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P e n i n s u l a L i g h t C o m p a n y N e w s l e t t e r

HOLIDAY CLOSURES:

Supervising Editor: Jonathan White 253.857.1514 newsletter@penlight.org | Produced by Peninsula Light Company

is published monthly by

www.penlight.org

253.857.5950

DON’T FORGET THOSE HIDDEN NUMBERS!

Every month, 5 randomly chosen account numbers are hidden in Lights. If

you spot yours, call Ruth at 253.857.1529 and receive a

$50 credit on your next bill.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Community CALENDAR

I N S I D E :

E V E N T S

January 1 - New Year’s DayFebruary 16 - Presidents Day

New Online Payment System

Help Your Neighbors With Pennies Per Month

Emergency Preparedness

Sign Up for Outage Texting

Keep Rates Affordable

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* Of note this month, data from the wind storm event that occurred on 12/11/14 is not included.

OUTAGES BY CAUSE

As I look back at 2014, I am amazed at how much we accomplished. In addition to our plan to continue putting parts of our system underground, we installed 16 total miles of tree wire on the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas, and it proved to be very valuable when they resisted – and, in some cases, prevented – power outages during storms we had in October and November. But I’m most proud of three achievements in the past 12 months: Our ability to hold off a rate increase for the second consecutive year, our reliability recognition and the completion of an emergency point of connection in case of a region-wide disaster.

Cos t s absorbed PenLight is a full-requirements utility of the Bonneville Power Administration, subject to wholesale electric rate increases when BPA goes through its biannual review process. BPA raised its wholesale rates by 9.6 percent in 2013, covering a period that will expire on Sept. 30, 2015. But we took steps to contain our operating expenses to 1 percent growth from year to year, and our financial strategies enabled us to absorb the BPA increase without passing it on to our members. We accomplished the same thing in 2014. In fact, we have only raised our rates three times since 2001, a trend that’s opposite from our industry nationwide.

rel iabil i t y When I was first hired in 2007, I had an ambitious goal to improve our reliability rating from the fourth quartile across the country all the way to the top 25 percent. The rating takes into account both the frequency of outages, as well as duration. Honestly, due to the rural nature of our utility, I would have been happy to be in the upper level of the second quartile. But because we continue to work on an aggressive, seven-year program that focuses on putting nearly 70 percent of our system underground – among other goals, including advances in technology – we did make the first quartile for reliability. Now we’ll turn our attention to an even more ambitious goal: Staying there.

int erConneC t ion In our 89-year history as a cooperative utility, we have only had one transmission line that delivered power to the peninsulas. Unfortunately, if anything ever happened to the Narrows Crossing, it would take weeks – if not months – before power could be restored. We don’t have to worry about that any more.

We partnered with BPA and Tacoma Public Utilities to add an ability to connect to the Potlach transmission lines near Allyn in Mason County. We looked at building a substation at that location, but it would have cost millions of dollars. Instead, our interconnection system is built much like a pair of jumper cables. While it doesn’t function on a daily basis, it would act as an emergency source of power within a matter of hours if something catastrophic were to hit the South Puget Sound.

Thank you for your support throughout the year. I look forward to 2015 and the opportunities it will bring. I hope to see you at many of the community events and festivals throughout Gig Harbor, Fox Island and the Key Peninsula this spring and summer.PENLIGHT OFFICE: 13315 GOOdNOuGH dr NW | GIG HarbOr, Wa 98332

CONCErT: “TWO amazING arTIsTs, ONE amazING NIGHT” – JaN. 17, 5 Pm Two exceptional singer-songwriters, Stephanie Anne Johnson, a top 20 finalist on “The Voice,” and classically trained Emily Ann Peterson, will thrill and enchant an audience with their soulful sounds, rhythm and songs. Tickets can be purchased at the Gig Harbor BoatShop or by calling 253.857.9344. They are $15 for BoatShop members, $20 for non-members.

