FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
DECEMBER 2016
Have you heard about the newest way to pay your monthly bill? It’s quick, secure, and
paperless, and it all starts with a 4-digit personal identification number.
“By setting up a PIN, paperless billing customers can pay directly from their email in a few
quick steps,” said Gretta Knight, director, customer accounting. “Since the campaign launched in
June, many customers have created PINs, and are finding this service fast and convenient.”
If you aren’t a Paperless Billing customer,
you can create a PIN from the monthly email
notification that lets you know your bill is ready.
M I D A M E R I C A N E N E R G Y C O M PA N Y
DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER ...
NOT ALL LEDS
ARE CREATED EQUAL
LEDs are getting a lot of press lately – and no
wonder. They’re up to 80% more efficient than
a standard incandescent bulbs and last at
least ten times longer. However, not all LEDs
meet the ENERGY STAR® standard. Only
bulbs that meet or exceed energy efficiency
and performance standards can carry the
ENERGY STAR logo, and these are the
bulbs you want to purchase. ENERGY STAR
certified LEDs may carry a slightly higher price tag, but you
can be assured of their quality and performance; and they
have a three-year minimum warranty.
MidAmerican Energy’s Iowa and Illinois Be Bright programs
only discount LEDs that meet the ENERGY STAR certification.
Stop by a participating retailer near you to receive
instant discounts on ENERGY STAR LEDs. Visit
www.iowabebright.com or www.illinoisbebright.com
for more information.
Hello – I’m Adam Wright, vice president of gas delivery for MidAmerican Energy. I’m
happy to share this issue, which focuses on another important part of your service and
my primary area of responsibility – natural gas. Natural gas is an energy source that is
critical to your home and business. There are several important things to consider to
ensure it is delivered and used in a safe way. Remember, our primary goal is to bring
this service to you safely, reliably and affordably.
I CARE
MidAmerican Energy Company’s I CARE
program helps local community action
agencies provide financial assistance for
heating bills and home weatherization to
customers in need. MidAmerican Energy
contributes an additional 25 cents for
every $1 donated. You can make a tax
deductible I CARE contribution by
indicating the I CARE amount on your
next bill stub and including the amount
with your MidAmerican Energy bill
payment, by completing and mailing in
the attached form or by visiting
www.midamericanenergy.com and
selecting For Residential Customers >
Help Your Neighbor.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER? DO YOU HAVE IDEAS OR TOPICS?
Send a note to [email protected]
RENEWABLE ADVANTAGE QUARTERLY REPORT
At the end of October 2016, MidAmerican Energy’s Renewable Advantage program had 680 monthly contributors
and 6,106 one-time or periodic contributors. On average, monthly contributors gave $3.54 and one-time or periodic
contributors gave $15.82. Thank you to all who contributed! Iowa customers can help support renewable energy by
using the check boxes on their bill stubs January through October. To learn more about Renewable Advantage, visit
www.midamericanenergy.com.
CONTACT
RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
BUSINESSADVANTAGE
BOTTOM LINE
TDD
POWER OUT?
SMELL GAS?
PLANNING TO DIG?
AUTOMATED PHONE
PAYMENT LINE
888-427-5632
Natural gas is transmitted underground. It is odorless and colorless. Many appliances
require it to function such as furnaces, water heaters, gas fireplaces and ranges. Before
the gas gets to your home, it passes through our distribution system that is made up of
23,000 miles of pipelines. Approximately 600 employees work in MidAmerican
Energy’s gas department to deliver natural gas to your home or business every day.
Gas prices in the Midwest usually increase during the heating season – November
through March – because cold weather increases demand when it is used to heat
homes and buildings. To help keep prices low, we purchase about half of the natural
gas that we expect our customers to use before the weather turns cold and prices
increase. The rest of the gas is purchased closer to real-time, on a day-to-day and
month-to-month basis.
800-329-6261
800-747-0593
800-799-4443
800-595-5325
811
Since natural gas usage increases in the winter due to colder temperatures, it’s important
to know how to use it safely. Twice each year, a natural gas safety brochure is sent to
your home and includes potential hazards of natural gas. Make sure you have regular
inspections and maintenance done on your gas appliances. It’s also important to check
the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors. If you’re finishing up any last minute fall
projects that require you to dig, call 811 so that all underground facilities can be
located; this is important to prevent unintentional damage that could cause injury. It’s also
the law and could protect you from other liabilities from a damaged gas line.
