2015 February Southern Indiana Power Newsletter

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATI www.sinpwr.com CONTACT US OFFICE 812-547-2316 TOLL FREE 800-323-2316 FAX 812-547-6853 EMAIL SINPOWER@SINPWR.COM OFFICE HOURS

7 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday-Friday MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 219, Tell City, IN 47586 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff Vogel

Phone: 660-0333 CHAIRMAN DISTRICT 1: LUCE AND OHIO TOWNSHIPS (SPENCER COUNTY)

Michelle Lynch

Phone: 843-5214 VICE-CHAIR DISTRICT 7: CLARK AND OIL TOWNSHIPS (PERRY COUNTY) AND COOPERATIVE TERRITORY IN DUBOIS COUNTY

Kevin Waninger

Phone: 836-4646 SECRETARY/TREASURER DISTRICT 6: LEOPOLD, TOBIN AND UNION TOWNSHIPS (PERRY COUNTY)

Philip Meyer

Phone: 454-2874 DISTRICT 2: GRASS, CLAY AND JACKSON TOWNSHIPS (SPENCER COUNTY) AND COOPERATIVE TERRITORY IN WARRICK COUNTY

Gary Waninger

Phone: 357-2264 DISTRICT 3: CARTER AND HARRISON TOWNSHIPS (SPENCER COUNTY)

Dirk Stein

Phone: 529-8166 DISTRICT 4: HAMMOND AND HUFF TOWNSHIPS (SPENCER COUNTY)

Randy Kleaving

Phone: 836-2536 DISTRICT 5: ANDERSON AND TROY TOWNSHIPS (PERRY COUNTY) KEY STAFF

Steve Seibert PRESIDENT/CEO

Karen Mangum

OFFICE/IT MANAGER

Democracy at the co-op Democratic member control is critical to the operation of every co-op While the national elections of the past November may be fading from your memory, voting for politicians is not the only way we as co-op members can practice democracy.

Every co-op — whether STEVE SEIBERT it’s Southern Indiana Power, your credit union or a farm co-op — follows the basic principle of one member, one vote. Most often you are asked to vote and elect individuals that will represent you on the board of directors. These folks are your friends, neighbors and fellow residents of our community.

Every member in good standing of the co-op has a voice in how the business is operated. This is one of the key differences between a co-op member and a customer of an investor-owned utility (IOU). Most IOUs are not too interested in customers’ opinions of how the company should be run.

Co-ops invite participation. In fact, it is critically important to the survival of the co-op. Most co-ops serve far fewer people than IOUs. Co-ops measure the number of members in the thousands, IOUs in the millions. If you are not actively involved with the co-op, we all suffer. As the electric utility industry evolves, having interested members who are willing to take an active role is critically important. A perfect example of member involvement is our recent grassroots campaign that encouraged our members to contact the EPA on our behalf and communicate their opin-

Jeff Hilgenhold

MANAGER OF MEMBER AND CORPORATE SERVICES

Todd Hammond

SYSTEMS ENGINEER

Steve Fortwendel

LINE SUPERINTENDENT

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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ELECTRIC CONSUMER • FEBRUARY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

ions on regulations harmful to the co-op.

At Southern Indiana Power, we believe in the “Own, Use, Serve and Belong” model.

Own: Refers to each member truly believing and feeling that they do indeed share in the ownership of the co-op. This can come from attending the annual meeting, voting, receiving a capital credits check or participating in other co-op events.

Use: For electric co-ops this means that you use the co-op’s resources wisely (after all, you are an owner of those resources). You utilize the low-cost energy audits that Southern Indiana Power offers.

You use energy-efficient appliances, weather strip windows and doors, use LED or CFL lights — and you turn them off when you leave the room. Share that one with the kids!

Serve: If we are successful with “own” and “use,” perhaps you will feel called to serve your co-op — maybe as a board member or co-op advocate.

Belong: We all seek to belong to something. In the early days when the co-op was just getting started, neighbors helped neighbors. While our lives seem busier and more electronically driven than ever, the need to connect and belong is necessary for us and our communities to thrive.

There is great power in the human connection. At Southern Indiana Power, we strive to connect with you every day.

STEVE SEIBERT is the president/CEO of Southern Indiana Power.

IVE Notice to Southern Indiana Power members, regarding payment options

Rate Schedule

Southern Indiana Power service technicians and linemen will no longer accept payments in the field. Payments will be accepted in the office or over the phone during regular business hours. After hours, members can use drop boxes, the co-op website (www.sinpwr.com) or smartphones or tablets with the Smarthub app. For even more convenience, members can sign up for automatic monthly bank drafts.

How to compute your monthly electric bill Shown below is the rate schedule information needed to figure your bill for electric use in January.

Wholesale power cost tracker Indiana sales tax General Service Rate Facility charge All kWh

$0.00766 $0.07 $24.50 per month $0.0975

Off-Peak Heating Systems Facility charge $28.50 per month All kWh $0.0975 Energy used for off-peak heating systems between 11 p.m.-7 a.m. (EST) All kWh $0.053 Monthly Security Light Billing LED Security Light 175-watt mercury vapor 100-watt H.P. sodium 400-watt mercury vapor

$7.50 per month $7.50 per month $7.50 per month $11.50 per month

Electric bills due by the 27th of each month.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted.

Online payment also avilable at www.sinpwr.com.

$50 monthly drawing Would you like to win a $50 credit on your electric bill? You could if you follow these simple rules: 1. Clip out the coupon below.