HarbOr WILdWaTCH bEaCH mONITOrING – JaN. 18-21Beaches typically are closed to the public during the evening, but this event will allow participants to bundle up, put on a headlamp, and join Harbor WildWatch for an exciting night. Experience the shoreline at night and collect data about the animals that inhabit seven local beaches during the evening low tides. Email Stena@harborwildwatch.org if you wish to participate. Dates and times are 8:30 pm Jan. 18 at the DeMolay Sand Spit Nature Preserve; 7 pm Jan. 19 at Maple Hollow; 7:45 pm Jan. 20 at Kopachuck State Park; and 9:30 pm Jan. 21 at Austin Estuary Park.

KEyFEsT mEETING – FEb. 4, 6 PmThe Fair Association is seeking community input and ideas to help make KeyFest and the Key’s Got Talent contest a continuing success. No commitment is required. Meetings are held at 6 pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Roadhouse Restaurant’s VIP Room. For more information, call 253.444.3547, email info@keyfair.org or visit www.keyfair.org.

HarbOr WILdWaTCH’s PIEr INTO THE NIGHT FEaTurING a LIvE dIvE – FEb. 7, 6-8 PmSCUBA divers will film the bottom of Gig Harbor Bay with an HD underwater camera in search of squid, octopus or maybe even a Spiny Lumpsucker. Become a virtual SCUBA diver while you stay dry and warm on the surface. The event will be held at Jerisich Dock, 3207 Harborview Drive in downtown Gig Harbor.

OLaLLa CLubHOusE CONCErT – FEb. 14, 6 Pm FOr POTLuCK, 7 Pm FOr musICThe Olalla Clubhouse will host a Valentine’s Day show with the Ian McFeron Band. For information or reservations, call 253.438.0078 or visit www.olallahouse.org. All concerts support the performers and the work of the Olalla Community Club, a non-profit organization that maintains the community hall and supports local food banks, school music programs, holiday food drives and other activities. Suggested donation is $15-$20.

Join grassroots group to

Keep Rates AffordableLearn how legislation can impact your electric rates–join PenLight’s electric ambassadors, a grassroots group that stays up to date on pending legislation and other industry news.

In 1999, our Ambassadors first organized when members of rural electric cooperatives from Washington state strongly opposed a federal government proposal to deregulate public power in the Northwest. Washington voters witnessed what happened to ratepayers in California following deregulation and did not want that here. They wrote and called their elected officials, and deregulation efforts were halted.

In the past 15 years, Ambassadors have continued to tackle a number of diverse industry issues. Staying informed through the program is easy, and there is no obligation or cost to members. It includes periodic print or electronic editions of Live From Olympia, updating group members on what we’re following in Olympia. Information needed to understand issues is provided and, on occasion, we will ask Ambassadors to write, call or email elected officials to help us state our position.

to sign up, visit www.penlight.org/ambassador-program, call 253.857.1581 or email brianm@penlight.org. on Facebook, the ambassadors have a private group you can request to join by searching for “Penlight electric ambassadors.”

3-Day BasicEmergency Kits

The Kit Contains:• 12 EmErgEncy Drinking WatEr Packs• 1 EmErgEncy FooD rations - 3 Days• 1 sPacE BlankEt• 1 “D” cEll Flashlight With BattEriEs• 1 EmErgEncy Poncho With hooD• 3 Bio hazarD Bags

• 1 roll toilEt PaPEr• 9 antimicroBial hanD WiPEs• 3 PaPEr toWEls• 1 soaP• 1 WhistlE• 3 Pair latEx glovEs• 1 n-95 rEsPirator mask

$4000From Penlight

0943240079053

Jafar TaghaviChief Executive Officer

“We have only raised our rates three times since 2001, a trend that’s opposite from our industry nationwide.”

P e n i n s u l a L i g h t C o m p a n y N e w s l e t t e r JAN / FEB 2015

Change is Coming!

Beginning in February, PenLight will introduce a new and vastly improved online and automatic bill-pay system. We have selected Invoice Cloud, a new vendor which has a successful track record of working with utilities and financial institutions. We are making the change due to our current vendor’s poor performance. The inconvenience some of you might have experienced is unacceptable and reflects poorly on our cooperative.

Our new online payment platform will be more dependable, easier to use, faster, and your personal information will continue to be safe and secure. You can expect your online and auto-pay experience to be greatly enhanced.

We tend to compare our online payment experience with some of the major innovators for online payment technology, whether we are purchasing a product or making a payment for monthly services we receive. Since 2006, when we first launched our online payment option, we have continuously worked to improve that experience. We expect this change will meet your expectations.

