Manager’s Message — February 2019
PrintDear Members:
We had an interesting storm in early January. The big storm, with wet, heavy snow, shortly after the New Year is just the type of storm that has wreaked havoc on the region in the past, but we are delighted to share that we did not have a single outage.This is attributable to a great deal of hard work, both in strengthening our system and in tree trimming and hazard tree removal. PG&E has also been improving its right-of-way clearance on the transmission lines that serve us from the west.
We also had a good deal of luck. Three winters ago we were prepared, but a windstorm cut both power supplies and knocked down transmission poles. So far, so good, at the time I write this.
There is still the possibility for more major storms. It is important to be prepared and conserve power, when possible, during storms. The lower the load on the system, the easier it is to restore power. During rotating blackouts, we try to give everyone time to cook, bathe and do laundry. If everyone keeps their use to a minimum, we can supply more members with power.
We provide updates via text messages for systemwide outages. To sign up for these updates, text PSREC to 95577.
Community Solar
As you may have seen in the December issue, the PSREC Community Solar Program is now offering 100 kilowatt-hours-a-month blocks to members. PSREC offers members the choice of a monthly adder to their existing rate or a onetime upfront fee to participate in the Community Solar Program.
Buying solar power from PSREC’s Community Solar Program is a great option for members who may not want to make the large upfront investment in a solar system, are renting, or live in an area with shading where a solar system would not produce optimal energy output. Community solar is a great, maintenance-free way to use renewable power without solar panels on your roof.
For more information, or to sign up for the PSREC Community Solar Program, please call us at 800-555-2207 or visit www.psrec.coop.
Telecommunications
We continue to expand our broadband services throughout the region, offering unlimited data, net neutrality and speeds of up to 20 Mbps download.
If you haven’t already, please call us to sign up or get on our interest list. We are implementing our plan to provide services to most of the cooperative’s territory that does not have broadband, as well as improve existing services. We also are working to improve service to the cities and towns in our region that do not have reliable, unlimited, high-speed internet.
We previously informed members that we acquired an abandoned cable TV system and have been refurbishing it to provide broadband as quickly as possible to members. This has been a two-steps forward, one-step back process as years of neglect slow the rollout to everyone. We replaced parts of the system in Graeagle with fiber optics, which will improve service to a key affected area, and will improve service to the customers on the coax system, which is a nice win-win.
PST will continue to improve this system, and our other broadband networks over time. We are not here to extract money from the community and ship it out to other regions. As with our electric system, we will steadily improve all our systems and expand our coverage.
For more information, or to sign up for service, please call us at 800-221-3474 or visit www.pst.coop.
Scholarship Deadline Approaches
It is not too late to turn in an application to win one of two $1,000 scholarships. These scholarships are open to high school seniors and older students, with no upper age limit. Details are on page 5 and at www.psrec.coop. The deadline is Friday, March 15.
If you have any questions, please call me at (800) 555-2207 ext. 6076, or email me at bmarshall@psrec.coop.
Bob Marshall
General Manager
