August 2023

10-11 Contact Us: 765-544-2600

Outage Reporting: 800-284-3452

(USPS 171-360 Published Monthly)

Contributors: Cathy Rhoades and David Toll Publication Office: 2777 S. 840 W. Manilla, IN 46150 Periodical Postage paid in Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

Capital Credits

How do they work?

As a cooperative member, you have the unique opportunity to be an owner of our business. Each year we take all remaining margins and set them aside to return to our members. ese margins are called capital credits. e electricity usage determines the capital credits distributed to each member on their account for the speci c year being returned. is year 1986 and a portion of 1987 and 2022's capital credits were returned.

Why aren't capital credits paid back immediately?

Paying back capital credits immediately is not ideal because we want to keep our focus on maintaining a safe and reliable system. By keeping capital credits in the cooperative's nancials for a period of time, we are able to do necessary system maintenance and construction. As the board of directors view our nancials each year, they determine when those capital credits can be returned to members.

How many credits have been returned?

All of the credits earned by members of Rush County REMC and Shelby County REMC through 1986, plus a portion of 1987 and 2022 credits, were paid this year.

If I am an heir to a listed name, how do I make a claim?

If the member named on the account is deceased, an authorized heir may claim the amount. Complete the form included in this special edition and return it to our o ce. If an estate is still active, the executor may complete the paperwork.

Please use the claim form insert in this newsletter to claim your capital credits.

• If your name appears in this list, use the le portion of the form. Fill in your name, date of birth, address and phone number, then send it to the listed address.

• If you are an heir to a person on this list, use the right side of the form. Fill in the blanks and answer all of the questions. Please be sure to include the month, day and year for the date of death. Sign the form before a notary public and return it to the listed address.

• Payments will be processed each month and mailed to you based on the information provided.

IN 46150

It is illegal to have an account in the name of a person that is deceased, so your help in updating our records is appreciated. Questions may be directed to Janet Labrie, Corporate Services Manager, 765-544-2904.

