Prince George Electric Cooperative News

Transcription

1 Prince George Electric Cooperative News SmartHub Launched July 27, 2015! Prince George Electric Cooperative offers the latest technology to help you manage your account 24/7 by computer, smartphone or tablet with a free application called SmartHub. Take advantage of the following tools: Inquire for balance and due date. Make a payment with Visa or MasterCard. View historical monthly data. Sign up for paperless billing! Receive important account status alerts! Former E-bill users are already registered same login! Pay Now feature for a quick payment. Free smartphone apps! SmartHub is safe and secure using encrypted technology during every transaction, and no personal information is stored on your mobile device! For more information, visit Free smartphone apps: iphone App Android App PRINCE GEORGE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Main Office: 7103 General Mahone Hwy. P.O. Box 168 Waverly, VA Customer Service Office: 5718 Courthouse Road Prince George, VA Hour Emergency Service Website: Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. President & CEO Mike Malandro, P.E. Prince George Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Wholesale Power Costs Adjustment Decreases Prince George Electric Cooperative announced in July that as a result of declining wholesale power costs, PGEC members will pay $1.34 less for every 1,000 kilowatthours (kwh) used starting with their July energy use. A service location using 2,500 kwh will pay $3.35 less monthly on their electric bill. When the Cooperative receives charges or credits on its wholesale power bills under the provision of the Energy Adjustment Clause, the rates of the Cooperative will correspondingly increase or decrease. The new Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) has been reduced by $ to a rate of $ per kwh, a 4.2 percent decrease. The WPCA is the rate component on your electric bill that reflects the variable cost of electricity that PGEC purchases from its wholesale power supplier. 18 Prince George Electric Cooperative

