Welcome
Looking Out for You The Cooperative | Payment Information Locations | Services & Other Information
Welcome Members The Cooperative Difference
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Locations
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Service and Payment Options
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More Information
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People Fund
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Services
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Electrical Safety Demonstrations
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Electric Heat & Water Heaters 10 Energy Optimization 11 Renewable Energy
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Co-op Owners for Political Action 12 Truestream Fiber Internet 13
Commercial & Industrial 14
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You’re A
MEMBER-OWNER
W
elcome to Great Lakes Energy, where you’re more than a customer. You’re a member-owner! As the largest member-owned electric cooperative in Michigan, we’re committed to providing energy solutions to more than 125,000 member-consumers in 26 counties in western and northern Michigan. Since 1937, our success has been built around the mutual trust we share with our members. This booklet describes our many services and provides information and answers to questions you may have. Please save it for future reference. Our goal remains unchanged: to provide you with value, convenience, comfort and flexibility to meet all your energy needs. We’re looking out for you.
Mission Our mission is to deliver reliable electric service at the best possible value for rural Michigan members.
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The Cooperative Difference Electric cooperatives are unique in that they are owned and controlled by the consumers they serve. Our sole purpose is to provide service and value to our members, which differs from investorowned utilities that exist to make a profit for their investors. As a member-owned cooperative, Great Lakes Energy allocates and eventually returns profits to our members in the form of capital credit refunds. We have refunded capital credits in the form of a billing credit for the past 16 years. We will continue to do so as financial conditions allow. That’s the Cooperative Difference.
Great Lakes Energy has returned
over $71.4 million in capital credits to members since 2003.
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We are member-regulated and decisions on rates and billing practices are directly approved by your cooperative’s board of directors. For more information on our rates, rules, regulations and bylaws visit gtlakes.com or contact us at 1-888-GT-LAKES.
You Have a Vote! Great Lakes Energy is an electric cooperative, which is a democratic organization governed by a board of directors. The board is made up of members who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions for the cooperative as a whole. Directors are elected from nine districts by the members to serve three-year terms. Each member of Great Lakes Energy has one vote every three years for a director in their district (one membership, one vote). Elections are held by mail-in ballot sent with the July/August issue of Michigan Country Lines magazine. The election results are announced at the annual business meeting held each August. Your vote in the director elections is important. Directors represent you and are accountable to the entire membership, not just their district. For information about serving on the board or to find the directors who serve you, call us or visit our website.
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Locations HEADQUARTERS Boyne City 1323 Boyne Avenue Boyne City, MI 49712
SERVICE CENTERS
H BOYNE CITY WATERS KALKASKA
Hart* 2183 North Water Road Hart, MI 49420
Kalkaska 630 Magnum Road Kalkaska, MI 49646
Newaygo*
SCOTTVILLE REED CITY HART NEWAYGO
One Cooperative Center Drive (M-37) Newaygo, MI 49337
Reed City 4493 200th Avenue Reed City, MI 49677
Scottville* 525 West U.S. 10 Scottville, MI 49454
Waters 10380 Great Lakes Drive Waters, MI 49797
Wayland 1049 133rd Avenue Wayland, MI 49348 *Drive-up windows available
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WAYLAND
Our offices are located throughout rural Michigan. Offices are open Monday-Friday, but hours may vary by location. Payment drop boxes are available 24 hours a day at each location.
Service and Payment Options STANDARD BILLING »» Bills available in larger type size for easier reading »» Pay by phone or online 24-7 with a credit card or by e-check, with no processing fees
AUTOPAY »» Automatically deducts payments from your checking, savings or debit account
ONLINE, MOBILE & E-BILLING »» Access your account online, enroll in paperless e-billing, pay via mobile app, or pay or view your bill at gtlakes.com »» Download our mobile app, search Great Lakes Energy.
CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS »» We accept most major credit cards and can automatically charge your card each month.
BUDGET BILLING PLANS »» Based on past energy use. Your account is balanced annually.
FLEXPAY »» Pre-pay for your electric usage. You’re billed current rates and fees. There are no late fees, no reconnect fees and no deposits. Restrictions may apply.
IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT If you lose power, call our automatic outage-reporting system at 888-GT-LAKES or log in to your mobile or on-line account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 888-GT-LAKES.
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Keeping You Informed Great Lakes Energy keeps you informed in many ways.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES Members receive Michigan Country Lines magazine ten times a year. This magazine provides information about the cooperative, energy efficiency, products and services and even recipes. It provides in-depth information and keeps members up-todate on changes with the cooperative. Michigan Country Lines is also available online at countrylines.com. If you have a winter address, please contact us to request that we forward your magazine.
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We’re Celebrating Our Members!
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and Cooperative Month ctober is National members with free gifts for we’re celebrating Stop into win an LED TV. plus a chance to of October and during the month one of our offices and Energy energy saving gift sign you’ll receive a free on. You can also informati Optimization program three great prizes: up to win one of TV LED Energy Star-rated 1ST PRIZE: 32" worth of LED lights 2ND PRIZE: $100 worth of LED lights $50 RD PRIZE: 3 Giveaways one entry per account. One giveaway and last. LED lights prizes available while supplies Depot of Petoskey. Home were donated by
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PowerTalk is a monthly newsletter that is sent with your electric bill as an insert. PowerTalk provides information that is similar to Michigan Country Lines, but in a shorter format. It’s a fast and easy way to find out what’s going on at Great Lakes Energy. Visit gtlakes.com to view previous issues of PowerTalk or other various bill inserts.
