When the power goes out, your cooperative has a plan. Transmission lines must be repaired first to ensure the rest of the power can flow. SMECO prioritizes hospitals, police stations, fire departments, and other emergency response teams first. After that, the cooperative looks for repair areas that will bring the largest quantity of members back online the fastest.

smeco.coop/safety/outages/power-restoration-policy

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

Tammy Carroll and Zach Merchant meet with Tom Dennison to discuss ways SMECO is involved with our community. From community Touch a Truck events to the Clements Cuties, a charity to help children fighting cancer, employees of your cooperative actively work hard in their off time to connect with members of our community in meaningful ways.

To make a donation or learn more about the Clements Cuties visit their website.

ClementsCuties.org

If you would like to have a SMECO team come to your event with a truck, visit our website.

smeco.coop/community/speakers-bureau

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this podcast, Lynette Starke and Shannon Roecker join Tom Dennison to discuss capital credits, the importance of adding a beneficiary, and how to ensure you receive your capital credit refund even if you move out of the SMECO service territory.

If you'd like to designate a beneficiary for your capital credits, visit this link.

https://www.smeco.coop/my-account/general-information/capital-credits/capital-credits-beneficiary-designation/

[email protected]

Learn more about capital credits. https://www.smeco.coop/my-account/general-information/capital-credits/

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this podcast, Robbie Gill, CEO for YMCA of the Chesapeake, joins Tom Dennison to discuss the new YMCA opening on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. This organization will offer many opportunities for our community to come together, serve, and engage in activities. The YMCA provides a wide range of opportunities, including health and wellness programs, community activities, camps, swimming, family programs, childcare, and more.

https://ymcachesapeake.org/locations/st-marys-county-family-ymca

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this podcast, Dr. Meenakshi (Menna) Brewster, health officer for St. Mary's County Health Department, joins Tom Dennison to discuss how the Health Department partners with local government agencies to build strong community connections and strengthen regional preparedness during emergencies. Dr. Brewster also highlights the Department's collaboration with local schools and law enforcement to establish two school-based health centers in Southern Maryland, giving parents quick access to healthcare professionals and reducing the need to leave work when a child needs medical attention. Most students can be treated and return to class the same day.

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this episode, Kolby Corrigan and Scott Bacon meet with Tom Dennison to explain how they coordinate with vegetation management crews to keep the right-of-way clear around SMECO power lines to ensure greater reliability. Learn more about our preventative approach to vegetation management and how our team works to identify hazards that could create outages well before they happen.

Learn more about vegetation management

smeco.coop/safety/tree-trimming

Hotline Demonstration

https://youtu.be/kVz2f4s4tjY?si=_ViVhRGwVcGeUtyJ

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this episode, Jennifer Raley and Brian Holmes meet with Tom Dennison and Sonja Cox to explain methods for new home buyers to save energy. SMECO offers resources, EmPOWER Maryland programs, and support from experienced energy analysts to help you build an action plan to reduce your energy usage and lower costs.

Log in to Account Manager to view your energy use 15-minute intervals so you can better understand when and how you use electricity and identify opportunities to save energy and lower costs.

https://dss-smcc.opower.com/dss/login

Learn more about the Home Energy Improvement Program through EmPOWER Maryland and discover ways to improve your home's comfort and energy efficiency.

smeco.coop/energy-efficiency/residential-programs/home-energy-improvement-program/

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this episode, Tom Dennison meets with Sonja Cox to break down what happened during the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session and what it meant for energy policy. They discuss actions taken in Annapolis to help manage utility costs, including adjustments to EmPOWER Maryland mandates and efforts to address ongoing energy supply challenges affecting Maryland residents.

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

In this episode, Eugene Bradford and Tami Fellner break down several key elements of the bill. Bradford and Fellner also discuss the process for rate setting and the efforts your cooperative takes to improve its commodity purchasing power to help reduce the impact of rising power costs.

Learn more about your bill here: smeco.coop/my-account/paying-your-bill/about-the-bill

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric

The extended stretch of brutally cold weather this past winter contributed to higher-than-usual electric bills for many SMECO members. We understand how challenging that can be and we are here to help. Learn more about the assistance opportunities available to you at SMECO.coop/Bill-Assistance.

Follow & Connect: Host: Sonja Cox Co-Host: Tom Dennison SMECO on Instagram: somdelectric SMECO on X: somdelectric