We are thankful for you!

It is our privilege to provide power to those we serve.

We wish you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

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There is a growing concern around the timing of our US mail. Customers have expressed frustration when they do not get their bills in the mail or when their payments arrive late. While we share your frustration, there is very little we can do to control this issue. Therefore, we are exploring more ways to communicate electronically. SCPPD encourages customers to consider a paperless option! Simply log into your SmartHub account and turn on paperless billing. You will receive notifications of your bill availability as well as options to pay your bill electronically, and more!

As hunting season approaches, excitement builds for time outdoors. But before you head into the woods, make sure electrical safety is part of your preparation checklist.

Power lines and utility equipment are often out of sight — and out of mind — especially in wooded or rural areas. Ignoring them can lead to serious injuries or even death.

Before you climb that tree stand, look up and out

Never install a tree stand near a power line or on a utility pole. Electricity can arc — jump through the air — up to 10 feet from high-voltage lines. This means you don’t even have to touch a wire to be at risk of electrocution.

Never shoot near or toward power lines, utility poles, transformers or substations. Stray bullets or pellets could damage equipment, possibly interrupting electric service. Even more concerning, they could drop a power line to the ground, causing a hazardous scenario: those who get within 50 feet of a downed line could be shocked or electrocuted.

Keep these tips in mind to stay safe and avoid costly or dangerous incidents:

• Scout the area. Before hunting, take time to scout your area during daylight. Look for power lines, poles and electrical equipment. Note their locations to avoid them later.
• Power safely. If you’re using a portable electrical generator on your hunting trip, don’t use it inside a cabin or RV, or in a confined area. Make sure it’s used outside where there is plenty of ventilation.
• Avoid aiming toward power lines or equipment. Never fire near or toward poles, lines, substations or transformers. A stray bullet could knock down a line, interrupt power or create a deadly hazard.
• Keep your distance. Always stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines, poles and other electrical infrastructure when setting up or taking down tree stands.
• Never climb a utility pole. Even if it looks like the perfect vantage point, don’t do it. Poles carry high-voltage lines, and climbing them can be deadly.
• Don’t use utility poles for support. Tree stands or blinds should never be attached to or supported by power poles or electrical equipment.

Everyone’s looking for a good deal. There’s no exception when it comes to home improvements, especially if you own an older home. If you find yourself in that category and are planning a major renovation, consider that adding insulation during your project often pays for the additional cost with energy savings in two to five years. According to Energy Star^®, homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists.

Adding insulation can also increase the value of your home. Remodeler Magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report,” which breaks down both the cost and return on investment of many home improvement options, noted that adding fiberglass attic insulation increased home value by an average of 17%. Considering the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association estimates that almost 90% of existing U.S. homes are under-insulated, familiarizing yourself with the following most-common types might be a good place to start.

Blanket Insulation

While most commonly sold in rolls or batts of spun fiberglass filaments, blanket insulation is also produced from cotton, cellulose and mineral wool. They’re made in various thicknesses, but usually in the standard widths of 15 and 23 inches so they easily fill the cavities between joists or studs. Blanket insulation is also ideal for unfinished attics. Not only is it easy to cut and install, but more than one layer can be installed to achieve the desired level of insulation.

Loose-Fill and Blown-In Insulation

Since attics often have limited headroom and numerous obstructions, loose-fill insulation is a popular choice. It can easily be blown on top of existing insulation and other obstructions like ducting, can light fixtures and cross beams. Rock wool, cellulose and fiberglass are the most common materials used to make loose-fill insulation.

Foam Board or Rigid Foam

Foam board is a rigid panel made from polystyrene or polyunsaturate. It provides a high level of thermal resistance (R-value) per inch when compared to other types of insulation. It can easily be installed in a variety of applications, including walls, roofs and floors. Because it provides a vapor barrier when properly sealed, it can help control moisture, reduce air leaks and keep pests from invading your home. Because of its rigidity, it’s self-supporting, doesn’t sag and provides continuous insulation, which effectively blocks heat transfer better than batts.

Spray Foam and Foamed-In-Place Insulation

Similar to foam board, spray foam insulation and foamed-in-place insulation is a liquid polyurethane plastic that is sprayed directly on the area being insulated. As the liquid is sprayed, it expands and hardens to create a dense foam that seals gaps and forms an air-tight vapor barrier. This significantly improves energy efficiency since it significantly reduces heat transfer while stopping air leaks in walls, attics and crawlspaces at the same time. There are two main types of spray foam insulation: open-cell, which is less dense and good for soundproofing; and closed-cell, which is denser, offers higher R-values, adds structural strength and resists moisture.