Energy Cooperative Times Magazine September & October 2022

TIMES Sep tember & Oc t ober 2022

A trusted propane provider

p g. 10

S a f e, Rel i a bl e & a f f orda bl e

in this issue

president's message PG. 3 fire prevention PG. 7 reality check on solar Pg. 8 energy price volatility Pg. 11 igs energy partnership pg. 13

In this issue President’s Message 3 director's corner 4 national co-op month 5 1500 Granville Road Newark, Ohio 43058 1.800.255.6815

cyber security awareness 6 fire prevention 7 reality check on solar 8

myenergycoop.com

energy price volatility 11

Todd Ware President & CEO

igs energy partnership 13

Gary Baker Vice president of member services & marketing Heather Juzenas Member Services Manager Natasha Short Communication & Marketing Specialist

Connect with us Do we have your current contact information? Check in the SmartHub app. Click the ...(more) link.

Then open Settings > Contact Methods. If Place on Do Not Call List is selected, you will not receive calls from us (even important ones about planned outages or work in your area). To make the most of your SmartHub account, go to Manage Notifications and select how we can best communicate with you. Questions? Contact us at 1-800-255-6815 or email feedback@theenergycoop.com.

Energy Cooperative Times is the official publication of Energy Cooperative. This magazine is a bi-monthly communication link between Energy Cooperative and its 67,500+ members.

President's message

By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer

When will you start paying The following factors were considered by the board of capital credits? This is a directors: question we have heard many times during the past 20+ years.

• Amount to be retired: Cooperatives must balance the The Energy Cooperative last risk of harming their financial position by paying capital paid capital credits in 1999, credits with its desire to return them to the electric although we allocate them to members • Age of capital credits: Cooperatives must balance the our members every year. Paying capital credits stopped when desire to retire old capital credits with a desire to include our equity position fell below newer members 20%. As a requirement of our • Timing: Key points include when capital credits are Todd Ware mortgage, we needed to wait retired, the amount being retired and how the cooperative until we were in a better financial position to return capital communicates this to members. to our members.

The projected retirement for this year is $671,840. The retirement will be 50% towards the year 1981 and 50% toward I am pleased to announce that after 2001 so that we can retire to two different ages of capital credits. all these years we will retire capital In addition, the board of directors approved a supplemental retirement of 50% of remaining 1980 allocated capital credits.

credits to electric members this fall!

As in the past, the board of directors determines annually if retiring capital credits is possible (considering the financial position of the cooperative before approving that year’s retirement).

Your board of directors approved the final piece of the retirement at its June board meeting. If you are new to our cooperative, you might be wondering what capital credits are and why we pay them.

Retiring capital credits is an extremely exciting event for the board of directors and employees of Energy Cooperative.

What are capital credits?

For those of us who have been around to see the growth and Sharing excess revenue with members is a core cooperative improved financial strength of Energy Cooperative this is principle. Margins that are not reinvested back into the system another big step towards fully embracing the seven cooperative are allocated to members based on the energy they purchased principles we try to live by each day with fulfilling principle during the year. Federal tax law provides cooperatives with #3: Members' Economic Participation. We look forward to certain preferences and exemptions, such as federal tax- providing you more information soon. exempt status. This exemption requires we run our cooperative “at cost” not charging more than what it costs us to bring our members safe and reliable energy. Every cooperative board decides how and when to retire (pay) capital credits to its members.

Capital Credit Decisions The board of directors chose a hybrid method of retiring capital credits based on total allocated margins in electric members equity as of December 31st of the payment year.

Each year’s retirement amount will be towards the 40th and 20th years prior to the payment year, with 50% of the amount paid toward each year.

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Director's corner

By Don Hawk, District 1 Director, CCD, BLC, DGC In June, damaging storms moved through Ohio, affecting many cooperative service areas, including my residence and farm in northern Knox County.

Once the storms passed, we were without power, and I knew I needed to take action to keep my family and livestock safe.

Our first concern was to get the power back on to ventilate the barn and water livestock. One step outside confirmed what I was afraid of, there was a complete mess. As far as I could see, trees and power lines were on the ground. I understood quickly that this would be impactful – not only to my farm and my family – but to many cooperative members!

