Proactive Vegetation Management Benefits Members
One of the best things about living in East Texas is the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade and habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our community for many of the same reasons. That’s why WCEC strives to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings with ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights-of-way.
 
While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there are three main benefits to trimming trees in ROW areas. Before we discuss those reasons, let’s talk about what a right-of-way is and how it may impact you. All the land that we use to construct, maintain, replace and repair underground and overhead power lines makes up our right-of-way.
 
The ROW clearance is 15 feet on both sides of the lines (30′ total) for primary distribution line, and four feet on both sides of the lines for secondary line (the lines leading to your meter),all the way to the ground. These protected areas enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder power line installation, maintenance or operations. We must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW.
 
Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways.
 
Safety
Foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our linemen above all else. If trees are touching power lines, they can pose a threat. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor such as a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of branches or trees falling during severe weather events, which make it more complicated and dangerous for linemen to restore power.
 
Reliability
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines that cause power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keep lines clear to promote reliability.
 
Affordability
As you know, WCEC is a not-for-profit cooperative, and that means we strive to keep our costs in check to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone.
 
Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty trees provide, but we also know you depend on us to provide reliable energy. We need your help to remain proactive in vegetation management. You can submit a Tree Trimming Request or call our office at 903-763-2203 to report trees or limbs that threaten power lines. 
 
Through vegetation management and your help, we can keep power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of the grid.

Pay It Back to Dad
You might not be able to help Dad get a discount on the family electric bill for Father’s Day, but you can help him save energy, which will ultimately reduce all future bills. If you’re shopping for a present for dear ol’ Dad, consider energy-saving gifts:

Energy-efficient power tools: Cordless power tools paired with Energy Star-certified battery chargers could help save power and money. While you’re at it, help Dad with his to-do list for quality time together.

Gas or charcoal grills: Cooking alfresco is a favorite summer pastime that doesn’t need to use one bit of power. Keep Dad company outside while he prepares delicious grilled food for some fun bonding time.

Smart thermostat: These programmable thermostats offer users the option to preset the temperature based on when the family will be home. A smart thermostat also provides real-time feedback about energy usage. Spend time away from home with Dad, and let the thermostat do the energy saving work.

Non-powered lawn tools: Lots of outside tasks can be completed with manual lawn tools that don’t plug in or burn fuel. Of course, helping Dad in the yard might be just as valuable a gift.

Energy-efficient light bulbs: Purchase a pack of LEDs for Dad to use in his work spaces. Better yet, hunt down all the energy-inefficient light bulbs in the house and replace them with better bulbs.

Smart plugs: These outlets work like power strips but are individual mini outlets that can be controlled with a smartphone app. Try plugging your devices into them, too, so that you can help Dad save on energy use.
Safety Tip of the Month
Summer is here and families are gearing up for a few months of relaxation. While summer brings much fun in the sun, it also can bring the severe storms that have the potential to produce tornadoes––they can happen anytime, anywhere, and can bring winds over 200 miles per hour.
It's important that we all understand storm safety and have a storm plan in place. Here are a several tips you can apply and also share with your loved ones.

Before the Storm
  • Talk about what to do in the event of a severe storm or tornado. Point out the safest location to shelter, like a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level of your home. Discuss the dangers of severe thunderstorms; lightning can strike 10 miles outside of a storm. Remember: when you hear thunder roar, head indoors.

  • Make a storm kit. It doesn’t have to be elaborate––having a few items on hand can save lives. Try to include items like water, non-perishable foods, a manual can opener, a first-aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries, prescriptions, baby supplies and pet supplies. Keep all the items in one place for easy access if the power goes out.

  • Make sure your contact information is up-to-date on your WCEC account. In the case of an outage or emergency your mobile number must be in our database associated with your account for any of our outage reporting systems to work for you. To update your account info visit the Account Services Portal, call our office at 903-763-2203 or send us an email to info@wcec.org

During the Storm
  • Pay attention to local weather alerts––either on the TV, your smartphone or weather radio––and understand the types of alerts. A thunderstorm or tornado watch means these events are possible and you should be prepared; a warning means a thunderstorm or tornado has been spotted in your area and it’s time to take action.

  • If you find yourself in the path of a tornado, head to your safe place to shelter, and protect yourself by covering your head with your arms or materials like blankets and pillows.

  • If you’re driving during a severe storm or tornado, do not try to outrun it. Pull over and cover your body with a coat or blanket if possible.

After the Storm
  • If the power is out, the fastest and easiest ways to get WCEC trucks rolling is to call or text your outage to the high volume outage reporting hotline at 1-866-415-2951 or report your outage on your My WCEC app.

  • Stay off the roads if trees, power lines or utility poles are down. Treat any and every downed powerline as if it is energized. Electrocution dangers are real. If you see a fallen line that is crossing a roadway or if it is endangering the public call 911, so first responders can stop traffic near the line until linemen can arrive to deenergize. If the line is on your private property and poses no danger to others, report it to us at 903-763-2203.

At WCEC, we recommend that you prepare today. Talk to your loved ones about storm safety so that everyone knows exactly what to do when a storm strikes. From our co-op family to yours, we hope you have a safe and wonderful summer.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
If you’re looking to add smart technology to your home, consider smart plugs. Smart plugs are inexpensive and can be used to control lighting and other electronic devices through a smart phone app.
 
With smart plugs, you can conveniently manage lighting, home office equipment, video game consoles and more. By powering off unused devices when you’re away, you can save energy (and money!).