Issue #235, August 2024

Help Us Celebrate 40 Years of Public Power!

You are invited to join us for hot dogs and an open house on Thursday, August 29, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. to help us celebrate 40 years of providing public power.

Our office will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day for an employee luncheon.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you.

Deadline to Enter Calendar Photo Contest is September 5

Do you have great pictures of Columbia County? Send them to us!

We are accepting entries for our 2025 Calendar Photo Contest until September 5.

Please submit high-resolution horizontal photos. Vertical photos will not be accepted.

Photos should show off the scenic beauty of Columbia County.

Meter Replacement Project Continues

We are continuing to replace electric meters throughout our service territory.

We are in the third year of this five-year project. If your meter has not yet been replaced, we will need to briefly shut off your power when we install your new meter.

If you have any questions about this project, please visit the FAQ page on our website.

3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Bill Down this Summer

You can help stay cooler and keep your energy costs lower this summer by using these tips from our Energy Experts:

1. Keep windows, doors, blinds, and curtains closed on hot days, and open them when it cools down to let in breezes.
2. Hang your laundry to dry instead of using a dryer.
3. Use your kitchen and bathroom fans while cooking and bathing to remove steam from the air.

Here are some more suggestions for cost-effective ways to keep cool.

Keep Yourself Cool with a Heat Pump

Heat pumps provide cooling during the hot summer months and keep your home comfortable all year long.

We offer rebates for the installation of ducted central system heat pumps and ductless systems.

To be eligible, heat pumps must be pre-approved and installed by an approved contractor.

Request a Free Home Energy Evaluation

We offer free home energy evaluations to customers who heat their homes with electricity.

These evaluations can help you find opportunities to cut your energy waste and help keep your electric bills lower. Older homes typically benefit the most from these evaluations.

You can request an evaluation online or by calling our partners at ESG at (888) 883-9879.

Please Contact Us Before Adding Electric Load

If you plan on adding electric load to your home or business, please contact us first. This may include building a shop or greenhouse, adding a heat pump or EV charger, or adding other electrical equipment.

Adding electric load risks overloading our equipment. This can damage equipment and possibly cause outages or other problems. If you add load without notifying us first, you will be held responsible for repair time and costs.

Before adding new electric equipment, please contact our Engineering Department by email or by calling (503) 397-0760.