Don Hawk

While I am very thankful that I was prepared and able to run during an outage, the impact is significant. We were out of electricity for almost three days, resulting in one hundred gallons of diesel fuel per day used to keep the tractors running.

This included trips to fill each generator that ran non-stop for 24 hours. Our home was pretty warm inside by the third day and a little uncomfortable. So, saying we smiled with relief when the power came on is an understatement. But more importantly, our family, livestock and cooperative workers were safe after fighting through every mess they faced for over a week. We are so grateful for crews and our teams at Energy Cooperative.

We were fortunate to not have sustained any substantial damage, but I still carefully examined our property and power lines with safety as my sole focus.

Follow these safety tips when assessing the damage: • Look up to know what is down (power lines could be on the ground covered with debris).

• Remain at least 30 feet away from downed lines.

• Consider all lines down energized.

• Call the cooperative’s outage line at 1-888-535-5732 to report an outage.

From what I could see, I knew my power wouldn’t be fully restored within a couple of hours. Thanks to two tractor powered generators, we had our power up and running within minutes. Being prepared well in advance is everything.

I encourage you to think about what your family needs to live without power for multiple days and get prepared.

Consider these things when preparing for an outage: • Compile a storm kit (non-perishable food and water, first aid kit, a charged cell phone, tablet or laptop, backup batteries, battery-operated radio, flashlights, can opener).

• Establish an evacuation plan and common meeting place • Plan on an alternative heat source.

• Have coolers or ice chests available.

• Install backup generators.

Pictured: Don Hawk with his family

As a Director of the Energy Cooperative, I send a high-five out to our field workers for another job well done. The June storm brought many unique challenges, and our cooperative teams managed it with great ability. It's just one more reason I'm honored to be a Director for your cooperative.

October is national co-op month

By Gary Baker, Vice President of Member Services & Marketing

Gary Baker

Fall is a busy time, and October is a particularly eventful month with school, community and sports activities in full swing.

It’s also when all cooperatives celebrate National Co-op Month.

When the Energy Cooperative celebrates Co-op Month, it really means we are celebrating you! After all, our cooperative wouldn’t exist without you, our members.

Similar to how our wires and pipelines run through our service territory, our concern for community flows through all of our decisions, because being a co-op means being a responsible partner and good neighbor.

We’re proud to support local youth through Youth Tour, scholarships and sponsoring local athletics, arts and STEM programs through the schools. Because of the generosity of our members, we offer Operation Round Up to provide assistance to community groups and organizations. We partner with and support area foodbanks and other organizations, such as the Salvation Army, Eastside Community Ministries, St. Vincent Haven, Big Brothers Big Sisters and more.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties at Bowl for Kids

The word “cooperative” is close to “cooperation,” meaning people working together towards a common goal—mutually benefitting one another and the larger community. That’s the essence of the cooperative spirit. We put our members’ priorities first. As your trusted energy partner, we know that saving energy and money is important to you. That’s why we have numerous programs in place to help, including rebates for electric members, budget billing, metered propane and our Co-op Connections program.

Licking Memorial Health Systems "For Your Health" 5K Run/ 1-Mile Fun Walk

We encourage our members to manage energy use at home.

If you haven’t already, take a moment and download our app, SmartHub. Through the app, you can conveniently monitor and manage your energy use. And, we’re of course here to help, so give us a call if you have questions about your energy bills.

The Energy Cooperative works to help our community thrive through initiatives led by our employees and local board of directors that’s comprised of neighbors who live right here in our community. Because we’re local, we understand our community’s unique needs and strive to help meet them.

The Energy Cooperative is continuously examining ways to operate more efficiently while continuing to provide the highest level of friendly, reliable service you expect and deserve. After all, we’re your Energy Cooperative, and we are here to serve you.

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Cyber Security AWARENESS MONTH

By Scott Stitts, Vice President & Chief Information Officer In today’s digital world, cyberattacks are unfortunately nothing new. Cyber criminals can attack on a multitude of levels, from large-scale attacks targeting corporations to smaller phishing attacks aimed to gain an individual’s personal information.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but you should practice good cyber hygiene year-round. When we hear about massive data breaches, it can feel overwhelming and lead us to think we are powerless as individuals to stop cyber criminals.

