When ice and heavy snow bring down limbs and power lines, safety is a consideration indoors and out. Make sure you know how to weather the storm.
When outside, stay away from downed power lines:
- A power line does not need to be sparking or arcing to be energized. Equipment near power lines can also be energized and dangerous.
- Lines that appear to be “dead” can become energized as crews work to restore power, or sometimes from improper use of emergency generators. Assume all low and downed lines are energized and dangerous. If you see a downed or sagging line, contact your utility.
- Motorists should never drive over a downed line as snagging a line could pull down a pole or other equipment and cause other hazards.
- Be careful approaching intersections where traffic or crossing lights may be out.
- If you plan to use a generator, know how to operate it safely
Before a winter storm, you should have supplies on hand, and know how to stay warm::
- Always keep a battery-powered radio or TV, flashlights, and a supply of fresh batteries. You should also have water, blankets and non-perishable food.
- When power goes out, it often comes back in spikes. This can damage electronics. Keep your electronics safe by unplugging them when the power goes out. Leave one lamp or switch on as a signal for when your power returns.
- To prevent water pipes from freezing, keep faucets turned on slightly so that water drips from the tap. Know how to shut off water valves case a pipe bursts.
- Never use a charcoal grill to cook or heat with inside the home. Burning charcoal gives off deadly carbon monoxide gas. Charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
- If you live with a child or elderly person, you may need to take them somewhere with power so they can stay warm. If you are healthy enough to stay home safely, there are ways to stay warm: stay inside and dress warmly in layered clothing.
- Close off unneeded rooms.
- When using an alternate heat source, follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards and be sure to properly ventilate.
Big Horn Rural Electric Company was formed in 1937. Currently, we serve 3,545 meters over 1,300 miles of line. Big Horn services 3,100 square miles in five counties in Wyoming (Big Horn, Washakie, Park, Sheridan and Johnson) and 2 counties in Montana (Big Horn and Carbon).
HISTORY
Big Horn Rural Electric Company has proudly served its members for almost 80 years. Since it was first incorporated on April 2, 1937, Big Horn has operated under the Seven Cooperative Principles. These principles ensure that our members have a say in the cooperative's business by electing a board of directors from among the members. They provide a way for our members to invest in and improve their system while also giving them an opportunity to share in the profits of the cooperative. The business of the cooperative is handled by local board members and employees that live in and are familiar with the area. We have a local office in Basin with outposts in Lovell and Ten Sleep. We work with other businesses in the community to keep the Big Horn Basin economically strong.
The first concept of Big Horn REC was planted in 1935 at a summer picnic sponsored by the County Farm Bureau and held on the Davis Ranch east of Greybull, Wyoming. Ranchers, farmers and their families in attendance listened to Big Horn County Agent, K.E. Van Wagenen, explain how much easier their lives would be with electricity. Several communities were being separately canvassed to determine the interest in bringing electricity to the area. The Washington Office recommended combining efforts and a countywide cooperative, Big Horn Rural Electric, was formed.
On February 13, 1937, the REA allotted $82,000 for the Greybull Valley project. Big Horn formally filed its Articles of Incorporation on April 2, 1937. At 5:45 p.m., February 1, 1938 M.M. Roush threw the switch energizing the line and turning on the lights to 225 family farms in the Greybull Valley and Emblem Bench area. It was just 352 days from the date the first loan was granted.
Big Horn's system continued to expand and now provides electricity to 3,400 services in Big Horn, Park, Washakie, Johnson and Sheridan Counties in Wyoming; and Carbon and Big Horn Counties in Montana.
Big Horn REC was created to provide power to its members at the lowest cost consistent with good business practices. Although tools, equipment and technology have advanced, the principles on which we were founded are just as strong today as the day we began business in 1937.
MISSION
Mission and Beliefs Statement
Big Horn Rural Electric Company exists to enhance the quality of life for our members by providing safe, reliable, and competitively-priced electricity, energy products and other services.
We believe:
- We provide a valued service which helps our membership enjoy a high quality of life and adds value to our members' products and services.
- We must maintain Big Horn REA as a progressive, professional service organization of high integrity.
- We must provide superior service, as perceived by our members, in order to remain a vital entity for our members and the communities we serve. To accomplish this, we will be responsive to member needs and desires, and communicate effectively with our membership and the general public.
- We must work to maintain a healthy, productive work environment for employees, where teamwork, communications, and initiative are encouraged and rewarded, as our employees are our most important asset.
- We must provide skills training and continuing education for employees and directors in order to maintain the high level of professionalism and competence in all services provided to our members.
- We must constantly be looking for ways to improve and diversify our services while keeping the price of electricity stable, as future rate stability depends upon continued growth and diversification of load. To accomplish this, we will promote the wise and efficient use of electricity, and provide our members with energy-efficient products and services.
- We must maintain Big Horn REA's financial strength through prudent business practices and the evaluation and utilization of appropriate alternative finance sources and organizational structures.
We will perform our mission with enthusiasm, dedication and integrity.
A cooperative exists to serve its members. What makes co-ops unique is that the members are also the owners. So, in addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the business decisions your cooperative makes.
Electric cooperatives are owned by those who buy power and other services from the co-op. Their formation began in the 1930s when private, investor-owned utility companies refused to serve rural areas that were considered insufficiently profitable, with only a handful of customers per mile of line. The local farmers and residents banded together to found rural electric cooperatives. Today, electric co-ops own and maintain more than half of the nation’s power lines and provide service to communities large and small across the United States.
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