KPUB 2025 Spring Newsletter

Page 1


Energy Hub

Powering Ahead Together:

City Council Approves KPUB Generation Project

KPUB is entering an exciting new chapter in the power generation market to help ensure stable rates for our customers for decades to come.

In March, the Kerrville City Council unanimously approved our plan to build a natural gas-fired power generation facility, marking a historic step forward for our locally owned and controlled utility.

This strategic initiative has been a long-term consideration for KPUB. Our mission is to be a responsive and efficient, locally-owned provider of safe and reliable utility service at the lowest responsible price. Owning our own generation allows us to live that mission, giving us greater control over our power supply and better protecting customers from market price volatility.

We’re grateful for the countless hours our board, city council, and staff invested in reviewing and advancing this project. Their thoughtful leadership made this milestone possible.

Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the 122 MW facility operational by June 2027. While KPUB will remain part of the ERCOT market, this project—combined with an updated hedging program—will provide added protection from price volatility, especially during extreme weather events such as Winter Storm Uri in 2021.

We’re proud to be one of only 16 finalists initially selected for the Texas Energy Fund’s (TEF) In-ERCOT Loan Program—and the only municipally owned utility among them. Project costs are estimated at $160-165 million, with 60% funded through a low-interest TEF loan and the remaining 40% through tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by KPUB.

This project strengthens KPUB’s ability to protect our ratepayers and continue offering some of the lowest electric rates in Texas and across the nation.

As we take this exciting step forward, we’re proud to be creating a brighter, more resilient energy future— powering ahead together. Visit kpub.com/power to explore FAQs and view additional community resources for this project.

KPUB Plugged Into Our Community

L to R: 1st row, Tally Elementary Career Day, 3/7; Volunteering at a local food pantry event, 1/27; 2nd row, Assembling Courthouse Christmas Tree, 11/14; Leadership Kerr County Solar Field Tour, 2/18; 3rd row, KPUB sponsorship for KISD Robotics Team, 12/20; Salvation Army Thanksgiving Meal Prep, 11/26; 4th row, KPUB Community Blood Drive, 12/13; Bell ringing for the Salvation Army, 12/14.

Your Opinion Matters

Your feedback is very important to us. Please help KPUB improve by taking the 2025 customer satisfaction survey. KPUB partners with Great Blue Research annually to conduct a customer satisfaction survey to measure the community’s overall satisfaction with our ability to provide safe, reliable and competitively priced electric service.

To tell us how we are doing and help us identify improvements, please complete our short survey online at kpub.com/survey by May 16. All responses will remain confidential.

4+ Years Without a Lost-Time Work Injury

At KPUB, safety is our way of life— because every employee must make it home safely to their family each night.

We’re proud to celebrate over 4+ years without a lost-time work injury! That’s more than 1,460 days of looking out for one another and doing the job the right way: the safe way.

This incredible milestone reflects our team’s dedication, continuous training, and commitment to keeping safety at the forefront of everything we do. Cheers to our amazing employees for making safety not just a policy, but a culture!

We’ve consolidated our automated phone communications into one easy-to-use number to better serve you!

We have now transitioned our outage reporting phone number (previously 830.257.2883) to our secure pay-by-phone number.

Now, with just one number, you can:

• Report outages

• Make phone payments

• Get text communications & more!

Please save this number for future use: 855.959.2496

Our customer service team is happy to help if you have any questions! Contact us still at 830.257.3050.

Photos:

KPUB Recognized Nationally for Hurricane Relief Efforts

KPUB Names Amy Dozier as Assistant General Manager

KPUB has been honored with a national commendation from the American Public Power Association for its outstanding support in power restoration following Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

In September, KPUB deployed a team of eight linemen to assist in Georgia and Florida, dedicating three weeks to help communities recover after the storms. Despite challenging conditions, including high water levels and long hours, the crew stepped up—extending their trip to support Lakeland, Florida, a city KPUB also aided after Hurricane Irma in 2017.