Scott Stitts

The truth is, there are steps we can take to safeguard our devices and data. Here are four ways to boost your cyber hygiene: 1. Enable multi-factor authentication. Also known as two-step verification, multi-factor authentication adds a second step when logging into an account and increases the security of the account. This second step could include an extra PIN, answering an extra security question, a code received via email or a secure token. Regardless of the type of authentication, this added step makes it twice as hard for cyber criminals to access your account. Not every account offers multi-factor authentication, but it is becoming increasingly popular and should be used when available.

2. Use strong passwords. Your passwords should always be long, unique and complex. Create passwords using at least twelve characters, never reuse passwords for multiple accounts and use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters. Consider using a password manager to store them easily and securely in one place.

3. Update software. It may seem obvious, but regularly updating software is one of the easiest ways to keep your personal information secure. Most companies push automatic updates and will send reminders so you can easily install the update. If you are not receiving automatic software updates, set a reminder to do so quarterly.

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Be aware that cyber criminals do send fake updates; these typically appear as a pop-up window when visiting a website.

Use good judgement and always think before you click.

4. Recognize and report phishing attacks. Do not take the bait when cyber criminals go phishing. The signs of a phishing attack can be subtle, so take the extra time to thoroughly inspect emails. Most phishing emails include offers that are too good to be true, an urgent or alarming tone, misspellings and poorly crafted language, ambiguous greetings, strange requests or an email address that does not match the company name. Most platforms like Outlook, Gmail and Mac Mail allow users to report phishing emails.

If you suspect a phishing attempt, take an extra minute to report it.

Cyber criminals are here to stay, but when we all take a risk-based approach to our cyber behavior, we are creating a safer internet for all.

See Yourself in Cyber.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month Improve your cyber hygiene by doing these four things: 1. Enable multi-factor authentication 2. Use strong passwords and a password manager 3. Update software regularly 4. Recognize and report phishing attacks

FIRE PREVENTION

By Connie Hogue, Vice President of Human Resources and Safety The National Fire Protection The NFPA recommends you: • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home on the Association (NFPA) has ceiling or high on the wall dedicated a week in October • Keep smoke alarms at least 10 feet from your oven or stove to focus on fire prevention in preparation for the winter to reduce false alarms months. During this week, • Use special alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers for people who are hard of hearing people are encouraged to think • Test smoke alarms monthly about ways to minimize their • Replace batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon risks and come up with a safety plan. With Fire Prevention Week monoxide detector annually • Replace smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old celebrating its 100th anniversary Connie Hogue this year from October 9th through the 15th, it's the perfect time to review and practice Make an Escape Plan fire safety.

A fire can spread quickly, leaving only a minute or two to escape. With a home fire being reported every 88 seconds, Minimize Your Risks it is important to have a home escape plan and making sure Fire is the third leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14. everyone in the household is aware of the plan. The NFPA One death from a preventable fire is one too many. There are suggests the following guidelines to help create this plan: • Start by drawing a map for your home many causes of fires such as smoking, electrical problems and • Plan two ways to escape from each room candles. The top two leading causes of home fires and injuries • Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open are cooking and heating. While preparing and planning for the winter weather and holiday season, keep these safety tips easily in mind.

• Identify secondary routes: a window onto an adjacent roof or a collapsible ladder from a second floor window • If you live in a multi-story building, plan to use the stairs • Don’t use the oven or stove if you’re tired or under the – never the elevator influence • Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance from • Stay in the kitchen when the food is cooking and check on the house it regularly • Keep all flammables materials, like paper, clothing, bedding, drapes or rugs, at least 3 feet from a space heaters, According to the NFPA, 71% of Americans have a home fire stoves or fireplaces escape plan but only 47% practice it. Practice your fire drill • Never leave portable heaters, candles and fireplaces with everyone in the house at night and during the day, twice a year. Remember to: unattended • Practice getting out with eyes closed, crawling low to the • Keep children and pets away from space heaters floor and keeping your mouth covered • Check all cords and replace any that are frayed or have • Practice closing doors behind you bare wires • Practice how to “stop, drop and roll” if your clothes catch • Switch to flameless candles on fire • Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach • Practice testing door handles to see if they are hot before opening them Importance of Smoke Alarms • Teach children never to hide and how to escape on their Properly installing and maintaining a smoke alarm can be the own in case you can’t help them difference between a life-or-death situation. Smoke alarms are an integral part for early detection of a fire. About three out of five fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms.

