2015 July Orange County REMC Newsletter

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATI www.myremc.coop CONTACT US OFFICE

812-865-2229 888-337-5900 BILL PAYMENTS 855-865-2229 TOLL FREE

CONTACT US BY EMAIL

orangecoremc@myremc.coop GENERAL MANAGER/CEO

Matthew C. Deaton OFFICE HOURS

7 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday-Friday STREET ADDRESS

7133 N. State Road 337 Orleans, IN 47452 MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 208, Orleans, IN 47452 EMERGENCY POWER OUTAGES

To report service interruptions, call: 812-865-2229 or 888-337-5900, day or night. Please have the phone number associated with your account ready when reporting outages. Please limit after hours calls to emergencies and outage situations.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Eugene Roberts, DISTRICT 1 Randy Roberts, DISTRICT 2 Danny Easterday, DISTRICT 3 Rodney Hager, DISTRICT 4 Ben Lindsey, DISTRICT 5 Brian Hawkins, DISTRICT 6 George Key, DISTRICT 7 REMC KEY STAFF

Marty Frank, OPERATIONS MANAGER Marcy Bennett, OFFICE MANAGER Larry Pinnick, MATERIALS MANAGER Michael Roberts, STAKING ENGINEER Misty Tincher, ACCOUNTANT Billy Chastain, STAKING ENGINEER AIDE Mark Belcher, MARKETING/MEMBER SERVICES MEMBER SERVICES

•Free energy analysis •Budget billing •Automatic payments •Security lights •Home security systems •Medical emergency monitoring •Air evac life team •Water heater and HVAC incentives (requires an EM switch) •Online bill payment options •Interactive Voice Response system for payments and account inquiries via phone: 1-855-865-2229 •VISA, MasterCard and Discover accepted •Exede Internet - 855-797-7855 4

The power of American i Celebrating July 4th and declaring our energy independence Fireworks and flags.

Cookouts and cold drinks.

The Fourth of July is a festive day on which we celebrate our nation’s independence with family and friends.

Typically, this is not a day of quiet reflection. While we MATTHEW C. spend a lot of energy having DEATON fun, if we give any thought about our forbearers and their determined efforts to bring about our nation’s independence, it’s fleeting.

An independent spirit is a part of our DNA However, it is worth reflecting that this uniquely American spirit of independence remains part of our collective DNA more than 200 years after the independent nation of the United States was formed and the Declaration of Independence was crafted.

And this sense of independence has served us well. More than 75 years ago, an independent streak inspired groups of farmers across America’s countryside to band together and improve their quality of life.

Aside from President Franklin Roosevelt’s promise of federal aid in the form of lowinterest loans and engineering expertise, rural Americans had little help in bringing electricity to their homes. So, they did it themselves by pulling together and work-

ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JULY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

ing cooperatively — a shining example of American determination and ingenuity.

It has been discussed by many and documented numerous times that the electrification of America was the single greatest engineering achievement of the 20th century!

For the past 40-plus years, nearly every president since Richard Nixon, during the time of the Arab oil embargo, has talked about the goal of U.S. energy independence—reducing our reliance on imported oil and other forms of foreign energy.

Today, while we still have a ways to go, we are closer to that goal than ever before.

We are exporting more gas and importing less foreign fuel than in recent memory.

American ingenuity in the form of new technology and innovation is opening up more options and spurring greater efficiency across all forms of energy. According to the Energy Information Agency, energy expenditures as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) are forecast at 6.2 percent in 2015, their lowest level since 2002, reflecting both lower oil prices and ongoing increases in energy efficiency.

The road to energy independence Consumers have an important role to play in the road to energy independence.

You don’t have to wait for Democrats and Republicans to agree or environmentalists

The Orange County REMC office will be closed July 3 as our employees celebrate the Independence Day holiday with their families.

IVE Rate Schedule (for July, Aug. and Sept. of 2015) Figures needed to calculate your monthly bill

independence and fossil fuel advocates to reach consensus on a path to energy independence. You can play a part in moving us toward national energy independence by taking action in simple, practical ways — insulating and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets, washing clothes in cold water instead of hot, replacing air filters, installing a programmable thermostat, and using more energy efficient appliances and home heating and cooling systems. Efficiency efforts can cut costs for individual households, but the collective benefit to Orange County REMC, Hoosier Energy and ultimately our country is even greater.

If we all work together to achieve increased energy efficiency and reduce our overall energy consumption, we can make even more progress on our road toward energy independence. At Orange County REMC, we want to be a resource for you in this effort. We can provide energy-saving tips tailored for your unique household needs.

