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Outlets NewsletterA direct newsline from OPPD, your energy partnerApril 2008 - Volume 25, Issue 4Deadline Extended for Tree-Planting Projects Heartland Walk for Warmth Raises Cold Cash for Energy Assistance Programs In-Lieu-of-Tax Payments Exceed $20 Million Public Service Announcements: Paint-A-Thon Applications Due Soon; Walk Benefits Parkinson's Research
Deadline Extended for Tree-Planting Projects Applications are due by May 16 to seek a sponsorship for a tree-planting project. As part of its Tree Promotion Program, each year OPPD sponsors a limited number of such projects. The projects must promote energy efficiency and/or beautification, and they must be located on public property within the district’s 13-county service territory. OPPD encourages community groups, schools, nonprofit organizations and clubs planning a tree-planting project to apply for help. To qualify for sponsorship, a representative must submit an application along with a planting plan that meets program guidelines. The application deadline has been extended to May 16. Accepted applicants will be notified of preliminary approval by June 2. To request an application and a copy of the guidelines, please call 536-4131 in the metro or 1-877-536-4131, or go to www.oppd.com. OPPD is a Tree Line USA Utility and is the only Nebraska utility to be honored for eight consecutive years by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, for employing practices to protect and enhance America’s trees and forests. Heartland Walk for Warmth Raises Cold Cash for Energy Assistance ProgramsChecks for $10,000 each are being presented this month to the American Red Cross Heartland Regional Chapter, which administers the OPPD Energy Assistance Program, and to the agencies representing the energy assistance programs for Metropolitan Utilities District and Aquila. These funds were raised through the Heartland Walk for Warmth, which was coordinated by the three utilities. OPPD thanks everyone who participated in and supported the event, held recently in downtown Omaha. The walk was designed to raise awareness and money for area energy assistance programs. These programs help people in need pay energy-related expenses. For the event, more than 700 people walked around the lake at the Heartland of America Park. A total of 146 walkers were from OPPD, the most of any company involved. Plans already are under way to hold this event in 2009. Energy Advisor Tip: Time to Have Your AC CheckedSpring is a great time to have a heating and air conditioning technician check and clean your central air conditioner or the outside unit of your heat pump system. Just as with your car, preventive maintenance on this equipment can help you avoid costly repairs and prevent your unit from breaking down when you need it most. When it comes to air conditioners and heat pumps, keeping the outside coil clear of grass clippings, dirt and debris such as cottonwood fibers is critical to maintaining efficiency and preventing overheating. Overheating can cause excessive pressure within the refrigerant system and ultimately can damage the air conditioner’s compressor, which is expensive to replace. Cleaning a coil from the outside will generally push debris deeper into the fins, further restricting the air flow. Properly cleaning the coil usually requires a certain amount of disassembly of the outside unit, since the coil must be cleaned from the inside out. At this point, your safety becomes the primary issue. Exposure to electrical contact is very high during this cleaning process. That is why OPPD always suggests you call your heating and cooling professional to handle this important preventive maintenance task. Helpful Class If you’re looking for someone to service your air conditioner and don’t know where to start, consider attending OPPD’s How to Find a Quality Heating and Cooling Dealer class. You’ll learn what questions to ask and what the dealer should be asking you. This class is being offered at the OPPD Energy Information Center in southwest Omaha on April 29, June 3, Sept. 4 and Oct. 14. You can visit www.oppd.com to sign up and get a coupon good for $5 off of the $25 class. For more energy-saving ideas, visit www.oppd.com or call the OPPD Energy Advisor at 636-3850 in the Omaha metro or at 1-800-648-2658. In-Lieu-of-Tax Payments Exceed $20 Million Even though OPPD is a public power utility and a political subdivision of the State of Nebraska, it makes payments in lieu of taxes to 11 counties it serves. Those counties now have a total of nearly $20.3 million more in their coffers, thanks to OPPD’s annual payments. The payments are based on 5 percent of OPPD’s gross revenues from retail sales of electricity in incorporated cities and towns during the previous year. The payments to each county follow. Douglas: $16,942,635 Sarpy: $2,448,898 Washington: $440,626 Saunders: $200,086 Cass: $160,275 Dodge: $87,106 Nemaha: $28,372 Johnson: $12,508 Richardson: $10,336 Otoe: $3,643 Colfax: $3,382 County treasurers distribute the funds to various taxing bodies. In addition to the April 1 payments, OPPD makes annual fixed payments to governmental entities in its service area of more than $1 million in lieu of occupation, personal property and real estate taxes. OPPD also pays wheel and gasoline taxes, motor vehicle license fees, permit fees and other excise and general sales taxes like any other company. OPPD Board MeetingThe May meeting of the OPPD Board of Directors will be held
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. Paint-A-Thon Applications Due Soon Applications are due June 6 to see if you qualify to have your home painted at no cost by volunteers. If you live in Douglas or Sarpy County, or in Carter Lake, Iowa; you are 62 or older or permanently disabled; and you meet the financial guidelines, you could qualify. For an application, please call 211 or visit any Wells Fargo Bank location. For more information, please call Paint-A-Thon at (402) 965-9169. Walk Benefits Parkinson’s Research Sponsored by the Nebraska Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, this benefit walk takes place Sunday, June 1, at Elmwood Park in Omaha. Register at noon. The walk starts at 1 p.m. Enjoy hot dogs, chips and pop. Post-walk entertainment includes music, a moonwalk for the kids, prizes etc. For details, please call (402) 392-2732 or visit their website
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