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Norris Public Power District
606 Irving Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
402-223-4038
www.norrisppd.com

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Last year, as COVID-19 grew to occupy most of our daily thoughts, you probably did not realize April 22, 2020, marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Parades were cancelled. Tree plantings postponed. Almost every celebration went entirely digital for the first time in history.

Started by Senator Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin on April 22, 1970, Earth Day draws attention to areas of deteriorating environmental conditions in the U.S. That first year, Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans (10% of the total U.S. population at the time) to take to auditoriums, streets, parks and fields to show concern for how we treat our planet. By 1990, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries. Even with most of last year's activities being virtual, Earth Day continues to engage more than one billion people for the last several years and has become the premier event focused on sustaining our world.

Not sure if you can work Earth Day into your schedule this year? Consider why energy efficiency is one of the easiest and best ways to appreciate April 22, as well as every other day of the year:

• Energy efficiency is often the cheapest, quickest and cleanest way to meet our energy needs while reducing pollution and lowering utility bills.
• Energy efficiency supports clean energy policies and programs that boost other economic and employment opportunities.
• Energy efficiency supports a sustainable future by reducing the amount of energy needed to power our lives.
• Effectively managing our energy use helps minimize carbon emissions from fossil-fueled generation facilities.
• Energy efficiency often makes our homes and workspaces healthier, safer and more comfortable.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 24% of the energy used by Nebraska single-family homes could be saved through cost-effective efficiency improvements. That equates to $320.7 million in utility bill savings, including 15.6 trillion British thermal units per year in gas, propane and fuel oil and 1.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Norris Public Power District wants to help you make the most from the energy you need to run your life. Visit www.norrisppd.com if you would like more information on ways to incorporate energy efficiency into your life, as well as various EnergyWiseSM incentives that may be available to you for implementing energy efficient technologies.

Improving your yard? Know what is above and below before you start!

When the temperature warms, many of us begin planning improvements to our outdoor spaces. This could include adding or maintaining a swimming pool, building a deck, adding a patio or assembling play equipment for your family to enjoy. However, it is important to plan for safety prior to adding an outdoor structure or improving your yard.

Power Line Awareness

Being aware of power line locations near your home is vitally important for your and your family's safety. Even drop-down lines, the lines that bring power to a home, have voltages running through them and can be dangerous. Always look up and around for power lines, recognizing too that electricity can jump or transfer even without direct contact, before starting any outdoor project. Also know what is below before starting any digging job.

Norris Public Power District offers these tips to keep in mind while working in your yard:

• Assume that all power lines are always energized and keep at least 10 feet between a power line and you or any item you are holding.
• Perform a hazard assessment of the work area, noting all power line locations.
• Call 811, Nebraska's underground utility locator service, to mark underground utilities as part of planning and before any digging. Visit www.ne1call.com. Nebraska State law requires anyone who digs to place a locate request at least two full business days before digging. The service is free.
• Utility locators do not mark private lines, it is the owner's responsibility to determine their location and need to be marked by an independent locating service. Private underground lines, typically installed by the homeowner or a contractor, include, but are not limited to:
  • Irrigation or septic system lines.
  • Lines that service outbuildings (electric, gas, water, communication, etc.).
  • Lines between the meter and your home.
  • Lines to other outdoor items like grills or hot tubs.
• Once underground utilities are marked, the 811 "Call Before You Dig" service recommends that the area within 18 to 24 inches of either side of the marked lines be dug by hand with a fiberglass-handled shovel, not by machine.
• Do not install tree houses, playsets or swing sets, pools or decks and any associated structures within 25 feet of a power line. Consider the height and reach of play equipment (including the arc of a swing) and all deck and pool structures in relation to power lines.
• Educate your children about power line safety and how electricity can jump. Teach them to never touch a power line or get too close to one, either directly or with a toy or object, before sending them outside to play. This is especially important if they climb trees, fly kites or use remote-control (RC) devices, such as an RC airplane or drone.
• Use extreme caution when moving ladders and operating long-handled tools, such as pool skimmers, around trees and power lines.
• Use extreme caution and look up and around for power lines when you are elevated, whether it be on a ladder, a boom lift, scaffolding or your roof.
• When planting and trimming trees, keep in mind that specialized tree trimming experts certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in utility clearance are the only persons legally allowed to trim within 10 feet of power lines.

Please contact Norris Public Power District, at 1-800-858-4707, with questions about specific power line clearance recommendations.