IN

ALLEN RAY T REYNOLDSBURG OH BLOCK RICHARD A PLAINFIELD IL BRYANT RICHARD M FOUNTAINTOWN IN

ALLEN JR ROY SHELBYVILLE IN BLUE RIDGE QUARRIES WALDRON IN BRYANT RONALD EDINBURGHIN

ALLEN WM E SHELBYVILLE IN BLUE RIV PLASTICS LAMIN SHELBYVILLE IN BUCHANAN JAMES K NEW PALESTINE IN

ALLEY MICHAEL F ST PAUL IN BLUE SPRINGS WALDRON INBUDD DONALD E FORT WAYNE IN

ALLISON ROBERT P EDINBURGHIN BODE ALAN D APO NEW AE BULLARD LARRY D FOUNTAINTOWN IN

ALMOND ROBERT S BONITA SPRINGS FL BOGEMAN JOHN E GLENDALE AZ BULLINGTON JAMES C INDIANAPOLIS IN

ALVIS WARREN S SHELBYVILLE IN BOGEMANNDONALD W GREENFIELD IN BULMER PAUL FLAT ROCK IN

AMERICAN TEL & TELG MARIETTA GABOGGS LARRY

IN ANDERSON DONALD G MANILLA IN BOLTON

IN ANDERSON JAMES H GREENFIELD INBOND

RUSHVILLE IN BORDENKECHER

FISH JOSEPH W SHILOH IL

COLLINGWOOD NORMAN LAS VEGAS NV DOBBS JACK L SHELBYVILLE IN FISHER JR CHARLES E STATESVILLE NC

COLLINSLLOYD EDINBURGHIN DOOLEY DAVID G FRANKLIN IN FISHER PAUL D SHELBYVILLE IN

COLLINS THOMAS H CONNERSVILLE IN DOOLEY JON S BOGGSTOWN IN FISHER II ROBT E INDIANAPOLISIN

COLLINS TROY A SHELBYVILLE IN DOUGLASTHOMAS INDIANAPOLISIN FLACK JAMES A INDIANAPOLISIN

COLLINSWILLIAMSHELBYVILLE IN DOVER MICHAELGREENFIELD IN FLANNAGAN JEFFERY INDIANAPOLISIN

COMSTOCK MICHAEL SHELBYVILLE IN DOWNEYJAMES M EL PASO TX FLAT ROCK RV FARMS INC CARMEL IN

CONNER WD ST PAUL IN DRAKE ALVIN A HOBE SOUND FL FLATER'S SALADS ANDERSON IN

CONOVER MAX SHELBYVILLE IN DRAKE ELIZABETH

DAVIDS

DAVIS

Capital Credits 1986 & Portions of 1987 & 2022

DAVID G SHELBYVILLE IN HAVENS C D SHELBYVILLE IN HUGHES HARLEY W GRAY KY

GOSNELLGLENN VEVAY IN HAWKINS JR JAMES A SHELBYVILLE IN HULMAN JEANETTE WARSAW KY

GOSSER LESTON C GREENFIELD IN HAWKINS NORMAN W BEECH GROVE IN HUME GARY INDIANAPOLISIN

GOTTLIEB CR INDIANAPOLISIN HAYGOOD SR THOMAS E INDIANAPOLISIN

HUNGATE WILLIAM R ST PAUL IN

GRAHAMCHANDOS O INDIANAPOLISIN HAYTON JANET FRANKLIN IN HUNSINGER DAVID B SHELBYVILLE IN

GRAHAM DAVID B RUSHVILLE IN HAZELWOOD ALLEN W SHELBYVILLE IN HURST RAYMOND E NEW CASTLE IN

GRAHAM RALPHSHELBYVILLE IN HEASTER CINDY INDIANAPOLISIN HUSTED DAVID W OSGOOD IN

GRAHN VERNIE E INDIANAPOLISIN

IN MCCLARNON G S GREENFIELD IN

KELSCH DAVID M NEW PALESTINE IN LEE RICHARD TMARTINSVILLE IN MCCLELLANMARLINMORRISTOWN IN

KELSO LEWISKFOUNTAINTOWN IN LEET GLADYS OCOLUMBUS INMCCONNELL ROBERT BINDIANAPOLIS IN

KEMPER WELDON P GREENWOOD IN LEISURE ROBERTA JINDIANAPOLIS IN MCCOY JESSE MORRISTOWN IN

KENDALL WILLIAMF ST PETERSBURG FL LENNING GREGORY A SOUTHPORT IN MCCOY KENNETH M PORT RICHEY FL

KENNEDY MARK A NEW PALESTINE IN LESTER KEVINJ NEW CASTLE IN MCCOY VERLIN CONNERSVILLEIN

KEPLINGER HJ BARGERSVILLE IN LESTER LOU V NEW PALESTINE IN MCCRACKENPHILLIP SHELBYVILLE IN

KEPPEL DAVID E LIBERTY IN LEVI PHILLIP O POLAND IN MCCUTCHEN KENNETH

