February 2017 Light Reading

LIGHT READING INLAND POWER AND LIGHT inlandpower.com

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A Solid Investment in Your Electric Cooperative As a member of Inland Power, you make an investment in your cooperative every time you pay your bill. This collective investment in the co-op benefits you and the community immediately and over time. So what exactly is this monthly investment, and how do you benefit from it?

The service availability charge is a monthly investment that helps Inland Power cover the expenses of maintaining the overall electric system. Combatting cyber security threats and maintaining poles, wires, substations and cooperative equipment takes strategic planning and significant resources. The service availability charge essentially ensures that all equipment operates properly and staff is trained and ready so the lights turn on when you need them.

Regardless of how much electricity a particular member uses, the cost of delivering power to that house is the same. As a notfor-profit electric cooperative, we believe the operational costs should be spread fairly and equitably across all of our members, regardless of their level of electricity use. That is why every member pays the service availability charge each month to cover basic operational costs. All members are charged the same amount for the cost of operation since all members benefit from the same service. In essence, this gives

each co-op member an equal share in Inland Power’s operation.

Your monthly investment ensures you have access to safe, reliable and affordable power when you need it. We appreciate and value the investment that you make in the cooperative each month, and we strive to use that investment wisely for the benefit of all members of our community.

“We appreciate the opportunity to be your cooperative. We look forward to continuing to meet your energy needs.”

Inland Power’s current monthly service availability charge is $20.15 (single phase) or $30.00 (three phase) for residential, small business or small irrigation service. The service availability charge is $300 for large commercial accounts.

To learn more about the service availability charge, please contact Inland Power at (509) 789-4277 or visit our website at www.inlandpower.com.

inl an d p ower i s my c oop erat ive

ANNUAL MEETING 2017 Save the Date for the Annual Meeting 2017 Annual Meeting Saturday, March 25, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Northern Quest Pavilion Airway Heights, WA

New this year:

• Voting options include mail-in paper ballot, online or in person.

• Survey & Ballot Systems is retained to ensure integrity of election and safeguard data.

• Streamlined and cost effective annual meeting with no lunch service, but plenty of coffee and donuts.

Please join us on March 25 to elect your board of trustees and hear the latest happenings at Inland Power through our president, treasurer and CEO reports. Look for full meeting details, candidate bios and election ballots to be delivered to your home in late February.

WE ARE A MEMBER-OWNED ENERGY COOPERATIVE COMMITTED TO SAFE, RELIABLE SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES.

NEW OFFICE HOURS

- i n l a n d p o w e r m i s s i o n stat e m e n t

Inland Power is Changing its Business Hours

ENERGY EFFICIENCY T O D D A N D L I N D S E Y, YO U R E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y T E A M

Inland Power is pleased to announce new hours of operation, effective Monday, April 3 to Tuesday, October 31. Our office hours will now be extended from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and we will be closed on Fridays.

There have been multiple requests from members to change our hours to accommodate work schedules. By extending hours, we will now be able to make home appointments earlier/later in the day and answer member questions before and after standard work hours. In addition, our crews will be able to take advantage of longer daylight hours to complete maintenance work out in the field.

As always, Inland Power employees will be available to respond to any unplanned outage outside of our core business hours.

These extended hours are a trial period this spring/summer season to see if this new schedule is beneficial to the membership and employees of Inland Power. If both groups find value in the new hours we may make them permanent.

We hope that these new business hours may accommodate your schedule and thank you for your patronage.

Easy Steps to Greater Efficiency Do you want to save money and electricity but have limited time, money and patience? According to the Department of Energy, a “typical American family” spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Much of that money, however, is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliances or inefficient heating and cooling systems.

Luckily, there are several relatively easy ways to save energy without a substantial commitment of time and money.

Improve the Home Envelope Where to start, according to Money Magazine, “improving the envelope” of your home is a good place to start.

Sunlight, seasonal temperature changes and wind vibrations can loosen up even a tight home, increasing air leakage.

Doors and windows may not close tightly, and duct work can spring leaks, wasting cooled and heated air. By placing weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors, you can keep cool air inside during warm months and prevent chilly air from penetrating the indoors during colder months.

Replace Your Bulbs Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can make a big difference in home efficiency and is one of the easiest ways to cut your energy bill. Known for their longevity and efficiency, LED bulbs have an estimated operational life span of typically 10,000 to 20,000 hours.

According to the Department of Energy, by replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, you can save $75 each year.

Outdoor Heat Sources Heated water sources for farm animals

and pets are a significant energy user.

Chicken coop heaters, well-house heaters, gutter and roof de-ice systems need only to perform a minimal function.

Use temperature controlled heaters made specifically for these tasks and avoid surprisingly high bills.

Heating and Cooling Given that a large portion of your monthly energy bill likely goes toward heating and cooling your home, it makes sense to ensure your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is performing at an optimal level.

Checking, changing or cleaning your filter extends the life of your HVAC system and saves you money. Air filters prevent dust and allergens from clogging your HVAC system. Otherwise, dust and dirt trapped in a system’s air filter leads to several problems, including: reduced air flow in the home and up to 15 percent higher operating costs; lowered system efficiency; and costly duct cleaning or replacement.

Take control of your energy savings Take a look at your programmable thermostat. When was the last time you checked to make sure it was programmed for the current season and family schedule? This is one of the best energysaving tools at your fingertips. It enables you to fine tune the temperature during particular hours of the day and save money all day long.

Remember, these are easy steps you can take now to improve the energy efficiency of your home. To learn about additional ways to save, contact your conservation experts at conservation@inlandpower. com or (509) 789-1801. Todd or Lindsey will be happy to help you.

VISIT INLANDPOWER.COM FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 14, 2017 Inland Power is proud to offer the Excellence Award scholarship program. Since 1992, Inland has been awarding scholarships to members and their dependents who have excelled academically and in providing service to our communities.

Currently, the cooperative awards 15 – $1,000 scholarships to either graduating high school seniors or continuing college students. In addition, and in an effort to inspire and promote future linemen, this scholarship program is open to students enrolling in line school. Please see scholarship program highlights, along with requirements to apply and an application at inlandpower.com.

10110 W HALLETT ROAD

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SPOKANE, WA 99224

The program is exclusively for active Inland Power members and their children. The program is for high school seniors or college students who can still be claimed as legal dependents of Inland Power members.

An all-volunteer cooperative member committee comprised of five to ten Inland Power members make the selection of the scholarship recipients.

For the full program description, application and eligibility requirements, please visit www.inlandpower.com, or call (509) 7894277. The deadline to apply is April 14, 2017.

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