• Improved reading efficiency

• Additional data accessibility

• Enhanced customer service

Over the next several weeks members included in this expanded pilot will be contacted by our office with information and more details about AMI.

For additional information on AMI contact our Engineering Department by calling 503 362-3601, emailing us at se@SalemElectric.com, or visiting our website at SalemElectric.com. A

AMI UPDATE

©iS

tock

.com

/ter

min

ator

1

©iStock.com/da-kuk

©iS

tock

.com

/pat

ty_c

©iStock.com/malerapaso

11880 SEL_Newsletter115.indd 2 12/19/14 11:58 AM

INFO BULLETIN JANUARY 2015

JERRY BERGER, Board PresidentFr

om a

dire

ctor

…

FOLD

FOLD

FOLD

FOLD

Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.

SALEM ELECTRIC • PO BOX 5588 • 633 SEVENTH STREET NW • SALEM, OR 97304-0055PH: 503 362-3601 • FAX: 503 371-2956 • E-MAIL: se@SalemElectric.com • SalemElectric.com

JANUARY 2015

Adam DeshonEmployee profile:

E arly June brings big changes in the lives of high school seniors…graduation! This is the time when

young adults are making important choices about their future. Some decide to jump into the workforce, some take a little time off, but for those who decide to go to college Salem Electric may be able to help.

Salem Electric offers ten $1,000 scholarships for students. The program is administered by the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC). It’s easy to apply. OSAC reviews applications and evaluates them based on academic promise, quality of the application and essay submitted, involvement in the community and school activities. OSAC then selects ten recipients. Recipients are notified and receive their award certificate when they attend Salem Electric’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 6 p.m. at Roth’s West Salem. All members are welcome to attend.

Your home can be less drafty, quieter and cost less to heat and cool

PLUS you can receive a cash incentive to make it happen through the WeatherWise Program. To qualify you must be a Salem Electric member whose home or apartment is electrically heated. The process is easy! Just call Member Services at 503 362-3601 for your free energy audit. The audit will show you which energy saving measures will help to keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, save you money and increase your comfort.

How Do I Know the Job is Done Right?An SE energy expert will perform the audit and personally assist you throughout your weatherization project. The work must be completed by a contractor familiar with our strict installation requirements, or you can do the work yourself but the same specifications and requirements apply. After the work is completed our

inspection process verifies that the installation meets all the program requirements.

Get Your Home Snug & Tight*Even if your home was recently built there are still things you can do to make it more energy-efficient and our energy expert can help you decide which improvements are the most cost-effective for you. Listed below are the minimum recommended insulation levels:

• Replacement Windows (.30 U-value)

• Replacement Patio Doors (.32 U-value)

• Ceiling Insulation (R-49)

• Floor Insulation (R-30 or fill cavity)

• Wall Insulation (R-13)

• Performance Tested Comfort System (PTCS) Air Sealing

• Duct Insulation and PTCS Sealing (R-11)

*(All non-electric heating equipment, excluding wood heat and non-electric heat pump back-up systems, must be removed prior to weatherization).

Salem Electric Pays Cash IncentivesYour energy audit will list which weatherization measures are eligible for WeatherWise incentives. Salem Electric pays up to 50% of the actual cost to insulate your home or rental property and $5.50 or $7.50 per square foot for replacement windows depending on the existing condition. The incentive is not a loan, it is simply a payment to help you conserve electricity. Working together we can delay the need to build new, more expensive energy sources.

Why Wait? Sign Up Today!Energy savings and home comfort are just around the corner. Weatherizing your home can add to the appearance and value of your home, improve the comfort, and decrease your heating and cooling costs. Sign up today for your free energy audit. Call Member Services at 503 362-3601 or email us at se@SalemElectric.com. More information is also available at SalemElectric.com. A

Invest in Your Future

Reduce Your Winter Billthrough the WeatherWise Program S tereotypical isn’t the norm

anymore. For example: Adam is 40 years old,

an electrical engineer and computer hardware expert. Now, before you add horn-rimmed glasses, and a white dress shirt with a pen-filled pocket protector, try to overlay into the frame a jazz trombone and piano, and a couple of vintage hot rods drag racing on Oregon’s most popular strip. Suddenly, the word “typical” becomes “unique.”

Adam Deshon is a distribution engineer at Salem Electric, hired in 2013 after a 15 year career as an operations and maintenance engineer at a paper mill. The cum laude graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology said he enjoyed his stay at the mill but the job became stressful in the final years. The non-stop, on-call responsibility for high-speed process lines began to interfere with his quality time with his wife Kelly and their children.

He grew up in Oregon and quickly learned to love hands-on projects and problem solving. At 14, his father gave him a 1972 Ford pick-up truck…in pieces…and lent him tools and a garage to figure out how it went together. In high school science classes Adam built a siren, an electric motor,

and even an AM-FM radio. In college, where he met Kelly, he souped up a 1965 Mustang coupe for drag racing.

As a middle school student, and extending well into high school, Adam also became accomplished as a trombone player, winning the Louis Armstrong Jazz award for his contributions to the school’s culture and entertainment value. He’s since taught himself to play the piano.

His wife Kelly worked as a trainer and webmaster at Salem Hospital after college and, now with two children, has taken the lead for household and childcare while Adam earns the wages. They live in the country on two acres. Adam helped with land

prep, electrical wiring and finish work on their multi-level home. The daylight basement is a separate space where the kids can play when they’re not at school, outside playing on the trampoline, or in the nearby woods.

Adam’s thankful for a former colleague who joined Salem Electric before him and sent him a job vacancy announcement. He likes the variety, work environment, encouragement to grow professionally, and family atmosphere at Salem Electric.

“There’s not a time when each of us isn’t in some way a customer service representative,” Adam said. As an example, he cited a recent situation where a member called repeatedly about isolated power loss in their house. “I went over to see if I could help. I found that a ground fault circuit interrupter switch had tripped and needed to be reset. I gave the member instructions on how to monitor and reset the switch if it happened again. The detour in my day took no more than a half hour and it helped out a member. It’s great to see the appreciation we get for doing those simple things.” A

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Applicants’ primary residence is served by Salem Electric

• Applicants may be high school graduates, home-school graduates, or GED recipients planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program

• Salem Electric staff, board members, and their immediate family members are ineligible

Application Information:• Visit SalemElectric.com and apply online

• Applications can be printed and mailed with required attachments

• Contact OSAC at awardinfo@osac.state.or.us or call OSAC at 1-800-452-8807 ext. 7387

Timeline:Start early and save your application until you’re ready to submit. Applications available online through SalemElectric.com.

February 15, 2015Early bird application deadline

March 1, 2015 – 5 p.m.FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE for all required materials.

As a cooperative, Salem Electric is invested in the communities we serve. We wish each applicant the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope you’ll apply for one of the scholarships offered by Salem Electric — your community partner. A

©iS

tock

.com

/jpbc

pa

©iS

tock

.com

/may

befa

lse

©iS

tock

.com

/CEF

utch

er

11880 SEL_Newsletter115.indd 1 12/19/14 11:59 AM