KNIGHT

KNOTT

G

KNOY MARY CRUSHVILLE INLYONS RONNETT FLAT ROCK IN

AMARTINSVILLE

KNUTH

KROLL RALPH

IN PULLIN CHAS E ST PAUL IN

MOORE GEOW HOMOSASSAFL PARAGON SERVICES INC HOUSTON TX QURAZZO JOSEPH N SHELBYVILLE IN

MOORE MARC A SHELBYVILLE IN PARKER JOHN E EDINBURGH IN RAHN ROGER D HOPE IN

MOORE MARK MORRISTOWN IN PARKER JOHN M ACTON IN RALSTON RONALD L INDIANAPOLIS IN

MORGAN PHILLIP NEW PALESTINE IN PARKER JR LELAND EDINBURGH IN RAMSEY DAN GREENSBURG IN

MORGAN WILLIAM F ZOLFO SPRINGS FL PARKS FARM INC FRANKLIN IN RAMSEY RICK SHELBYVILLE IN

MORGER FRANK PSPRINGVILLE TN PASLEY EVAL EDINBURGH IN RANDALL JOHN L SHELBYVILLE IN

MORRIS CLAUDE N DICKINSON TX PASS JOSEPH FRANKLIN IN RANDALL SHERRI GREENSBURG IN

MORROW DAVID M NEW PALESTINE IN PATE GARY L PIONEER CA RATLIFF STEPHEN E FRANKLIN

THOMAS JERRY L SHELBYVILLE IN WEBSTER JEFFERY NEW PALESTINE IN

THOMAS LINDA S SHELBYVILLE IN WEINANTZH J SHELBYVILLE IN

THOMPSON ANCIL SHELBYVILLE IN WEINTRAUT DAVID L ST PAUL IN

THOMPSON HARRY EINDIANAPOLIS IN WELCH & DICKSON GREENFIELD IN

THOMPSON JASON E FRANKLIN IN WELLS THOMAS C NEW PALESTINE IN

THOMPSON MARGELLGLENWOOD IN WENDEL DENIS EDINBURGH IN

THUER JOHN A NEW PALESTINE IN WERNER ERIC INDIANAPOLIS IN

THURSTONBETTY RMORRISTOWN IN WERNER MARY C FAIRLAND IN

TIMBS JOE INDIANAPOLIS IN WEST MARY C FAIRLAND IN

TIMM CHRISTINAWESTFIELD IN WHEATLEY DAVID AFOUNTAINTOWN IN

TINDALL JULIAM SHELBYVILLE IN WHEATLEYGEORGANNA FOUNTAINTOWN IN

TOLEN JOHN GREENWOOD IN WHEELER MICHAELFOUNTAINTOWN IN

TOOLEY AMON INDIANAPOLIS IN WHISLER LARRY E SOUTH LAKE TX

TOON MARK HMORRISTOWN IN WHITAKER DEDA JRUSHVILLE IN

TOPPE TOM JSEYMOUR IN WHITE ADV METROCOM-O TERRE HAUTE IN

TRESSLAR JOELE SHELBYVILLE IN WHITE TRUDY C FAIRLAND IN

TRIBBY ANITA SOUTH VIENNA OH WHITE WILLIAMA PRESCOTT AZ

TRUCKERS WORLD IN LOUISVILLE KY WHITE WILLIAMDMORRISTOWN IN

TRUE FORREST MINDIANAPOLIS IN WIBBENMEYER CHARLIE INDIANAPOLIS IN

TRUSTER MARK FRANKLIN IN WICKER J DMILROY IN

TUCKER LOISM FAIRLAND IN WILHELMDUTCH AMBOY IN

TUNISON STEVEN WMILTON WI WILKINS BRENT LFOUNTAINTOWN IN

TURNER BELVAEDINBURGH IN WILLEY JERRRY EMORRISTOWN IN

TURNER JAMESM SHELBYVILLE IN WILLIAMS CLYDE LERNA IL

TURNER JOSEPH LCOLUMBUS IN WILLIAMS GILBERT E SHELBYVILLE IN

TURNER STEPHEN R GREENWOOD IN WILLIAMS MARY S FAIRLAND IN

TWEEDY JACKFINDIANAPOLIS IN WILLIAMSPHILIPDINDIANAPOLIS IN

UMBARGERCLAUDEW SHELBYVILLE IN WILLIAMSPHILLIPG PERRYSBURG OH

VAN NAMEN JOHN NEEDHAM IN WILLIAMS PIPELINE CO TULSA OK

VANNATTA ROBERT B ST PAUL IN WILLOUGHBY HARRY N ATHENS AL

VANOVER HAROLD E FAIRLAND IN WILSON EARL S SHELBYVILLE IN

VARDAMAN JOHN F GREENFIELD IN WILSON KAREN FAIRLAND IN

VENNEFRON PAUL JHAMILTON OH WINSHIP JR WILLIAMMRUSHVILLE IN

VOELKER NORMA L FAIRLAND IN WLASIK STANLEY MULBERRY IN

WADDELLKAY

Did You Know?

