2019 October Woodruff Electric Cooperative Enews

Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation

October 2019 Volume 47 Issue 10

CONSIDERING SOLAR? WE’RE HERE TO HELP! Today's consumers want and expect op ons, including the type of energy powering their homes. Many homeowners are looking for a less expensive or a more green energy source. These two mo ves are why many homeowners are exploring solar panels. It is important for our members to fully understand the true costs of solar panels, the opera onal reality of this form of energy and actual energy savings. To determine whether solar is right for a par cular situa on, homeowners must undertake their due diligence.

We're here to help.

As your trusted local energy advisor, Woodruff Electric Coopera ve can offer a candid assessment of your specific situa on. A er all, Woodruff Electric is a not-for-profit organiza on with our main objec ve being to provide our members with the very best electric service at the lowest possible cost. Therefore, we are not directly ed to the sale of a product or service. We constantly strive to find new ways to help our membership to use energy more efficiently. We are also keeping abreast of the ever-changing energy environment and evolving technology in the u lity industry.

Is solar right for you?

To help determine whether solar is right for you, Woodruff Electric's energy advisors will look at the:  Overall energy efficiency of the home/business  Loca on for installa on (roo op or ground mounted)  Orienta on of the sun in rela on to the home/business  Tree coverage near the home/business  Weather pa erns for the region Unlike a solar company that has one objec ve––to sell their products and services––we will look at the total energy picture and help you determine the best op ons for your home or business. While solar may work for some people, it's not the answer for all.

When helping co-op members determine whether solar is right for them, a co-op energy advisor will also discuss the many financial considera ons:  Is there a large, up-front payment required or are fees spread out over me?  Will the homeowner own the panels, or will they be leased?  Are there any hidden costs, i.e., does the roof need to be replaced before installing the panels?  Are there ongoing maintenance fees?  Are there rebates or other financial incen ves available?  Is the es mated energy savings worth the investment?  Is it more cost effec ve to invest in other energy saving measures?

Most importantly, an energy advisor will provide perspec ve on the total energy puzzle. Taking into considera on the current energy consump on, the home “envelope,” age and efficiency of the HVAC system and home site, an energy advisor can help co-op members determine whether solar is the best choice given the homeowners' objec ves.

When assessing solar op ons, it is an excellent me to examine other poten al energy efficiency improvements for your home. For example, it may make sense to insulate the a c before installing solar.

Woodruff Electric recognizes that member interest in green energy sources and renewables is at an all- me high, and we stand ready to help our members determine their best op ons as they move forward.

Energy Vampires Don’t let energy vampires drain your wallet!

HOLIDAY GREETING CARD CONTEST

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2018 Winner by Natalie T. th

 All students from K through 5 grade are

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG

eligible to par cipate.  One winner will receive a $50 gi card.  More details, rules, eligibility requirements and

the entry form are available online at www.woodruffelectric.com or visit any of our office loca ons for more informa on.

Reduce up to 1/5 of your hea ng bill by repairing dra s and sealing leaks around your home. (safeelectricity.org)

Visit www.arkonecall.com for more informa on.

DIAL 811 OR 1-800-482-8998 before you dig!

Woodruff Electric Coopera ve Corpora on P.O. Box 1619 3201 Hwy 1 North Forrest City, Arkansas 72336 Tel. (870) 633- 2262 Fax: (870) 633- 0629 Office Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday Contact Numbers: Augusta: (870) 347-2431 Forrest City: (870) 633-2262 Moro: (870) 768-4821 Barton: (870) 572-2800 www.woodruffelectric.coop

Stay Connected.

Sign up now for power outage no fica ons sent to your phone.

Visit www.woodruffelectric.com to sign up today!

OUTAGE REPORTING Call our automated outage repor ng number at: Call 870-633-7100 or 1-888-559-6400

woodruff electric cooperative edition

A message from Michael Swan CEO of Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation

By the Community, for the Community October is National Co-op Month When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Co-op Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation, celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve.

Cooperatives are different than other types of businesses.

When the market declines to offer a product or service, or does so at a very high price, co-ops intervene to fill the need.

Similar to how Woodruff Electric was built by members who came together to bring electricity to our community, cooperatives are conveners for the common good. Your electric co-op exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the co-op. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve.

As a co-op, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed. Woodruff Electric’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our board of directors, who helps set longterm priorities for the co-op, live locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you.

We know our members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective.

That’s why we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events, our social media channel or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. Our close connection to the community ensures we get a firsthand perspective on local priorities, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments.

Another feature that sets our co-op apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We

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WOODRUFF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

partner with local organizations like schools, food banks, emergency services, local area chamber of commerce, youth empowerment programs and other worthy programs.

We participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action.

Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors. You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs.

We hope you will think of Woodruff Electric as more than your local energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people.

We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you – because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community.

PROTECTED CUSTOMER PLAN

(IN COMPLIANCE WITH A.P.S.C. GENERAL SERVICE RULE 6.18) Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation’s Protected Customer Plan establishes conditions under which qualifying elderly and/or disabled customers will be given special attention.

To ensure protection, procedures for these special customers include: 1. The right to third party notification before termination of service. The designated third party will have the right to receive and provide information regarding the customer’s personal circumstances, but will not be responsible for payment of customer’s bill. The right to third party notification is completely voluntary.

2. At least two attempts to contact in person or by phone at least 72 hours before termination of service.

3. Service will not be terminated when National Weather Service forecasts a minimum daily temperature of 32° F or below and 95° F or above.

4. Upon request Woodruff personnel can offer assistance to qualifying elderly or disabled members wishing to make arrangements with social services agencies for payment of service.

Qualifications may require you to disclose information and furnish documents in connection with the status claimed, and it may be necessary to re-establish eligibility on an annual basis.

Please inquire with a Woodruff Electric customer service representative about registering for our Protected Customer Plan at any of our four offices listed below: Forrest City Augusta Moro Barton

3201 Highway 1 North 779 Highway 64 East 300 North Edrington Rd. 6011 Highway 49

870-633-2262 870-347-2431 870-768-4821 870-572-2800

EXTENDED DUE DATE POLICY Woodruff Electric requires verification of these income sources and dates received.

Please contact a customer service representative at one of the following locations for more information on the extended due date: Forrest City Augusta Moro Barton

3201 Highway 1 North 779 Highway 64 East 300 North Edrington Rd. 6011 Highway 49

my co-op

Woodruff Electric offers an extended due date for consumers whose receipt of certain types of fixed income occurs outside the period between the mail date of the bill and the due date of the bill (usually the 1st through the 22nd of each month). Qualifying consumers may request an extended due date that coincides with your receipt of: 1. Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) or Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) 2. Social Security Income 3. Social Security or Veterans Administration disability or retirement benefits.

870-633-2262 870-347-2431 870-768-4821 870-572-2800

IMPORTANT NOTICE – 2018 PATRONAGE CAPITAL ASSIGNMENT Notice is hereby given to consumers of Woodruff Electric Cooperative Corporation that in accordance with provisions of the bylaws of the Cooperative, patronage capital for the year 2018 has been credited to the patronage capital account of each member.

The capital credited to each member’s account for

2018 was 25.52% of the total amounts (less sales tax and purchased power) paid for electricity purchased from the cooperative during 2018.

A member desiring to know the specific amount of capital credited to his patronage capital account may obtain this information by making a request to the cooperative.

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3201 Highway 1 North, Forrest City, Arkansas 72335 (870) 633-2262 Outages: (888) 559-6400 www.woodruffelectric.coop

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