TIMES July & a u g u s t 2 022
cel ebr at ing K ID S DAY
p g. 10
in this issue
president's message PG. 3 restoring power PG. 5 Cyber Security at Home Pg. 6 Vehicle theft protection Pg. 9 Propane Rates pg. 12
In this issue President’s Message 3 Restoring Power 5 Cyber Security at Home 6 1500 Granville Road Newark, Ohio 43058 1.800.255.6815
Vehicle Theft Protection 9 Kids Day 2022 10 Propane Rates 12
myenergycoop.com
Know the signs of a scam 13 Veterans Grant 14
Todd Ware President & CEO Gary Baker Director of Marketing & Public Relations 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.
The Energy Cooperative Times is the official publication of The Energy Cooperative. This magazine is a bi-monthly communication link between The Energy Cooperative and its 67,500+ members.
President's message
By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer All cooperatives adhere to the same seven principles that reflect our core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness and service to the greater good of the community. I want to reflect on the first three principles that have stood the test of time and provide a framework for the future.
We announced the election results in May introducing new Directors for District Three, Brad Patton of Utica and District Four, Mike Pettit of Lancaster while re-electing District Seven Director, Dustin Buckingham residing in Howard. We know our members have a valuable perspective, so we continually seek your input and encourage you to weigh in on important cooperative issues and participate in cooperative elections.
Todd Ware
Voluntary and Open Membership Just like all co-ops, Energy Cooperative was created out of necessity to meet a need that would have been otherwise unmet in our community. So, in 1936, a group of neighbors banded together and organized our electric cooperative so everyone in our community could benefit. For a modest membership fee to the co-op, any farmer could get electricity brought to his farm. Neighbors came together to tackle a problem they all had but couldn't solve alone. They worked together for the whole community's benefit, and the newly established electric lines helped power economic opportunity in our community.
Brad Patton
Mike Pettit
Our close connection to this community gives us a first-hand perspective on members' priorities, enabling us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments.
Members' Economic Participation
While this history may be forgotten, critical parts of that heritage remain the focus on our mission and serving the greater good. In this, we include everyone to improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for the entire community. Therefore, membership is open to everyone in our service territory, regardless of race, religion, age, disability, gender identity, language, political perspective, or socioeconomic status.
As a utility, our mission is to provide our members with safe, reliable and affordable energy. But as a cooperative, we are also motivated by service to the community. Members contribute equitably and democratically control the capital of Energy Cooperative. Part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Because seven cooperative principles guide us, it's not just about dollars, it's about the opportunity for all and fairness when engaging with our members.
Democratic Member Control
Energy Cooperative is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. We view our role as a catalyst for good and making our corner of the world a better place.
Our cooperative is well suited to meet the needs of our members, because we are locally governed. They have a voice within the co-op through the Directors they elect. Each year, our members receive communications to nominate and then vote for the Director they choose within the districts open for election. For example, the Director election for 2022 boasted a full ballot of nominees provided by our members.
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The Steps to Restoring Power When a major outage occurs, our crews restore service to the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible – until everyone has power.
1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines These lines carry large amounts of electricity. They rarely fail but must be repaired first.
2. Distribution Substations Crews inspect substations, which can serve hundreds or thousands of people.
3. Main Distribution Lines Main lines serve essential facilities like hospitals and larger communities.
4. Individual Homes and Businesses After main line repairs are complete, we repair lines that serve individual homes and businesses.
Restoring power
By Josh Filler, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Electric Operations
Josh Filler
We do our best to avoid power outages, but some things are beyond our control. Major storms do not happen often, but when they do, they have the potential to cause catastrophic damage to our electric system. In those cases, extended outages are unavoidable. Here are some frequent questions we receive from members during power outages.
Do you know when my power goes out? We have systems in place that can tell if members are without power, but the more information we have, the more accurate and efficient we can be. If we know about your outage, rest assured we are working to restore it. Call us at 1-888-535-5732 to report a power outage or emergency. You can also report outages through the SmartHub app or by logging into your account from myenergycoop.com. To view current outages, visit our outage map at myenergycoop.com/outages.
