Co-op Hotline - October 2018

Co-op HotlineOctober2018|Vol.13,Issue5

Watts Inside

Can YOU beat the peak? ................ pg. 2-3
REMC Generac Program ................... pg. 3
Nominating Committee ..............pg. 4 & 5
Co-op Month Activities ...................... pg. 5
Co-op's Vote ..................................pg. 6 & 7
Plug into Safety..................................... pg. 8

Can YOU beat the peak?

Over the in this new pilot rate program qualified air conditioner and receive
beginning June 1, 2015 to gage its an additional $10 credit on your
past several effectiveness. Only a handful of June, July, and August bill. That’s
members elected to participate in a total of $60 in bill credits, if you
months we this pilot rate program. However, the choose to have a DRU installed on
households that were represented both your water heater and your air
have been ranged from members with fixed conditioner!
incomes to members with families
Bryan K. Mathews talking a lot where both spouses work. My family Over the last 12 months we had 14
General Manager about rates. and I joined these co-op members; control periods, which cost our family
In addition accepting the challenge to see if we $44.25 (75 cents times 59 kWhs).
could save on our personal electric
to giving as much notice as possible bills by making small changes to our Winter Period: Controlled from 7 to 9 a.m.
lifestyle routines, ultimately testing
regarding the increase (effective the validity of the TOU rate. What • December 8, 2017
did we learn? It really does matter
October 1, 2018), we want to help when you use energy! • December 27, 2017

our member-consumers understand My family quickly learned to • January 2, 2018
understand what a critical peak
the factors that drive rate increases in was and that we needed to adjust • January 5, 2018
our cooking habits, laundry times
Southeastern Indiana REMC’s service and, of course, why Dad would do • February 2, 2018
this. Having a Demand Response
territory. We have made you aware Unit (DRU) on our water heater • February 8, 2018
and central air conditioner was a
of the increased cost of purchased necessity for our family because it Summer Period: Controlled from 5 to 8 p.m.
helps us avoid most of the peaks
power coming in 2019 from our by turning the elements off inside • June 8, 2018
the water heater for a couple hours
power supplier, Hoosier Energy. during critical peaks and reduced • June 18, 2018
the energy needed for our central air
We have also made you aware of unit by cycling it throughout the peak • June 19, 2018
hours. Honestly, we have never run
the increased cost of our Right-of- out of hot water. • July 5, 2018

Way program and the reasons for Members that would like to try the • July 10, 2018
TOU rate but do not like the thought
it. However, we haven’t spent as of having a DRU can always buy an • July 13, 2018
Energy Star rated thermostat to help
much time talking about the effect control energy loads when needed. • August 6, 2018
We’ll even give you a $100 rebate on
that your lifestyle routines have on a qualified device! • August 27, 2018

rates. Your co-op must build lines, Members who would like us to With the weather pattern this year,
install a DRU on your water heater and the fact we had our central air
install equipment, and contract with will receive a $5 credit on your June, out for about 3 weeks during July,
July, August, December, January, we only saved about $60 for the
Hoosier Energy to produce enough and February bills. Include your last 12-months as compared to the
average Residential Rate. The last 3
power at any given moment to years we saved about $100 per year.
As my Dad would say; “A penny saved
meet the demand that your desired is a penny earned!”

lifestyle requires.

Your REMC’s energy costs are the
most expensive in the summer
months (June, July, and August)
from 5-8 p.m. Monday through
Friday; and during the winter months
(December, January, and February)
from 7-10 a.m. and from 5-8 p.m.
Monday through Friday. With this
information in mind, we set about
the task of developing a rate that
would incentivize members who are
willing to adjust their normal lifestyle
routines by reducing their energy
usage during these times.

The Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate was
created to lower demand during
critical peak hours and members
were asked to consider participating

Page 2 - Co-op Hotline, October 2018

Another lesson learned was that when family came over
during load-control periods, saving on an electric bill was
not more important than family togetherness.

We realize that this rate will not work for everyone but
if one can make a few minor changes to one’s routine,
it’s worth a try. We will continue to do our best to keep
rates reasonable. We will continue to work through
issues with trees, weather, and various other challenges.
Routine lifestyle adjustments; that is your choice.

