Manager’s Message — March 2022

Dear Members:

We are pleased to announce we received additional grants to offer fiber-optic service to a variety of areas, including Elysian Valley, parts of Doyle, Johnstonville, eastern Sierra Valley, C-Road/Mohawk Vista, parts of Cromberg/ Spring Garden/Greenhorn Ranch, and Old Truckee Road in Sierraville.

When we build the awarded projects—and other projects of our own—we can serve homes along the route.

Grant projects take a lot of work with short timelines. We try to ensure we serve as many of you as possible while keeping our existing services up and running. Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) continues to improve on its other services. We have been upgrading our wireless system so the entire system can carry more data, improving customer experiences. We are working to replace coaxial service in parts of Graeagle with fiber-optic service, allowing download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second with unlimited data use.

Be assured we are building fiber as fast as we can while upgrading other services where we can. Please email me if you have questions about our plans. If you aren’t already on our interest list, visit Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications or call (530) 832-4126 to sign up for service.

SmartHub

At PSREC, we work hard to empower our members to take charge of their energy consumption.

Our secure SmartHub app has tools you can use to access your historical energy use. This data can be graphically compared to temperature data for your area. We have observed that despite several other variables, the heating portion of most residential electric bills increases 3% for every degree the average daily temperature drops below 50 Fahrenheit.

Increased awareness of energy consumption habits allows you to choose when and how to save energy and, in turn, lower your bill. If you don’t already have an online profile, create one in SmartHub to access this helpful information. To start visit our website and click the “Register for Online Access” link in the green login box.

To create your SmartHub profile, you need your account number and other identifying information for the primary account holder. If you have any difficulty, please give us a call at (530) 832-4261. We are happy to assist you. This is also a good time to ensure we have your current and complete contact information.

This allows us to continue to provide the high level of service you expect and deserve. Accurate information enables us to improve customer service and enhance communications for reporting and repairing outages.

While we always do our best to maintain service, we occasionally plan outages to update, repair or replace equipment. In these instances, we provide advance notification to affected members through automated phone messages, text messages, or email if we have updated contact information and communication preferences.

Rest assured, when you provide your contact information to the co-op, we will never share it with any third parties. PSREC only uses it to send important information to you. Please take a moment to confirm or update your contact information by signing into your account on our website, through the SmartHub app, or by calling us at (530) 832-4261.

Scholarships

Attending a college or university next fall? PSREC and Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications offer two $1,000 scholarships. Full details and an application can be found on our Scholarships page. The application deadline is April 25.

Get Ready for Spring Safely

Spring is just around the corner, and we are starting to plan for outdoor projects.

While you are eager to get an early start, please don’t ignore safety. Check your surroundings, both high and low. Be aware of overhead power lines when trimming trees or shrubs. If you are digging holes for new fence posts or planting trees or shrubs, please first call 811.

The process is quick and easy. The 811 call center will take your information and notify PSREC and other utilities of your request. A professional is dispatched from the co-op and other utility services to identify and mark the location of underground lines where you plan to dig.

Please call a few days before you plan to work to allow for processing.

Be aware of any overhead power lines in your area. Look up before moving irrigation pipes, using a ladder, installing a new antenna or flagpole, or moving large trucks, trailers, or heavy equipment.

For indoor projects that involve wiring and electrical fixtures, make sure you turn the power off at the breaker panel to avoid being shocked. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It just might save your life.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call me at (530) 832-4261 ext. 6076 or email me.

Sincerely,
Bob Marshall
General Manager