1. Arbor Day
2. Energy Saver
3. Spring Safety
4. Strawberry Delight
   





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

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Arbor Day occurs this year on Friday, April 28. Arbor Day, much like Earth Day, is a holiday that celebrates nature. Its purpose is to encourage people to plant trees, and many communities traditionally take the opportunity to organize tree planting.

“Other holidays repose upon the past;
Arbor Day proposes for the future.”
~ J. Sterling Morton

Arbor Day sprouted from the mind of a zealous tree lover named Julius Sterling Morton, who had a passion for planting all kinds of trees. The first Arbor Day occurred on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It's estimated that nearly one million trees were planted on this day.
Particularly pleasing to Morton was the fact that schools across the country began celebrating Arbor Day dedicating the trees they planted to special people.

Dedicate a tree to someone who is special to you!

Spring 2023 has officially begun, which is great news if you like warmer weather and more sunlight. One thing that spring doesn’t mean here in Nebraska is that heating season is over, considering nighttime temperatures can continue to dip below freezing throughout the month of April.

Stay comfortable and save money this spring with these cost-effective efficiency tips:

Keep warm air moving. Move furniture, drapery and rugs away from vents and baseboards to make sure that the air you paid for to heat your home reaches your living space.

Close your fireplace damper. Not using your fireplace? Close the damper.

Program your thermostat. Proper use of a thermostat could help you save up to ten percent on your home energy bill according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Seal air leaks. Now that the worst of the cold is over, get outside and caulk window frames that may have cracked over the winter months. Weatherstripping around doorways helps too.

Insulate. Most homes, especially older ones, are under-insulated, a problem that costs you year-round. To learn more about where to insulate and how much insulation you need to reach recommended R-values, use this link from the U.S. Department of Energy https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation.

Change furnace filters regularly. If you have a forced-air system, one of your most important maintenance tasks is to replace its air filters regularly. Clogged filters rob your furnace of efficiency by making it overwork to keep you warm.

Cut down on hot water use. Since about one-fifth of your energy bill comes from heating water, reducing your hot water use will cut your bills substantially. Try resetting the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, installing low-flow showerheads and aerators and washing clothes on the cold setting for starters.

Warmer weather accelerates an increase in outdoor work, both on the job and at home.
A focus on electrical safety awareness can help ensure these activities do not result in injuries and deaths.

Following a few simple safety rules can help reduce the number of electrical deaths and injuries:

• Ladders, even those made of wood, that come into contact with a power line can prove fatal. Keep all ladders at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
• Unplug outdoor power tools and appliances when not in use.
• Inspect power tools and appliances for frayed cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housings.
• Repair or replace damaged items.
• Water and electricity do not mix. Avoid damp conditions including wet grass when using electricity.
• Contact Norris Public Power District immediately at 1-800-858-4707 to report downed power lines.
• Never touch a person who is in contact with a downed power line. Call 911 immediately.