E-NEWSLETTER
IN OUR OFFICES
Members receive a free monthly e-newsletter just by providing your email address. Update your email address by contacting our office by phone or email. We will never sell or rent your email address to outside companies.
We have literature and brochures available for free in each of our offices. You can also contact us by phone or email to request more information. View the list of our office locations on page five. Office hours may vary by location. Visit our website or call us for office hours.
SOCIAL MEDIA Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the latest updates and discuss topics with other members. Watch videos about GLE and our services on YouTube. Simply visit gtlakes.com and click on the Facebook, YouTube or Twitter icon.
ONLINE Visit our website at gtlakes.com to learn more about Great Lakes Energy, enroll in one of our programs or submit an e-mail request for more information.
STAY CONNECTED We need your current phone number and e-mail address on record to inform you of outages and other important matters. Contact us to update yours today.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the latest updates and discuss topics with other members. Call 888-GT-LAKES
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People Fund
C
haritable organizations in our communities have received more than $3.3 million in grants from the People Fund since 1999. You can help by allowing us to “Round Up” your bill by an average of 50-cents each month. Join thousands of Great Lakes Energy members who support the People Fund. Wish to donate more? You can do so easily by joining People Fund Plus.
Electrical Safety Demonstrations GLE provides free electrical safety demonstrations to schools and qualified groups in its service area. The presentation demonstrates the power of electricity and teaches electrical safety. To schedule a free demonstration, visit our website.
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Electric Heat & Water Heating ELECTRIC HEAT REBATES* When you install a ground- or air-source heat pump in your home, you may qualify for $250-$500 in rebates. The system you install must meet minimum efficiency qualifications. GLE does not sell or install heating systems. Energy Optimization incentives up to $750 are also available for qualified units.
ELECTRIC HEAT RATE* Save on the electricity you use for heating your home with a qualified heat pump. Your ground- or air-source heat pump must meet minimum efficiency requirements.
WATER HEATER INCENTIVES* Receive a $300 Energy Optimization incentive when you purchase and install a qualified heat-pump water heater. GLE does not sell or install water heaters.
*Some restrictions may apply. Program subject to change or cancellation at any time.
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Great Lakes Energy offers a variety of programs to help members save energy. These programs also comply with Michigan’s “Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act.” Programs are available for all rate classifications and are designed to help you save energy. For more information about these programs, visit the Energy Optimization website at www.michigan-energy.org or call 877-296-4319.
Renewable Energy Renewable energy accounts for 18 percent of the electricity you receive from GLE. In addition, a 10kW solar panel array is on display outside GLE’s Boyne City office. The panels help power the office and provide education for members about solar panels. Information about the solar project is available in the Boyne City office lobby during business hours or by visiting gtlakes.com/educational-solar. Interested in renewable energy? Solar energy options are easier than you think. Buy a share of solar power for as little as $10 a month. Visit spartansolar.com to learn more. Net metering programs also available, contact us for details.
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Co-Op Owners For Political Action The ACRE Co-op Owners for Political ActionÂŽ program is an exciting opportunity for you to join other co-op members in raising your voice and participating in the political process. Funds raised by this grassroots network are donated to the political campaigns of candidates whose positions on issues support those of electric cooperatives. ACRE supports political candidates who will speak for and protect the interests of electric cooperatives. No rate dollars are used for this program. All contributions are 100% voluntary. When you join this grassroots network you help with the long-term success of electric cooperatives like Great Lakes Energy.
To learn more, visit us or call us and ask for extension 8957. Call 888-GT-LAKES
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Truestream, powered by Great Lakes Energy, brings life-changing fiber internet and voice services to members. With internet speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gig and prices starting at around $60 per month, you’ll want to join Truestream today. Visit jointruestream.com today.
TRUESTREAM TIP #1: With Truestream you won’t have a dedicated email address so if you use one through your current provider, it will go away when you switch. Sign up for a portable email address, such as Google, Yahoo or another no-cost service.
TRUESTREAM TIP #2: Don’t sign long-term agreements with your current provider if they would prevent you from being able to get Truestream when it comes to your area.
TRUESTREAM TIP #3: Spread the word! We hope you’re as excited as we are about this amazing new service so tell your friends and neighbors!
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TRUESTREAM TIP #4 Go to jointruestream.com to enroll or show interest. We’ll gauge interest and may make decisions on where to construct service next based on member demand! Plus, by signing up you’ll receive the latest updates and information. Don’t have internet right now? Call our office to sign up.
Commercial and Industrial We’re committed to providing a high level of service and value to all our commercial and industrial members. Your unique needs and overall importance to our business require special energy services.
WE ALSO PROVIDE: »» Assistance in determining the most economical rate for your facility »» Technical assistance with troubleshooting/solving electrical problems or concerns related to member-owned primary equipment »» Help with obtaining low interest capital to meet your growth needs »» Thermal imaging services »» Power quality monitoring »» Transformer maintenance and testing »» Energy Optimization Programs
Great Lakes Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer. MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES MAGAZINE Applicant for GLE service agrees that $3.82 of the amount paid for electricity each year is for a subscription to “Michigan Country Lines”. Updated November 2018 . All programs subject to change or cancellation.
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1323 Boyne Avenue Post Office Box 70 Boyne City, MI 49712 t: 888.GT.LAKES (888.485.2537) f: 231.582.6213 gtlakes.com glenergy@glenergy.com
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