COURIER The Kilowatt
July | August 2022
UPGRADES TO OUR UNDERGROUND SYSTEM HEA continues to address the concerns of aging underground cables in the HEA distribution system and is working on the following projects this summer: Homer Spit. HEA determined that the express feeder that runs under the boardwalk had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. We replaced the express feeder cable in May which will improve the reliability of service in the area. Cable Injection Project. Our underground electrical cables are aging, which means that their protective insulation is beginning to deteriorate. This can cause cracks, which can lead to unplanned power outages. HEA has been using cable injection technologies over the past several years to repair the cables using a silicone injection process. The silicone fills the cracks in the cables and extends the useful life of the cable. This summer we have been working in the following areas: • Funny River Road • Kenai Spur Highway (Kenai to Soldotna) • Sterling Highway (Soldotna to Sterling) Port Graham. HEA replaced aging cables in the Port Graham area. HEA is sensitive to how maintenance related outages impact its members. To alleviate the inconvenience, we are providing advance notice to affected neighborhoods prior to the start of work.
ENERGY CALCULATOR HEA encourages members to take control of their electrical bill by becoming more efficient with your energy usage. 94186 To aid in this effort, HEA is happy to announce that our new energy calculator tool is now on our website and can help members determine which commonly used items around the home has the greatest impact on your electrical bill. Knowing and understanding your usage and adjusting accordingly is the first line of defense against high energy bills, especially during winter months. Check it out on our website today!
KEEP UTILITY POLES SAFE People often ask if it's all right to attach signs or other objects to a utility pole. Please don't. It could create a safety hazard. Why are pole attachments a safety issue? Although electric, phone, cable and other workers who need access to poles most often use bucket trucks, some jobs or some terrain may require that workers climb or come in contact with the pole. Nails, tacks, screws, and staples left in a pole from attaching signs or other objects can cause rips in insulating gloves, tear clothing, cut workers, or lead to life-threatening accidents that could hurt people and interrupt service. Signs for yard sales, parties, or other events should be put on stakes or other safe locations, not on utility poles. 49344 We wish you good luck with your event, and appreciate your cooperation in maintaining safe facilities for our employees and our customers. continued on back page... Kilowatt Courier is a monthly online publication by Homer Electric Association, Inc.
GOING LIVE! HOMER ELECTRIC'S PODCAST FOR MEMBERS
HIDDEN ACCOUNT NUMBERS
HEA's new monthly podcast “Going Live!” made its debut in January to connect Three randomly chosen italicized with you, our members! HEA's Public Relations and State Affairs Strategist Tanya account numbers are hidden Lautaret and Information Services Analyst Joe Halstead host a monthly podcast in the Kilowatt Courier. on the last Tuesday of each month. If you find YOUR account number, call The "Going Live!" hosts talk about industry-specific trends, energy savings, 235-3338 and you'll receive a $50 renewables, safety, and generation, and meet with professionals in the industry credit which will be reflected on your next bill. Thanks for to get an idea of what it takes to deliver power to HEA members. Click Here to tune reading! into one of our episodes: •
S1/E1: Energy Savings with Colleen Fisk, the Energy Education Director with REAP
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S1/E2: A Day in the Life of a HEA Lineman, special guest Journeyman Lineman, Sam Clyde
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S1/E3: Light Out! with Barry Jackman, HEA Supervisor of Distribution Dispatch Services
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S1/E4: Manage My Usage and Bill with Brandon Wilson, HEA Metering/Apparatus Superintendent
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S1/E5: What’s Bugging Our Forest, back by popular demand, Journeyman Lineman, Sam Clyde
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S1 /E6: Net Metering, shedding some light on renewable energy with Tyler Cheatwood
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S1 /E7: Summer 2022 Interns with America Jefferys and Lliam Boss - Harmon
ENJOY FOOD, GIVEAWAYS, CO-OP UPDATE AT UPCOMING NEIGHBORHOOD AREA MEETINGS Homer Electric is excited to be hosting its neighborhood area meetings and to connect with members and share an update on the cooperative. General Manager Brad Janorschke will be on hand, as well as other key members of the HEA staff, to provide information on the cooperative’s activities and current projects. Area meetings typically begin at 5:30 p.m. with complimentary food and refreshments followed by a brief presentation and the opportunity for members to ask questions. Door prizes for energy credits will also be drawn. Homer Electric looks forward to another opportunity to connect with our cooperative members.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR HEA NEIGHBORHOOD AREA MEETINGS •
August 30 at 12:30 pm – Seldovia Sea Otter Community Center
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October 13 at 5:00 pm - Anchor Point VFW
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October 20 at 5:00 pm – Funny River Community Center
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October 25 at 5:00 pm - Nikiski Community Recreation Center
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October 26 at Noon - Soldotna and Kenai Chamber Luncheon
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November 1 at 5:00 pm - BESS Plant Ribbon Cutting, Soldotna Plant
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November 10 at Noon - Homer Rotary Luncheon
CURRENT RESIDENTIAL RATES As of July 1, 2022
All Residential Customers Energy charge = 16.077 cents/kWh Customer charge = $20.00 System delivery charge = $24.12* (*If usage is less than 150 kWh)
Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) 7.718 cents per kWh* (*Subject to change on a quarterly basis and upon RCA approval.)
See www.homerelectric.com for the latest residential and commercial rates. 68815
BOARD of DIRECTORS & MANAGER Dan Furlong, President (907) 398-8174 Erin McKittrick, Vice President (907) 299-6994 Jim Duffield, Sec./Treasurer (907) 283-2203 C.O. Rudstrom, Deputy Secretary (907) 420-7124 Mike Chenault, Director (907) 398-1010 Louie Flora, Director (907) 717-9602 Jim Levine, Director (907) 299-0323 Wayne Ogle, Director (907) 690-1308 Robert Wall, Director (907) 398-9191
MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Brad Janorschke, General Manager (907) 283-2312
Homer Electric finished the month of June 2022 with a total asset base of $263.4 million. Operating revenue to date was $51.5 million and total costs were $50.2 million, bringing net operating margins to $1.3 million through June 30, 2022. This chart is a breakdown of key financial indicators comparing June 2021 to June 2022. Year to Date Operating Revenue Cost of Purchased Power
June 30, 2022 $ 51.5 million $ 33.0 million
June 30, 2021 $ 52.5 million $ 32.4 million
Cost of Electric Service Operating Margins
$ 17.2 million $ 1.3 million
$ 16.7 million $ 3.4 million
Total Kilowatt Hours Sold Total Number of Meters
$ 222.5 million kWh 36,233
$ 231.9 million kWh 35,810
JULY | AUGUST 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.