How do you prepare for power outages? We take a proactive approach to maintenance that helps minimize the chance of prolonged outages. Year round, our crews are out trimming trees and clearing vegetation near the right-of-way. Maintaining our right-of-way improves power reliability for our entire community. In addition to managing vegetation, we regularly inspect utility poles, power lines and other critical equipment to maintain a more reliable system. Additionally, Energy Cooperative keeps a supply of extra utility poles, transformers and other equipment on hand so we can work quickly during an outage. When widespread outages occur, multiple crews head out into the field simultaneously to repair damage at multiple locations.
We also had forestry crews from W.A. Kendall, LaRoche Aviation and Hysong Tree Services on the system clearing trees and debris in the rights of way ahead of line crews.
Should I get a generator? The purchase and installation of a generator is an important and serious decision. There are many reasons to consider a generator. Some members opt for a generator if they have well water or a sump pump. Generators are worth considering if someone in your household works from home, you have livestock, you drive an electric vehicle or a family member relies on an electrically powered medical device. Properly done, a generator can provide peace of mind knowing your family can ride out any outage with some degree of comfort. Whether you opt for a whole house or portable backup generator, do not connect the generator directly to your electrical system unless an electrician installs the proper isolation equipment. Improperly connected generators can easily back feed into our grid and pose a risk to line workers and the public.
My neighbor has power. Why is mine still off? There are a couple of reasons your home could be without power when your neighbor’s lights are back on. First, your neighbor could have a home generator installed. If not, you could be on a different feeder or transformer from your neighbor. It is also possible your service line or the weatherhead connection (where the electric lines meet the electric meter) needs repaired before we can safely restore your power. Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but as a member of the Energy Cooperative, we want you to feel confident knowing we are standing by, ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible should outages occur.
We also coordinate with nearby co-ops and contractors to bring in more crews when necessary. During this past storm, crews from several neighboring cooperatives and contractors helped restore power to our members. Those crews came from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Logan County Electric Cooperative, Union Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., South Central Power Co., Consolidated Cooperative, Owen Electric Cooperative, Inc. from Kentucky and New River Electrical. 5
1-800-255-6815
Cyber Security at home
By Scott Stitts, Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Scott Stitts
Cyber security is not just for your computer. It is about keeping every device that connects to the internet safe. Think about all the devices your family uses every day. Gaming systems, TVs, tablets, smartphones, computers, smart speakers and wearable devices all access your internet network. Here are some tips to make sure your connection is safe and secure.
secure your home network Make sure every device that connects to the internet has the latest operation system, web browser and security software.
secure your wireless router Having wireless internet in your home allows you to connect to the internet from different areas of your home. It can also be a way for people to use your internet service for free and potentially use your network to commit cybercrimes.
2. Change the preset password or passphrase on your router. Using the default password/passphrase means it is much easier for other people to access your network. A strong password/passphrase is a sentence that is at least twelve characters long. On many sites, you can even use spaces. 3. Review security options. Choose WPA2, if available, or WPA for your router’s security level. These levels are more secure than the WEP option. 4. Create a guest password or passphrase. If people visit your home and connect to your Wi-Fi, it is time to set up a guest network. Some routers allow for guests to use networks via separate guest passphrases. 5. Use a firewall. Firewalls add another layer of safety between your personal information and hackers. It is important to turn on the pre-installed firewall that comes with your operating system and/or security software comes. Taking a few extra steps to secure your home network can go a long way towards keeping your family’s data safe and secure. Visit staysafeonline.org for more cyber security tips and tricks.
Take these important steps to secure your wireless router: 1. Change the name of your router. The default ID – called a service set identifier” (SSID) or “extended service set identifier” (ESSID) – is assigned by the manufacturer. Change your router to a name that is unique to you and cannot be easily guessed by others.
Special Announcement
Scott Stitts was recently promoted to Vice President and Chief Information Officer. In this new role, he will be responsible for the development, planning and implementation of the information technology strategy to ensure they meet the cooperative’s business needs. Over the past 11 years of Scott’s tenure with the Cooperative, he has continued to provide the utmost dedication and commitment and has greatly improved our overall technology infrastructure.
MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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CYBER SAFETY STARTS AT HOME! With everyone in the family using the internet to engage in social media, adjust the home thermostat or shop for the latest connected toy, it is vital to make certain that the entire household — including children and older adults — learn to use the internet safely and responsibility.
HELP MAKE YOUR HOME A SAFE DIGITAL HAVEN BY PROTECTING NETWORKS, DEVICES AND ONLINE LIVES WITH THESE TIPS:
HELP MAKE YOUR HOME A SAFE KEEP A CLEAN LOCK DOWN PROTECT YOUR SECURE YOUR DIGITAL HAVEN BY PROTECTING MACHINE YOUR LOGIN PERSONAL INFO WI-FI ROUTER Having the latest Usernames and Information about you, Set a strong NETWORKS, DEVICES security software, passwords are not such as AND purchase ONLINE passphrase for your web browser and enough to protect history or location, Wi-Fi network (at operating system key accounts like has value – just like least 12 characters WITH THESE TIPS:network is the best defenceLIVES email, bank and money. Be thoughtful long). Name your against viruses, social media. Improve about who gets that in a way that
malware and other online threats. Remember, mobile phones and tablets need updating, too!
account security by enabling strong authentication tools such as biometrics or unique one-time codes.
KEEP A CLEAN MACHINE
information and how it’s collected through apps and websites.
doesn’t let people know it’s your house.
LOCK DOWN YOUR LOGIN
PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM THEFT What You Should Know In the United States, a vehicle is stolen every
Nationally, only
39
56.4% RECOVERED
of stolen vehicles are
SECONDS In 2020, there were
In 2020, thieves stole more than
804,400
$7 BILLION IN MOTOR VEHICLE value
VEHICLES STOLEN NATIONWIDE
States With MOST VEHICLES STOLEN IN 2019 7
1
8
10
5
6
9
4
3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
California Florida Texas Georgia Illinois
2 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
North Carolina Montana Nevada Tennessee Pennsylvania
Prevent vehicle theft:
LOCK CARS and WINDOWS, park in well-lit areas, hide valuables,
DO NOT leave keys in car, and NEVER leave your vehicle while it’s running.
*Top 10 states with THE highest numbers of vehicles reported stolen in CY 2019
Sources: NHTSA and FBI
Revised May 2022
For more information on vehicle theft prevention and NHTSA, check out NHTSA.gov/Theft.
vehicle theft protection By Connie Hogue, Director of Human Resources and Safety With summers proving to be the worst season for vehicle thefts, it is crucial to think about vehicle theft prevention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about three-quarters of a million vehicles were stolen in the United States in 2019. Nearly half of those thefts were due to driver error. To help drivers Connie Hogue keep their vehicles more safe and secure, NHTSA is continuing its awareness of National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month throughout July. The National Insurance Crime Bureau breaks down vehicle theft prevention into four layers – Common Sense, Warning Device, Immobilizing Device and Tracking Device. The more layers of protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it is to steal.
Common Sense
Warning Device Install a remote car starter. Installing a remote car starter alleviates the urge to put the key in the ignition and go back inside of your home or business while your car cools down after sitting in the hot sun all day. A remote car starter allows the car to turn on, but does not allow the vehicle to shift gears. Get a smart car alarm. A smart car alarm connects directly to your smart phone to allow you to see if the alarm has been engaged. You can turn the alarm on or off and connect to security cameras in your vehicle if you have them installed. Some of the smart car alarms can also track your car through GPS which is helpful with the tracking layer of prevention.
Immobilizing Device Install a kill switch. A kill switch can be wired to the ignition, fuel line or battery to prevent a vehicle from starting. The kill switch should be installed in a hidden location and flipped every time you get out of your vehicle. Use a steering wheel lock. A steering wheel lock renders your car useless unless it is unlocked with a special key. It hooks onto your steering wheel and locks into place. The sight of a steering wheel lock is enough to deter anyone looking for an easy target.
