Everyday safe

Iwas at a meeting recently wherethe manager of a co-op from an-other state shared the story of ayoung lineman who came in

contact with an energizedline while restoring powerfollowing a storm. Theyoung man’s injuries weresignificant, and he passedaway a few days later. Itwas a tragic story andvivid reminder of the dan-gers of our industry.“Electric lineworker” is

routinely named amongthe 10 most dangerousjobs in America. In thisline of work, even smallmistakes can be deadly.Safety is a serious subject at our

co-op. New hires undergo extensivetraining, and all of our lineworkersparticipate in monthly safetymeetings. Crew leaders have tailgatediscussions to review the risks anddangers of each and every job. Ourcrews learn quickly to watch out forone another — everyone on thejobsite is encouraged to speak upabout potentially dangeroussituations.We are building a culture of safety.

This means that safety is, or shouldbe, a part of our DNA. It is acharacteristic feature and a sharedattitude that influences every memberof our team. We monitor and tracknear-misses of accidents in order tounderstand them, share “lessonslearned” and improve in the future.We encourage our crews to be

“everyday safe” — always vigilant,aware of surroundings and mindful ofco-workers. Our culture of safety also extends

to our community. Cumberland

Electric Membership Corporationconducts electrical safetydemonstrations at schools and otherevents, and we host first-responder

training to help police, fireand EMS personnel beprepared for situationsthey may encounter. Each year, our industry

celebrates May as NationalElectrical Safety Month.According to the ElectricalSafety FoundationInternational, thousands ofpeople in the United Statesare critically injured andkilled each year because ofelectrical fires, accidentsand electrocution in their

own homes. There are simple things you can do

to keep yourself and everyone in yourcommunity safe around electricity.Don’t attempt electrical do-it-yourselfprojects or overload your outlets.When working with heavy equipmentand ladders or even flying kites, beaware of power lines, and keep yourdistance. Call us to report downedlines, unlocked substations orpadmount transformers, low-hangingpower lines or anything else thatlooks amiss. Visit www.cemc.org or

everydaysafe.org for additionalelectrical safety tips. If you wouldlike us to provide a safetydemonstration at your school orcommunity event, please contact ourMember Services Department at1-800-987-2362.Help us celebrate Electric Safety

Month by establishing a culture ofsafety in your family, church,workplace or school. Use these tipsand resources to be “everyday safe.”

Jim Coode,General Manager,

Cumberland Electric Membership

Corporation

20 The Tennessee Magaz ine

AS I SEE IT Manager’s ViewpointCumberland Electric Membership CorporationCEMC Management and StaffJim Coode, General ManagerChris A. Davis, Assistant General ManagerDavid Abernathy,Operations Division ManagerMark T. Cook, P.E.,Engineering Division ManagerAnnebelle Chester,Administrative Division ManagerMichael Blackwell,District Operations ManagerSeth Roberts, Member Services ManagerCEMC Co-op News EditorJulie WallaceP.O. Box 3300Clarksville, TN 37043Open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 800-987-2362Ashland City officeJosh Gill,District Operations SupervisorClarksville officeKenny Davis, District Operations SupervisorDover officeTerry Odom, District Operations SupervisorBobby Joiner, District Operations SupervisorGallatin officeTravis Akins,District Operations SupervisorPortland/White House officesTodd Hesson, District Operations SupervisorSpringfield officeNicky Roberts, District Operations SupervisorChad Crabtree, District Operations SupervisorCEMC Board of DirectorsTommy G. Whittaker, Sumner Co., PresidentWesley H. Aymett, Cheatham Co., Vice PresidentShela K. Williams, At Large, Secretary-TreasurerK. Jean Beauchamp, Robertson Co., Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Stephen E. Douglass, Stewart Co.Charles R. Hancock, Stewart Co.Michael A. Mason, Robertson Co.C. David Morgan, Montgomery Co.Edward L. Oliver, Montgomery Co.Joe H. Whitaker, Sumner Co.Mission StatementCumberland Electric MembershipCorporation is committed to providingdependable, affordable electric servicethrough the expertise and dedication ofcompetent leadership and a well-trained and responsive workforce.

May 2018 21

Member Appreciation DayJoin us at your local CEMC office onThursday, May 17, for free hot dogs,chips, cookies, soft drinks AND achance to win an electric grill.

Lunch will be served from 10:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. at each location.

We hope to see you there!