By following proper fire safety guidelines, you can increase your chances of preventing a fire or dangerous situation for you and your family.

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reality check on solar

By Ohio Electric Cooperatives

The hours of bright sunshine that come with scorching Ohio summers often spur people to consider harnessing energy from the sky’s brightest star with rooftop solar panels. It sounds even more attractive when smooth-talking salespeople make promises that sound almost too good to be true.

The reality of going solar, however, isn’t nearly as black and white as those salespeople might make it sound. As with most things that have to do with electricity in the homes of co-op members, a partnership between the homeowner, the cooperative, and the contractor leads to the best outcomes. The more informed members are throughout the process, the happier they are with the results of their solar installation.

Bright side

Demarco Deshaies of Rockridge in Hocking County decided to investigate solar as a backup after losing electric service for several days following a devastating February 2022 winter storm.

“We didn’t have water when we were without power, or internet, and we lost a lot of food,” says Deshaies, a South Central Power Company member. With a small child and wife at home, Deshaies didn’t want to go through that experience again, so he began researching solar as a backup power solution, to keep the basics working in case of similar outages in the future.

Deshaies, a do-it-yourselfer, wanted to install the solar system himself. He checked out some YouTube videos and studied the solar facts sheets on South Central Power’s website, then contacted Jacob Atkins, an energy advisor at South Central Power. The two worked together to make sure Deshaies’ plan would meet all state and local requirements, would integrate into the grid, and made overall sense. Once he had all the facts, he could move forward with confidence.

Dark side

Over the past two years alone, 62 co-op members of Wellington-based Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative and Attica-based North Central Electric Cooperative have contacted the co-ops’ energy advisors with tales of roofs collapsing, inoperable solar panel systems sold by door-todoor salespeople using high-pressure sales tactics, and life savings up in smoke.

“Those are just the ones who have called us,” says Ed VanHoose, general manager of both LMRE and NCE. “We know there are many, many more than that.”

The total cost of Deshaies’ solar panel system was $16,400, which included 14 rooftop panels and a battery to store power. It took him three days and some help from friends to install the system, and it’s been up and supplying power since Memorial Day weekend. “A sunny day supplies just a little more power than we consume in a day,” Deshaies says, “and a cloudy, rainy day produces about half what we need.”

He programmed the system to prioritize keeping his 10-kWh battery fully charged so he’ll have backup power in the event of an outage.

He’s been happy enough that he’s considering installing more panels and battery storage to double his generation and storage capacity and potentially eliminate his $150-permonth electric bill. Deshaies did the math and says his break-even date for the cost of the system would be 11 years, but that a 26% tax credit for buying the system would cut that time to 6 years.

Glenn Miller, president and CEO of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative in Millersburg, has heard similar horror stories.

“It’s heartbreaking to see some of our members have been misled and taken financial advantage of,” Miller says. “We are always looking out for the best interests of our members, which is why we encourage them to contact us regarding home solar installation.”

The stories, of course, aren’t limited to just a few co-ops; complaints come in from every corner of the state. In fact, the Better Business Bureau took in nearly 900 grievances raised by consumers against one company alone — about 100 were escalated to the state attorney general’s office.

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DARK SIDE continued from page 8

VanHoose and Miller decided to act. In April, Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative issued an urgent warning to its co-op members to call their cooperative before signing a solar contract.

Retired Ohio law enforcement officer Mark Mondello saw Holmes-Wayne’s warning post on Facebook. He wishes he had seen it two years ago before he purchased 15 panels for $26,000.