Very few people like change. Today though, whether you
are a proponent for change or against it, it really does
not matter. Change happens. Either you embrace the
change, or it embraces you. For example, the emerald
ash borer has changed our landscape by destroying our
abundance of ash trees; causing multiple outages and,
I fear, possibly harming our members as the ash trees
continue to fall throughout our territory.

Until we can convince outside forces to install batteries
and other technology that can be used to offset peak
demands, we will continue to notify our member-
consumers of critical peak alerts and offer tips and
services to help you use energy wisely. We now have
46 member-consumers on the TOU rate; trying to see if
they can beat the peak. A big thanks goes out to them. If
enough of us get on board, maybe the next increase will
be 10-years down the line, or even better – we’ll have a
rate decrease!

Will you be an advocate and try new ways or do you want
to be the average?

POWER.

OUR LIVES
DEPEND ON IT.

Purchase a 22 kW total home backup
generator and transfer switch at the

discounted price of $5,200

Co-op Hotline, October 2018 - Page 3

Looking for a way to get more involved?

Consider serving on the 2019 Director Nominating Committee

The Board of Directors is seeking three nominating committee members for
each of the following districts:

District 4: Comprised of all members residing in Center, Hogan and Washington townships in
Dearborn County; Randolph township in Ohio County; and Posey and York townships in Switzerland
County.
District 5: Comprised of all members residing in Cass, Pike, and Union townships in Ohio County;
Caesar Creek township in Dearborn County; and Brown, Shelby, and Otter Creek townships in Ripley
County.
District 9: Comprised of all members residing in Jackson, Johnson, Franklin, Center, Delaware and
Washington townships in Ripley County.

Page 4 - Co-op Hotline, October 2018

Members of the Nominating Committee serve CO-OP HOTLINE
a very important role by selecting qualified
director candidates for members to vote upon at Co-op Hotline is published bimonthly by
Southeastern Indiana REMC’s Annual Meeting. Southeastern Indiana REMC's Communication
Department for members, employees and retirees
Once selected, nominating committee members of Southeastern Indiana REMC.
are required to attend the Nominating Committee
Training Workshop, where they will meet with ON THE COVER
the REMC’s Attorney and selected Staff to discuss October is National Co-op Month, and we're
in detail the expectations of the committee, the celebrating in a variety of ways this year!
qualifications of a good director candidate and a On Wednesday, October 10th we will host a
thorough explanation of the process and procedures Facebook LIVE broadcast on the topic of the
involved in nominating director candidates. Seven Cooperative Principles, explaining how
Southeastern Indiana REMC fulfills those
The REMC provides a nominating committee toolkit principles in everything we do.
to the chairman of each district's nominating Then, on Friday, October 12th a group of REMC
committee to aid in the selection and nomination of employees will volunteer at the Versailles State Park
qualified director candidates. to help clear trails, paint, split firewood, etc. as part
of our annual REMC Community Day.
If you have an interest in serving your cooperative You will see lots of information on our website
as a nominating committee member for your and social media channels talking about the
district, please complete and submit the Request for cooperative difference, too!
Consideration form, which is conveniently located on
our website at https://www.seiremc.com/content/ SEND COMMENTS TO
annual-meeting. Your request must be submitted
no later than November 1, 2018 for consideration. Co-op Hotline Editor
You may also directly contact your director to discuss Southeastern IN REMC
the responsibility of this position and submit a copy P.O. Box 196
of your completed request form. Osgood, IN 47037

The Requests for Consideration will be reviewed BACK ISSUES
and considered by the current district Director, and
a recommendation will be made to the full board To read back issues, log on to
for selection and approval. The full board will Southeastern IN REMC's website
approve or reject the slate of Nominating Committee at https://seiremc.com/content/
members during the November board meeting. newsletters.
Once selected the candidates will be notified of
the results and the Nominating Committee Training This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Workshop will be scheduled.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
District 4 – Carolyn Armstrong
2515 State Road 156, Rising Sun 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
[email protected] 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
District 5 – Melissa Menchhofer containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form
5383 W County Road 250 N, Holton 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
[email protected] at [email protected].