Kilowatt-hour savings prove QCN excellence

eScore reaches milestone Since its inception in January 2015, the eScore

Residential Energy-Efficiency Program has helped morethan 1,500 Cumberland Electric Membership Corporationmembers make home improvement choices to save morethan 2.4 million kilowatt-hours — equating to more than$240,000 in energy savings on top of $477,000 in rebatespaid directly to CEMC members.The eScore Residential Energy-Efficiency Program was

designed to help homeowners achieve energy savingsthrough quality upgrades to their homes. Upgrades can beinstalled to increase a home’s energy efficiency, andhomeowners receive rebates and financing options inaddition to the annual energy savings from the measuresinstalled. QCN members perform admirablyThe eScore program’s success is directly attributed to

the contractors that make it possible. The QualityContractor Network (QCN) provides trained, reputablelocal companies that are dedicated to quality installationand materials to ensure that each participating CEMCmember can achieve his or her full potential savings.These contractors go the extra mile to ensure that theirinstalls are completed correctly and in a timely manner andthat homeowners can fully realize the anticipated savingsfor the life of the equipment. QCN appreciation luncheonEach year, CEMC hosts appreciation luncheons to

honor the dedication of local heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors. The luncheons, held forEastern and Western Regions of CEMC’s territory, are asmall token of gratitude for the excellence that eachcompany contributes to our membership. Many of thesecompanies have been part of the Quality ContractorNetwork for decades, and their relationships strengthen themessage that CEMC wants to be an energy partner, not justan energy provider. We are thankful for these localcompanies that contribute to CEMC members receivingthe utmost service and savings from the work theyprovide. By the NumbersIn 2017, HVAC contractors earned CEMC members

$63,645 in rebates (a 30-percent increase from 2016) andan estimated 466,183 kWh in energy savings (increased by50,000 kWh from 2016). A total of 336 HVAC upgradeswere performed at more than 280 homes; installs includednew heat pumps and central air conditioners as well astuneups and new or sealed existing ductwork.

Top performersAnnually, CEMC awards the top-performing QCN

members in each region with the QCN Excellence Award.For 2017, the award was earned by Derryberry’s Heat &Air in the Eastern Region and Baggett Heating & Coolingin the Western Region. These locally owned businessesachieved a combined 223,868 kWh annual savings to theCEMC service area by installing 116 measures across 80homes in 2017, resulting in more than $33,000 in rebatesto homeowners.

22 The Tennessee Magaz ine

By Joseph Woodard, CEMC Energy Programs Inspector

CEMC Energy Programs Inspector Joseph Woodardpresents the 2017 QCN Excellence Award for the WesternRegion to Baggett Heating and Cooling. Accepting theaward are Nicole Darke, left, and Alana Ward.

Accepting the Eastern Region’s 2017 QCN ExcellenceAward for Derryberry’s Heat & Air are John McEachen,left, and Nick Brosche.

May 2018 23

Quality Contractor NetworkeScore Residential Energy Efficiency Program

2017 QCN EXCELLENCE AWARD2016 QCN EXCELLENCE AWARD

Baggett Heating & Cooling Inc. 825 Main St.

Clarksville, TN 37040931-645-2859

2017 QCN EXCELLENCE AWARD2016 QCN EXCELLENCE AWARD

Derryberry’s Heat & Air212 N. Water Ave.Gallatin, TN 37066615-452-8121

Action Air868 Kraft St.

Clarksville, TN 37040931-647-8525

Brown & Son Company1028 N. Church St.Portland, TN 37148615-325-2624

Comfort Air Heating & Cooling40 Old Highway 149Erin, TN 37061931-289-4017

Dawson-Dawson Heating & Cooling1891 Ashland City RoadClarksville, TN 37043

931-552-6699

Denney Mechanical1016 Christopher LanePleasant View, TN 37146

615-746-2604

H&H Heat A/C & Ref. Inc.2547 Madison St.

Clarksville, TN 37043931-358-2600

Harris One Hour Heating & Cooling370 Robert S. Brown DriveClarksville, TN 37043

931-905-2356

Haskins Heating & Cooling5470 Highway 41-AJoelton, TN 37080615-746-6390

Hiller Plumbing, Heating & Cooling915 Murfreesboro PikeNashville, TN 37201615-292-6110

Kimbro Service134 Volunteer Drive

Hendersonville, TN 37075615-824-8098

Mainstream Heating & Cooling1539-A New Ashland City Road

Clarksville, TN 37040931-647-9610

McCarroll Heating & Air231 Molly Walton DriveHendersonville, TN 37075

615-824-4844

Morton Mechanical1878 New Ashland City Road

Clarksville, TN 37040931-648-3982

Precision Air Inc.117 Spence Lane

Nashville, TN 37210615-834-3777

U.S. Air Heating & Air7731 Highway 41-ACedar Hill, TN 37032

615-505-5044

Local young leaders learn about government during electric co-op event in Nashville

Portland High School student Cody Hunter andWhite House Heritage student Presly Pedigo werein Nashville March 12-14 for the Tennessee Elec-tric Cooperative Association’s annual Youth Lead-

ership Summit. The juniors were chosen by schoolguidance counselors and sponsored by Cumberland Elec-tric Membership Corporation. Delegates to the annualevent receive a hands-on look at state government, learnnetworking and leadership skills and develop a better un-derstanding of their local electric cooperatives.While in Nashville, the students visited the State

