2014 Southern Indiana Power September 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

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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Please join us in taking action Every day we rely on electricity. We depend on the refrigerator to keep our food fresh, air conditioning and heating to keep us comfortable and, of course, lights, on a daily basis. We also depend STEVE SEIBERT on electricity to re-charge our electronics. Whether it’s a phone to keep in touch with relatives, a tablet for students’ homework or the laptop on which we stream movies, these devices all have become integral to our daily routine.

At work, we rely on electricity to power our computers, phones, lights and productivity. Without this consistent, reliable and affordable power source, businesses would relocate, jobs would be lost and prices of goods and services would increase.

That’s why Southern Indiana Power is concerned about the latest proposed regulations on existing power plants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This round of rules impacts the power plants on which we rely every day.

Cooperatives are different from other electric utilities. We are owned by our member-consumers. When we look at our power options, we are not driven to make a profit. We strive to provide the most affordable and reliable electricity possible to our members.

Owning our own, independent plants has allowed cooperatives to keep costs affordable. For co-ops, “energy independence” in part means independence from expensive, profit-driven power.

However, these new regulations could endanger this independent supply of affordable electric power. Electric cooperatives, like Southern Indiana Power, are small businesses. We’re not large utilities with several different power plants operat-

ELECTRIC CONSUMER • SEPTEMBER 2014 • ElectricConsumer.org

ing with a variety of fuel sources. We built power plants when it made sense for our members. But the way the new rules are written, we might have to close our plants and lose our independence.

The EPA has drafted a regulation that adversely and disproportionately affects electric cooperatives. That’s why we are telling the EPA that this regulation simply does not work for us.

When the EPA drafted regulations limiting greenhouse gases from new power plants, the agency received more than 500,000 comments opposing the regulation.

Today we ask you once again, join the fight.

Visit www.Action.coop again and tell the EPA you cannot afford these new regulations.

Your voice was heard last time. The EPA took note of electric cooperatives, and our collective voice showed that co-op consumers were engaged.

The EPA has opened another “comment period” and needs to hear from you to understand the impact that these regulations have on the people at the end of the power lines.

That’s why we’re asking you to take action again — and we only have until Oct. 16.

Electric cooperative members are uniquely situated to help the EPA understand that these regulations will cost Americans more money.

We recently mailed comment cards to all members asking for your help. Please take the time to sign and then return your card to make your voice heard. We can balance environmental needs with affordability and reliability.

America needs a healthy economy.

America needs jobs. America needs manufacturing. America needs affordable, reliable electricity.

“We’re asking you to take action again — and we only have until Oct. 16. Electric cooperative members are uniquely situated to help the EPA understand that these regulations will cost Americans more money.”

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

IVE Your money stays at home Capital credits and co-op membership Ever wonder who owns your power company? If you get electricity from Southern Indiana Power, the answer’s easy — look in the mirror.

You and other folks who receive electricity from us are the owners. Of course, being an owner doesn’t mean you can drive to a substation and take home a transformer or borrow a spool of wire. Those assets are owned collectively by everyone who has signed up for electric service. A portion of the electric bill you pay each month, in fact, goes into building distribution infrastructure — poles, wires and substations — that bring you a steady supply of power.

Cooperatives follow a unique consumer-focused business model led by a set of seven principles. The third cooperative principle, “members’ economic participation,” requires all of us to chip in a bit on our monthly bill to keep Southern Indiana Power in good shape.

Your cooperative conducts business locally. Investments we make in infrastructure don’t profit someone in an area far away — benefits stay right here in our community.

Paying your monthly bill does more than build lines, buy equipment, and purchase wholesale electricity. You also pay the salaries of our hard-working employees, who live right here in the community. They, in turn, buy goods at local businesses, spreading income around and boosting our local economy.

Here’s another membership perk: you get money back. We’re not-for-profit, so any funds left over after bills have been paid, infrastructure built, and an emergency fund established, goes into a capital credit allocation account for each co-op member. Then, when your board of directors determines the co-op is in good financial shape, this capital is returned to you. How much money you get back depends on how much electricity you used. If you were a member from 1979-1983 and received a notice, please fill out and return by Oct. 1.

Capital credit refunds are to you what dividends are to stockholders at for-profit companies. Only we don’t aim to make a profit. Our goal is to provide you with electricity at a price that is as close to cost as possible. That way, more of your money stays in your pocket — up front.

In short, you are receiving a vital resource, electricity, from a business owned and operated by you, your friends, and neighbors.

