2020 March WRVEC "Current Times" Newsletter

CURRENT TIMES A White River Valley Electric Cooperative Publication

STORM PREPAREDNESS In the event of a storm, WRVEC is always ready to respond.

MARCH 2020

STORMS: ALWAYS READY TO RESPOND

CURRENT TIMES A White River Valley Electric Cooperative Publication

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Hyatt - District C, President Jenny Whorton - District A, Vice President Keet Short - District A, Secretary-Treasurer Lyle Rowland - District B Donnie Rains - District B J.J. Leek - District C Neal Crum - District D Pat Funk - District E Jim Kyle - District E LEADERSHIP TEAM Chris Hamon - CEO John Combs - Operations Cassie Cunningham - Communications & Member Engmnt.

Larry Hughes - Safety & Training Beau Jackson - Engineering & Development Angie O’Dell - Executive Business Administration Tim Shafer - Finance & Office Operations JC Zalog - Information Technology WRVEC HEADQUARTERS 2449 MO-76, Branson, MO 65616 OUTER OFFICES 2807 MO-14, Ozark, MO 65721 1405 NW 9th St., Ava, MO 65608 CR 503, Gainesville, MO 65655 20346 MO-413, Reeds Spring, MO 65737 BUSINESS HOURS Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Offices are closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN OUTAGE: 1. When contacting the cooperative to report an outage, use the name as it appears on your bill, and have your account number ready. You can report an outage 24/7 at 417.335.9333 or via SmartHub. 2. Track the status of a current outage on our website at whiteriver.org/outages or on social media.

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Chris Hamon CEO We cannot prevent disasters from happening though, if we are prepared, we can work through these situations with certainty and confidence. Regardless of the severity, we should always be ready. In the event of a storm, you can trust that White River Valley Electric Cooperative is ready to respond through a smart combination of equipment, software, and personnel.

The major cause of most power outages comes from damage to power lines due to falling trees and branches.

We work year round – through our right-of-way program – to ensure power lines in the service territory stand little risk of being damaged by vegetation. Our system’s reliability also takes into account both regular maintenance and upgrades. Servicing what we already have in place and continually evaluating the network means that we are dedicated to operating to the best of our abilities and above industry standards. These practices -- including upgrading line capacity, digital meter upgrades, and pole change-outs -- provide the most dependable service for our members.

WRVEC keeps up-to-date on weather forecasting using in-house software that gathers information from models that monitor things like flooding and ice. This is a forwardlooking prediction index that combines National Weather Service data to predict the footprint, accumulation, and potential damage from approaching storms. Prior to this software, prediction was extremely limited to detect potential damage to the system and estimate possible outage lengths. We can’t control the weather but we can be prepared for when it arrives.

Despite our best efforts, damage can still occur during major storms. Our first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as possible in the shortest amount of time. We start by mobilizing our line crews and other critical staff. The dispatch center is manned 24/7/365 to continually monitor data as it is received from the network.

In many cases, they will get an alert on a line, pinpoint the outage, and have a crew dispatched before they even receive notification from a member. Line crews are always on-call to get service back on as quick as possible, aided by a surplus of supplies to get even the largest projects accomplished.

All of this behind-the-scenes work is necessary to help us protect you, your family, and your property from whatever Mother Nature may throw at us. As for our mission to provide you with continued safe and reliable electricity, the WRVEC saga continues.

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MARCH 2020 - CURRENT TIMES

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LINE EXTENSION POLICY UPDATES Let’s team up to meet common economic, social, and legislative goals. Become a MAP participant, today!

Join here: whiteriver.org/ member-center/resources/ governance-engagement/

Pursuing higher education?

Scholarship applications are due April 1. Apply here: whiteriver. org/community/operationround-up/scholarships/

Applications for Energy in Today’s Classroom, our continuing education program for teachers, are due April 1.

Find out more: whiteriver.org/ community/energy-in-todaysclassroom/

When an individual or a business becomes a White River Valley Electric Cooperative member, they become part owner in our nonprofit organization. We are committed to meeting members’ expectations while providing reliable electric service at a competitive price. To accomplish this goal - we must continually evaluate our plant costs, or what other industries call their capital costs, for future expansion while continuing to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable service to our members.

WRVEC’s Line Extension Policy sets the standard for establishing new electric services for our members. We continually evaluate factors like our utility plant, service capacity, construction costs, and margins to set this policy. Currently, the average time it takes to recover costs for installing new services is longer than the depreciation schedule of our plant.

After much consideration, we have determined that the current policy no longer adequately supports our expansion demands as it once did when established in 2007. The Line Extension Policy has been revised and changes will take effect on March 1, 2020. Previous pricing included a linear foot model and per pole and/or structure charges. The revision will be consistent in all single and three-phase services, reflecting the linear foot model across the board.

The policy is not meant to be a revenue generator nor does it cover 100 percent of costs. It is simply an aid to construction so that area growth doesn’t equate higher rates or that current members subsidize new services. Our due diligence will keep costs at a manageable level, and align us with neighboring utilities and others across the state. The new policy will ensure that the Cooperative recovers investments within the depreciated costs, extends service to any unserved persons within our service territory, and continues to deliver electricity at an affordable rate.

You can find the updated Line Extension Policy under the Electric Services section of our website, whiteriver.org.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Placing hot food in the refrigerator makes the appliance work harder than necessary, using more energy. Allow food to cool down before you place it in the fridge.

Source: energy.gov

MARCH 2020 - CURRENT TIMES

CYCLE IS BACK IN 2020 Are you a sophomore and a leader in your high school? Do you want to learn more about Missouri state government? Would you like to connect with other youth leaders and attend a national award winning leadership program? Do you want to make a difference in your community? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then CYCLE is for you!

What is CYCLE?

The Cooperative Youth Conference & Leadership Experience (CYCLE) is a program sponsored by Missouri’s electric cooperatives that brings together some of Missouri’s brightest young leaders. The focus is to provide students with an inside look at Missouri state government, teach leadership skills and learn more about electric cooperatives. Students will make new friends, take exclusive tours, and attend delegate events and keynote presentations. CYCLE is a unique, exciting, and fun leadership experience. White River Valley Electric Cooperative will select three 10th grade students to participate in the program held in Jefferson City on July 15-17, 2020.

The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ CYCLE Program received the National Community Service Community Investment Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in 2013.

This esteemed award honors AMEC’s commitment to youth development through programs that help young citizens learn about electric power, develop leadership skills, and make contributions to their communities through a variety of activities.

Who is eligible?

Any high school sophomore who attends a school in the same area served by WRVEC is eligible to enter. Homeschooled students may participate if they are between 15 and 16 years of age and have attained a scholastic achievement of the 10th grade. The contestant’s family does not have to be a WRVEC member but does need to live in WRVEC’s service territory.

How do I apply?

It’s so easy! Interested students need to fill out a CYCLE application available online at whiteriver.org/ community/youth-programs/cycle/. Entries must be received by April 30. Applications will be reviewed by the WRVEC CYCLE committee. Four students will be selected based on their community service, scholastic achievements and leadership experiences. Winners will be contacted on May 15.

For more information, send us a message at whiteriver. org/contact-us/.

MARCH 2020 - CURRENT TIMES

WRVEC will select four 10th grade students to participate in the program held in Jefferson City on July 15-17, 2020.