We will continue to keep you informed on our progress as we work toward a more efficient and effective online

payment experience. At this time, members don’t need to make any changes to their online payment

profile or take any action. However, if you have questions regarding a payment or

your account, call our Member Services Department at

253.857.5950.

NEW onl ine Payment s ys t em

“Our new online payment platform will be more dependable, easier to use, faster, and your personal information will continue to be safe and secure.”

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emergenCy PreParednessWinter can bring high winds, power outages

In the Puget Sound area, winter can mean high winds, driving rain and, occasionally, snow and ice. PenLight’s tree trimming and undergrounding programs have greatly reduced the number of power outages we face. But if an outage occurs, it’s easier to cope if we are prepared.

here a F e w t iP s that C an helP you ge t through a s tormy s i t uat ion :

• Stay away from downed power lines.

• Store or refresh an emergency water supply.

• Keep an adequate supply of non-perishable food on hand (including pet food).

• Keep a corded phone and battery-powered radio in a convenient spot.

• Buy new batteries if yours are more than 7 years old. store them in a cool, dry place (not in the freezer).

• Check your first-aid supplies, especially any prescription drugs that may need to be refilled. Replace any outdated items.

• Update your emergency information. Make sure everyone in your family has a list of current phone numbers, car license plate numbers (and descriptions), recent photographs and an understanding of your family’s emergency contact procedures.

• This also is a good time to update your household inventory and insurance information. Keep it in a safe deposit box or in a water-tight container in the freezer.

• Keep a blanket and a set of warm clothes in every vehicle.

If you experience a power outage, call us at 253.853.1388 and tune in to KGHP-FM at 89.3, 89.9 or 105.7 for regular updates.

We also suggest you unplug any appliances, especially electronics, which might be damaged by a power surge when power is restored. For more tips on how to prepare for an emergency, visit www.pep-c.org or www.penlight.org.

Looking for another way to report your outage?

Sign up for outage texting.You can use any text-enabled cell phone to let us know you’ve lost power. To opt in, send a text to 857-00. Type “penlight” in the message box and hit send. You will get a text back asking you to confirm your service address. After you respond, you will get a text that confirms your eligibility.

To notify us of your outage, send a text to 857-00 and type “out” in the message box. You will get a reply that asks you to confirm your service address. Save 857-00 in your contact list so you’ll have the number on hand when your power goes out. To opt out, text “stop” to 857-00.

Outage texting is another way you can report your outage, and it won’t tie up phone lines. For assistance, call 253.857.5950.

You can help your

neighbors with pennies per month

SoMe T iMe S THeRe ’ S noT enoUGH To MaKe endS Mee T. During the winter, many living expenses go up, including electric bills. PenLight has a program that can help low-income families stay warm.

Project Help is a donation-based system that exists to help families who need financial assistance. It can provide up to $200 per year. The program provides funds through a partnership with Key Peninsula Community Services to offset those who need help with their electric bill. And the best part? PenLight matches each donation dollar for dollar.

More than 1,100 Peninsula Light Co. members have signed up to donate funds to Project Help since July, raising the total number of participants to about 1,350. Project Help operates annually from November through April, when electric bills are at their peak due to seasonal temperatures.

there are three ways For Penl ight member s to Contr ibut e-

• a one-time gift • a recurring monthly donation • By rounding up each monthly bill to the nearest whole dollar

Our Round-up campaign is the newest and most popular way to donate. It’s the least expensive option because the amount is always less than $1 a month, but every penny of support adds up. Members who elect to contribute through the Round-up campaign add an average of $6 to their annual bill.

Progr am beneF i t s : About 550 Gig Harbor-area families have benefitted from an average of $110,000 through Project Help each year since 2009. But the program needs more funds because demand is on the rise. No administrative costs are deducted, and all contributions are tax-deductible, so every dollar goes to help your neighbors in need.

Our ultimate goal is to have 10,000 members contribute to Project Help – about one-third of our service territory. To learn more, call our Member Services Department at 253.857.5950 or visit www.penlight.org/project-help.

Contact us today to learn how you can give the gift of warmth this winter.

FOLLOW PENLIGHT FOR THE LATEST NEWS:

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