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National Grid Reminds Customers to Stay Safe Near Electric Facilities this Summer National Grid Reminds Customers to Stay Safe Near Electric Facilities this Summer

July 27,2009

With the warm summer weather upon us and families spending much of their free time with outside activities, National Grid reminds adults and children to work and play safely near electric facilities.

Tips for a Safe Summer Outdoor Season

Remember that overhead wires usually are bare or only weather-protected and can carry extremely high voltages. It’s safest to assume that all overhead wires are live electric wires.

Never climb an electric tower or pole, or any tree that is near electric lines.

Before plugging in an extension cord, check to see if it is frayed or if the insulation is cracked. If damaged, replace it with a new cord. Indoor extension cords are not safe to use outdoors.

Never climb a fence around an electric substation. It is a criminal act and substations contain high-voltage electricity.

Kites, model airplanes and other toys should be flown only in open spaces, far from any trees and power lines. If a toy gets tangled in a power line, the safest thing to do is leave it there and call National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 in New England or at 1-800-867-5222 in Upstate New York.

When sailing and fishing, be alert near shorelines, inlets and marinas for overhead lines that could come in contact with masts or antennae. Before casting your fishing line, check for nearby electric wires.

Do not stand under a tree or a pole during an electrical storm. Lightning always seeks the easiest route to the ground; do not let it be you.

If a wire falls on your car, stay inside, and call 911 if possible. Serious injury or death can occur from contact with the vehicle and the ground.

Never touch a downed power line or anything coming in contact with a downed line. If you see a person injured near fallen wires, do not touch the victim or attempt to move the wires. Call the fire department and National Grid immediately at 1-800-465-1212 in New England or at 1-800-867-5222 in Upstate New York.

Avoid touching power lines with any part of your body or with a ladder. Metal parts and moisture conduct electricity, so don’t use an aluminum ladder or a damp wooden ladder within 10 feet of power lines. Before erecting a ladder, always look up to be sure it will not contact -- or even come close to -- any power lines. Always carry ladders horizontally to keep them from tangling with power lines as you move from place to place.

Do not use power tools or any other electric devices while standing on a damp floor or wet ground. Be sure equipment is properly grounded. If a power tool is damaged, you could receive a fatal shock.

For an added measure of protection, install ground fault circuit interrupters on all outdoor electric outlets. They will help to prevent shock injury.

Before installing a new antenna, satellite dish, or any rooftop appliance, be certain it will be clear of all power lines. The antenna must be firmly secured to the roof and braced by guy wires to withstand high winds. A metal antenna can form a deadly path for electric current.

Summer Construction Project Advice

A simple phone call can prevent personal injury, property damage and service interruptions caused by accidentally digging into underground electric, natural gas, telephone, water, sewer or cable facilities.

www.digsafe.com.

Buried lines may be where you least expect them. After the ground has been marked, dig no closer than 10 feet from any underground utilities.

Never permit anyone to dig near your underground energy sources, which usually run in a straight line from the transformer or connection box to the meter.

Do not plant trees, bushes or shrubs near a transformer or a natural gas line.

Never allow children to play or dig anywhere near underground electric or natural gas lines.

Once underground utilities have been marked with paint or flags, do not disturb the markings until the project is complete.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

Enrollment in National Grid’s Upstate New York Energy Efficiency programs that began in the fall of 2008 continues to grow and with some changes effective June 1, will continue through the summer into next year’s winter heating season. More than 6,000 participants have enrolled in one or more of these programs since last fall.

Designed to advance the efficient use of energy to reduce overall demand, the programs include home weatherization, cash rebates and other incentives for residential customers to purchase efficient appliances, interactive online efficiency tools, incentives for commercial customers to install high-efficiency systems, and additional funding for low-income programs.

Some rebate information and application processes will change starting June 1. Detailed information and applications to participate in these new programs are available at National Grid’s energy efficiency web site at www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com. Information is also available by calling 1-866-716-8099.

National Grid has a 20-year track record of successful, award-winning efficiency programs in New England and these programs leverage that experience for the company’s upstate New York customers. Similar, cost-effective gas energy efficiency programs have been in effect in Massachusetts for more than 15 years. These programs helped save customers nearly 565 million therms of natural gas representing approximately $876 million in savings on their heating bills.

“These programs are a way National Grid can help its customers save money, improve their homes and businesses and ensure a cleaner environment,” said Susan M. Crossett, Vice President of Energy Solutions Services in Upstate New York.

The programs include:

Residential High Efficiency Heating, Water Heating and Control:

Provides rebates to install high-efficiency, natural gas space heating and water heating equipment and controls.

Rebates from $300-$1,000 are available for customers, depending on the type of equipment and level of efficiency.

Residential ENERGY STAR® Products:

Customers are able to receive a $25 rebate for up to two (2) ENERGY STAR programmable thermostats installed by a contractor at the time of furnace or boiler replacement, not to exceed the price of the thermostats.

EmPower NY & Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® (Income-eligible):

National Grid is continuing its existing partnership with NYSERDA so that customers who heat with natural gas and meet specified low-income eligibility criteria can receive up to 100 percent of the cost for: Attic and wall insulation, air sealing measures, space heating replacements, water heating system repairs and replacements (available through NYSERDA).

Residential Internet Audit Program:

Provides customers’ access to their energy usage information, provides efficiency tips and encourages them to participate in energy efficiency programs.

Residential Electric High Efficiency Central Air Conditioning:

Offers residential electric customers financial rebates to offset the cost of more efficient central air conditioning equipment. Residential customers can mail in rebate forms to receive between $200-600 for energy efficient central air conditioning systems and related equipment depending on the size and energy efficiency ratio of the equipment installed. Customers are also eligible to receive a rebate for purchasing and installing an ENERGY STAR thermostat. Incentives of $200 or more are also available to contractors for installing this high efficiency equipment if they are certified by the Business Performance Institute.

Commercial High Efficiency Heating, Water Heating & Controls:

Offers incentives to commercial services customers who install high-efficiency natural gas heating equipment. The amount of the rebate offsets the cost difference between standard heating equipment and high-efficiency equipment. Rebate amounts will vary by the size and type of equipment installed, up to $15,000.

Small Business Services:

Offers incentives for small businesses to retrofit existing lighting systems and various refrigerator models with more efficient equipment. The program identifies retrofit opportunities and includes installation services and financial incentives for the equipment. The program targets lighting and refrigeration equipment including: energy efficient fluorescent lamps; electronic ballasts; compact fluorescent lamps; occupancy sensors; exit signs; evaporator/compressor controls and energy efficient evaporator fan motors.