Capitol Building where they were welcomed by membersof the Tennessee General Assembly. Alan Whittington,assistant chief clerk of the Senate, explained the processrequired to pass legislation, and students debated andvoted on a mock bill.In addition to lawmakers, students also heard from

Tennessee leaders like Ms. Tennessee 2018 Caty Davis;Adam Hammond, anchor for Nashville’s NewsChannel5;and Trooper Jeffrey Buchanan with the TennesseeExecutive Protection Detail. Delegates to the Youth Leadership Summit are

encouraged to be leaders in their hometowns and use theirtalents to improve rural Tennessee. “Local electric co-ops,school officials and guidance counselors chose thesedeserving students to attend the summit based on theirinterests in government and strong leadership abilities,”says Todd Blocker, Tennessee Electric CooperativeAssociation vice president of member relations anddirector of the Youth Leadership Summit. “They will bethe next generation of leaders in rural Tennessee, and we

want to prepare them for the challenges and opportunitiesthey will face.”“These students will soon be our community leaders —

and electric cooperative member-owners,” says JimCoode, CEMC general manager. “We want them to shareour passion for rural Middle Tennessee, so it is an honorfor CEMC to help prepare them for the opportunities thatare ahead. The future of our rural communities depends ona new generation of strong leaders like these.”

Cody Hunter of Portland High School and Presly Pedigoof White House Heritage High School represent CEMCduring the Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville.

24 The Tennessee Magaz ine

May 2018 25

Annual A/C maintenance is due

Every spring, before the weather gets toowarm, call a qualified service technician toinspect and tune up your air-conditioningunit. During this annual maintenance visit,

the tech will be able to tell you if your A/C will makeit through the summer or if it needs some repairs. Ifthe unit is old, the service technician might recom-mend that you replace it.In addition, you can do two things on your own to

make sure your air conditioner stays in good workingorder:

1. Clean or replace the air-conditioner filter. Ifyou have a reusable filter, wash and dry it everymonth during the summer. If you have a disposablefilter, replace it.A dirty filter can get clogged with dust and dirt,

and that can restrict the airflow. That will make yoursystem work extra hard to cool your house, wastingenergy and perhaps driving up your electric bill. Plus, a dirty filter can push dust back into the

home, making the air less healthy, especially ifsomeone in your family has allergies or asthma.

2. Keep the area around the outside of the air-conditioner unit clean. Remove dirt, grass and any

debris that has collected around it so those thingsdon’t restrict its airflow. Trim shrubs away so theydon’t touch it.You also should rinse your unit every now and

then — but shut off the power to the unit first. A tip:Never use a power washer to clean the outdoor unit.

Changing your air filter each month can save you energyand money.

Go green with big-ticket renovations

Going “green” means living in a waythat’s friendly to the planet. But it alsomeans keeping a little more “green” inyour pocket by living more efficiently.

Even if the recession is keeping you from makingover your whole house so it’s more energy-efficient,you can convert it a little bit at a time.Next time you need to replace an appliance or

other home product, consider an eco-friendlychoice. Here are some suggestions for going greenat home:• When replacing major appliances, it pays to buythose that are Energy Star-qualified. These aresignificantly more efficient than other models, sothey’re cheaper to operate. • Buy appliances with “energy-saver” options. Newdishwashers and washing machines, for example,

use less water than older models and let youchoose load size and water temperature. Turn offyour dishwasher’s heated drying cycle, and choosea clothes dryer that automatically shuts off when itsenses that clothes are dry. • Place the dishwasher and refrigerator on oppositesides of the kitchen so the heat from thedishwasher won’t force the refrigerator to workharder. Resist the temptation to store an extrafreezer or refrigerator in the garage where theextreme heat and cold will force it to work so hardit will send your energy bills soaring. • When it’s time to replace windows, go withdouble- or triple-paned glass. Those models costmore than your single-pane windows, but theyprevent your heated or conditioned air from leakingoutside, so you’ll save money on your energy bills.

26 The Tennessee Magaz ine

CEMC helps Read Across AmericaCumberland Electric Membership Corpora-tion was delighted to take part in ReadAcross America at local elementary schoolsthis year. The event, which was designed by

the National Educational Association to promoteyouth literacy, is held each year around March 2 in

honor of the birth date of beloved children’s authorDr. Seuss.

CEMC employees and board members wereinvited to serve as guest readers at North StewartElementary, Dover Elementary and SangoElementary as each school celebrated the event.

CEMC board member Steve Douglass poses after sharinga story with students at Dover Elementary.

Shela Williams, CEMC board secretary-treasurer, reads tostudents at North Stewart Elementary.