Please be aware that Kenergy will be utilizing Touchstone Energy Services to conduct member surveys. Emails will be sent from now until the end of June. These emails will identify themselves as Data Decisions Group on behalf of Kenergy. Thank you for taking the time to complete the brief survey. Your feedback on these surveys will help us continue to improve the services we provide you, our members.

When planning home improvement projects—especially those that involve electrical work—do you know when to DIY and when to hire a professional?

Homeowners wanting to do it themselves can tackle many types of projects, but when safety becomes an issue, seek a professional with appropriate training, equipment and insurance. Painting a bedroom may be an easy weekend project, for example, but climbing a tall ladder for an exterior paint job can be a safety risk.

To avoid electrocution and fires, most electrical work should be left to professional licensed electricians. Home rewiring, breaker box replacement and adding a large number of electrical outlets are among tasks you should consider leaving for the pros. Faulty electrical installations can lead to substantial additional expenses and even injuries or death.

If you’re doing work yourself with power tools, be careful. Annually, 8% of electrocutions in the U.S. are attributed to improper use of power tools. The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers the following safety tips:

• Use ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, with every power tool to protect against electrical shock.
• Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.
• Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated.
• Do not use power tools without the proper guards.

If your home improvement includes additional living space and/or added outlets, make sure your home electrical panel and service can handle the added load. Make sure all electrical work is done by a certified, licensed electrician and that local permits, if needed, are secured.

Call 811 several days in advance if any digging is part of the project so the appropriate utilities serving your area can determine if they have buried lines of service in the scope of your project and mark where those are located.

Whether your home improvement is being done by yourself or a contractor, contact your electric utility ahead of time if your meter must be removed or relocated to accommodate additions or renovations (such as home additions, fences, decks or patios) to your property. In almost all areas, it is illegal for a homeowner to break the seal on a utility meter or pull or set a meter. Aside from being dangerous without protective gear, there could be fines involved if you don’t call the utility first to explain the situation.

Remember, you should only tackle DIY home projects within your skill and comfort level. For projects that require extensive electrical work, we strongly recommend you hire a licensed, qualified electrician for assistance.

As we head into spring, many of us are excited about beautifying our properties with new landscaping. At Kenergy, we understand the essential role that trees play in our environment and community. They provide shade, beauty, and cleaner air—but when it comes to planting near power lines, safety must always be a top priority.

Trees that grow too close to power lines can lead to serious hazards. In addition to the obvious risk of power outages, overgrown branches can pose significant dangers. They create potential shock and fire hazards for not just the utility lines, but also for those working around them. One of the most concerning risks is for children who might unknowingly climb trees that have grown too close to power lines, putting them at great risk of electric shock.

If you’re thinking about trimming trees or planting new ones and have concerns about proximity to power lines, we encourage you to take action. If you hire a professional for tree maintenance, please call Kenergy at 800-844-4832 to arrange an inspection to ensure your property is safe.

The key to a safe, beautiful landscape is planting the right tree in the right place. As you begin your landscaping this spring, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

• Cooperate with Kenergy: Help us maintain easement areas by planting trees a safe distance from power lines.
• Know the size of the tree: Be aware of how large your tree will grow at maturity. Understanding the tree’s spread and height will help you select the right tree for the right space.
• Get expert advice: For specific tree size information, visit ArborDay.org, your local cooperative extension office, or a nearby nursery.
• Avoid planting too close to power lines: Never plant trees or vegetation under or near power lines or poles.
• Report potential risks: If you spot any trees that could threaten our service lines, please notify us.
• Call before digging: Remember to call 811 before planting or digging to ensure you’re not disrupting any underground utilities.

Together, we can ensure that trees and power lines can safely coexist. By planning ahead and planting thoughtfully, we all contribute to a safer and more beautiful community. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in helping Kenergy keep our electric service reliable and safe.

We are now accepting applications for Member Service Representative II in Henderson. Applications are being accepted now through April 17. View the job description and apply today!

Your electric cooperative will be conducting a survey to assess the changing dynamics of today’s energy consumer. The survey gathers information on your household’s use of energy so we can adequately prepare for the future energy demands of our membership.

A random sample of members will be selected to participate in the project. Your input is extremely important! Survey links will be emailed to members at the end of March and early April. If you receive a survey, please take a moment to complete it at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and efforts regarding this important project.

Job Opening: Apprentice Line Technician

We are now accepting applications for Apprentice Line Technician (based in Owensboro). Applications are being accepted now through April 1st. View the job description and apply today!

Job Opening: Accountant

We are now accepting applications for Accountant (based in Owensboro or Henderson). Applications are being accepted now through March 20th. View the job description and apply today!

When outdoor temperatures drop, our electricity use increases. That’s because we’re doing more activities inside, and our heating systems are running longer and more often to counteract colder outdoor temperatures. Factor in that we all tend to use electricity at the same times—in the morning and early evenings—and that equals a lot of strain on our electric grid.

At Kenergy, we work closely with our local generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative in resource and infrastructure planning to ensure you have the power you need whenever you flip a switch, but the electric grid is much larger than your local co-op and G&T.

Kenergy and our G&T (Big Rivers) take proactive steps to create a resilient portion of the grid and ensure electric reliability in extreme weather, including regular system maintenance, grid modernization efforts and disaster response planning; but it takes everyone to keep the grid reliable.

To help keep the heat on for you, your family and neighbors, here are a few things you can do to relieve pressure on the grid (and save a little money along the way):

• *Select the lowest comfortable thermostat setting and turn it down several degrees whenever possible. Your heating system must run longer to make up the difference between the thermostat temp and the outdoor temp.
  • Pro tip: Seal air leaks around windows and exterior doors with caulk and weatherstripping. Air leaks and drafts force your heating system to work harder than necessary.
• *Stagger your use of major appliances such as dishwashers, ovens and dryers.
  • Pro tip: Start the dishwasher before you go to bed and use smaller countertop appliances like slow cookers and air fryers to save energy.
• *Ensure that your heating system is optimized for efficiency with regular maintenance and proper insulation.
  • Pro tip: Make sure your furnace filter isn’t clogged and dirty. Replace it as needed.
• *When possible, use cold water to reduce water heating costs.
  • Pro tip: Setting your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees can help you save energy and reduce mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes.
• *Unplug devices when not in use to eliminate unnecessary energy use. Even when turned off, electronics in standby mode consume energy.
  • Pro tip: Plug devices into a power strip so you can turn them all off at once with the push of a button.

As we face the challenges posed by winter weather, understanding its impact on energy demand is crucial for maintaining a reliable power supply. By adopting energy conservation practices during periods of extreme cold, not only can you save money on your electric bills, but you can also each contribute to the resilience of the power grid, keeping our local community warm and connected.

Congratulations to our 2025 Washington Youth Tour delegates! These three high school juniors will represent Kenergy on a trip to Frankfort in March and to Washington D.C. in June. They will meet fellow delegates from across Kentucky and the country.

Weston Spencer – Ohio County High School

Raynei Roy – Webster County High School

Aubrey Nies – Daviess County High School