SMUD has a bird's eye view on safety

For almost three decades, SMUD has worked to protect birds from deadly interactions with electrical equipment. But with more than 430 miles of overhead transmission lines and nearly 4,000 miles of distribution lines, keeping birds safe is no easy feat.

While we can't do away with the substations, lines and poles that bring power to the homes and businesses in our community, SMUD can and does take steps to make that infrastructure less of a hazard to our area birds.

SMUD's efforts to protect birds have a payoff for customers, too, since avian-caused outages are responsible for 2-3 percent of power interruptions every year.

The approach to protecting birds is both preventive and reactive. Power equipment that may cause or has caused bird deaths is identified either by customers or by SMUD staff. The situation is assessed, and the infrastructure is retrofitted with special equipment to discourage its use as a perching or nesting spot.

SMUD's Avian Protection hotline - (916) 732-6966 - is available 24 hours a day to report outages caused by birds, including those building nests on utility poles or in substations. SMUD staff will then go out to assess and address the situation.

SMUD is not alone in its concern for avian species. Industry-wide efforts to protect birds - and avoid avian-related outages - have picked up steam in recent years, with the creation of an organization of utilities, industry foundations and government agencies all working together to help protect birds.

For more information on SMUD's avian protection plan and industry-wide efforts to minimize bird-power conflicts, visit smud.org and click on the "Community & Environment" tab.

When flying a kite, keep safety in mind

Even in our high-tech times, there's something very satisfying about the simple pleasure of flying a kite on a breezy spring day. But if you're getting the urge to send your spirit soaring on a string, be sure you play it safe when it comes to power lines.

Some tips to keep you safe (parents, make sure your kids know these, too!):

• Build or buy kites made of wood or plastic. If your kite has a tail, cloth only. Never use metallic thread, wire or wire-reinforced string to control your kite since these can cause a fire, serious injury or death if your kite flies into a power line.
• Fly kites in dry weather only, in wide, open areas away from power lines.

Your kite is not worth your life, so don't try to retrieve it if it gets tangled in overhead wiring or drops into a substation – and don't even touch the string. Call SMUD at 1-888-742-SMUD (7683), and we'll send someone out to retrieve your kite safely.

For more tips on safety around electrical equipment in, around and outside your home, please click on the "Education & Safety" tab at smud.org.

Go clean and green, and save money too

We all have choices on how we use electricity. SMUD can help you save money on your bill while improving your home’s comfort and protecting the environment.

Before you purchase or replace equipment, appliances or electronics for your home or business, check with SMUD first for information, rebates and financing on qualified ENERGY STAR® and other high efficiency products. Also, consider simple changes like switching to compact fluorescents in the lights you use most. You’ll save about $30 or more on electricity costs over the life of each bulb.

For more ways to save, visit SaveWithSMUD.org.

As your customer-owned electric service, SMUD is leading the way toward a cleaner future. With new investments in wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, we are on track to meeting our goal of reducing carbon emissions to just 10 percent of 1990 levels by the year 2050.

Working together, each of us doing our part, we can keep costs low, maintain reliable electric service and help build a cleaner, healthier environment for tomorrow.