2 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF PRINCE GEORGE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE S REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A PREPAID ELECTRIC SERVICE TARIFF CASE NO. PUE On July 8, 2015, Prince George Electric Cooperative ( PGEC or Cooperative ) filed with the State Corporation Commission ( Commission ) an application and exhibits pursuant to A 7 of the Code of Virginia requesting approval of a new proposed voluntary tariff, Schedule PE, to allow certain PGEC residential and small general service customers to establish and maintain a prepaid balance for their electric service ( Application ). The Cooperative also proposed the addition of a new Appendix C to its Terms and Conditions of Service to address PGEC s prepaid electric service. The Cooperative states that its new proposed voluntary prepaid tariff would be available to certain residential and small general service customers at their option who wish to establish and maintain a prepaid balance with PGEC for their electric service. The Cooperative states that for a customer requesting service under a small general service rate to be eligible for Schedule PE, the service must be located on the property of a current residential service being served under Schedule PE and the service shall not be greater than 200 amps. The Application provides that access to the new schedule will be subject to the availability of the necessary automated metering infrastructure and associated equipment at the customer s location. Further, as proposed by PGEC, certain customers would not be eligible to participate: customers who participate in the Cooperative s net metering, time-ofuse, or budget billing programs; and customers receiving service subject to a Serious Medical Condition Certification who are dependent on electricity to power medical equipment. While the proposed prepaid tariff would allow customers to forgo certain fees and charges, including mandatory deposits to initiate service, late payment fees, and reconnection charges, customers still would be responsible for other charges and fees. For example, a minimum $25 prepayment balance would be required to initiate prepaid service. According to PGEC, the Cooperative would check a prepaid customer s usage at least once daily and would notify the customer daily by the customer s chosen medium phone, , or text message when the prepayment balance falls below a predetermined amount. The Application states that should a customer s balance fall to zero, however, electric service would be subject to being suspended. PGEC states that the automated metering system currently used by PGEC is not capable of supporting in-home device technology and therefore proposes to provide customers with an additional 24-hour grace period to establish a positive prepayment balance after customary notice has been given that service may be suspended because the customer s prepayment balance has reached zero. Upon suspension, electric service would resume only after the customer made a payment to re-establish a prepayment balance on the account. PGEC further represents that no additional fees would be applied to the account as a result of an automatic disconnect or automatic reconnect of prepaid electric service. Further, as proposed by the Cooperative, no bills would be sent to customers under PGEC s prepaid tariff. Instead, participating customers would be responsible for maintaining their prepayment balance and may check their prepayment balance through the Cooperative s Internet-based account management service which includes smartphone applications, through the Cooperative s automated phone system, or by request to the Cooperative. In support of its Application, PGEC states that the proposed prepaid tariff would provide several benefits to customers, including the ability to avoid customary deposit requirements, and increased awareness of energy usage, which could lead to self-initiated conservation. Interested persons may review a copy of the Commission s Order for Notice and Hearing and the Company s Application at the Cooperative s business offices where bills can be paid during regular business hours and in the Commission s Document Control Center, located on the first floor of the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Interested persons also may request a copy of the same, at no charge, by written request to counsel for PGEC, John A. Pirko, Esquire, LeClairRyan, 4201 Dominion Boulevard, Suite 200, Glen Allen, Virginia If acceptable to the requesting party, the Cooperative may provide the documents by electronic means. In addition, unofficial copies of the Cooperative s Application, Commission orders entered in this docket, the Commission s Rules of Practice and Procedure ( Rules of Practice ), as well as other information concerning the Commission and the statutes it administers, may be downloaded from the Commission s website at: The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this docket that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing on the Application. A Hearing Examiner will convene this hearing at 10 a.m. on January 13, 2016, in the Commission s Courtroom, Second Floor, Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive the testimony of public witnesses and the evidence of the Cooperative, any respondents, and the Staff. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness should appear at the hearing location fifteen (15) minutes before the starting time on the day of the hearing and identify himself or herself to the Commission s Bailiff. On or before January 6, 2016, interested persons may file written comments on the Cooperative s Application with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia Interested persons desiring to submit comments electronically may do so on or before January 6, 2016, by following the instructions found on the Commission s website: Compact discs or any other form of electronic storage medium may not be filed with the comments. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUE On or before September 25, 2015, any person or entity may participate as a respondent in this proceeding by filing a notice of participation in accordance with 5 VAC , Filing and service, and 5 VAC , Copies and format, of the Rules of Practice. If not filed electronically, an original and fifteen (15) copies of the notice of participation shall be submitted to the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth above. Any person or entity also shall serve a copy of the notice of participation upon counsel to the Cooperative at the address set forth above. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action. Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by Rule 5 VAC , Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings with the Clerk of the Commission shall refer to Case No. PUE and shall be served on counsel for the Cooperative at the address set forth above. 19

3 SECURE PAY Effective Sept. 1, 2015, members choosing to pay by phone with a credit/debit card will be required to use PGEC s Secure Pay. Let s Round Up for Education to Help Local Students A Cooperative Program for Everyone! Prince George Electric Cooperative is committed to the education of our area students. One way we demonstrate that is through the Round Up for Education program. But we need your help to make it a true success! All you have to do is say YES! I want to help our students. Each month, your electric bill will be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar. The difference between your actual bill amount and the whole dollar will be set aside to assist the school of your choice in our local area. For instance, if your monthly bill for energy use is $126.32, it would be rounded up to $127. You would pay $127 and $.68 would be set aside for the school you have selected. PGEC matches the first $50 donated each year to a school. In 2015 alone, participating members have contributed $1,230! How is the money used? A teacher may apply for funds from Round Up for Education through an application process. Items such as basic office supplies, basic school supplies, and educational reading material are typical of the types of materials for which reimbursements are made. Too often teachers end up paying for these items out-ofpocket. With your help, we can make a difference in educating our young people. Simply sign up below or send an with your account information and school of choice to info@pgec.coop. We cannot divide the donation from one electric account between schools, but if you have more than one account we will be happy to sign-up each account to the school of your choice. If you have any questions, please call (804) and speak to a customer service representative. ROUND UP FOR EDUCATION Teachers from Prince George County schools receive Round Up for Education checks to reimburse them for out-of-pocket classroom expenses! School: Name on Account: Acct. #: Phone: Please return to: PGEC, P.O. Box 620, Waverly, VA ROUNDUPFOREDUCATION Why Secure Pay? The Payment Card Industry, which oversees the use of credit cards, has implemented steps to secure data available through credit card transactions. PGEC has taken measures to comply with this policy in our desire to protect our members personal information and continue to accept a Visa or MasterCard as a form of payment. Secure Pay is easy to use and available 24/7 Secure Pay is your way to pay with credit or debit card by phone! Call , select option #2, and enter your electric account number or primary phone number on your account. Check account balance Find out due date Confirm amount and date of last payment Pay your bill with Visa or MasterCard From left: Lynn Thornton, PGEC s customer communication coordinator, presents a check to LaSonya White, 4-H youth development extension agent. Who remembers? I pledge... My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service and My Health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world. If you do, then you participated in 4-H in your youth. 4-H clubs are decades old and still relevant for providing activities, teaching life skills, and giving youth an opportunity for new experiences and making new friends. Prince George Electric Cooperative is honored to have supported three youths attending 4-H camp at Airfield in Wakefield this summer. 20 Prince George Electric Cooperative