Working together, we provide you with the highest level of service we can while striving to keep your electric bills affordable. …

Rate Schedule How to compute your monthly electric bill

Shown below is the rate schedule information needed to figure your bill for electric use in August.

Wholesale power cost tracker $0.00678 Indiana sales tax $0.07 General Service Rate Facility charge All kWh

$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 175-watt mercury vapor 100-watt H.P. sodium 400-watt mercury vapor

$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.

JULY’S WINNER: Gary James

$50 monthly drawing FOR BILLS DATED SEPT. 10 PAID BY SEPT. 20 NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS:_____________________________________________

The following members won $50 bill credits for completing surveys: Tim Mack, new member survey, and Kevin King, service order survey.

PHONE: _______________________________________________ ACCOUNT #:___________________________________________

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Southern Indiana Power

Staying Safe Around Electricity on the Farm QUICK

Tip

AVOID HARVEST HAZARD Electrical malfunctions in machinery can be a fire hazard. Combines can be particularly susceptible due to crop residue that is easily combustible. Before starting harvest, check a combine’s hydraulic and fuel systems for leaks and inspect all electrical components, including battery terminal connections.

During harvest, check these components at least weekly.

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ELECTRIC CONSUMER • SEPTEMBER 2014 • ElectricConsumer.org

Highlights of July 30 board meeting In an effort to keep you informed of your cooperative’s operations and activities, the following are highlights of the July 30 board meeting.

1. The June 25 board meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.

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

3. The director’s report was reviewed and approved.

4. Seibert gave a brief update on the Perry County Port Authority’s intention to submit a REDLEG loan application.

5. The CEO report was given with Seibert reporting the following items: a. Seibert reported on the City of Tell City’s proposed annexation. A remonstrance was filed on July 8 by affected property owners. b. Seibert informed the board that an Action.coop direct mailer will be going out to all members in August. Billboard ads have been installed in Perry and Spencer counties. c. Seibert and Director Kleaving met with Indiana Reps. Lloyd Arnold and Ron Bacon and Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ Manager of State Government Relations Brian Christenberry to discuss issues facing the industry including service territory preservation.

d. Seibert discussed a metering issue at AK Steel. e. Seibert informed directors we have met with the United States Forest Service regarding combining 14 special use permits into one permit and developing an operation and maintenance plan. f. Southern Indiana Power, Hoosier Energy and Holiday World met to discuss details of the new substation in Santa Claus. g. Seibert reported on the Service Concepts annual meeting he attended on June 26. h. Seibert attended CEO Orientation at Hoosier Energy on July 9. i. Southern Indiana Power and Hoosier Energy presented a rebate check for lighting to Branchville Correctional Facility and Indiana Department of Corrections Commissioner Bruce Lemmon. j. Seibert reviewed Indiana Electric Cooperative’s residential rate survey results for 2014 compared to 2013. k. Seibert reported capital credit notices for members and former members of Southern Indiana Power during the years of 1979-1983 will be mailed out Aug. 1. l. Seibert reported the following dates: NRECA Regional Meeting – Sept. 4-5; IEC/Washington, D. C., Fly-In – Sept.

9-10; Employee cookout – Sept. 16.

regulatory consultant with Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC), conducted pole top and bucket truck rescue training on June 27.

Gary Sheffer, loss control specialist with IEC, conducted lockout/tag out training on July 16. Seibert advised there were no lost-time accidents and one public liability claim to report.

7. Chairman Vogel distributed revised committee assignments to the board.

8. Seibert reviewed the 2014-2015 Strategic Plan, noting which items have been completed and which items are still in progress.

9. Board and CEO evaluation forms were distributed. Forms need to be completed and returned to the office by Aug. 14, to be compiled for review at a special board meeting on Aug. 21, at 6 p.m.

10. An Annual Meeting Committee meeting has been scheduled for Aug. 15, at 10 a.m.

11. A Capital Credit Committee meeting has been scheduled for Aug. 1, at 7 a.m.

12. A Wage and Salary Committee meeting has been scheduled for Aug. 22, at 9 a.m.

13. Director G. Waninger reported on the Hoosier Energy board meeting held July 14.

14. The next two regularly scheduled board of directors meetings will be Wednesday, Aug. 27, and Wednesday, Sept. 24.

6. Chuck Tiemann, senior risk management/

Southern Indiana Power will be closed Sept. 1, for Labor Day. Please be careful and observe safe practices when working on home improvement projects.

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