COURIER The Kilowatt
September 2021
HEA's RIGHT-OF-WAY & TREE CLEARING PROGRAM
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ne of Homer Electric Association's (HEA) main priorities is the safety of our members and our employees. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members' yards, they can pose grave danger to families and HEA line crews. If someone accesses those trees – whether it's a child climbing the tree or an adult trimming these trees – they will be in a potentially dangerous zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. For safety and reliability reasons, HEA has practiced a proactive tree clearing program in the HEA right-of-way (ROW) over the years to prevent trees from touching or falling on its power lines and causing outages, as well as fires. HEA's robust ROW clearing program, not only keeps our community safe, but it keeps the power flowing to your home. HEA's schedule allows it to clear all the lines in its service territory at least once every seven years.
What is a Right-of-Way?
To answer some basic questions, let's begin with "What is a ROW?" It is a legal agreement between a property owner and an electric utility that allows the utility to access the property directly beneath and to each side of an electric power line. This is sometimes referred to as an easement. A ROW is the land HEA uses to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. A ROW enables the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. HEA's ROW clearing program diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for 82650003 lineworkers to safely restore power.
Respect for Private Property
Along with HEA's intent for safety and reliability by ROW clearing, your cooperative is mindful and respectful of members' private property. Prior to beginning the ROW clearing schedule for the year, HEA will notify those members in the affected areas. HEA will do its best to be sensitive in these areas and leave the cleared vegetation and downed trees in a tidy manner. The property owner can then do as they please with their cleared trees as it is their property and responsibility. Learn more about HEA’s ROW clearing at www.homerelectric.com/ safety/row-maintenance-program/.
Danger/Hazard Trees
Separate from its ROW clearing, and at the request of a member, HEA Operations can inspect and identify if a tree is a danger or hazard to HEA power lines. If it is identified by HEA Operations as a danger to HEA facilities, HEA will remove the hazard for safety purposes. Again, the property owner may do as they please with the dropped tree as it is on their private property. Please keep in mind that the property within the HEA ROW is private land. Please be a good neighbor and steward of our communities and respect private property as we enjoy outdoor activities this fall and winter.
SAVE THE DATES: HEA NEIGHBORHOOD AREA MEETINGS Meal Provided | Energy Credit Drawing | HEA Presentation Monday, October 4 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Funny River Community Center Thursday, October 7 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Anchor Point VFW Monday, October 11 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Sterling Community Center Thursday, October 14 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Nikiski North Peninsula Rec Center * These dates are tentative as we continue to monitor the COVID case numbers in our communities. Kilowatt Courier is a monthly online publication by Homer Electric Association, Inc.
CHARGING OPTIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
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lectric vehicle (EV) owners have multiple options for charging their 91968002 HIDDEN vehicle at home. There are three common EV charging levels: Level One, Level ACCOUNT NUMBERS Two and DC Fast Charge. Three randomly chosen italicized Level One Charging account numbers are hidden Level One is the most basic charging level. If you choose this option, your EV in the Kilowatt Courier. will typically include an adapter that plugs into a common 120-volt outlet. This is If you find YOUR account number, call the easiest and cheapest charging solution in terms of upfront costs, but takes much 235-3338 and you'll receive a $50 longer to charge your EV. credit which will be reflected on your next bill. Thanks for Level Two Charging reading! Level Two is about three to five times faster than Level One, but this level of charging often requires additional purchases and installation costs. The EV uses a 240-volt outlet, like your larger appliances, such as a clothes dryer. You typically see Level Two charging stations at CURRENT shopping malls, office buildings and multi-family community spaces. RESIDENTIAL RATES DC Fast Charging As of July 1, 2021 DC Fast Charging stations are typically seen near high-traffic public areas, like gas stations, All Residential Customers rather than in homes. This is the fastest charging level, with the ability to charge an EV to 80% Energy charge = 16.077 cents/kWh battery capacity in under 30 minutes. As EVs continue to become more popular, you can expect Customer charge = $20.00 to see more DC Fast Charging stations throughout Alaska. Two new stations are being installed System delivery charge = $24.12* in HEA's service area this month. (*If usage is less than 150 kWh) Currently, on the Kenai Peninsula and in HEA’s service territory, the following locations host, Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) or will host, a public EV charger. 7.99 cents per kWh* Soldotna Homer (*Subject to change on a quarterly • River City Books • Homer Electric Association, Inc. basis and upon RCA approval.) • AJ's Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern - coming soon • Whistle Hill Cafe • Heritage Square - coming soon • Art Shop Gallery See www.homerelectric.com Kenai for the latest residential and commercial rates. 30434001 • Homer Electric Association, Inc.
GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
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EA's staff are your neighbors and active members in our communities. Here are a few HEA employees volunteering for local organizations this past month. We value our HEA employees and their efforts outside of the office! LEFT: HEA Member Support Representative, April Skorski, with her husband, Ralph Skorski, volunteering at the first Homer High School football game in the Cheer Fundraiser booth. BELOW: HEA Info Services Analyst and Helping American Veterans Experience Alaska (HAVE) Board Member, Joe Halstead (top row, 3rd from left) helped facilitate a week of Alaskan adventures for seven veterans from Texas, Montana, California, and Washington.
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
MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
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omer Electric finished the month of July 2021 with a total asset base of $264.4 million. Operating revenue to date was $60.8 million and total costs were $57.2 million, bringing net operating margins to $3.6 million through July 31, 2021. This chart is a breakdown of key financial indicators comparing July 2020 to July 2021. Year to Date Operating Revenue Cost of Purchased Power
July 31, 2021 $60.8 million $37.6 million
July 31, 2020 $60.5 million $37.6 million
Cost of Electric Service Operating Margins
$19.6 million
$20.8 million
$3.6 million
$2.1 million
Total Kilowatt Hours Sold Total Number of Meters
268.9 million
258.8 million
35,828
35,489
SEPTEMBER 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.