District 9 – Chris Schmaltz © Copyright 2018 Southeastern IN REMC
4501 E County Road 50 S, Milan Co-op Hotline, October 2018 - Page 5

[email protected]

As General Manager of Southeastern Indiana REMC, I care
deeply about the communities we serve and want the very best
for every one of our members.
But as the election draws closer, I’m reminded of a troubling
statistic. In recent national elections, about 60 percent of the
voting eligible population votes during presidential election
years, and about 40 percent votes during midterm elections.
In the 2016 general election, out of approximately 158 million
registered voters, about 138 million voted. Rural voter turnout
increased by more than a half-million Americans in 2016.
In 2017, a Virginia House of Delegates race was decided by
pulling a candidate’s name out of a bowl. Why? After a recount,
the race ended in a dead tie. That result decided the balance of
power in the House of Delegates.

What Could Change

In 2018, 34 U.S. Senate seats and all 435 U.S. House seats are
up for grabs. Additionally, 39 gubernatorial elections will be
held and more than 6,000 state legislative seats will be decided.
Twenty-three seats need to change party in 2018 for control of
the House to flip. Two seats need to change party in 2018 for
control of the Senate to flip. Fifty-seven members of the current
Congress are not seeking re-election in 2018, leaving their seats
open. Three more were defeated in their primaries. There will
be at least 60 new faces in Congress next year.

Together, we can boost voter engagement and turnout on
Election Day by doing something I’m asking all my employees,
friends and family to do—and which I’m hoping you will do,
too: Take the pledge to become a “Co-op Voter,” and be sure to
cast your vote on November 6.
Co-ops Vote is a non-partisan program developed by the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the service
organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private,
not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. The goal
is to encourage co-op employees and members like you to get
out and vote and to inform members and candidates about
the issues that matter to co-ops and rural communities: from
the continued need for affordable and reliable electricity, to
broadband access and other rural economic development issues.
So, here’s what I’m asking you to do. Visit the Co-ops Vote web
site at www.vote.coop and take the quick and easy pledge to
become a Co-op Voter. By doing so, you’ll be joining co-op
members across the country in sending a powerful message:
America’s electric cooperatives are voting in 2018 and expect
our elected leaders to address the issues facing co-ops and rural
communities.
With 42 million members in 47 states, electric co-ops can stand
together as a powerful voice in this year’s elections. I hope
you’ll join me in taking the pledge and going to the polls in
November.

Page 6 - Co-op Hotline, October 2018

Election Hot Topics

The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill is an important piece of federal
legislation that allocates money to rural
communities and economic development. The
legislation supports programs that allow electric
cooperatives to receive financing for the work
they do to bring basic electricity to your home
or business. It also provides funding that can be
used by co-ops to develop innovative solutions to
new challenges like broadband internet service
and securing the electric grid. And finally, money
is provided through the Farm Bill to support
rural economic development that improves
the lives of our communities and families. Tell
your candidates that you are concerned about
the ability of your cooperative to keep a steady
supply of reliable, affordable energy flowing to
your community, and that you support offering
new technologies and opportunities to member-
owners like yourself.

Broadband for Rural America

High-speed internet access is the gateway to the
world, allowing access to greater educational
opportunities for our children, job prospects that
we might not otherwise have, and connectivity
for the ever-growing world of smart devices.
However, as each day passes without access to
broadband in large parts of rural America, the
digital divide widens and leaves some rural
communities behind. As advocates for the
nation’s rural electric cooperatives, we can make
sure that federal dollars are used to support our
communities in rural America that need this vital
connection. Congress recently designated $600
million for use in rural broadband grants and
loans. But that is just the beginning. Tell your
candidates to support significant funding to help
bring high speed internet access to rural America.

Co-op Hotline, October 2018 - Page 7

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

Can’t find enough outlets? What should you do?

CALL AN ELECTRICIAN.

DON’T OVERUSE EXTENSION CORDS WHEN POWERING YOUR HOME.
Instead of grabbing an extension cord for a temporary solution, you
should call a qualified electrician who can install more outlets. Extension
cords should be used as a short-term option, not a long-time fix.