Electric co-ops provide renewable energy resources

Rate Schedule for Standard Service Standard Service Consumer Charge Standard Service Energy Charge Wholesale Power Cost Tracker Total bill plus Indiana sales tax 7% Rate Schedule for ETS Service ETS Consumer Charge ETS Off-Peak Energy Rate Schedule for Security Lighting Security Lighting- 100 W HPS Security Lighting- 40 W LED

26.00 0.1124 0.0030698

5.40 0.0691 9.82 9.82

Example for 1,200 kwh Standard Service Consumer Charge $26.00 1,200 kwh @ .1124 $134.88 Wholesale Power Cost Tracker @ $0.0030698 $3.68 Total $164.56 Indiana sales tax $11.52 Total Bill $176.08 Example for 1,200 kwh (regular) and 750 kwh (ETS) Standard Service Consumer Charge $26.00 ETS Consumer Charge $5.40 1,200 kwh @ .1124 $134.88 750 kwh @ .0691 $51.83 Wholesale Power Cost Tracker @ $0.0030698 $5.99 Total $224.09 Indiana sales tax $15.69 Total Bill $239.78 Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards accepted

In addition, Orange County REMC, along with other electric co-ops across the country, have been actively engaged in promoting renewable energy resources like wind, solar, hydropower and biomass. Today, nearly 95 percent of the nation’s 900-plus electric co-ops provide electricity produced by renewable sources, all playing a key role in powering rural America while fostering our nation’s energy independence. Hoosier Energy has shown their commitment to renewable energy by self-imposing a 10-percent requirement of their power generation portfolio by the year 2025.

Recent advances in technology are transforming how we make and move electricity, and over time, these changes will greatly improve not only the efficiency but the reliability of electric power. So this Fourth of July, as you gaze up at the fireworks lighting up the night sky, reflect on the enduring spirit of independence that is integral to our American character.

MATTHEW C. DEATON is general manager/CEO of Orange County REMC. ElectricConsumer.org • JULY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 5

KEEPING CURRENT • O R A N G E CO U N T Y R E M C

GPS field mapping project continues

A

lpha Engineering has been contracted by Orange County REMC to conduct a complete GPS field inventory of our power distribution system. Alpha personnel will walk the right-of-way. When the terrain is accessible by vehicle, they will drive a white Ford Ranger and gray Chevy Cruze with Orange County REMC signs on both sides.

Orange County REMC has 1,094 miles of line. This project is expected to be completed by 2017. The actual field work involves data collection, as well as registering global positioning points. Alpha will gather information such as pole and meter locations, wire size, transformers, security lights and material. This also includes pole attachments such as telephone, cable and fiber.

This data will be used to develop, update and interconnect most of our operations systems to ensure the most accurate information for repairs and maintenance crews. In order to gather the necessary information, Alpha employees must have

access to any property that has REMC facilities. They should be on each member’s property for a short period of time.

Alpha personnel are currently working on circuits served by the Mahan and Valeene substation.

As data is collected, Orange County REMC imports the information into our computer mapping software. This software then creates electronic maps and supports the use of electronic devices in the field by our line personnel, which is updated daily. This allows a quicker response to problems and more accuracy in the field.

Accurate mapping data will also enable engineering to plan more effectively for system growth and maintenance.

Alpha Engineering is based out of Indianapolis. Their employees will have identification showing they are Alpha employees. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marty Frank, operations manager with Orange County REMC, 812-865-2229. …

Ritz Plaza

In 2011, Eric and Terri Hawkins purchased the Ritz Plaza complex at 2008 W. Main St. in Paoli. The building, which is on REMC lines, houses three separate businesses. The owners of all three businesses are also REMC members, with their homes receiving service from Orange County REMC. Details and contact information for the three busineess is featured in this month’s Community Corner.

Ritz Restaurant, 812-723-3736 Operated by Eric and Terri Hawkins • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m.–2 p.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.

• Dine-in and carryout available • Daily lunch specials and salad bar (not available Saturday) • Breakfast served till 11 a.m. daily • Homemade pies and desserts (also available for takeout) • Private party room available for larger groups • Catering available Teena’s Massage and Wellness, 812-723-0899 or 812-865-6251 Operated by Teena Cook • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. First and third Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

• Variety of massages, including hot stone and facial • Energy food, detox (helps detox the body and promote energy) • Heath and wellness items: Ear candles, biofreeze, pillows, massage oils, and hot and cold packs Renegade Music, 812-723-4929 or 812-653-0090 Operated by Richard Tinkle • Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

• Variety of musical instruments for sale • Musical instrument repair • Renegade Music will also buy gold

8

ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JULY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

Orange County REMC News

Save twice with LED bulbs

Discounts available for purchase, lower operating costs over time The lightbulb has undergone relatively few changes since it was introduced in the late 1870s. But new technology has arrived and it is finally becoming very MARK BELCHER affordable.