800-432-4524
By the way, did you know that we add a chemical known as mercaptan to natural gas
so you can notice the smell in the case of a leak? The smell is similar to rotten eggs or
an unpleasant skunk smell. If you suspect a leak, get everyone out of the area
immediately and call us at 888-595-5325.
There is more information about natural gas inside this issue, and you can always visit
our website at www.midamericanenergy.com to learn more.
Stay safe,
Vice President, Gas Delivery
661,540
NATURAL GAS FACTS
86,715
99.91%
4,194,102
Appointments
On-time for appointments
632
Total miles for gas vehicles in 2016
individual service pipelines
1,089
Total orders completed per
gas operations employee
Gas Employees
gas
operations
employee per
Approximately
23,000
NATURAL GAS APPLIANCES
Common gas appliances include furnaces, water heaters, gas fireplaces
and ranges. Stay safe around natural gas by following these safety tips.
> Have regular inspections and maintenance done on your gas
appliances.
> Keep the area around gas appliances free from obstructions and
combustible materials.
> Provide MidAmerican Energy Company access to the meter and
equipment when necessary.
> Never store flammable liquids in your home or near fuel-burning
appliances.
> Have your gas appliance connectors checked by a qualified plumbing
and heating dealer for possible defects.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF NATURAL GAS
FIRE OR EXPLOSION:
> Extremely flammable – easily ignited by heat, sparks, or flames.
> Will form explosive mixtures with air.
> Vapor may travel to ignition source and flashback.
HEALTH:
> Leaking natural gas is a health hazard.
It can cause loss of coordination,
dizziness, headache and asphyxiation.
CO POISONING
Any fuel that is not completely burned produces carbon
monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas. Symptoms of
CO poisoning are similar to flu-like illnesses. They include
dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and irregular
breathing.
To guard against CO poisoning, have your home-heating
systems, including chimneys and flues, inspected each year
for proper operation and potential leakage.
In addition, every home should have at least one CO
detector on every level. A properly working carbon
monoxide detector can provide an early warning before the
deadly gas builds up to a dangerous level.
If your CO detector is alarming or if you suspect CO
poisoning, leave your home immediately. Seek medical
attention if you or a family member is ill. Contact a qualified
plumbing and heating dealer to make any necessary
repairs.
customers
miles
LOWER YOUR ENERGY USAGE THIS WINTER
Natural gas prices for the 2016-2017 heating season are expected to be higher than prices
experienced during last heating season. It's important to remember that your actual heating costs
will depend on both the price of natural gas and the amount of natural gas you use, which
largely depends on how cold the weather gets. If MidAmerican Energy’s natural gas purchase
costs were to remain stable this heating season as compared to last year’s heating season,
customers’ bills would vary from last year because of usage. Due to these factors, MidAmerican
Energy cannot predict or forecast how customers’ bills will vary this heating season. Here are
some helpful tips to save money and energy this winter:
> Apply for a free HomeCheck at www.midamericanenergy.com/homecheck.aspx. If you
qualify, an energy advisor will conduct an onsite energy assessment and examine your
heating and cooling systems, appliances, lighting, doors, windows and insulation levels.
> Set your thermostats to 68 degrees or lower. For every degree above 68, you will increase
your energy use by approximately four percent over a 24-hour period.
> Sign up for Budget Billing - a free program that will provide a predictable monthly energy bill.
> Change your furnace filters regularly. A clean air filter ensures efficient airflow while
maintaining the air quality and comfort of your home.
> Check windows, doors, fireplaces and electrical outlets for air leaks. Weatherizing your home
will help reduce natural gas usage and can make your home more comfortable.
DID YOU KNOW: GAS METER SAFETY
Your natural gas meter set has a regulator with a vent that helps ensure gas with the correct amount of pressure is delivered to your home. Snow and
ice around the vent can affect the proper flow of gas to your appliances. To prevent this, keep the meter clear by removing snow or ice with your
hands, never using a tool like a shovel. Call MidAmerican Energy at 800-595-5325 to report a problem with your gas meter.