February 2024

Are you ready to serve?

RushShelby Energy's board members are community-minded individuals with a variety of skill sets. Our board is made up of farmers, educators, business owners, etc. We rely on their many talents to help us make informed decisions on long-term priorities and investments. Our directors live right here in the cooperative's service territory, and we consider them the eyes and ears of the community because they provide their perspective on important community issues.

We recognize it takes many people with different skills to create a well-rounded board that can represent the full spectrum of our community. We're seeking local members of our community who can apply their unique talents to benefit all our friends and neighbors. But above all else, we're looking for people who love our community and want to see it thrive now and in the future.

What does it mean to serve on the board?

Serving on the RushShelby Energy board means you're making a difference locally, using your individual talents and perspectives to guide big decisions about the co-op that in turn benefit the larger community. While day-to-day decisions are made by the co-op staff, major decisions are made by the board, whose mission is to look out for the vitality of the co-op and the community it serves. On a granular level, RushShelby Energy board members typically provide input and guidance on:

• Budgets

• Co-op goals and directions

• Capital investments and upgrades in equipment and technology

• Renewable investments and energy mix

• Co-op's role and involvement in economic development

The energy industry is undergoing a major transition. Technology advancements and increased consumer preference for more renewable energy is driving change. RushShelby Energy is facing big decisions, and board members have an opportunity to help chart a course for the future. To serve the community best, we need input from a wide range of people that represent the board spectrum of views within the community.

Opportunity to Serve

While you don't need to be an expert in electricity or business to run, you do need to have a passion for the community and willingness to actively serve and learn. We're looking for individuals who can represent the full gamut of the members we serve. Our board meets on a regular basis, and we offer specialized training opportunities to help board members make informed decisions. Board members gain a deeper understanding of the electric utility industry, the cooperative business model and local economic development efforts.

RushShelby Energy's board elections will be held at the annual meeting on Thursday, July 11, 2024. RushShelby Energy's board is made up of nine individuals who set the policy and direction of our organization. Each year at the annual meeting, members can vote on three directors to serve on the board. In 2024, the three districts up for election are 3, 6 and 9.

Any member residing in a home served by RushShelby Energy and in a district up for election, may have his or her name placed on the ballot by completing a petition. The petition must have fifteen signatures from other RushShelby Energy members living anywhere on our cooperative system. If you are interested in serving on the board by becoming a director for RushShelby Energy, you may obtain a petition from our office beginning March 5, 2024. These petitions must be completed and returned to RushShelby Energy no later than May 3, 2024. Additional information may be found on our website, www.rse.coop in the bylaws section.

Ann Sipes District 3

Robert Stroup District 6

Jill Koch District 9

GenerLink

Don't be left in the dark!

The safety of you, our members, and our employees is our number one priority at RushShelby Energy, especially during outages.

Our line crews take necessary precautions before they work on downed power lines. First, they verify a circuit has been de-energized and that the proper switches are opened and tagged to isolate the circuit from the system. The linemen place ground chains on the circuit - on both sides of the work - to ensure the line cannot be energized while they are working.

But even after these measures, our linemen can still be at risk.

Portable generators, widely used when power lines are down, can prove fatal to linemen and your neighbors when in use. A generator connected to a home's wiring or plugged into a regular household outlet can cause back feeding along power lines, which can electrocute anyone who comes into contact with them - even if the line seems dead.

To keep you and our linemen safe, RushShelby Energy now offers for purchase the GenerLink 30 AMP transfer switch.

The GenerLink is a UL-listed, socket-mounted transfer switch that provides a safe and convenient way to connect portable generator power to your home in minutes! Installed behind your electric meter, the GenerLink delivers generator power directly to your breaker box, eliminating the hassle of running power cords through your home.

The GenerLink is available for $782.83, which includes tax and installation. The GenerLink switch also serves as a surge protector and comes with a 20' cord. Payments can be billed on one month's bill or applied over 12 months.

To make an appointment please call MariBeth Schmidt at 765-544-2962. If you have questions, please call Jim Draper at 765544-2966. More details are available on our website at www.rse.coop.

The GenerLink

• Permanently installed, use it when you need it

• No rewiring or subpanel required

• Compatible with 200 Ampere Service or less

• Takes 30 minutes to install by utility personnel

• Prevents back feeding of the utility line

• UL listed meter mounted transfer switch (UL1008M)

• Requires a 240 V, four-pronged outlet on the generator

Operating the GenerLink

**Make sure to place your portable generator in a well-ventilated area near the GenerLink outside of your home.

How to safely connect portable generator power to your home:

1. Turn OFF all the circuit breakers in your breaker panel.

2. Connect the female end of your GenerLok cord to the GenerLink switch, and the male end to your generator.

3. Turn the circuit breaker of the generator OFF then power on the portable generator by following the procedures stated in the generator's owner's manual.

4. Once the generator has been running for 30 seconds, turn the circuit breaker on the generator to the ON position to deliver generator power to the GenerLink.

5. Turn ON only the essential breakers in your breaker panel. Make sure you do not exceed the maximum running wattage of your generator.

How to safely reconnect utility power to your home:

1. Turn OFF all the circuit breakers in your breaker panel.

2. Shut off your portable generator.

3. Turn ON all the circuit breakers in your breaker panel.

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Quick Links

2024 Indiana Festival Guides are now available in our lobby.

February Energy Efficiency Tip

Area rugs are an easy, cost-effective solution to cold floors. Adding area rugs to hard-surface flooring can add warmth to any room and keep your feet cozy on cold winter days. Choose rugs made from wool or other natural fibers and plush or high-pile textures for the most insulation. Place rugs in areas where you need additional warmth, like the foot of a bed or under a coffee table.

Area rugs can enhance the aesthetic of your home and keep you cozier.

Energy Conservation Bingo

Cross off a square for each energy conservation task you complete. Share this with your friends and family to see who can get a " BINGO" first.