Electric cooperatives have retired $20 billion to members since 1988 - $1.4 billion in 2021 alone.

Because electric co-ops operate at cost, any excess revenues (called margins) are allocated and retired to members in the form of capital credits.

Source: National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation

Annual Meeting 2023

e annual meeting has always been an opportunity for RushShelby Energy to give back to our members. is year's annual meeting was no di erent, o ering food, live entertainment and opportunities for prizes.

Returning this year by popular demand to entertain was the local band, Moon Cave Ramblers. Members enjoyed a meal from Chick- l-A and so serve ice cream from ornburg Concessions. Door prizes were given away throughout the evening, with the grand prize being $2,500 in cash. Leann Rowe of Rushville was the grand prize winner. e children were entertained throughout the evening with cra s, face painting, balloon animals, an in atable obstacle course and two live shows from Silly Safaris. In addition, children had many opportunities to win their own prizes with Nina Ross winning the grand prize - a year pass to the Indianapolis Zoo.

New this year, Operation RoundUp awarded two $1,000 scholarships by luck of the draw. irty-one students entered to win. e two winners drawn were Samuel Bunton and Maggie Correl. Both attend Purdue University. With the success of the draw, Operation RoundUp will be giving away four $1,000 scholarships at next years meeting.

e evening concluded with a business meeting to elect directors in Districts 1, 4 and 7. All districts were uncontested. District 1, Keith eobald, District 4, Charles Smith and District 7, Bruce Everhart were reelected to serve three more years on the board.

is event ranks high on the list year in and year out. An event this size could not be successful without a great deal of work. RushShelby Energy wishes to thank all of our directors, employees and numerous outside individuals and organizations that helped make this event a success!

As a cooperative, we strive to be a member-focused provider. e annual meeting is one way we can do that, and our of saying thank you.

Thank You -

On behalf of all of us at RushShelby Energy, directors and employees, I would like to thank you for attending the 2023 RushShelby Energy Annual Meeting. We welcomed over 300 members, their guests and 94 children to our o ce grounds throughout the evening. Each year we enjoy hosting this terri c event for our members and sharing in the festivities by enjoying a tasty meal and entertaining band.

Personally, I am appreciative to all of those who stopped by e opportunity to share with our members and guests at the CEO Booth was insightful and gratifying. I hope everyone in attendance had the opportunity to meet with me, our directors or our employees at some point.

Again, thank you for attending. We hope to see you back next year, and if you didn't get the chance to attend this year, we hope you plan to do so next year. We would love to meet with you.

Sincerely,

Chris Chastain

Chris Chastain President and CEO

Nina Ross - Children's Grand Prize Winner Cathy Rhoades, Marketing/Member Services Coordinator

Operation RoundUp Scholarship Winners Samuel Bunton & Maggie Correl

Kate Kuhn - Jim Laker - ORU Trustees

Cathy Rhoades - Operation RoundUp Coordinator Jeff Stadeford - ORU President

STORM RECAP

By: Chris Chastain, President & CEO

Since our creation, RushShelby Energy's system has experienced the impact of Mother Nature's forces. e last two years have highlighted our nature's strength. Since last spring, we have been in the path of multiple storm systems, and even as I wrote this, the news was showing the possibility of more severe weather.

Starting in April of 2022, RushShelby Energy has su ered multiple tornadoes, several severe storms with winds in excess of 60 mph, and a brutally cold weather event in December 2022. All of these events have led to many multi-day outages for our membership. While RSE cannot guarantee complete uninterrupted power to each member, we understand the di culties and concerns that arise when members experience sustained outages. Just a few of these problems is the lack of ability to work from home, the loss of food in freezers and refrigerators and the inability to care for livestock. Not to mention the issue of dealing with the extreme heat or cold when outages occur during the height of summer or in the midst of winter.

