In all endeavors, from facility construction to office paper use, NOVEC keeps protection of the environment in mind. We pursue an active program of planting trees and shrubs around substations and other facilities to provide screening and aid in erosion control.
Our tree-trimming program follows guidelines set by the Tree Care Industry Association to ensure that all right-of-way clearance is done in a manner that is healthiest for the tree, while still allowing for the safe and reliable delivery of electricity.
Our office recycling program includes everything from computer paper to printer ink cartridges to aluminum cans. Since 1996, NOVEC has recycled wood wire reels that previously were crushed and disposed. In 2007, NOVEC recycled or gave away 225 used wooden reels thereby avoiding 52,480 pounds of waste to landfills and saved 85 trees. In addition, NOVEC avoided paying $10,240 in disposal costs and passed those savings on to its customer-owners. NOVEC recycled 170,020 pounds of scrap wire, conductor, and cable by selling the metal to a recycler who melted and reused it. To help reduce waste added to landfills during the December holidays, NOVEC operates a Christmas greens recycling program. Right-of-way crews process the greens into wood-chip mulch. In 2007, NOVEC gave away or recycled more than 10,000 cubic yards of mulch.
To save on heating and cooling costs, NOVEC installed new energy-efficient geothermal systems in two office facilities in 1987 and 1991. These systems continue to save money for the Co-op and its members. NOVEC has also installed the latest generation of energy-efficient lighting in its buildings.
NOVEC "recycles" its vehicle fleet as often as practical by rebuilding and refurbishing its trucks—including the aerial booms on bucket trucks—instead of purchasing new equipment. After saving approximately $25,000 on each of several rebuilds, NOVEC recently retired two bucket trucks and replaced them with new state-of-the-art bucket trucks. Their new features save labor costs and their diesel engines are easier to maintain, which also saves money. The trucks help the environment too, because they run on biodiesel—a clean-burning alternative fuel produced from vegetable oil.
