Dear Members:
Telecommunications
Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications (PST) crews and contractors have been busy with vegetation management, build-out work, and fiber splicing for the Federal Funding Account grants it was awarded in late 2024. Installations have started in some areas.
If you are in the following areas and are interested in fiber-optic services, our crews have completed construction, and service for most addresses is ready to be installed — Goldridge Estates, Whitehawk Ranch, Eagle Ridge RV Park, and many areas throughout Portola and Graeagle. Contact our office at (530) 832-4126.
We have successfully tested new technology for our wireless customers that will give many of our wireless customers speeds comparable to fiber-optic. This new technology is deployed in the Vinton area. Call (530) 832-4126 to see if service is available for your location.
The Long Valley-Greenhorn grant construction is underway, with fiber splicing completed and electronics being installed. We are building through Cromberg and up into Greenhorn Ranch. Some homes in Greenhorn are covered by this grant, but many of the side streets will be installed as part of a follow-up grant that is in the middle of environmental clearance. Call our office to be added to the waitlist, and PST will contact you when your location is ready for installation.
When you get internet from PST, you are supporting local jobs, local customer service, and local crews to keep the system running. Your money doesn’t leave our region. Instead, the money goes into the economy and is used for system upgrades and expansion.
For more information, or to sign up for internet service, call (530) 832-4126 or visit the PST website.
SmartHub
At Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC), we work hard to empower our members to take charge of their energy consumption.
Through our secure SmartHub app, we have 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—while there are several other variables—the heating portion of most residential electric bills increases by 3% for every degree the average daily temperature drops below 50 degrees.
Increased awareness of energy consumption habits allows you to choose when and how to save energy and, in turn, can lower your bill.
To access this information, create your online SmartHub profile if you have not already made one.
You will need your account number and other identifying information for the primary account holder to create your SmartHub profile. If you experience any difficulty, call PSREC at (530) 832-4261 and we will be happy to assist you.
Make sure to also update your contact information. By providing your most accurate and complete contact information, PSREC can continue to provide the high level of service that you expect and deserve. Accurate contact information allows 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, PSREC can provide advance notification to affected members through automated phone messages, text messages, or email if we have your updated contact information and communication preferences.
We never share the contact information you provide the co-op with any third party. PSREC only uses your information to send you important notices. Take a moment to confirm or update your contact information by signing into your account, through the SmartHub app, or by calling PSREC at (530) 832-4261.
Scholarships
Attending a college or university next fall? PSREC and Plumas- Sierra Telecommunications are offering 2 $1,000 scholarships. Applicants must be at least a senior in high school by the fall of 2024 with no upper age limit. All students (seniors in high school, college students, and graduate students) are encouraged to apply.
Students applying for scholarships must have at least a 2.5 GPA and be in good standing. An official transcript must accompany the application.
Applications will be judged on the following: essay – 40%; school and community involvement – 40%; and scholastic achievements (grades) – 20%. All entrants must complete a typed or legibly written 500 to 1000-word essay. The essay portion will be judged heavily on creativity and content with consideration given to grammar and spelling.
Applications can be obtained by calling the Plumas-Sierra office at (530) 832-4261 or (800) 555-2207. It can also be downloaded online on our website. The deadline to apply is April 25.
Get Ready for Spring Safely
Spring is just around the corner, and we are starting to make plans for outdoor projects.
While you are eager to get an early start, 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, call 811 before you start digging.
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 locate and mark the location of underground lines where you plan to dig. Call a few days before you are ready to work to allow for processing.
Remember to 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 getting electrocuted. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It just might save your life.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact me by phone at (530) 832-6076 or by emailing Bob Marshall.
Sincerely,
Bob Marshall
General Manager