COURIER The Kilowatt
April 2022
OUR FOCUS IS ON YOU | EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE
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ith the turn of events over the past two years, Homer Electric Association (HEA) and our staff have been flexible and mindful in the different ways of doing business. Whether it's been experiencing office closures, social distancing, and other challenges in which COVID-19 has impacted us, our mission has always remained the same. Our focus is, and will always be, on you. From helping members with their bills, restoring outages, or ensuring you have the opportunity to vote for your district representative, we will make it happen. As a member of a cooperative, HEA members can vote for their board of director in the district in which they reside. Your district ballot, candidates’ resumes, the Official Notice of the Annual Meeting of Members, the 2021 Financial Balance Sheet, and detailed instructions for voting are being mailed to members on April 4, 2022. Please exercise your right to vote and cast your vote early for your district representative. Completed and signed ballots must be received by mail no later than May 3 to be validated. There may also be an opportunity to cast your vote in-person at the Annual Meeting if COVID-19 infection rates within the service territory remain low. While it is our plan to host an in-person Annual Meeting, we cannot guarantee the in-person Annual Meeting and therefore we 11836002 strongly encourage all members to vote by mail. Eight candidates will be on the ballot for the Board of Directors’ 2022 election. HEA directors are elected by the members in their respective district, with members voting only for the candidate residing in their district. This year, the following candidates are seeking election to the HEA board: DISTRICT 1 (Kenai – Nikiski – parts of Soldotna area): Daniel Hyman of Soldotna, Summer Lazenby of Soldotna, and Wayne H. Ogle of Nikiski will be on the ballot for District 1. DISTRICT 2 (Soldotna – Sterling – Kasilof): Daniel Furlong from Soldotna is running unopposed for the seat in District 2. DISTRICT 3 (Kasilof south to Kachemak Bay area): Troy Jones of Homer, Lonnie Lambert of Ninilchik, Erin McKittrick of Seldovia, and Dr. Douglas A. Stark of Homer will be running for the District 3 seat. More information on the election and candidates are available on HEA’s website at https://www.homerelectric.com/my-cooperative/board-of-directors/ elections/.
HEA ANNUAL MEETING: MAY 4 | WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
For your convenience and ease, HEA is offering various options to participate in this year’s Annual Meeting. Details will be in your ballot packet mailed on April 4. • Our goal is to host an in-person Annual Meeting on May 4 Meeting at Kenai Central High School with registration beginning at 4:30 PM, business meeting at 6:00 PM. • Early registration for Annual Meeting attendance Register early from April 20, 2022, through May 3, 2022 and skip the line at the Annual Meeting! Register at www.homerelectric.com/my-cooperative/annual-meeting • View the live stream online There will be a live stream of the meeting for online viewing purposes only • Submit questions prior to the meeting Do you have a question you would like to share with the membership? If so, please complete the form on our website at www.homerelectric.com/my-cooperative/annual-meeting. This site will be open for questions until 5:00 PM on May 2, 2022. Questions will be compiled, and to the extent possible, answered during the General Manager’s presentation of the Annual Meeting. Kilowatt Courier is a monthly online publication by Homer Electric Association, Inc.
