LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

As Erika heads toward Southwest Florida LCEC prepares for impact

Although Erika path seems uncertain at this time, the LCEC Restoration Team is planning for the potential impact to its vast service territory. Crews have been dispatched from the panhandle and Georgia and will begin arriving to the area late Sunday evening. Resources such as fuel, water, ice, repair materials, and lodging are lined up and nearly 400 employees are on standby to support restoration efforts. In addition, LCEC representative are set to report to Lee, Collier, Marco, Sanibel, and Cape Coral Emergency Operations Centers if activated.

Customers are asked to spend time during the weekend to trim vegetation and secure items that can blow into power lines during heavy winds.

LCEC does not intentionally disconnect power in storm situations unless requested by emergency agencies. As the storm blows through, nature takes its course. Once it is safe to work, LCEC begins to assess the damage and the restoration process begins. For more information, visit the Storm Center located on the Reliability tab of www.lcec.net.

LCEC Prepares for Tropical Storm Erika

LCEC employees are preparing for potential impact from Tropical Storm Erika. Nearly 400 employees all play a vital role in the restoration process. Fuel, lodging, materials, and supply partners are also getting ready to support restoration efforts if needed. LCEC also secured additional line crews and tree trimming crews to complement local utility crews so that every part of the five county service territory has addequate coverage after the storm passes.

Customers are asked to trim vegetation and remove all potential debris from their yards this weekend to reduce damage to the power facilities as a result of heavy winds. Customers are also reminded to adhere to portable generator safety measures in the event they lose power. Do not operate a generator indoors and do not backfeed power onto the electric system -utility crews can be injured.

LCEC does not intentially disconnect power unless requested by government officials. During the storm, nature runs its course and when it is safe, utility crews will begin the restoration process. We also ask that phone lines remain open for emergencies such as downed power lines. If your neighbors have power and you are the only home in your area out of power please contact LCEC to report the outage at 656-2300.

Last Call for LCEC Environmental Funding Award Applications

September 1, 2015 is the deadline to apply for LCEC’s 2015 Environmental Funding Awards. To apply for an environmental funding award from LCEC, organizations can email pr@lcec.net to receive an application. Interested organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the award including being located within LCEC service territory, funding utilized for projects/programs related to the environment and the utility industry, and having a demonstrated need for funds. Funding is awarded twice a year with deadlines happening in March and September. Past recipients of LCEC’s Environmental Funding Award include The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium (CNCP), Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW), Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), J.N. Ding Darling and the Car Nut Club/Vineyard Neighborhood Watch. This funding award was created in 2013 and is just one of the many ways that LCEC positively impacts and supports wildlife and the environment

About LCEC
Established in 1940, LCEC is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Pine Island, Everglades City, Immokalee, Ave Maria, and parts of Lehigh Acres. LCEC is committed to providing efficient, reliable, cost-competitive electric and emerging energy solutions and excellent service to our customers. LCEC is also a major contributor to the local economy as one of the largest employers in Lee County with nearly 400 employees and by its support of many local agencies through charitable giving, volunteerism and environmental stewardship.

LCEC pilots an LED street lighting program

LCEC has been evaluating the cost and benefits of LED street lighting for several years. As a result of recent pricing drops, LED lighting has become a more feasible alternative to traditional street lighting and LCEC is in the early stages of evaluating customer options.

Earlier this year, sample LED lights were installed in several locations throughout the LCEC service territory. The goal is to test the durability and performance of various manufacturers to see how they stand up against extreme summer temperatures and to evaluate surge tolerances from nearby lightning strikes. These are factors specific to Southwest Florida that affect the durability of roadway lights. At the same time, LCEC is also testing for ease-of-installation utilizing the existing pole arms. During this testing period, a business model will be developed to help determine the cost and if LED lighting is economically feasible.

Due to variations between the test areas, direct comparisons will not be drawn on lighting performance between the different manufacturer’s LED luminaires and the existing high pressure sodium lights that are commonly used. Computer simulations and existing data can be used to model lighting performance on a hypothetical street, thereby eliminating field variables associated with each specific installation site.

Once the field study results are in and have been analyzed, LCEC will hold an LED streetlight information forum for interested customers. LCEC plans to review proactive initiatives, discuss the cost and safety considerations and to listen to customer comments and concerns. LCEC held similar customer meetings for their Net Metering Program, the transition from mercury vapor lights to high pressure sodium lights, and the transition to the cut-off high pressure sodium lights to meet dark sky compliance requirements.
ABOUT LCEC

Established in 1940, LCEC is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Pine Island, Everglades City, Immokalee, Ave Maria, and parts of Lehigh Acres. LCEC is committed to providing efficient, reliable, cost-competitive electric and emerging energy solutions and excellent service to our customers. LCEC is also a major contributor to the local economy as one of the largest employers in Lee County with nearly 400 employees and by its support of many local agencies through charitable giving, volunteerism and environmental stewardship.

Protect your children from electrical accidents

The saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true when it comes to protecting children from electrical accidents. Children are naturally curious and don’t understand the power (and dangers) of electricity — that’s why you need to protect them. LCEC energy experts suggest covering exposed outlets with protective devices as being the best way to protect your children from electrical accidents. There are several options on the market.

–One option is a sliding panel cover, where you insert the prongs into the holes, slide the plug to the right and then push the plug in.
–Another option is a hinged outlet cover that snaps over cords plugged into the outlet. These covers prevent children from pulling the plug from the outlet.

You can also buy a night-light and outlet cover in one. The device plugs into the upper socket of an outlet, and leaves the lower outlet accessible through a hinged door. This cover protects children from the outlet and provides light.

These are just a few of the many options on the market. To find the best option for your home, visit your local home improvement store or surf the web for ideas.