“The sales rep said, ‘there’s a tax credit available of $8,000, but tomorrow it will be gone, you have to sign now if you want to take advantage of that,’” Mondello says. “He really pushed us hard to get that sale right now. If we’d had time to look further into the company and even just waited a week, we wouldn’t have signed or would have gone with a different company — or not bought solar panels at all.”

It’s a decision he regrets every day. “Why would I spend $26,000 to save $15 a month on my electric bill?” Mondello and his wife wanted to save money and also wanted to help the environment. Now they have a leaky roof and a $170 monthly

Another Solar Option

Harnessing the power of the sun with solar is possible without buying an individual rooftop solar panel system. The renewable, green energy source, generated and transmitted

by Buckeye Power for OEC members, has been available since 2017 when the OurSolar program was launched.

“Renewables, including solar, represent a small but growing part of OEC’s supply,” says Ben Wilson, director of power engineering delivery at Buckeye Power, the generation cooperative that supplies power to all of Ohio’s electric distribution co-ops. The growth coincides with what Wilson describes as growing demand for solar from co-op members across Ohio.

The majority of Buckeye Power’s supply comes from coal plants, but hydroelectricity and solar are part of its power generation portfolio too.

The OurSolar program, which offers co-op members the opportunity to prioritize solar as their energy source, is growing. “The latest addition is a 2-megawatt solar array east of Findlay that will be energized this summer,” says

loan payment for the solar panel system. Mondello’s mission now is to warn other consumers and co-op members.

“I don’t like when people rip other people off — that’s why I became a law enforcement officer,” he says. “I know how valuable a dollar is to people, and I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we’ve gone through.”

Co-op leaders like VanHoose and Miller urge their members not to sign a contract without calling the cooperative first — because there are lots of questions that need to be answered: Are you being overcharged? Will the system integrate with the grid? Will it pass required safety inspections?

“They claim that your bill is going to be zero, but it’s never going to be zero,” VanHoose says. “To achieve that, you would have to buy enough solar panels and battery storage to supply power 24/7, and that is extremely expensive — far more than a monthly electric bill.”

If you have a complaint about a solar installer, you can contact the Ohio attorney general’s office at 800-282-0515 or file online at www.ohioprotects.org/file-a-complaint.

Wilson, noting that the total power generation from solar will increase to 4 megawatts. “We are excited about these additions, and we continue to look for ways to add diverse and cost-effective resources to our supply.”

“If a co-op member’s goal is to reduce reliance on carbonbased resources, it is usually most effective to first reduce energy usage before considering renewable options,” Wilson adds. “Energy efficiency projects like LED lighting retrofits, insulation and air sealing, and thermostat setbacks provide greater reduction at a lower overall cost and should be prioritized over rooftop solar.”

Holmes-Wayne President and CEO Glenn Miller advises contacting your cooperative’s energy advisor.

“We can review your electric consumption, complete a home energy audit, and make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible. These are all key to the decision to make such a large investment in solar panels,” Miller says. “We offer a great list of questions to ask the solar company so our co-op members can protect themselves. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.”

SAFE,RELIABLE & AFFORDABLE

Propane INTRO RATES AS LOW AS $1.89 $1.89!!

At the Energy Cooperative, you can trust us to provide safe, reliable and affordable propane service. Whether you need bulk or metered service for your home, farm or business, we’ve got you covered. We are proud to be a trusted propane provider, now offering $1.89 per gallon for new members.

For more information, go to myenergycoop.com/need-propane.

MYENERGYCOOP.COM

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ENERGY PRICE VOLATILITY

By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer We’re amid an energy transition that continues to evolve. While governments and businesses increasingly commit to steep decarbonization targets, energy markets face extreme volatility. This is further driven by geopolitical tensions and a rebound in energy demand. The conflict in Ukraine, as well as other factors, have triggered Pat McGonagle significant peaks in energy prices in 2022 as uncertainties around supply security and affordability take center stage. This volatility comes at a time when markets are already tight following the COVID rebound.

• Market Information: A lack of timely, reliable information regarding the previously mentioned causes of volatility can cause shifts in prices as market participants are forced to base their trading decisions on rumors and speculation.

How Does Volatility Affect Consumers?

