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Co-op Hotline - August 2018
Southeastern Indiana REMC's Member Newsletter.

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Published by Southeastern Indiana REMC, 2018-07-30 12:13:58

Co-op Hotline - August 2018

Co-op Hotline - August 2018
Southeastern Indiana REMC's Member Newsletter.

Keywords: Co-op,My Solar,Rates,Touchstone Energy Camp,Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month,LED Lighting,Generac Generator,Plugged into Safety

Co-op HotlineAugust2018|Vol.13,Issue4

Watts Inside Join us for lunch ...

Member Rate Increase .................... pg. 2-3 Member Appreciation Day
Where Does Your Energy Dollar Go .pg. 4
5 Ways You Can Update Your Home .pg. 5 Friday, August 17, 2018
My Solar Program ............................... pg. 6 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
My Solar FAQs ..................................... pg. 7
Generac Deal ........................................ pg. 8 REMC Training Center
614 S Buckeye Street, Osgood, IN 47037

Member rate increase beginning October 1

What do weather, lifestyle, and trees have to do with rate increases?

Weather Weather patterns have a significant impact on how much or how little electricity you need to heat/cool your
home. Weather also has a direct impact on electric system upgrades and maintenance.
Lifestyle Your lifestyle increases demand on the electric grid during the most expensive times.
Trees Trees have been a major expense and the number one cause of outages for Southeastern Indiana REMC
for many years. The emerald ash borer has wreaked havoc; destroying ash trees, which have caused many
tree outages. Additionally, our weather patterns have allowed tree growth of up to six-foot per year;
causing more trees to come into contact with our power lines, resulting in blinks and outages. But, with the
implementation of our Right-Of-Way (ROW) clearing initiative, we believe we will have our ROW under
control in five years.

Over the last few years, we have all noticed increases in the members. This increase to member-owners reflects our actual
prices we pay for goods and services. Southeastern Indiana cost of doing business. While electricity is still a great value
REMC is not immune from price increases on the things compared to other commodities, we strive to keep electricity
essential to operate your cooperative. Our power supplier, safe, reliable, and affordable for our member-owners. We hope
Hoosier Energy, is having a rate re-alignment, which will result that you will understand the need for this increase and we thank
in an increase in power costs for Southeastern. you for being our valued member.
An increase in your facility charge, energy charge, demand We highly encourage each member to review the rate options
charge, and security light charge will go into effect for electric available to you. For example, if you allow your electric
usage beginning October 1, 2018. The overall rate increase for cooperative to install a Demand Response Unit (DRU) on
an average residential member is around 4.5%. your electric water heater and/or central air-conditioning unit,
The monthly Facility Charge helps finance the necessities enabling us to control during high demand, we will give you a
required to provide electricity to each service location; whether credit on your electric bill, which will offset your rate increase.
any electricity is used or not. The Facility Charge helps pay for: If you have the ability, through technology and lifestyle, to
control when you use your electric system, you may want to
• Wire, poles, meters, and other equipment needed to consider signing up for the alternative Time-Of-Use (TOU)
build and maintain the electric distribution system, rate. We will work with members on a one-on-one basis;
providing a comparison analysis based on your actual usage,
• Labor to build, maintain, and repair the distribution using both the current and TOU rates, to determine whether
system, to clear and maintain the 3,200 miles of ROW, you can save in energy cost by moving to the alternative TOU
and other day-to-day business functions, and rate.
Hopefully you understand that weather, lifestyle, and trees are
• Costs incurred for property taxes, insurance, interest, major cost contributors in providing the electric service you
etc. are accustomed to. While we already have a lean workforce, we
strive to be the leanest; proposing to reduce our workforce over
Even if we do not sell a single kilowatt-hour (kWh), we still have the next couple of years, to contend with the increased power
the expense of maintaining the electric facilities and operating cost pressures and right-of-way clearing expenses, while still
the cooperative. providing the safe and reliable electric service you depend on
The increase in the Energy Charge is more reflective of our and expect.
member’s usage patterns. What can you do to minimize your rate increase, now and in the
The Demand Charge is a pricing structure for electricity future?
based on the maximum amount of system power a consumer
uses. The increase in Demand Charge is primarily due to the • allow us to install a demand response unit
realignment by our power supplier, Hoosier energy. • upgrade your heating/cooling system
The increase in the Security Light Charge more closely reflects • allow us to do a home energy audit
the actual cost of providing the security light service. • review your rate options
Your board of directors closely monitors our costs and has • don’t plant trees within 20-feet of electric lines
made the decision to approve the rate increase, based on the
recommendation of the rate consultant. Before making this Please visit our website at www.seiremc.com for additional
tough decision, an updated cost of service study and a ten-year information about rate tariffs and energy saving tips to help you
financial forecast were evaluated. manage your electric bill.
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we design our rates
to reflect the costs of providing electric service to you, our

