December 2023

C O N T E N T S

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Reliable Power for Today - and Tomorrow

Chris Chastain, President & CEO

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On the Cover: Leo Mendoza, son of Courtney Mendoza, Billing Coordinator

(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

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to:

ELECTRAWATT

P.O. Box 55, Manilla, IN 46150

Ringing in the new year sparks a sense of renewed hope and optimism about the future. As CEO of RushShelby Energy, for me, it's a time to reflect on where we are and where we're going. At the heart of this reflection, I think about ways we can serve you, the members of the cooperative.

Our team at RSE is always looking ahead, exploring ways to innovate and utilize new technologies to improve our services. As our nation increasingly relies on electricity to power the economy, keeping the lights on has never been more important. We're committed to powering - and empowering - our community at a cost local families and businesses can afford.

So how are we working to ensure reliable and affordable power while adapting to a changing energy landscape and our community's evolving needs?

One critical component of reliable power is the mix of energy resources used to generate the electricity that keeps the lights on across our service territory. You may not realize it, but RushShelby Energy doesn't generate electricity. Instead, we purchase it from our energy provider, Hoosier Energy, and from there, we distribute it to homes and businesses throughout our community (see page 3).

We're increasingly using more electricity generated from renewable energy sources, but we still depend on a diverse energy mix to ensure reliable power that's available to our members whenever they need it.

In addition to managing a reliable energy mix, RSE is using technology to enhance our local grid, limit service disruptions and improve outage response time.

Advanced metering technology, also known as AMI, enables two-way communication between the co-op and the members. In the event of a power outage, AMI helps pinpoint the exact location of the outage and can even analyze damaged or tampered meters. AMI helps RushShelby Energy save money with real-time data, and ultimately improves power reliability for our entire community.

Proactive tree trimming is another way we limit service disruptions. Scheduled trimming keeps power lines clear from overgrown limbs that are likely to fall. As technology advancements become more accessible, we anticipate using advanced mapping software to better maintain the environment while providing more reliable service.

One of the best methods for improving our services to you is monitoring trends and leading practices from other electric co-ops in Indiana and across the country. Learning from other co-ops is one of the many benefits of the cooperative business model because for us, it's about cooperation, not competition.

As we turn to 2024, RushShelby Energy will continue to provide reliable, affordable electricity you expect and deserve - for today and tomorrow.

Youth Opportunities

Camp Kilowatt

RushShelby Energy will sponsor ten students at the annual Camp Kilowatt. The camp will be held June 5-8, 2024, at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana.

Students in sixth grade are eligible to attend the fourday camp. The students’ agenda combines traditional outdoor camp activities with environmental education, electrical safety practices and cooperative business education.

Camp Kilowatt was developed by a committee of electric cooperative employees from Indiana. The camp is funded in part by Indiana’s electric cooperatives, Hoosier Energy, Wabash Valley Power Alliance, Indiana Electric Cooperatives and other industry partners. Applications are available online and will be accepted through March 1, 2024.

Indiana Youth Tour provides young Hoosiers with the opportunity to visit the nation’s capital, experience American history, learn more about government and gain a better understanding of their electric cooperative. The 2024 Indiana Youth Tour is June 1623, 2024. This week-long trip to Washington, D.C. is available to homeschooled and high school juniors.

This year due to a new seating plan and only two coaches, RSE is guaranteed two seats. RSE will select two winners and two students to be placed on a waiting list. After the intent to participate is in and the seats requested are assigned, IEC may be able to add seats from the waitlist.

Chosen students must live within our service territory. Applications and more details are available at indianayouthtour.org. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2024.

Youth Tour

Student Art Calendar Contest

Indiana’s electric cooperatives and their statewide magazine, Indiana Connections, invites K-12 students to enter the Cooperative Calendar of Student Art Contest for 2025.

A first-place artist will be selected for each grade, K-12, and will receive $200. The artwork for each grade-level winner will illustrate either the cover or one of the 12 months of the calendar. Additional artists will earn honorable mention awards and will receive $75.

Artwork will be judged on merit, originality, creativity and suitability for a wall calendar. Indiana public, private or home-schooled students in K-12 during the 2023-2024 school year are eligible.