This marks the 13th time KPUB has answered the call through the APPA Mutual Aid Network.

Photos: Photo 1 (group), KPUB linemen that helped with hurricane power restoration efforts, left to right: Trey Owen, Josh Whitworth (crew leader), Eric Hancock, Nathaniel Crabtree, Jose Valdez, Justin Martinez, Toby Geurin (crew leader) and Joseph Buenrostro; Photo 2, KPUB lineman, Jose Valdez, restoring power in Moultrie, GA, after damages from Hurricane Helene.

KPUB is pleased to announce the promotion of Amy Dozier to Assistant General Manager. Amy joined KPUB in 2021 as Director of Finance, bringing more than 20 years of experience in auditing, corporate accounting, and public finance—including serving as CFO for the City of Kerrville.

Her leadership has been key in advancing KPUB’s generation project, a major initiative for the utility’s future. “Amy’s dedication and expertise have made a lasting impact on KPUB and the community we serve,” said Mike Wittler, KPUB General Manager & CEO. “We’re excited to see her continue to grow in this expanded leadership role.”

Chill Out & Save: KPUB’s Cool Tips for Hot Days

Beat the heat and your electric bill this summer with these easy, energy-smart habits:

Smart Settings for Summer Savings

Set your thermostat to 78°F while you’re home to stay cool without overworking your AC. When you’re away, bump it up a few degrees—every little change adds up to lower energy bills!

Fan-tastic comfort: Ceiling fans make you feel cooler—just remember they cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave.

Shade it up: Block out the summer sun by closing curtains or blinds during peak hours. Less heat inside = less AC needed.

Cook cool: Skip the oven and use the microwave, grill, or slow cooker to keep your home cooler.

Bonus: fewer dishes!

Seal the deal: Weatherstrip doors and windows to keep cool air in and hot air out. A quick DIY that pays off year-round!

Bonus Tip: KPUB offers rebates and programs to help make your home more energy-efficient.

Learn more about our energy saving programs and tips at kpub.com/saveenergy.

830.257.3050 | KPUB.COM

2250 Memorial Blvd

Kerrville, Texas 78028

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Power Hour at KPUB: Energy Myths Unplugged

FACTS VERSUS FICTION IN YOUR POWER BILL

Thursday, April 24, 2025

9 a.m.–10 a.m.

KPUB Boardroom

RSVP required

We’ll separate fact from fiction, debunking common energy myths and providing expert insights on how to use electricity more efficiently. Learn what works and doesn’t, and how to make informed decisions to manage your energy use and costs.

Learn more at kpub.com/powerhour. RSVP to dowens@kpub.com or 830.257.3050.

Community Energy Savings & Bingo Event

Friday, May 9, 2025

Doyle Community Center

You’re Invited:

Power Up to Eat, Play & Save!

Join KPUB and AACOG (Alamo Area Council of Governments) for a fun and informative community event at the Doyle Community Center from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (come and go!)

Learn how to lower your electric bill and make your home more energy-efficient with free weatherization funding (eligibility required), KPUB energy-saving programs, bill discounts, and expert tips to save energy at home. There will be bonus fun from 12 p.m.–2 p.m. with free lunch, bingo, and live music by Ray Gutierrez. Plus, score prizes, LED light bulbs, and even a free box fan (while supplies last). Enter to win a smart thermostat package, too!

Learn more at kpub.com/weatherization.

June 2025 Food Drive

Help Us Stock the Shelves!

KPUB is hosting a Community Food Pantry Drive to support the Doyle Community Center’s Food Pantry, which serves over 3,000 local families each year.

We’re collecting canned veggies, dry goods, and household essentials like toilet paper and shampoo.

Drop off donations at KPUB’s Main Office (2250 Memorial Blvd.) from June 1-30, 2025. Let’s work together to fight food insecurity in our community!

KPUB Community Blood Drive

Thursday, June 19, 2025

9 a.m.–2 p.m. By appointment only. Sign up now to help save lives! Learn more at kpub.com/blooddrive.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.