THANK A LINEWORKER....EVERY DAY
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HIDDEN pril 11 is National Lineworker Appreciation Day, but it's no secret that we ACCOUNT NUMBERS appreciate our HEA lineworkers each and every day. Their jobs are tough Three randomly chosen italicized –– but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. account numbers are hidden Lineworkers must be committed to their career––because it’s not just a job, it’s in the Kilowatt Courier. a lifestyle. The long hours and ever-present danger can truly take a toll. In fact, being If you find YOUR account number, call a lineworker is listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. 235-3338 and you'll receive a $50 Lineworkers often work non-traditional hours, outdoors in difficult conditions. credit which will be reflected on The job requires technical skills, years of training and hands-on learning. Did you know your next bill. Thanks for that to become a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training (or reading! about four years)? That’s because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience and an ongoing mental toughness. Shortcuts are not an option, and there is CURRENT no room for error in this line of work. RESIDENTIAL RATES Despite the many challenges, HEA’s lineworkers are committed to powering our local As of April 1, 2022 community. During severe weather events that bring major power outages, lineworkers are among 49051008 the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their home All Residential Customers and families unexpectedly, and they don’t return until the job is done, sometimes days later. Energy charge = 16.077 cents/kWh Customer charge = $20.00 That’s why the lineworker’s family is also dedicated to service. They understand the importance System delivery charge = $24.12* of the job to the community. (*If usage is less than 150 kWh) Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers. HEA has 14 lineworkers that are responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365 days a year. To do this, they maintain Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) 2,499 miles of power lines across 3,166 square miles. 7.80 cents per kWh* Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking lineworkers, we (*Subject to change on a quarterly basis and upon RCA approval.) simply would not have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11 and follow “#ThankALineworker” on social See www.homerelectric.com media to see how others are recognizing lineworkers.
ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR BUDGET BILLING PROGRAM
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o you want to simplify your bill paying and even out your electric payments? To help avoid the high and low billing cycles due to seasonal fluctuations, HEA offers a valuable program to help its members. HEA's Budget Billing Program charges a set amount each month with a “true up” bill each spring. You will still pay for the actual amount of energy used, but the costs will be spread evenly over a 12-month period. It allows you to budget 76951003 a more stable amount to cover your electric bill, especially if your bills are usually higher in the winter. This is also an ideal program for seasonal members who use auto draft services to pay their electric bill. The enrollment period for this program is only open in March, April and May of each year. For more information and to enroll, please contact a member support representative.
RATE CHANGE FOR SECOND QUARTER 2022
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EA members will likely see a rate change effective April 1, 2022. HEA has submitted a filing with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) that requests a change in the Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) from $0.07600 per kilowatt-hour to $ $0.07801 kilowatt-hour. COPA reflects the cost of the fuel purchased by HEA to generate electricity and purchased power. It is adjusted on a quarterly basis. If approved, the new rate will mean an approximate increase of $1.10 per month for the average HEA residential member using 550-kilowatt hours a month. Pending approval from the RCA, the rate change will be effective April 1, 2022.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
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omer Electric finished the month of February 2022 with a total asset base of $263.4 million. Operating revenue to date was $17.0 million and total costs were $16.3 million, bringing net operating margins to $ 0.7 million through February 28, 2022. This chart is a breakdown of key financial indicators comparing February 2021 to February 2022. Year to Date Operating Revenue Cost of Purchased Power
February 28, 2022 $ 17.0 million $10.4 million
February 28, 2021 $18.0 million $10.9 million
Cost of Electric Service Operating Margins
$5.9 million
$5.4 million
$0.7 million
$1.7 million
Total Kilowatt Hours Sold Total Number of Meters
78.9 million
82.1 million
36,015
35,661
for the latest residential and commercial rates.
BOARD of DIRECTORS & MANAGER Ed Oberts, President (907) 398-8039 Erin McKittrick, Vice President (907) 299-6994 Jim Duffield, Sec./Treasurer (907) 283-2203 Jim Levine, Deputy Secretary (907) 299-0323 Dan Chay, Director (907) 283-9227 Mike Chenault, Director (907) 398-1010 Louie Flora, Director (907) 717-9602 Charles "C.O." Rudstrom, Director (907 ) 420-7124 Robert Wall, Director (907) 398-9191 Brad Janorschke, General Manager (907) 283-2312
APRIL 2022 KILOWATT COURIER Homer Electric Association, Inc. 3977 Lake Street Homer, AK 99603 (907) 235-8551 (800) 478-8551 280 Airport Way Kenai, AK 99611 (907) 283-5831 www.homerelectric.com Homer Electric Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.