enchantmentDon Bustos: Farmer, Innovator, Mentor

The Voice of New Mexico’s Rural Electric Cooperatives

Lea County Electric Cooperative • February 2018

Do Not Tamper With Your Electric Meter

Meter tampering can result in electric shock, is illegal and increases electricity rates for other co-op members.

Never break a meter seal.Never open a meter base.Never remove a meter or alter an entrance cable in any manner.

If you know or suspect someone has tampered with their meter, please

contact us immediately.

Energy Effi ciencyTip of the Month

Consider insulating your hot water pipes. Doing so can reduce heat loss, allow you to lower the temperature setting and save an additional 3 to 4 percent per year on water heating.

Source: energy.gov

Reminder of Heating Season Shut-Off ProtectionLea County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) is advising members who are behind on their electric bills to make payment arrangements to avoid service disconnection. New Mexico’s moratorium on residential service disconnection ends March 15, 2018. Aft er that date, utilities statewide will begin to disconnect service to members who are past due on payment of their electric bills. Th e annual moratorium period is from November 15 to March 15 and was established to protect utility customers from service disconnection during the winter months. Customers are encouraged to call LCEC at 575-396-3631 or 800-510-5232 to make the appropriate payment arrangements to avoid disconnection of electric service. To apply for energy assistance, members can call New Mexico Human Services Department 575-397-3400 or South Plains Community Action Corporation at 806-592-5451.

Recordatorio de la protección de cierre de la temporada de calefacciónLea County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) está asesorando a los miembros que están atrasados en sus facturas de electricidad para hacer arreglos de pago para evitar la desconexión del servicio. La moratoria de Nuevo México sobre la desconexión de servicios residenciales fi naliza el 15 de marzo de 2018. Después de esa fecha, los servicios públicos de todo el estado comenzarán a desconectar el servicio a los miembros vencidos en el pago de sus facturas de electricidad. El período de moratoria anual es del 15 de noviembre al

15 de marzo y se estableció para proteger a los clientes de servicios públicos de la desconexión del servicio durante los meses de invierno. Se recomienda a los clientes que llamen a LCEC al 575-396-3631 o al 800-510-5232 para hacer los arreglos de pago apropiados para evitar la desconexión del servicio eléctrico. Para solici-tar asistencia de energía, los miembros pueden llamar al Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Nuevo México al 575-397-3400 o South Plains Community Action Corporation al 806-592-5451.

CorrectionThe article published in last month’s enchantment regarding Capital Credits indicated the 1990 Capital Credits were paid out, but in fact it was the 1991 Capital Credits that were paid out.

Happy Presidents’ Day!Our offi ces will be closed Monday, February 19 in observance of Presidents’ Day; and will re-open on Tuesday, February 20.

LCEC Employee Graduates

Cherol Autry, accounting assistant at Lea County Electric Cooperative’s (LCEC) Lovington offi ce, graduated on December 1, 2017, with an associate in science account-ing with high honors from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Autry began her journey in September 2015, with no college credit hours. As a full-time employee of LCEC and a full-time student at SNHU taking six credit hours in eight-week terms, she was able to graduate in December 2017. Autry intends on pursuing her bachelor degree through SNHU with a graduation date of June 2019.

Autry states she appreciates the opportu-nity to further her education and is grate-ful LCEC off ers the Employee Education Assistance Program. “I will use what I have learned to be a valuable employee, better serve our cooperative members and ven-dors,” says Autry. She also mentioned the comradery between all of those taking advantage of the program is very positive and encouraging.