Page 2 - Co-op Hotline, August 2018

Schedule A-5 Residential SL – Security Lighting
Facilities Charge: 43 Watt LED & 48 Watt LED* @ $8.90 per month
Single-phase $30.00 per month 100-Watt High Pressure Sodium @ $8.90 per month
Multi-phase $50.00 per month 150-Watt LED @ $12.85 per month
297-Watt LED @ $21.55 per month
Energy Charges (June through August): 250-Watt High Pressure Sodium (directional) @ $12.85 per month
First 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh
Over 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh 250-Watt Metal Halide or Mercury Vapor @ $12.85 per month
350-Watt Metal Halide (directional)* @ $15.75 per month
Energy Charges (December through February): 400-Watt High Pressure Sodium (directional) @ $16.55 per month
First 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh
Over 1,000 kWh @ $.10846 per kWh 400-Watt Metal Halide or Mercury Vapor @ $16.55 per month
1000-Watt Metal Halide or Mercury Vapor (directional)* @ $21.55 per month

Energy Charges (All Other Months): * New installations and all replacements.
First 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh

Over 1,000 kWh @ $.09846 per kWh TOU-CP

B-5 Non-Residential Facilities Charge: Single-Phase Service @ $30.00 per month

Facilities Charges: $32.50 per month Energy Charge:
Single-phase 1. All kWh of Off-Peak Energy @ $0.07995 per kWh
Multi-phase $50.00 per month 2. All kWh of On-Peak Energy @ $0.38850 per kWh
3. All kWh of Critical Peak Energy @ $0.75 per kWh
Energy Charge (June through August):
First 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh
Over 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh

Energy Charges (December through February):
First 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh
Over 1,000 kWh @ $.10846 per kWh

Energy Charges (All Other Months):
First 1,000 kWh @ $.11846 per kWh

Over 1,000 kWh @ $.09846 per kWh

BD-5 Non-Residential

Facilities Charge: $55.00 per month

Demand Charge (June through August):
All kW of Billing Demand @ $4.65 per kW
Demand Charge (All other months):
All kW of Billing Demand @ $3.90 per kW

Energy Charge:
First 50 kWh per kW of Billing Demand @ $.10660 per kWh
Next 100 kWh per kW of Billing Demand @ $.09960 per kWh
Next 150 kWh per kW of Billing Demand @ $.09535 per kWh

Over 300 kWh per kW of Billing Demand @ $.09135 per kWh

C-5 Large Power – High Load Factor Check out a variety of attractive, energy-efficient LED
options at the online store!
Facilities Charge: $95.00 per month INSTANT REBATES
FREE shipping
Demand Charge (June through August): $14.50 per kW
All kW of Billing Demand @ www.teamuptosave.com/lighting

Demand Charge (All other months): $12.50 per kW Co-op Hotline, August 2018 - Page 3
All kW of Billing Demand @

Energy Charges:

All kWh of Billing Demand @ $.06800 per kWh

C-5 Large Power – Low load Factor

Facilities Charge: $95.00 per month

Demand Charge (June through August): $7.10 per kW
All kW of Billing Demand @

Demand Charge (All other months):
All kW of Billing Demand @ $6.10 per kW

Energy Charges: @ $.09355 per kWh
First 150 kWh per kW of Billing Demand @ $.07605 per kWh
Next 150 kWh per kW of Billing Demand @ $.09305 per kWh
Over 300 kWh per kW of Billing Demand

Where does your energy dollar go?