2. Fill out and return to our office along with your monthly payment before the 20th of the month. (Delinquent payments are not eligible.)

3. Coupons are dated monthly and are not available at the office.

You are automatically entered in the drawing if you have your bill withdrawn from your bank’s checking or savings account (ACH) or if you pay your bill online by the 20th.

The winner will be notified and the name published in the following monthly publication of Electric Consumer.

DECEMBER’S WINNER: Martha Spaetti

$50 monthly drawing FOR BILLS DATED FEB. 10 PAID BY FEB. 20 NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS:_____________________________________________ PHONE: _______________________________________________ ACCOUNT #:___________________________________________

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Southern Indiana Power Operation Round Up® grants awarded to local organizations Central Perry Volunteer Fire Department

Central Perry Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a $1,450 Operation Round Up grant to purchase hand-held radios and pagers. Pictured at left, Operation Round Up Trustee Amy Ramsey presents the grant to Darlene Hubert.

The trustees for Southern Indiana Power Operation Round Up® recently awarded $8, 010 to local groups and organizations. Pictured here are some of the organizations that received funds in the most recent grant cycle. If you are part of an organization that could benefit from an Operation Round Up grant, visit www.sinpwr.com to download an application and submit it by Feb. 16.

Cannelton Volunteer Fire Department

Cannelton Volunteer Fire Department was recently awarded a $2,000 Operation Round Up grant to purchase regulatory-compliant boots for the firemen. Pictured at right, Operation Round Up Trustee Amy Ramsey presents the grant to Chris Herzog of the Cannelton VFD.

Spencer County Council on Aging

Spencer County Council on Aging recently received a $660 Operation Round Up grant to purchase employee jackets with the employee name and the SCCOA logo.

Pictured at left are Diane Arnold, Operation Round Up Trustee Amy Ramsey and Emily Neighbors.

Leadership Spencer County

Leadership Spencer County was recently awarded a $350 Operation Round Up grant to support a day sponsorship which covers food, supplies, speakers, and occasionally rent. Pictured at right, Operation Round Up Trustee Amy Ramsey presents the grant to Sharon Schaefer.

Friends of Spencer County CASA

Friends of Spencer County CASA was recently awarded a $1,250 Operation Round Up grant.

The funds will be used to assist with new advocate training. Pictured at left, Operation Round Up Trustee Amy Ramsey presents the grant to Tina Gehlhausen and Cindy Parsley of CASA.

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ELECTRIC CONSUMER • FEBRUARY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

Highlights of Dec. 17 board meeting In an effort to keep you informed of your cooperative’s operations and activities, the following are highlights of the Dec. 17 board meeting.

1. All directors were present along with President/CEO Steve Seibert and Administrative Assistant Lisa Hinton.

2. The Nov. 19 board meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.

3. The membership certificates and vouchers were reviewed and approved.

4. The November director’s report was reviewed and approved.

5. Seibert updated directors on capital credit retirement progress.

6. The CEO report was the first item of new business with Seibert reporting the following items: a. Seibert presented a brief update on the city of Tell City’s proposed annexation project. b. Seibert reported fiber for AMI and SCADA communications has been installed at the Bandon substation. c. Seibert informed the board the results of the action.coop comments

2015 Farmers’ Almanacs and Festival Guides

by members regarding the proposed EPA Greenhouse Gas Rule are final with 2,459 comments being submitted, making Southern Indiana Power number one in the state with 33.6 percent of members commenting.

PPE and RPE safety training on Nov. 21. Terry Adkins, senior loss control/ risk management specialist with Indiana Electric Cooperatives, conducted grounds testing on Dec. 2. John Bullock of Hoosier Energy conducted system voltages training on Dec. 17. Seibert advised there were no lost-time accidents and no public liability claims to report.

d. Seibert reported Indiana Electric Cooperatives will participate in the NRECA International Guatemala project March 17 – April 2. Linemen across the state are invited to participate.

8. Seibert and Director Lynch reported on the budget committee meeting held Dec. 12.

Following discussion, the board approved the 2015 budget as presented.

e. Seibert informed the board newly elected Sen. Houchin will visit the co-op Dec. 19.

9. A listing of bad debt accounts to be written off was reviewed and approved by the board.

f. The 2015 Spencer County Chamber annual dinner will be held Jan. 24.

10. The board reviewed policy No. 317.R1.

Recommended changes will be reviewed at the next board meeting.

g. The LEDC annual meeting will be held Jan. 30.

11. Director Meyer reported on the Indiana Electric Cooperatives annual meeting held Dec. 8-9.

h. The NRECA annual meeting is scheduled for Feb. 22-25. i. The NRECA director’s conference will be held March 30-31.

7. Chuck Tiemann, senior risk management/ regulatory consultant with Indiana Electric Cooperatives, performed rubber gloving,

12. The 2015 board meeting schedule was reviewed and approved by directors.

13. The next two regularly scheduled board of directors meetings will be held Jan. 28 and Feb. 16.

SUDOKU PUZZLE

Stop by the Southern Indiana Power office to pick up your free copy of the 2015 edition of the Farmers’ Almanac to get weather predictions, info on gardening, everyday advice and more!

Also available are free Indiana Festival Guides. This resouce is handy for planning your summer vacation or day trips. Over 550 festivals and events are held throughout Indiana every year. All Indiana festivals have two things in common – welcoming Hoosier Hospitality and lots of fun!

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