4 Changes to Terms and Conditions Effective Sept. 30, 2015 In accordance with statutory notice requirements set forth in the Code of Virginia, please be advised that Prince George Electric Cooperative has amended its Terms and Conditions for Providing Electric Service. The Appendix A Schedule F fee structure and the Schedule OL-8 effective September 30, APPENDIX A Schedule F Fees Type of Fee or Service Charge Amount A. Membership Fee (Non-Refundable) $5.00 B. Activation Fee (Non-Refundable) $30.00 C. (Reserved) is made, per Trip, per Account $45.00 E.(Reserved) F. Reconnection Fee to Existing Consumer 1 1. During Regular Business Hours, per Trip, per Account $ After Regular Business Hours, at Customer s request, per Trip, per Account 2 $ Late hours, per Trip, per Account 3 $ G. Returned Payment Processing Fee H. Service Call Fee Customer Request 4 1. During Regular Business Hours, per Trip, per Account 1 $ After Regular Business Hours, per Trip, per Account 2 $90.00 I. Credit Card There shall be no fee for a customer to make a payment of up to $1, by credit card. 1. Regular Business Hours are Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2. After Regular Business Hours are Weekdays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Weekends and/or Holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 3. Late Hours include any time between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. 4. Service Calls include Consumer requested Site Visits for Generator Visit requiring Cooperative Personnel and Equipment. September 2015 PRINCE GEORGE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Waverly, Virginia SCHEDULE OL-8 OUTDOOR LIGHTING SERVICE AVAILABILITY Available in all territory served by the Cooperative subject to the Terms and Commission. APPLICABILITY Available to members and/or customers of the Cooperative for outdoor lighting service except where installations are prevented by any public authority having jurisdiction. MONTHLY RATE Monthly Monthly ESS Rate Dist. Rate Lamp Tvpe* Lumens Watts kwh Per Unit Per Unit 40 Watt LED 3, $0.42 $ Watt LED 8, $1.00 $ Watt LED 26, $2. 90 $7.33 High Pressure Sodium 8, $1.21 $6.64 High Pressure Sodium 20, $2.43 $13.47 High Pressure Sodium 44, $4.56 $23.83 Mercury Vapor 7, $2.13 $5.96 Mercury Vapor 20, $4.56 $23.83 *NOTE: Only LED lamps are available for new installation or replacement of existing installations. The customer shall pay to the Cooperative, in advance of installation, the equivalent of one yearly charge per lamp installed. WHOLESALE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE The amount of charges calculated at the above rate is subject to any increase or decrease under provisions of the Cooperative s Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment Clause, Schedule WPCAC-5. 21

