LIGH READING
October is National Co-op Month!
Thismonth, electric cooperatives across the country take time to celebrate National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique advantages of being part of a cooperative. It’s also the perfect time to thank you—the members who make it all possible. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our co-op doesn’t exist to make profits for shareholders. We exist to serve our members and our communities. That purpose is what sets us apart. It’s why we were founded, and it’s what continues to drive every decision we make.
As a cooperative we are member-owned and locally controlled. Members have a voice in how our co-op operates. You elect board members who live right here in our service area and understand the unique challenges and opportunities our communities face. Decisions aren’t made in corporate boardrooms hundreds of miles away; they’re
made here at home, by people who care about the same things you do.
This local accountability means we can stay focused on what matters most: delivering safe, reliable, affordable electricity and providing real value to the people we serve. We do that by investing in essential infrastructure upgrades and technologies that strengthen our local grid and improve electric service. We work hard to manage costs and keep rates as low as possible—because we know how much rising prices affect families and small businesses in our area. And when storms hit or outages occur, Inland Power crews are here and ready to respond quickly, because we live here too.
Our commitment doesn’t end at the power lines. Co-ops were built to meet community needs, and that purpose extends well beyond delivering electricity. Through the Inland Power
Community Foundation, we’re supporting local schools, sponsoring youth programs, partnering with volunteer organizations, and are always looking for ways to improve the quality of life in the places we serve. Community support isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of our mission.
We’re also planning for the future. As electricity demand grows due to new technologies and economic development, electric co-ops are working to ensure we continue to meet those needs with a balanced, reliable energy mix. We know our members care about affordability and dependability, and we’re committed to delivering both.
That’s the power of the cooperative difference. Thank you for the trust you place in us. We’re proud to serve you each and every day!
Our mission is our members!
New technology can make a difference
What you should know!
Inland Power is excited to announce the recent launch of drone technology to inspect our power lines and related equipment. This advancement is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the reliability and safety of our system.
Drone inspections allow us to better identify and address potential issues that could affect electric service to our members. Drone capabilities enable us to detect physical damage to power lines or equipment, identify overgrown vegetation that may interfere with power lines, locate signs of corrosion or wear on equipment and check for loose or missing hardware on power lines and poles.
What does a drone inspection look like?
A drone is a small, unmanned aircraft, operated by a licensed professional that flies near our power lines and equipment. This drone is equipped with high-resolution cameras and heat sensors to capture detailed images and data.
Inspections are typically performed during daylight hours and under good weather conditions for optimal visibility; however, storm events or other situations may require additional inspections.
Drone inspections are strictly focused on power lines, equipment and any trees that may affect our lines. As always, we respect our members’ privacy and the drones will not be used to look at homes or private properties and will be dedicated to our utility right of ways or equipment.
If you have questions or concerns about this new program, please feel free to contact us at (509) 747-7151.
Under the Washington State Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), Inland Power is required to submit a Clean Energy Implementation Plan every four years. If you would like details on the draft plan and information on how to provide feedback, please visit our website at inlandpower.com/ceta.
Scholarship and Youth Tour Opportunities
These programs are for current Inland Power members and their children.
Five ways to help stay cyber safe October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the perfect time to review and improve security practices and devices.
Here are five simple ways you can stay cyber safe, at home or at the office.
1. Use strong passwords. Using simple, predictable passwords is never a good idea. The strongest passwords meet the following criteria: 12-15 characters, including numbers, special characters and lowercase and uppercase letters. If you struggle with remembering passwords, try using a password manager or password phrases that are easy to remember.
2. Enable multifactor authentication across all accounts and devices. Multifactor authentication decreases the likelihood of a breach by adding an additional form of authentication. So, if your password is hacked or stolen, the bad actor still has a hurdle to overcome to access your or the co-op’s data.
3. Recognize and report phishing. You’ve likely received an email with urgent language and grammatical errors saying
you need to “update your payment information” or “make a payment immediately.” Emails like this are typically phishing scams. Legitimate businesses will not email or text with a link to update your payment information.
4. Stay protected while connected. Whatever the network device, the best defense against viruses and malware is to update to the latest security software, web browser and operating systems. Sign up for automatic updates if possible and protect your devices with anti-virus software. Another way to stay safe while connected to outside networks is to use a virtual private network, or VPN.
5. Secure your computers, smartphones, TVs, thermostats, doorbells––the list of internet-connected devices is evergrowing! Securing your modem, router and Wi-Fi can keep your home network safe from cyber threats.
Practicing good cyber hygiene is crucial for maintaining data security, so make the most of this month to ensure your safety.
