FULL CIRCLE OF FIRSTS
Homer may be at the end of the road, but it’s the start of Alaska’s electric highway
The
Kenai Peninsula welcomed Alaska's first ultrafast electric vehicle (EV) charging station by Freewire at the end of the road in Homer. The fast-charging station is the first of nine fastcharging stations to be installed along the Railbelt corridor. A J ' s O l d To w n Steakhouse & Tavern in Homer was one of the recipients awarded a grant from the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to install a fast-charging EV station. AEA aims to help make longdistance travel, from Homer to Fairbanks, more viable for electric vehicles. The AEA EV charger grant is funded from Alaska's share of a 2017 Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement. EV enthusiasts gathered last month for a ribbon cutting ceremony at AJ's OldTown Steakhouse & Tavern. The ceremony was a collaboration between AEA, FreeWire Technology, Homer Chamber of Commerce, and AJ’s OldTown Steakhouse & Tavern. Located in Old Town Homer, AJ's is centrally located and in walking distance to the beach as well as hotels, shops, art galleries and other eateries. It is an exciting and pioneering match for Alex and Adrienne Sweeney (photographed), owners of AJ’s. Adrienne’s homesteading family dates back to one of the nine original HEA charter members and founders of the electric cooperative. H u g h S . Wat s o n was Adrienne’s greatgrandfather who, together with eight other community members, met and began working together to form Alaska’s fifth rural electric cooperative. Their first official HEA Rural
Electrification (REA) meeting was December 17, 1945, and the system was energized on March 13, 1950 lighting up Homer for 56 cooperative members (including multiple Sweeney ancestors). Hugh Watson was the recipient of HEA Meter #2. Hugh Watson also served on the HEA board of directors for many years. HEA is proud to grow with its members like Adrienne Sweeney who would have invested $500,000 in bringing the first EV fast charger to Homer. It is a true legacy to HEA’s founders and a te sta m e nt to a pioneering spirit that continues. It is no surprise to see this family at the forefront of technology. Not only is their ancestry involved in bringing electricity to the Kenai Peninsula, but this is also the same family that owned the first car and gas station in Homer over seven decades ago. During the ceremony last month, HEA gave away energy credit door prizes at the event and is looking forward to the development of future EV charging stations on the Kenai Peninsula. HEA is appreciative of the efforts that has been made by the AEA in fostering the growth of electric vehicle charging stations on the Kenai Peninsula.
Homer Mayor Ken Castner, HEA Director of Member Relations Keriann Baker, HEA Board Director Louie Flora, HEA Board Director Jim Levine, and HEA Member Services Supervisor Tanya
COURIER The Kilowatt
October 2021
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MONTH Community Born | Community Led | Focused on You
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CE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes and Homer Electric Association (HEA) all share something in common: we’re all cooperatives. We may be in different industries, but we all share a passion for serving our members and helping our communities to thrive. All cooperatives adhere to the same set of seven principles that reflect our core values. October is National Co-op Month, so this is the perfect time to reflect on these 87924003 principles that have stood the test of time but also provide a framework for the future.
Seven Cooperative Principles VOLUNTARY AND OPEN MEMBERSHIP
AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefitting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so that they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
Cooperatives are different than other types of businesses. Your electric coop exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to our members. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve. HEA returns capital credits to our members, offers low-interest line of credit on electric appliances, provides several outreach and educational programs as well as donating to various non-profit organizations in the communities we serve. In celebration and appreciation of our members, watch HEA's social media and website announcements for activities and giveaways during National Cooperative Month and LED Light Bulb Day.
HEA GENERAL MANAGER JANORSCHKE ELECTED TO CFC BOARD
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he National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) is guided by a 23-member board of directors that represents 10 geographically defined districts, the electric cooperatives' national trade association and an at-large director. The board sets overall policy, establishes programs and develops strategies for CFC. HEA'S General Manager Brad Janorschke was elected to another three-year term on the CFC Board of Directors to represent District 9.
Kilowatt Courier is a monthly online publication by Homer Electric Association, Inc.
GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
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HIDDEN EA's staff are your neighbors and active members in our communities. Here are ACCOUNT NUMBERS a few HEA employees volunteering last month. We value our HEA employees Three randomly chosen italicized and their efforts inside and outside of the office! account numbers are hidden 9-11: NEVER FORGET in the Kilowatt Courier. HEA linemen Jake Holthaus 79138004 If you find YOUR account number, call and Sam Clyde raised the American flag in 235-3338 and you'll receive a $50 honor of 9-11 victims and heroes. Check out credit which will be reflected on your next bill. Thanks for this short video of HEA honoring our heroes: reading! https://youtu.be/Cxb0d9p7zm0
CURRENT RESIDENTIAL RATES As of October 1, 2021
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)
TEAM HEA AT GEO-CHALLENGE ON THE KENAI HEA's J.D. Draves, Kris Klunder, and Kathy Heindl participated and won first place in the real-world treasure hunt, Geo-Challenge on the Kenai. Proceeds went to Kenai Central High School's scholarship fund and Challenger Learning Center's youth education programs. SERVING IT UP HEA'S Wendell Dutcher (left photo) provided root beer at the Hospice of the Central Peninsula's 4th Annual Fun Run. HEA's Cindy Glassmaker and Steve Cannon (right photo)served hot dogs and hamburgers at the Kenai Central High School and Homer High School football game. Donations were split between Kenai and Homer 14528001 High School booster clubs.
Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) 7.72 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. 30434001
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
FUNNY RIVER | ANCHOR POINT | STERLING | NIKISKI HEA NEIGHBORHOOD AREA MEETINGS
CANCELED
Due to the current state of the ongoing pandemic, HEA is being mindful and respectful of our staff's and members' safety and health.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
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omer Electric finished the month of August 2021 with a total asset base of $_____ million. Operating revenue to date was $_____ million and total costs were $_____ million, bringing net operating margins to $_____ million through August 31, 2021. This chart is a breakdown of key financial indicators comparing August 2020 to August 2021. Year to Date Operating Revenue Cost of Purchased Power
August 31, 2021 $_____million $_____ million
August 31, 2020 $_____ million $_____ million
Cost of Electric Service Operating Margins
$_____million
$_____ million
$_____ million
$_____ million
_____million
_____ million
_____
_____
Total Kilowatt Hours Sold Total Number of Meters
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
OCTOBER 2021 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.