Newsletter

As July rolls in with longer days and rising temperatures, it also brings the increased potential for severe weather. Summer storms can arrivequickly and hit hard, sometimes causing significant damage to essential electric equipment throughout our community.

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative is always prepared to respond swiftly to outages and restore power safely, but it is also important for homeowners to understand which parts of the electric system are their responsibility and which are maintained by us at the co-op.Understanding these key differences can help speed up repairs and ensure everyone stays safe when the weather turns rough.

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative is responsible for maintaining and repairing the equipment and lines that run to your home, includingutility poles, distribution power lines, electric meters and padmounted transformers.

Fallacy: Using a bigger air conditioner will cool my house better. Fact: A smaller air conditioner that runs for a slightly longer period is more efficient than a larger unit that cools the house with shortrun times.Having an AC professional determine the right-sized system for your home is the optimal solution.

Fallacy: Using an old refrigerator or freezer as a spare is reasonable. Fact: Old fridges and freezers are usually significantly less efficient than newer models, and keeping the appliance going can cost extramoney for minimal benefit. Consider getting rid of the old fridge and using an ice chest instead when you occasionally need additionalcold storage.

Fallacy: The way I use my kitchen stove does not affect energy use. Fact: Cooks can reduce energy use by about half when using the kitchen stove by setting low-heat temperatures, covering pots andpans, or using copper-bottomed pans, which are the best conductors of heat. On an electric stove, turning off the burners to letresidual heat finish cooking—and using pans the same size as the burner—can save energy. And preparing food in pressure cookers,microwaves or air fryers uses much less energy than stoves.

As a member-owner, you have a share in the margins of your not-for-profit electric cooperative. YourCooperative’s rates are set to bring in enough money to pay operating costs, make payments on any loans and provide an emergency reserve. Revenues in excess of the cost of doing business are eventually returned to JNEC’s members as “patronage capital.”

At the end of each calendar year, independent auditors perform an audit of our financial statements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards that confirms our financial position. Our “margin” is calculated by subtracting operating expenses from the total amount of money collected during the year.

In the quiet hours before dawn breaks, while many of us are still nestled in our beds, lineworkers begin their day,often clad in flame-resistant clothing, safety glasses, rubber gloves and thick, heavy boots.

They are the individuals who epitomize dedication to service in its purest form. As we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 17, this is an important moment to reflect on the essential role they play in our daily lives. Amid towering utility poles and power lines, lineworkers exhibit a strength that goes far beyond the

There’s a quiet transformation happening across the nation. America’s smaller communities are changing in remarkable ways—while holding steadfastly to the values that, for generations, have made them the places people choose to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Spring is on our doorstep and like many of you, many of us are looking forward to more opportunities to be outdoors and enjoy warmer weather. Unfortunately, spring and summer can also create the perfect conditions for severe storms.

Ensuring your home is properly insulated can improve energy efficiency and make your home more comfortable. Insulation acts like a cozy coat that reduces heat loss during winter months and a protective layer that reduces heat gain during summer months. Many older homes have less insulation than newer homes, but even newer homes can benefit from additional insulation. While it’s not the least expensive efficiency improvement, adding insulation and air sealing your home can provide the biggest bang for your buck in energy savings and overall comfort. The most common areas to insulate are attics, ceilings, crawlspaces or unconditioned basements, exterior and interior walls, floors, and ductwork located in unconditioned spaces.

Small space heaters are meant to do exactly as their name says: heat a small space. But unfortunately, many people use portable space heaters to heat an entire home, which can take a serious toll on energy bills.

Are you looking to improve your cash flow? These simple, low-cost steps can greatly impact your energy budget. The energy you use is critical for your family's comfort, convenience, and safety, but you still have to pay for it. Fortunately, there are a variety of simple, low-cost measures you can take to optimize your energy dollars while still maintaining your comfortable lifestyle.

Electricity Load Shedding and What It Could Mean to JNEC Members

Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative’s (“JNEC”) service territory is located within two different Regional Transmission Operators(“RTO”), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (“MISO”) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”). MISO andERCOT are responsible for ensuring that the supply of electricity is sufficient to meet customer demand for electricity to service territory or distribution system. 

Stay safe this hunting season in more ways than one.

Now that hunting season is upon us, Safe Electricity reminds hunters to survey their surroundings before aiming at the next big prize.
Take a moment to look up and out for power lines before starting the hunt.

The Environmental Protection Agency released four major new regulations for the electric industry this year, including a much-anticipated rule to cut emissions from power plants, a sweeping move that will aggravate reliability concerns for electric cooperatives and other utilities nationwide.  “The path outlined by the EPA is unlawful, unrealistic and unachievable,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “It undermines electric reliability and poses grave consequences for an already stressed electric grid.” The power plant rule constrains existing coal and new natural gas plants by requiring them to install carbon capture and storage technology that is not yet reliable or commercially available.