For more information visit indianaconnection.org. The deadline to enter is March 29, 2024.

Operation RoundUp

Honorable Mention 2024McKenzie Haehl, 6th grade

Scholarships

RushShelby Energy Scholarship

Students graduating from high school in May can apply for one of two $1,000 scholarships.

Students must be the child of a RushShelby Energy member, residing in a home served by RSE. Applications will be judged on scholarship, citizenship and school activities. Each application must also include a 750-to 1,500-word essay. All scholarship requirements and essay information can be found on our website at www.rse.coop.

The deadline for scholarship applications is April 9, 2024.

Operation RoundUp will award four $1,000 scholarships by Luck of the Draw at the end of the 2024 annual meeting on July 11th.

Graduating high school seniors and students up to 26 years old are eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled or plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course at an accredited two or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.

Students must be active RSE members or dependent or legal wards of active RSE members and be present at the meeting to win. Entry forms and more details are available on our website at www.rse.coop.

Small Change Can Change Communities

The holiday season is finally here. Some call it the most wonderful season of all. That's because we associate it with family traditions and gathering with friends and loved ones. It's a time of giving and spreading joy.

But giving back reminds us of the many good things we have right here in our communities and why it's so important to spread the good as far as we can. We are also reminded of how wonderful our communities are and what a big impact we can have when we work together.

When you are a member of RSE, you help us spread the good throughout the year. Through our Operation RoundUp (ORU) program, your donations help local not-for-profit organizations. When you "round up" your monthly bill from RSE and donate to this fund, you're making a big difference in your community. You are helping to meet needs, but just as importantly, you are telling the organization the community cares.

This year with your help, we have given back $62,844.76 to not-for-profit organizations. Across the country, more than 350 electric co-ops have an Operation RoundUp program, and together, we've raised millions for local communities. This shows that small donations from electric co-ops like ours, over time, can collectively make a big impact.

As a local cooperative, we have a stake in this community. It's why we support local not-for-profit organizations. We hope you will think of RushShelby Energy as more than your energy provider, but also as, a catalyst for good in our communities.

2024 application deadlines are as follows: February 1, May 2, August 1 and November 7. Details and applications can be found on our websites at www.rse.coop.

1. Jeremy Bohn, Energy & Member Service Advisor, Mike Coffey, trustee and Jeff Standeford, President of ORU present a check to the Shelby County Fair Board.

2. Mike Coffey, Jeff Standeford and Jeremy Bohn, present a check to the Shelby County Historical Society.

3. Wade Walling accepted a check for Fayette County Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

4. Jeremy Bohn presented a check to Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources.

Quick Links

November Employee of the Month

Jared Maley, I.T. Support Specialist, was named November Employee of the Month. Jared was nominated for his calm demeanor while handling high stress complaints and problems. He's able to think clearly, while offering help and solutions. He has a positive attitude and can reflect on challenges. On a daily basis he builds trust with his colleagues.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Get smart with a better way to heat and cool your home! Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled and automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings in your home for optimal performance. Smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule that adjusts to energy-saving settings when you're asleep or away. For maximum energy savings, look for smart thermostat models with the Energy Star® label.

Planners & Pocket Calendars

2024 planners and pocket calendars are available in our lobby while supplies last.

Holiday Closing

RushShelby Energy will be closed January 1-2, 2024 in observance of the New Year holiday.

The holiday season is a fun, festive time of the year! It's also a time when we use more electricity.

Complete the crossword puzzle below to learn how you and your family can be more energy efficient this holiday season.

1. DOWN: Decorate your ______ with energy-saving LED lights.

2. ACROSS: Smart or programmable ______ can help control heating costs. If you're traveling during the holiday season.

3. DOWN: Save energy by using a _______ to turn off holiday lights at night.

4. ACROSS: If you have a fireplace, ask an adult to close the damper when a ____ is not burning.

5. DOWN: Open blinds and curtains during the day to let natural __________ in to warm your home.

6. ACROSS: Lower the thermostat when your family has _______ visiting during the holidays. 1