RushShelby Energy also recognizes the problems that contribute to outages, and we are working diligently to strengthen our electrical system. A few of these details include:

• Increased Right-of-Way Budget: Over the past few years, RSE has dramatically increased our right-of-way budget. e goal is to increase the frequency with which we perform maintenance in our rights-of-way. We have many areas that are heavily wooded. While maintenance will not prevent all outages from occurring, it should help mitigate the damage and speed up the restoral process.

• Annual Pole Inspection: is process helps to identify poles that have reached a certain decline in their strength.

• Enhanced Response Time : RSE is continually looking at ways to use technology to enhance our response time and to identify trends concerning outages. Our electronic meters are a perfect example of this. Some of our members automatically inform us when there is a loss of power, and others allow us to "ask" if there is power.

ese are just a few examples of what we are doing to address problems and better serve our members. is list does not include our normal construction, maintenance and upgrades to our electrical lines.

We at RushShelby Energy take our job seriously to minimize the frequency and duration that our members are inconvenienced with a loss of power.

Maintaining Rights-of-Way is a Delicate Balancing Act

To provide safe, reliable electrical service from overhead power lines, RushShelby Energy starts on the ground: in the right-of-way under and around our miles of power lines. Maintenance activities involve mowing, cutting dangerous trees, pruning, applying herbicide and removing trees.

A right-of-way is a type of easement or agreement with property owners that grants RushShelby Energy the right to manage small portions of that property for the purpose of maintaining power lines that bring the electricity to your home, farm and/or business and those of your neighbors. Having right-of-way means utilities can access the area to x a utility-related problem or to perform maintenance.

Generally, the most common cause for power outages and for blinking lights is trees that make contact with power lines. Limbs that touch power lines can become energized or even break and fall, bringing the lines down with them. Trees too close to power lines can also be deadly to you and your children.

Right-of-way programs trim, control and, if necessary, remove trees and other vegetation around 10 to 15 feet on either side of the center line of electric lines. Branches growing through or around utility lines are also trimmed away or removed. Utilities also remove branches growing above lines, where snow or ice could cause branches to sag or fall onto live lines. It is sometimes necessary to target and remove entire trees. ese include trees that might be o easement that are weak, diseased, dead, dying, severely leaning or growing in a direction that could damage the power line should they fall.

Electric cooperatives serve the most rural, wooded and challenging stretches of terrain in Indiana that are also the greenest. A good right-of-way maintenance plan by RSE helps ensure less damage and shorter outages when Mother Nature brings strong winds and ice.

OTHER RIGHTS-OF-WAY

Not all power lines are overhead. Underground lines, transformers, pole bottoms and meters also have a right-of-way and need a clear space around them.

For instance, if crews need to repair underground wiring, the rst thing line technicians do is open the big green boxes out at the street. If a homeowner plants shrubs close, they'll be cut. Inside that green box, or padmount transformer, line technicians deal with several thousand volts of electricity right at their ngertips and need room to operate.

Poles are routinely inspected and treated for decay prevention at ground level. If plants are in the way, they'll also be removed.

PLANT THE RIGHT TREE IN THE RIGHT SPOT

We all enjoy trees, but when they interfere with power lines, reliability and safety are compromised. at's why it's important that for trees and power lines to coexist, care should be taken in the planning where trees will go when the power lines are nearby and purchasing the right tree so that it can grow to maturity without interfering with the existing power line. Here are some precautions planting a tree:

•Before you dig, call 811, the underground utility locator service, to mark the location of underground utilities so accidental contact, damage and injuries can be avoided.

•Choose trees that will grow no higher than 25 feet when planting near power lines. Plant larger trees more than 40-60 feet away from power lines.

•Do not plant near underground utility services. Tree roots can grow and interfere with underground pipes, cables and wires. Future repairs to these facilities also could damage the health and beauty of nearby plants and trees.

•Pick the right spot. Don't plant trees, shrubs, plants or other vegetation where they can damage electrical equipment or interfere with RSE's ability to access it.