The impact of price volatility varies among members based on their overall service needs and purchasing practices. Energy Cooperative adheres to a detailed planning model throughout the year to meet our members needs.

The cooperative has several programs that may help as volatility in the energy markets are on the rise.

• Budget Billing: Residential members, whether electric, gas or propane, can stabilize their monthly bills by signing up for a Budget Billing Plan. If you would like to be able to What is price volatility? plan your expenses each month and know in advance what Price volatility describes how prices fluctuate based on your utility bill will be, please consider budget billing. You changes in supply and demand. For our cooperative, this may sign up by calling our Member Services Department.

Certain restrictions apply. refers to electricity, natural gas and/or propane supply prices, • Metered Propane Service: We continue to focus on relative to member demand. providing affordable fixed-price propane with metered service. Our metering option allows members to pay for What Factors contribute to price volatility? only the propane they use each month and avoid costly • Weather Changes: Weather is a strong determinant of tank refills. short-term demand. Unexpected, prolonged or severe • Refer a friend: Do you know a neighbor, friend or relative changes in weather can cause fluctuations in the amount of that may be looking for a propane supplier this heating product that is demanded by end users. Weather changes season? Please tell them to call our office at 1-800-255also can affect supply and distribution capabilities, which 6815 and inquire about our introductory rates. Make sure can affect the amount of product that is available for end you tell them to reference our referral program, and you users. will receive a $50 credit to your bill when they pay their • Storage Levels: Storage provides the critical buffer first bill. between demand and current supply. It is also used as an indicator of the relative supply and demand conditions in the natural gas and propane markets. We need storage When the price of energy goes up, you will likely notice it on during times of high demand, and as a result, market your bill. However, rest assured, we will continue to work to participants may compare current storage levels with ensure our prices are fair and affordable. If you have a question about your bill, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 1-800current or future demand in evaluating markets.

• Delivery Constraints: Constraints may occur or be 255-6815. One of our member service representatives will be removed along the delivery system, which may change happy to review it with you and help you look for opportunities supply and distribution capabilities, resulting in to save. fluctuations in the relative amount of available product.

Possible examples include operational difficulties, the existence of delivery bottlenecks and the implementation of new transmission routes.

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1-800-255-6815

PROPANE REMINDERS IF YOU SMELL GAS • Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.

• Leave the area immediately. Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.

• Shut off the gas. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).

• Report the leak. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call 911 and the Energy Cooperative right away.

• Do not return to the building or area. You should not return to the area until we determine that it is safe to do so.

• Get your system checked. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, we need to check the entire system to ensure it is leak-free.

ODOR FADE Odor fade is an unintended reduction in the concentration of the odor of propane, making it more difficult to smell. Although rare, several situations can cause odor fade: • Air, water or rust in a propane tank or cylinder can reduce propane odor concentration.

• If the propane is leaking underground, its passage through soil may reduce the smell of propane.

• The propane odor may stick to the inside surfaces of gas piping and distribution systems and possibly other materials.

Since there is a possibility of odor fade or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED that you or others in your home may have difficulty smelling propane, consider buying one or more propane gas detectors.

APPLIANCE SAFETY • Properly install and maintain connectors. It is important that all appliance connectors are properly inspected, installed and maintained by a qualified service technician.

• Have connectors checked when moving or replacing appliances. Connectors can wear out from too much moving, bending, or corrosion. Connectors should be checked by a qualified service technician whenever the appliance is replaced or moved from its location.

• Use only approved appliance connectors. Make sure that all connectors and gas piping/tubing that bring propane to your appliances are installed by a qualified service technician and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

• Have older appliance connectors inspected. Over time, some types of appliance connectors can crack or break, resulting in a serious gas leak and the possibility of fire or explosion. If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, have a qualified service technician inspect the connectors to be sure they are safe and meet current safety-code requirements.

• Do not move an appliance yourself. Moving an appliance might damage the connector and create a leak.

