City Departments Utilities

Old Electric Plant, 1913

Utilities

Application information regarding the Low Income Energy Assistance Program .

Florida Municipal Electric Association Issues
“One Dozen Hurricane Season Tips”

(Tallahassee, FL) Because hurricanes can devastate a community that takes these deadly storms lightly, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) today released “One Dozen Hurricane Season Tips,” outlining important yet often overlooked safety tips that Floridians can follow before, during and after a hurricane hits.

FMEA and the 34 municipal electric utilities it represents used insight gained during past hurricane seasons to develop the helpful tips.  In past hurricane emergencies, FMEA and its members mobilized to restore power quickly and safely to customers around the state.

“While we hope for a mild hurricane season, we need to be prepared for the possibility of several storms,” said Barry Moline, executive director of FMEA.  “FMEA and its members are ready to act in the event of an emergency and we urge all Floridians to do the same.”

One Dozen Hurricane Season Tips

•  Following a power outage, unplug all of your large appliances and electronics to prevent power surges when electricity is restored, which can often damage equipment and create fire hazards. 

• Remember the “three don’t's” when using generators:  DON’T run a generator in the house; DON’T run a generator in the garage; and, DON’T plug the generator directly into your home’s main electrical system.  The first two can lead to asphyxiation and the third can send an electrical charge back into the power grid, posing an electrocution hazard to utility workers. DO run the generator outside in a well-ventilated area and DO plug individual appliances directly into the generator. 

• If your home is flooded, turn off your electrical power until a professional inspects it thoroughly. 

• If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and contact your gas company’s emergency number.

• Make sure that you have current identification.  You may have to pass through identification check points before being allowed access to your home or neighborhood.  

• After the storm, check to see if your home’s weather head is damaged – it is located above the electric meter.  Utility workers cannot reconnect service if this piece of equipment – which is the homeowner’s responsibility – is damaged.  If your weather head needs repair, please contact a licensed electrician.  

• Utilities often cannot respond to individual customers with special needs during or immediately after a storm.  When warned of an incoming storm, make an early decision to evacuate people with special needs.  Know the location of special needs shelters in case you are unable to evacuate.  If you or someone in your family has special electrical medical equipment needs, notify your electric utility prior to a storm’s arrival. 

• Visit www.FloridaDisaster.org to determine your hurricane evacuation route. 

• Capture water in your water heater by turning off power to the unit and closing the water valves.  If you lose water pressure, you will have about 40 gallons of fresh water stored in the tank.  Store additional water in your bathtub and fill the washing machine with water.  This water supply can be used for cleaning or to operate your toilets. 

• Clear your patio and yard of lawn furniture, toys, potted plants, and other debris that could blow around in high winds and cause damage or injury. 

• Prior to the storm, identify the places around your home where you can shut off your gas, water and electricity.  In an emergency, you’ll want to be able to turn them off quickly. 

• Create a hurricane survival kit that includes:  first aid supplies; water; batteries; flashlights; battery powered radio; manual can opener; prescriptions; baby food and diapers; pet food; canned foods; cash; tarps; rope; bleach; trash bags; charcoal or gas grill with plenty of fuel; wooden kitchen matches; and, a portable cooler.  Don’t forget a hardwire phone.  Cordless phones will not work during a power outage.

About FMEA: The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 34 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than three million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.

__________________________________________________________________________

City of Newberry Utilities is pleased to offer you Energy Depot®, a new set of online tools and resources to help you better understand and manage your home energy use and costs. Energy Depot is your one-stop resource for energy information and it’s available free. You can use Energy Depot to:

• Receive a personalized energy profile with an estimate of your energy costs for each home energy system/appliance
• Learn specific things you can do to reduce energy use and how much you can save
• Complete a do-it-yourself home energy audit and receive your report online
• Quickly estimate the annual energy use and cost of home energy systems and appliances with the Energy Calculator
• Use the Energy Library to answer your energy questions
• Get answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding home energy use
• And more…

Click here To get started with Energy Depot.

Utilities Director
Email: Blaine Suggs

Blaine Suggs began his employment with the City of Newberry in 1984 as a lineman. He was promoted to Utilities Director two years later. He has enjoyed "..watching the city grow from what it was then to what it is now."

The Utilities Department consists of the Electric Department with Doug Fowler as Foreman as well as the Water and Sewer Departments which are supervised by Mr. Tony Lopez.

2007 Water System Consumer Confidence Report

Utility Billing Policies



   

Links:

Municipal Electric Association

Florida Municipal Power Agency