Lock your doors and take your keys. Make it a habit to always take your keys with you and lock the doors – even if in your own garage. Many vehicles come with an alarm where if someone tries to get into your locked vehicle, it will set off the alarm and will deter them from proceeding with a theft. Tracking Device Install a GPS tracker. A GPS tracker is a great layer to add to Hide your valuable items. Valuable items should not be left another vehicle prevention method, such as a steering-wheel in vehicles, but if they need to be, hide them under the seats lock. This strategy can divert the focus of a thief as he will or in the trunk. likely not be looking for another protective device after he has overcome the first obstacle. Increase your driveway or streetside security. Increasing security and lighting around your home will help scare away Hide an old tablet or phone in your car. When you must leave anyone who may be wandering your property. A few different your vehicle in a place where you are unsure about safety, ways to increase the security include: place an old phone or tablet that is synced with your Google or iCloud account where it can’t be seen in your car. This • Install a floodlight camera with a live video feed connected will allow you to track your car using the “Find My Phone” to your smart phone function given that your phone or tablet is connect to network. • Set up a driveway alarm that will alert you when someone pulls up to your home While you can only do so much to prevent vehicle theft, • Increase the lighting on the outside of your home these tips when layered together will help deter theft from • Use contact sensors on your garage door and windows occurring.
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kids day
We were happy to hold Kids Day on Sunday, June 26th, 2022 for the first time since 2019. This annual event is a way to thank our members and their families for trusting us to provide them with safe, reliable and affordable energy. We would like to extend a thank you to all of our employees and their family and friends who volunteered to work this event.
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Propane rates By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations
Dan McVey
Energy Cooperative propane members enjoy clean fuel, outstanding service, competitive rates and reliable supply. We have an experienced propane team that is second to none, and we are proud of the level of service you receive as a propane member of Energy Cooperative. We work hard to show our members the cooperative difference in everything we do.
For our propane members, this means you have the fuel you need, when you need it. Whether you receive metered service or bulk delivery, for your home, business or farm, Energy Cooperative’s got you covered. By choosing our propane service, you also help us find areas where Energy Cooperative can expand our natural gas pipeline systems in the future.
Energy prices are on the rise Energy prices are on the rise this year, and propane is no different. Propane is a byproduct of both crude oil and natural gas, so when those commodity prices increase, propane follows. As a result, wholesale propane prices have nearly tripled since last year. Low propane storage levels throughout the United States have also placed upward pressure on market prices. Storage levels are very close to the five-year low range. While we secured a portion of our propane supply prior to the increase, most of our purchases are subject to these higher prices. Storage thousand barrels
12
5,000
1 00,000
75,000
50,000
Metered service can save you money We offer both bulk and metered propane service. Metered service allows members to pay for only the propane they use each month and avoid a costly bulk tank refill. The only downside to metered service is the requirement to read your own meter and submit a monthly reading. Sending us a monthly meter reading is one of the best ways to keep an eye on your budget. When we do not receive a meter read from you, our system automatically estimates your bill based on your previous energy use. The longer we estimate your bill, the greater the chance you overpay or underpay for the service. Then, when we finally do receive a meter reading, your bill will reconcile automatically. The best way to ensure correct billing is to send your meter reading by the 12th of every month. We are now evaluating an automated system that could eliminate the need for most members to read their own propane meter. More information will be available about automated meter reading after testing is complete.
MYENERGYCOOP.COM
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2
______ 8 2 �192------2� 2_1_____2_ �2__ -----2� 5·000 ---2� 12 _ 0 0 0 0 0 0 - U.S. Propane and Propylene Ending Stocks Excluding Propylene at Terminal, Weekly
� Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Lock in your propane rate To manage price volatility, we pre-buy the majority of our member’s projected winter propane needs . This allows us to offer an annual fixed price to you beginning July 1st every year. Last year, our propane prices were among the lowest in our market area. Unfortunately, our propane prices will be higher this year. They are, however, the lowest prices we can offer during this time of rising fuel costs. If you are not already taking advantage of our budget billing propane, we encourage you to consider it. Give us a call at 1-800-255-6815 to speak with one of our member service representatives. Budgets reconcile in September and March. This helps us ensure we do not over (or under) charge you throughout the year. If you are interested in budget billing, contact us before your September bill.
know the signs of a scam By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Pat McGonagle
It is no secret that utility customers have always been targets of scams, but fraudsters have changed their tactics since the pandemic. As consumers became more reliant on technology for work, school and commerce, scammers noted these shifts and adapted their tactics to this changed environment.