Consumers have several options when choosing lights: traditional incandescent lightbulbs, halogen incandescent lightbulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are all available. Most consumers are well aware of the energy savings of CFLs, but some are turned off by their odd shape and the color of the light they produce.

LEDs are available in an array of light “color temperatures” like warm white, soft white and bright white.

(Color temperature is measured in kelvins. An LED bulb with a light color output similar to an incandescent is between 2700 and 3500k.) But the most exciting news is that LEDs are even more efficient than CFLs, and we are finally seeing their price come down.

LEDs save energy While the purchase price of an LED is still higher than a CFL, halogen or incandescent bulb, the savings from the bulb’s long life creates a substantial payback. Think of it as an investment. An LED bulb will last an average of 50,000 hours, compared to 8,000 hours for a CFL and only 1,200 for an incandescent. So over the course of 20 years, you could buy a single LED, or replace a CFL bulb six times, or an incandescent bulb 40 times.

Exclusive price discounts for REMC members REMC members can save up to $10 per bulb when buying LEDs from our online store. (Discounted CFLs are also available.) Visit www.myremc. coop and click on the Team Up Lighting Rebates link to enter the store and place your order. Free shipping is offered with a minimum order of six bulbs. With these discounts, you can purchase six bulbs for about the same price you would pay for one or two LED bulbs in a big box store.

MARK BELCHER is the manager of marketing and member services for Orange County REMC.

SUPER FAST

LY MONTH TS N DISCOveUry bill for

Speeds up to 12 Mbps

$5 off e nths 24 mo

A COOL DEAL ON HIGH-SPEED INTERNET 28

FRE ACTIVA E $150 a TION c tiva fee waiv tion ed!

NRTC 15219 ORANGE COUNTY PRINT AD.indd 1

ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JULY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

PROMPT & PROFESSIONAL Installation

Save up to $10 per bulb!

Orange County REMC member Dr. Curtis Thill recently purchased several LED bulbs through the online store. “It cost about $300 to replace all the lights in my house, but that was about $150 less than I would have paid elsewhere,” he said. “The ordering process was easy, and I really like having the bulbs delivered right to my home. I encourage other REMC members to go online and buy their lightbulbs this way. It’s easy and a great savings.”

RELIABLE Customer support 24/7

AFFORDABLE Service for about $2 a day

Enjoy your summer with Exede High Speed Internet. Get your favorite websites, keep in touch with family and friends, shop online and download your favorite movies, shows and songs the way you want — super-fast! It’s the Internet service that delivers 140% of its advertised speed!*

Call 855-797-7855 Today! *FCC, 2013 Measuring Broadband America Promotional price of $5 off for 24 months applies to the 10 GB service package through the first 24 months of service. After that, it reverts back to the regular monthly price of $49.99/month. If you choose a higher-level package, the price of that package will be discounted $5/month through the first 24 months of service. Service not available in all areas. Minimum 24-month commitment term. Actual speeds will vary. Use of Exede service is subject to data transmission limits measured on a monthly basis. For complete details and the Data Allowance Policy, visit www.localexede.com. Exede is a service mark of ViaSat, Inc.

5/18/15 12:27 PM

REMC completes training

I

n early May, Orange County REMC linemen participated in their annual pole top and bucket truck rescue training.

The training includes a mock mayday of an injured person on an energized power pole. Linemen practice the processes to call for help and rescue and care for the victim without causing further harm to the injured or the rescuer while working as quickly as possible. Office personnel also practiced receiving mayday information from the field to make a 911 call to send aid to a specified location. …

Service anniversaries

Michael Newlin 6 years

Lineman Jeff Bennett performs a mock rescue during the training.

Michael Duke 14 years

Larry Clements 18 years

Early on training day, Orange County REMC linemen gather to receive instruction from Chuck Tiemann, senior risk management/regulatory consultant at Indiana Electric Cooperatives.

Marcy Bennett 18 years

Operation Round Up grant awarded Travis Tarrants, co-director at French Lick West Baden Museum, accepts a $988.54 Operation Round Up grant from Orange County REMC’s Stacy Slaten. The grant was used to purchase the floor display in the background.

Carla Piper 19 years

ElectricConsumer.org • JULY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 29