when near power lines. Children in our service area learn at an early age the basic concepts of electricity and its safe
Customer Connection June/July 2012
Customer Connection is published monthly by the Corporate Communications Department.Comments or questions are welcome; please visit www.idahopower.com/contactus or write to:
Safety Is A Value It’s not just a slogan you notice on an Idaho Power truck. It’s a commitment to a safety culture and a company core value — which we extend to our customers. Through advertisements and other communication channels, we remind you to look up, look around and be safe when near power lines. Children in our service area learn at an early age the basic concepts of electricity and its safe use in the home when an Idaho Power community education representative visits their schools. It’s this ongoing effort to keep employees and customers safe that has consistently earned Idaho Power a ranking in the top 30 percent of the nation’s safest utilities.
Summer Safety Reminders • If you are planning outside projects at your home this spring, first identify if there are any overhead power lines near your property. Then steer clear of them before moving ladders and other equipment. • Don’t attach signs, such as garage sale signs, to power poles. • Never fly kites near power lines. • If you are moving irrigation pipe or operating equipment near overhead power lines — stay clear of them. • Always use a spotter when backing up equipment. Federal and state laws require you stay a safe distance of 10 feet or more away from overhead power lines when operating equipment.
Idaho Power Corporate Communications P.O. Box 70, Boise, ID 83707
Printed on recycled paper.
Be Safe Around Downed Power Lines • Always assume any downed power line is energized. Stay clear, keep others away and contact Idaho Power immediately at (208) 388-2323 in the Treasure Valley or (800) 488-6151. • Stay at least 10 feet away from the line. • Never use any object to move a downed line. • If a downed power line falls on your vehicle: ∆ Stay inside until help arrives. ∆ Warn others not to touch the vehicle and ask them to call for help. ∆ If you must leave the vehicle because of fire or other life- threatening situations, jump as far away as possible with both feet landing on the ground at the same time. DO NOT touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. • Never remove tree limbs or other objects that are near a downed line or touching it. • If someone makes contact with a downed power line, do not touch or try to rescue them. You risk becoming a victim yourself. Call 911 immediately. www.idahopower.com/safety
Mussel Alert: Clean, Drain And Dry Your Boat As boating season heats up, boat owners need to help keep Idaho and Oregon waters free of invasive mussels. These tiny aquatic pests are a major problem in the Lower Colorado River system: Lake Mead, Lake Havasu and Lake Mohave. Boat owners who visited these or other mussel-infested waters need to take extra precaution by cleaning and drying their boats before launching into Northwest waters. See a map of
affected waters at the U.S. Geological Survey website (link below). Quagga and zebra mussels cause problems with recreation facilities, fisheries and water quality. They also create additional costs for water delivery, irrigation and hydropower production. Please do your part and “Clean, Drain and Dry” your boat between outings. Help keep invasive mussels out of Idaho and Oregon.
Zebra mussel (actual size: 1/2 inch)
Quagga mussel (actual size: 3/4 inch)
http://on.doi.gov/ISMXve
Expanded Tax Deductions For Home Energy Improvements More Idaho homeowners are eligible to receive a tax deduction for energy improvements due to an amendment passed during the recent Idaho legislative session. Homeowners now can deduct certain energy upgrades to their residence if built on or before Jan. 1, 2002. Previously, the law allowed deductions for homes built on or before Jan. 1, 1976. Some of the qualifying home energy improvements that address the number one source of energy use — heating and cooling: • Adding to existing insulation • Replacing windows with more energy-efficient ones • Adding storm windows • Installing weatherstripping • Sealing insulating duct work To qualify for the energy deduction on individual tax returns, the homeowner must live in the house where the improvements were made. Rentals do not qualify. For more information on the energy tax deduction, contact the Idaho State Tax Commission or consult your tax advisor. www.tax.idaho.gov
Wash your boat and trailer with high-pressure or hot water. Photo: Idaho Department of Fish & Game
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From The Electric Kitchen Cranberry Citrus Smoothie
2 cups cranberry juice 1 cup orange juice ½ cup nonfat lemon yogurt 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 bananas, peeled 1 cup crushed ice Mint leaves
Beverage
Nutritional information per serving: Calories: 180 Protein: 3g Carbohydrates: 44g Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 25mg Fiber: 1g
Combine all ingredients except mint leaves in a blender container; process on high for one minute. Pour into serving glasses and garnish with mint leaves. Makes 4 servings, each 1 ½ cups. Recipes are selected for nutritional value and low energy use in preparation. They are approved by Joanne Graff, Certified Health Educator from the Central District Health Department in Boise, Idaho.