To help you understand what resources are used when you That leaves us with thirty-four cents to cover the second
pay your electric bill, we have elected to show your dollar rate-component; paying for the expenses necessary to
bill and how it is used at your local co-op. provide safe and reliable electric service to approximately
Our rates are based on two main components – the actual 27,000 member-accounts, over 3,200 miles of power
cost of the wholesale power we purchase from Hoosier line, in parts of seven counties. Each expense category is
Energy, which is also a cooperative, and the costs needed broken out for you to see what is included in the second
to get that power to each member served. As you can see rate-component.
in the figure below, sixty-six cents was needed to cover the
first rate-component, the cost of purchased power from
Hoosier Energy.

Page 4 - Co-op Hotline, August 2018

CO-OP HOTLINE

Co-op Hotline is published bimonthly by
Southeastern Indiana REMC's Communication
Department for members, employees and retirees
of Southeastern Indiana REMC.

ON THE COVER

Southeastern Indiana REMC sponsored four students at the annual
Touchstone Energy Camp. The camp was held June 6-9, 2018, at
Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana.
Students entering seventh grade this fall were eligible to attend and
were selected by their local cooperative to participate in the three-
day program. The students’ agenda combined traditional outdoor
camp activities with environmental education, electrical safety
practices and cooperative business education.
Students representing Southeastern Indiana REMC at Touchstone
Energy Camp were:
• Brady Borgman, Batesville
• Shy-Ann Holmes, Madison
• Shelby Wynn, Dillsboro
• Hailee Grooms, Brookville
Employee/Chaperones were:
• Nick Borgman
• George Bultman

SEND COMMENTS TO

Co-op Hotline Editor
Southeastern IN REMC
P.O. Box 196
Osgood, IN 47037

BACK ISSUES

To read back issues, log on to
Southeastern IN REMC's website
at https://seiremc.com/content/
newsletters.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil
Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or
at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter
containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form
or letter by mail to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or e-mail
at [email protected].

© Copyright 2018 Southeastern IN REMC

Co-op Hotline, August 2018 - Page 5

Consumer requests bring cooperative
solar initiative to light

My Co-op. My Solar. No problem.

One of the perks of being a member of Southeastern Indiana from the solar arrays, through the poles and wires Southeastern
REMC is having your voice heard. We’ve been seeing more Indiana REMC has already built and maintains. Nothing new
interest from you about generating your own energy. needs to be attached.
The My Solar program was developed to give you direct access The My Solar program offers members the opportunity to
to solar energy right in your area. This program will be in place purchase one to 12 shares of the community solar project. One
for the foreseeable future as renewable energy continues to share is equivalent to the energy from one solar panel. The size
grow in Indiana. of the panels varies between the 10 solar sites, but averages
Living in this area can be troublesome when looking at solar ~330 Watts. In one year, one share will produce ~450 – 500
energy for a home or business. Trees, permits, financing and kWh. Each participant is limited to 12 panels – approximately
roof issues have all been road blocks. My Solar clears those three kW.
blocks. The My Solar program will work for any property; home or
This program allows any member to use solar energy within business. Southeastern Indiana REMC is excited to offer this
their home or business without installing or maintaining a great opportunity that allows members to decide from where
private solar structure. Member participants are able to share their energy comes.
in the output from the 10 solar arrays located around southern For more information on this program, please visit www.
Indiana. The power generated at the solar arrays is transported seiremc.com.

Page 6 - Co-op Hotline, August 2018

My Solar FAQs If I subscribe to a share of My Solar, will I stop receiving my
monthly bill?
Shares
No. You will continue to receive your monthly bill, but your bill will now show
What is a community solar share equivalent to? that a portion of your energy is produced by solar.