Some scammers may falsely claim you have been overcharged on your bill and say they want to give a refund. It sounds easy. All they need you to do is click or press a button to initiate the process. If you continue, you will be asked to provide banking or other personal information. Instead of money going into your bank account, the scammers can drain your account and use personal information such as a social security number for identity theft.
Common Types of Scams Imposter scams are the number one type of fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission. While scam artists may come to your door posing as a utility worker in today’s more connected world, attempts are more likely to come through an electronic device, via email, phone or text. A scammer may claim you are overdue on your electric or gas bill and threaten to disconnect your service if you do not pay immediately. Whether this is done in-person, by phone, text or email, the scammers want to scare you into immediate payment so you do not have time think clearly.
If this “refund” scam happens over the phone, just hang up and block the phone number to prevent future robocalls. If this scam attempt occurs via email (known as a “phishing” attempt) or by text (“smishing”), do not click any links. Instead, delete it, and if possible, block the sender. If you do overpay on your energy bill, Energy Cooperative will automatically apply the credit to your account.
Defend Yourself Against Scams Be wary of call or texts from unknown numbers. Be suspicious of an unknown person claiming to be a utility worker who requests banking or other personal information.
If this happens over the phone, simply hang up. If you are concerned about your bill, call us at 1-800-255-6815. Our phone number is also on your monthly bill and on our website, myenergycoop.com. If the scam is by email or text, delete it before taking any action. If you are unsure, you can always contact us or use the SmartHub app to check the status of your account.
Never let anyone into your home that you do not know unless you have a scheduled appointment or reported a problem. Energy Cooperative employees always carry ID badges. When we perform work on our members’ property or come into your home, our employees are professionals and will always identify themselves. You can also call our office to verify one of our employees is at your residence. We want to help protect our community against utility scams and you can help create the first line of defense. Please report any potential scams to us so we can spread the word to prevent others in the community from falling victim. 13
1-800-255-6815
Veteran's Grant The Energy Cooperative is proud to support our local veteran groups through our American Veterans Grant Program. On May 31, 2022, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Gary Baker, and our Propane Operations Manager, Mike Sharkey, delivered a check to the American Legion Post 71 in Roseville in the amount of $3,000. The money will go toward veteran and senior citizen activities, youth scholarships and community projects. Featured in the photo is First Vice Commander, Dave Sowards and Finance Officer, Rodney Barbour.
Do you know of an organization that could benefit from a Veteran's Grant? To learn more about the program or to apply for a grant, visit myenergycoop.com/veterans-grant.
The Operation Round Up Foundation awarded $13,588 in June To the following community organizations: Dresden Swim Center for speakers Knox Technical Center to purchase cardiac equipment Maryann Township Fire to upgrade lighting New Hope Lutheran for back to school fest supplies 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. To learn more about Operation Round Up Foundation or to apply for a grant, visit myenergycoop.com/operation-roundup.
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ELECTRONICS WORD SCRAMBLE You can be more energy efficient by turning off unused electronics. Many electronics consume energy even when they’re not being used. Unplug them to save energy. Unscramble the letters below to reveal electronics you can turn off when not in use. Use the pictures for clues and check your work in the answer key.
1. NEPOH EHGRRAC
2. MGAE NOESCLO
3. LCAEB XBO
4. EWROP PRTIS
5. ONSILEETIV
WORD BANK Power strip
Television
Cable box
Phone charger
Game console
ANSWER KEY: 1) PHONE CHARGER 2) GAME CONSOLE 3) CABLE BOX 4) POWER STRIP 5) TELEVISION
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
1500 Granville Road P.O. Box 4970 Newark, Ohio 43058-4970 1.800.255.6815
PAID
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 • • •
Member service: 1.800.255.6815. Electric outages or emergencies: 1.888.535.5732. Natural gas or propane emergency: 1.800.255.6815.
Safety Reminders • • •
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.