December 2007 Power Lines Newsletter
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In this issue:
- Restoring power after outages
- Use generators safely
- LED holiday lights
- PUD employees donate $15,000 to United Way
- Thank you Choice Energy business partners!
Restoring power after outages
No utility can guarantee uninterrupted power, particularly when winter weather brings wind, rain and snow storms. When a storm causes multiple outages, we focus first on those repairs that will restore power to the greatest number of customers in the least amount of time. Here’s how:
- Transmission lines deliver high-voltage electricity to our entire distribution system, so we repair them first.
- Substations lower the electricity’s voltage so that it can be sent over the distribution system. They are repaired next.
- After substations we repair the main distribution lines, or feeders, that can affect thousands of people.
- After the feeders are fixed we focus on tap lines that serve hundreds of customers.
- Individual services are restored last because fewer customers are affected.
- Restoring power after a major storm is a big job that can sometimes take days,
not hours, but you can be assured that our line crews won’t stop until your lights are back on.
Use standby generators safely - install GenerLink
Standby generators are helpful during outages, but if used improperly they can energize the power lines, seriously injuring or killing our linemen who are working to restore power. A GenerLink Transfer Switch prevents this and makes using a generator more convenient, allowing appliances to be operated much like when the power is on. We offer GenerLink Transfer Switch Service for $7.95 a month. To learn more about GenerLink, contact our Energy Experts at (503) 366-5470 or experts@crpud.org.
LED holiday lights - A smart, energy-efficient choice
Light Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights are growing increasingly popular. This year you can find them in a wide variety of styles and colors, and prices continue to drop.
LED lights have definite advantages over C-7, C-9 and mini incandescent lights that have been popular for many years. LED lights are:
- More energy efficient: LED holiday lights use up to 98% less energy than incandescent holiday lights like C- 7, C-9 or mini lights. This means lower electric bills and fewer overloaded circuit breakers.
- Longer lasting: LEDs can last as long as 100,000 hours, which is 20 times longer than the expected life of a mini bulb. Even if you left them on all the time they could last up to 11 years! (Lights used indoors will last longer than lights used outside.)
- Safe and sturdy: LED bulbs stay cool to the touch, regardless of how long they’re on, and they don’t have the components that cause incandescent bulbs to burn out or combust. And they are made with solid plastic bulb casings that are virtually indestructible.
You can find LEDs at just about any store that sells holiday lights.
PUD employees donate $15,000 to United Way
The PUD held its annual United Way fund raising drive in November, with great results. PUD General Manager Kevin Owens offered to cook breakfast for all of the departments in which every employee made a contribution, and we’re definitely taking him up on his offer... every PUD employee made a donation! This resulted in $15,019 in donations - a 16% increase over last year’s campaign.
“This campaign gave our employees an opportunity to show how much they care about our customers and this community,” said Owens.
Thank you Choice Energy business partners!
Supporting renewable energy is an investment in our future. By purchasing Choice Energy wind power, these local businesses are distinguishing themselves as environmental leaders, reducing pollution and supporting economic development in Oregon. When you visit these businesses, please thank them for choosing Choice Energy!
Choice Energy Business Partners:
Burgerville
Columbia Veterinary Clinic
RainShadow Laboratories
St. Helens Bowenwork Clinic
St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union
Scappoose Bay Kayaking
Scappoose Bay Watershed Council
Sommers Financial Management