A solar share is equivalent to one solar panel’s output. The size of the panels Is energy production guaranteed?
varies between solar sites but averages ~330 Watts. In a year, one share is
expected to produce ≈450 – 500 kWh. Each panel is expected to generate 450-500 kWh per year, but output varies
with weather conditions. However, because we combine the output of 10
Is there a limit to the number of shares I can purchase? solar arrays across the state, we are better able to ensure consistent energy
generation from your share.
Yes. The limit is 12 shares, which is equivalent to 12 panels.
What about operations and maintenance?
Equipment and Sustainability
Your price per share covers all operation and maintenance costs for the
Will any equipment be hooked up to my home? project.

No. The power generated by My Solar is distributed through the poles and Why do the panels move/rotate?
wires that your electric cooperative has already built to service your home.
The 10 one megawatt solar projects across southern Indiana that make up
How will this help increase sustainability? the My Solar program are all single axis tracking systems. This means that
they follow the sun across the sky each day to maximize production.
My Solar is a local power source, which allows the community to have more Compared to a solar system on your roof, these arrays can capture more
control over a portion of their power supply. Generating energy with solar sunlight and lower the cost of energy.
power creates no pollution or carbon dioxide emissions, and is a clean,
renewable, and sustainable alternative energy source. Where is the solar array located?

How does My Solar compare to rooftop solar? The My Solar community solar program combines the output of 10 solar
projects located across southern Indiana. By combining the output of all 10
My Solar sites are built and maintained at a central location by experts in the sites, we are better able to maximize and ensure consistent energy
field. This eliminates common barriers — such as trees, roof size and house generation from your share.
location — that prevent our members from installing solar panels on their
property. Further, all ongoing costs are included in the subscription rate, so What happens if I move?
there is no need to worry about unexpected costs popping up in the future!
If you move to another location within REMC service territory, your share can
Is any of the power I use now renewable? “move” with you! If you move out of the service territory, you have the
following options: 1) Transfer your share to another member of your electric
Yes! Your electric cooperative has a 10 % renewable energy goal by 2025. cooperative; 2) Transfer your share as part of the sale or rental of your
Currently, approximately 5 % of your energy is generated by renewable home; or 3) Return your share back to your electric cooperative at no cost.
resources such as wind and solar. By enrolling in the My Solar program, you
can increase the amount of renewable energy you use at your home each What if I cancel the agreement early?
month.
If the agreement is cancelled early due to relocation, then the options under
Terms and Conditions “What happens if I move?” apply. If the agreement is cancelled early due to a
different reason, there is no fee associated with exiting the program. A
How long is the term of the agreement? waiting period for re-enrollment may be established by your electric
cooperative with the fixed monthly rate. Contact your electric co-op for
Under the upfront payment option, participating members receive energy details on the terms and conditions.
output from the solar panel for 20 years. If the remaining life expectancy of
the panel is less than 20 years, the upfront payment amount will be pro- Co-op Hotline, August 2018 - Page 7
rated, and term of the agreement will be shortened. The monthly option
lasts for one year and can be easily renewed.

Are there any enrollment fees?

There are no enrollment fees associated with the My Solar program.

Can I take advantage of any tax credits or other incentives
to bring down the cost of a panel?

My Solar has sought out and taken advantage of all available credits, rebates,
and incentives to make the program as affordable as possible.

Can anyone enroll for the My Solar program?

The My Solar program is only available to members of participating rural
electric cooperatives.

PRST STD
U.S. POSTAGE

PAID
SEYMOUR, IN
PERMIT NO. 198

PO Box 196
712 South Buckeye Street
Osgood, IN 47037

Office Hours Our Mission ... Board of Directors

7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (EDT) Provide safe, reliable electricity and quality services Vince Moster - District 1
Monday through Friday to the communities we serve by enhancing their Brad Bentle - District 2
quality of life through innovation and sustainable David Smith - District 3
Contact Information economic development. Carolyn Armstrong - District 4
Melissa Menchhofer - District 5
Local calls: 812-689-4111 Mike Thieman - District 6
Toll free: 800-737-4111 Darrell Smith - District 7
FAX only: 812-689-6987 Bonnie Boggs - District 8
To make a payment: 1-888-999-0762 Chris Schmaltz - District 9
Call Before You Dig: 800-382-5544
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.seiremc.com


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