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igs energy partnership

By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations

Dan McVey

The current natural gas market To qualify for the Member Select Program, Energy Cooperative is extremely volatile because of members must be in good standing and have been a member the geopolitical situation and for a minimum of twelve months. supply-demand imbalance in the United States. Prices have How It Works spiked to levels we haven’t seen • You can enroll with IGS Energy by calling 1-877-786-4447 since before the shale drilling • Energy Cooperative will continue to deliver your gas, revolution in 2010. This winter, respond to service needs, read your meter and send your prices could rise even higher if monthly invoice temperatures are below normal • The only thing that changes is the price you pay and storage inventories are not • There are no sign-up or cancellation fees adequately refilled.

• You can cancel at any time

Energy Cooperative is actively refilling our storage inventories and will be ready to meet winter demand. While our storage acts as a hedge against winter price volatility, it is only a partial hedge. However, members wanting more price security do have another option for their gas supply.

If you have questions about the program, contact IGS Energy at 1-877-786-4447 or customersupport@igs.com. The IGS Energy team is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm EST.

Member Select Program Working in conjunction with IGS Energy (IGS), we designed the Member Select Program that protects you from the price volatility of the natural gas market by locking in a fixed rate with IGS. Energy Cooperative partnered with IGS to provide a fixed-price, lower carbon option for natural gas supply, while maintaining the high level of service and reliability from Energy Cooperative you’ve come to expect.

About IGS Energy Based in central Ohio, IGS Energy has 30-plus years of experience in supplying natural gas to more than 1 million customers across the United States.

While not always a lower rate, it gives you secure pricing with no surprises. With this product, you can also help counteract carbon emissions that are created with your home’s natural gas usage. Based on your usage, IGS invests the equivalent in certified projects that reduce carbon from the atmosphere, such as reforestation or renewable energy sources like wind farms.

You can enroll in the Energy Cooperative’s Member Select Program now, and you will lock in your natural gas rate for $0.814 per ccf through the June 2023 billing cycle.

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Thank you to our members!

Because of the generosity of our members rounding up their bills to the next whole dollar amount each month, the Energy Cooperative's Operation Round Up Foundation has donated more than $3.5 million to community organizations. Scan the QR code to learn more.

The Operation Round Up Foundation awarded $40,812 in AUGUST To the following community organizations: Christian Endeavor United Methodist for a community playground Salvation Army for winter coat campaign Johnstown Monroe Intermediate to purchase books Johnstown Monroe MS Robotics for STEM equipment Utica Fire to purchase MSA Thermal Imager American Legion Post 92 to replace fence Mental Health America for security system replacement

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To learn more about Operation Round Up Foundation or to apply for a grant scan the QR code with your smart phone or visit myenergycoop.com/roundup.

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Do you know an organization THAT could benefit from an operation round up grant?

Memorize your fire department’s emergency phone number and write it below:

How to make a

________________________________________

Home Firean Escape Pl

Visit Sparky.org for more activities!

• Draw a floor plan or a map of your home. Show all doors and windows.

• Mark two ways out of each room.

• Mark all of the smoke alarms with SA . Smoke alarms should be in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

• Pick a family meeting place outside where everyone can meet.

• Remember, practice your plan at least twice a year!

The meeting dates left for 2022 are October 4th and December 6th. Application materials need to be received

by September 23rd for the October 4th meeting and November 25th for the December 6th meeting.

Grown-ups: Children don’t always wake up when the smoke alarm sounds. Know what your child will do before a fire occurs.

Get more information on smoke alarms and escape planning at www.nfpa.org/factsheets.

Sparky® is a trademark of NFPA. ©NFPA 2022

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COLUMBUS, OH PERMIT NO. 608

myenergycoop.com

Business hours The Energy Cooperative’s business hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. We respond to outages and emergencies 24/7/365. Call if you need us. Our crews are on call and ready to respond.

Important phone numbers • • •

Safety Reminders • • •

Member service: 1.800.255.6815.

Electric outages or emergencies: 1.888.535.5732.

Natural gas or propane emergency: 1.800.255.6815.

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FOR WHAT

If you smell rotten eggs or suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately. Call 911. Then call us at 1.800.255.6815.

If you see a downed power line or other electrical hazard call 911. Then call our outage line at 1.888.535.5732.

Assume every downed power line is energized and dangerous. Consider any object touching lines energized as well.

MATTERS MOST