•If you have a tree that needs trimmed near power lines, please call our o ce. Do not risk your safety doing it yourself.

Five Easy Ways to Exercise Your Civic Duty

America's electric cooperatives, including RushShelby Energy, understand the value of building relationships with elected o cials at all levels of government. ere are many important policy issues that directly impact electric utilities and ultimately, you, the member we proudly serve. Strengthening our relationships with elected leaders positions us to advocate for our community.

While RushShelby Energy is a locally owned cooperative, we're part of a larger network of electric co-ops. rough our nonpartisan grassroots program known as "Co-ops Vote," we're working to enhance the political strength of electric co-ops and boost voter turnout. ere's power in numbers, and when we all show up at the polls, we can voice the issues that matter most to our community.

National Voter Registration Day is September 19, and midterm elections are right around the corner. If you're looking to get involved or simply make sure you're ready to vote, here are ve easy ways you can exercise your civic duty.

1. Don't assume your voter registration is up to date. Visit www.vote.coop, then click "Election Resources" to verify your status.

2. Get informed. In addition to ensuring your registration is up to date, learning about local policy issues and candidates is one of the best ways you can prepare to vote.

3. Get active on social media. Follow @coopsvote on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and let others know you're a #coopvoter and #VoteReady; encourage your friends and family to do the same.

4. Help others prepare to vote. Work a National Voter Registration Day event (visit www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org/events), volunteer to be a poll worker during midterm elections or o er to drive others to their polling places.

5. VOTE! It's the easiest - and most important - way you can exercise your civic duty. Voting is a form of personal empowerment that gives you the opportunity to voice your opinion on the issues that matter most to you. Make a plan to vote and help others in our community get #VoteReady.

We encourage everyone, regardless of political beliefs, to vote, stand up for our local community and make a collective impact.

Quick Links

Employee Milestones

September Festivals

September 1-4

Farmer's Pike Festival

-New Castle

September 2-3

Metamora Music Festival

-Metamora

September 4

St Peter's Labor Day Festival

-Brookville

September 7

New Palestine Fall Festival

Courtney Mendoza and Kristan Brinson are celebrating milestones in their careers this month. Courtney, Billing Coordinator, is celebrating 10 years and Kristan, Member Service Representative is celebrating 5 years. RSE appreciates your hard work and dedication to the membership.

Happy Back to School!

Wishing all teachers and students an amazing and awesome year!

Energy Efficiency Tip

Did you know ceiling fans can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler? To save energy through ceiling fan use, remember to raise your thermostat a few degrees while fans are turned on. Ceiling fans can help improve comfort year-round. In the summer, operate fans in a counterclockwise direction. Reverse the direction to clockwise during winter months and set fans on a low speed so warm air can circulate from the ceiling to the lower levels of the room. Remember, ceiling fans cool people, not spaces. Be sure to turn them off when you leave the room. Source: energy.gov

-New Palestine

September 8-10

Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show -Greenfield

September 9

Carthage Freedom Festival

-Carthage

September 9

Arts in the Park

-Shelbyville

September 15-16

Tree City Fall Festival

-Greensburg

September 16

American Legion Post 119 Bed Race -Greenfield

September 16 Brew Fest

-Shelbyville

September 16-17

Wendell Wilkie Days -Rushville

September 28 - October 1

Antique Machinery Show

-Brookville

2023 Festival Guides are available at RSE.

Courtney Mendoza

Kristan Brinson

Manilla, IN 46150-0055

MINI-MEMBER PAGE

SPOT

THE BIGGEST ENERGY USER!

We use electricity every day, but we rarely think about the appliances and electronics that consume the most energy. Can you spot the biggest energy users?

Review each grouping below, then circle the one that you think consumes the most energy. Check your work in the answer key.

SAVE ENERGY!

• Wash clothing in cold water and air-dry when possible.

• Only run full loads in the dishwasher.

• Turn o the lights when you leave a room.

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Unplug electronic devices when not in use.