Outlets Newsletter

A direct newsline from OPPD, your energy partner

June 2008 - Volume 25, Issue 6

Energy Assistance Program Helps People with Energy-Related Costs

Preparing for Stormy Weather

How to Beat the Summer Heat

Study Enables Participating Customers to watch 'Fuel Guage' at Home

OPPD Board Meeting: July 2008

Public Service Announcements: Red Cross Blood Drive; Douglas County Rx Discount Card

OPPD greatly appreciates your generous donations to the Energy Assistance Program (EAP), which helps people in need with energy-related expenses.

The 2008 EAP fund-raising campaign is now under way. Thanks to the generosity of OPPD customers:

• 900 households were helped by this program last year.
• EAP contributions totaled $246,279 in 2007.
• Last year, contributions reached a cumulative total of $2.5 million since the EAP began in 1988.

The American Red Cross Heartland Regional Chapter administers the program. Because OPPD pays the Red Cross administrative fees, 100 percent of your donations go to those who need help. For tax purposes, OPPD notifies donors of their total contribution for the year.

How Can I Help?

• Monthly Pledge: The amount you choose will automatically be added to your bill each month.
• Round Up: Your monthly bill will be rounded up to the next dollar each month, with the extra amount going to the EAP. For example, if your bill were $63.40, you would pay $64 for that month.

Signup Options

• Visit www.oppd.com.
• Call OPPD at 536-4131 or toll-free at 1-877-536-4131.
• Under “Ongoing Energy Assistance Pledge” in the top left corner of your July or September bill, either write in your monthly pledge amount or check the “Round Up” option.

How Can I Get Help?

• Assistance is available to qualifying residents throughout OPPD’s 13-county service territory, from July through December. Applications for help are taken by appointment only.
• Call the Red Cross at 343-7755 in Omaha or toll-free at 1-888-890-9569 to discuss the application process or schedule an appointment.
• These phone lines open June 25 for appointments starting in July.
• Spanish Line: Spanish-speaking persons may call (402) 343-7711.

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Summer storms can knock down power lines and cause outages. Here are some ways to stay safe and be prepared:

• Never touch or go near a downed power line.
• Report downed lines, power outages and streetlights out by calling 1-800-554-6773.
• With a battery-operated laptop, you can report outages and access restoration efforts at www.oppd.com.
• Keep a flashlight, portable radio, extra batteries and a list of emergency phone numbers on hand.
• If you have an automatic garage door opener, know how to operate it manually.
• During a power outage, unplug your computer and other electronic equipment to prevent damage from power fluctuations.

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Here are some tips for saving energy and money this summer:

• Draw your blinds to block the heat of direct sunlight.
• Set your thermostat as high as your personal comfort level will allow.
• Open windows during cool evenings.
• Don’t generate heat in the kitchen. Grill out.
• Use heat-producing appliances in the cooler evening hours.
• Turn off lights when not in use.
• Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescents.
• Insulate, ventilate and weatherize your home.
• If you need a new central air conditioner, shop for an energy-efficient unit or an electric heat pump.

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About 100 OPPD residential customers will take part in a study this summer that involves using a wireless device to make them more aware of power consumption and help encourage energy efficiency.

The goal of the real-time energy monitor study is to determine if customers will change their energy consumption when they are provided with a “real-time” readout of their current usage.

The participating customers live in an area bounded by Pacific Street to the north, 90th Street to the east, Interstate 80 to the south and 120th Street to the west.

A joint undertaking of OPPD and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the study entails a small in-home display that connects wirelessly to customers’ electric meters. The device features a light bar on top that changes color based on the amount of power in use, changing as appliances are turned off and on.

The study is part of a research effort between OPPD and UNO to better understand customer behavior related to energy use. When customers reduce their electricity usage, especially during times of peak demand, it helps OPPD defer construction of new power plants and helps keep rates low.

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The July meeting of the OPPD Board of Directors will be held

Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m. at:
OPPD Energy Plaza
444 S. 16th St. Mall, Omaha

An agenda is available for inspection at OPPD’s Energy Plaza during business hours or on OPPD’s website at www.oppd.com. Hearing-impaired individuals may request an interpreter by calling OPPD a minimum of 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date. Call TTY phone, 636-3090, or Consumer Relations, 636-3747. 

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Red Cross Blood Drive Join the American Red Cross and KGOR for the Rock n’ Roll Up Your Sleeves Blood Drive, July 14, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., at the Red Cross Heartland Chapter, 2912 S. 80th Ave. This is a difficult time of year to collect enough blood to meet patient needsn. Please give blood this summer. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE.LIFE or visit website.

Douglas County Rx Discount Card Unlimited use for families. No income or age requirements. Average savings of 20%. Call Douglas County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson at 444-7025, Douglas County Health Department at 444-7471 or Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging at 444-6536 or visit this website

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