5 Spotlight on Rowanty Technical Center by Laura Emery, Field Editor Everyone can be successful at something, says Rowanty Technical Center (RTC) principal Cheryl Simmers. Rowanty Technical Center, located in Carson, serves students in Dinwiddie, Prince George and Sussex counties, with over 300 students between the ages of 16 and 19 currently enrolled in the technical school. Local students, most of whom are high school juniors and seniors, enroll in a two-year technical program designed to help them achieve academic success and acquire necessary skills for employment. The students we get here range anywhere from the lower academic level to the highest academic level of students. But they all have one thing in common and that s that they want to work with their hands. For a lot of students, that s their way to success, Simmers notes. Rowanty students choose to supplement their regular curriculum with hands-on instruction in specific trades and service occupations. Study areas include cosmetology, auto body, firefighting and EMT, criminal justice, welding, masonry, carpentry, CNA (certified nursing assistant), auto technology, and electricity. We also teach work ethics and, for some, we help them find a career goal or direction, explains Simmers, who came on board as principal of the vocational/technical school in February The various technical skills that the students are learning will open a number of career opportunities once they leave Rowanty. Many courses permit students to receive advanced placement in related post-secondary programs at many of the community colleges or technical training centers in the region. Graduates also have the opportunity to begin working in their chosen career fields earlier and at a greater income level than their peers. The three school divisions that participate in Rowanty are Sussex, Dinwiddie and Prince George county schools. It s a half-day program for the students, so they either come in the morning or the afternoon, explains Simmers. Simmers hopes to increase the role of the community in the school. I graduated from Sussex Central in 1985, so a lot of my friends went to Rowanty. When I was in school, they had a GED program here and adult education classes in the evening. My goal is to bring back some of the programs and add additional programs as we move along. I m already working with all three school boards as well as the Sussex County Board of Supervisors and Rowanty students choose to supplement their regular curriculum with hands-on instruction in specific trades and service occupations. Study areas include cosmetology, auto body, firefighting and EMT, criminal justice, welding, masonry, carpentry, CNA (certified nursing assistant), auto technology, and electricity. 22 Prince George Electric Cooperative

6 The students have done a number of projects around the school. The electricity students have installed power supply for me and fixed all of our building s wall sockets. Our carpentry students are building a 20x20 shed out back that is almost done, while the electricity students have run the wiring to the shed. The masonry students have started hardscaping out back of the school, Principal Cheryl Simmers points out. These are just a few of the service projects they re doing in the school to get hands-on experience. ARICA HAWTHORNE PHOTOS everyone has been very supportive of my ideas on what I d like to bring back to Rowanty, she says. In the meantime, some community services are provided through the classroom. For example, auto body and auto technology students do take on some outside work for people. That, of course, is contingent upon our scheduling and what is available. The same applies for any of the other programs. If there is a service we can provide the community, we will if we can at cost because it is a learning experience for the students, Simmers says. Simmers feels strongly about her new position and helping area students. There are a lot of great students here and we definitely want the community to feel like they can come here and see what they re doing. I think it s important for the community to know that these are going to be the people working in the future in these vocations for them. The students have done a number of projects around the school. The electricity students have installed power supply for me and fixed all of our building s wall sockets. Our carpentry students are building a 20x20 shed out back that is almost done, while the electricity students have run the wiring to the shed. The masonry students have started hardscaping out back of the school, she points out. These are just a few of the service projects they re doing in the school to get hands-on experience. When students graduate from the program, they will go out into the community and become successful members of society. Simmers says, We have some great students here and we re very proud of what they go on to accomplish. That is something we want the community to see. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Rowanty Technical Center Rowanty Road Carson, VA Phone: (804) The various technical skills that the students are learning will open a number of career opportunities once they leave Rowanty. Many courses permit students to receive advanced placement in related post-secondary programs at many of the community colleges or technical training centers in the region. Graduates also have the opportunity to begin working in their chosen career fields earlier and at a greater income level than their peers. September