Jeff Wadsworth President & CEO OCTOBER 2017 President & CEO, Poudre Valley REA Jeff Wadsworth Working to Exceed Your Expectations October 12 @ PVREA “Exceeds expectations.” My kids always combed their grade-school report cards for EEs, which signified they had attained the coveted “exceeds expectations” rating in aspects of school life that couldn’t be assigned a letter grade. As they have grown, those EEs have turned into As and Bs. I hope none of my kids ever lose that desire to exceed expectations in all that they do. At PVREA, we also strive for EEs, every single day. We don’t want to do what you only expect us to do— provide you with affordable, safe, and reliable electric service. We want to go farther and do far better by providing superior member service and offering programs that help you save time and money. Our linemen provide the public face of our mission to exceed expectations. They routinely work in rough weather and put in long hours. But they do it gladly, because they deeply care and are committed to doing an exceptional job for you. However, we have many people behind the scenes who also make our co-op the best it can be. Our engineers continually explore new technologies and work through our Construction Work Plan to improve service reliability. For 2017, PVREA has budgeted to spend over $10 million for projects to improve our system performance and overall reliability. One of the areas of focus in our plan is a concentrated effort of improving the performance of specific problem circuits by separating such circuits into more and smaller sections, known as “sectionalizing” in the industry. This will allow for fewer members on the circuit to be impacted when an outage does occur. Our member services representatives want to make sure you have a positive and satisfying experience when you call our office for help. When you call our office, you can always talk to a live person, not just a voice recording. We make sure to offer convenient payment options and a way to pay your bill anytime of the day or night, whether it’s by phone or online through SmartHub. Our goal in serving you is to not only provide that power to your light switch, but to also make sure our member service exceeds your expectations when compared to other services you use at home – such as your cell phone, cable TV or internet. We continually work on keeping our operational costs in check and your electricity affordable. As a not-for-profit co-op, we’re not in the business of making money. We’re in the business of delivering electricity to you in the most affordable way we can. I’m proud to note that PVREA has the lowest residential rate, based on average usage, out of all of the utilities in Colorado served by Tri-State G&T, our wholesale power supplier, and our rate falls well below Colorado’s average electricity rate. In the coming months, you will be hearing more from us on how we are working to hold the line on our rates and continue to keep your electricity at a great value. Whether it’s a power outage or energy assessment, a billing question or community event, we’re working hard to achieve those EEs from you every day. Over the years, as we’ve listened to you and your fellow co-op members, we know that we have to keep pace as technology and consumer tastes evolve. As always, we welcome your participation as we plan for the future. In honor of National Co-op Month, I invite you to stop by the co-op office the morning of October 12 for donuts and coffee with your co-op; I will be available to chat with and listen to members who stop by. And while you’re here, check out our Community Room. I hope to see you there.
Transcript
Jeff WadsworthPresident & CEO
OCTOBER 2017
President & CEO, Poudre Valley REAJeff Wadsworth
Working to Exceed Your Expectations
October 12 @ PVREA
“Exceeds expectations.” My kids always combed their grade-school report cards for EEs, which signified they had attained the coveted “exceeds expectations” rating in aspects of school life that couldn’t be assigned a letter grade. As they have grown, those EEs have turned into As and Bs. I hope none of my kids ever lose that desire to exceed expectations in all that they do.
At PVREA, we also strive for EEs, every single day. We don’t want to do what you only expect us to do—provide you with affordable, safe, and reliable electric service. We want to go farther and do far better by providing superior member service and offering programs that help you save time and money.
Our linemen provide the public face of our mission to exceed expectations. They routinely work in rough weather and put in long hours. But they do it gladly, because they deeply care and are committed to doing an exceptional job for you.
However, we have many people behind the scenes who also make our co-op the best it can be. Our engineers continually explore new technologies and work through our Construction Work Plan to improve service reliability. For 2017, PVREA has budgeted to spend over $10 million for projects to improve our system performance and overall reliability. One of the areas of focus in our plan is a concentrated effort of improving the performance of specific problem circuits by separating such circuits into more and smaller sections, known as “sectionalizing” in the industry. This will allow for fewer members on the circuit to be impacted when an outage does occur.
Our member services representatives want to make sure you have a positive and satisfying experience when you call our office for help. When you call our office, you can always talk to a live person, not just a voice recording. We make sure to offer convenient payment options and a way to pay your bill anytime of the day or night, whether it’s by phone or online through SmartHub. Our goal in serving you is to not only provide that power to your light switch, but to also make sure our member service exceeds your expectations when compared to other services you use at home – such as your cell phone, cable TV or internet.
We continually work on keeping our operational costs in check and your electricity affordable. As a not-for-profit co-op, we’re not in the business of making money. We’re in the business of delivering electricity to you in the most affordable way we can. I’m proud to note that PVREA has the lowest residential rate, based on average usage, out of all of the utilities in Colorado served by Tri-State G&T, our wholesale power supplier, and our rate falls well below Colorado’s average electricity rate. In the coming months, you will be hearing more from us on how we are working to hold the line on our rates and continue to keep your electricity at a great value.
Whether it’s a power outage or energy assessment, a billing question or community event, we’re working hard to achieve those EEs from you every day. Over the years, as we’ve listened to you and your fellow co-op members, we know that we have to keep pace as technology and consumer tastes evolve. As always, we welcome your participation as we plan for the future. In honor of National Co-op Month, I invite you to stop by the co-op office the morning of October 12 for donuts and coffee with your co-op; I will be available to chat with and listen to members who stop by. And while you’re here, check out our Community Room. I hope to see you there.
www.pvrea.com
How Your Co-op Puts Drones to UsePVREA recently used a technology that the co-op has never used before – drones. These cool, trending devices are flown remotely to capture high quality video and photos. Many hobbyists use them to get cool shots of their family’s farmstead, or an aerial shot of scenery. PVREA is using it to help deliver safe, affordable and reliable power to you, our member.
Drones have a significant and efficient use in preventive maintenance. PVREA hired a local company out of Fort Collins, UAV Recon, to assess our 69,000 volt (69kV) transmission line that connects our mountain region members. Using the co-op’s mapping data, in a few days, UAV Recon flew their equipment over the 38-mile long transmission line. They captured data of the route and returned with a detailed summary for each of the 375 poles, equipment, wires, transformers, and insulators. This bird’s-eye angle was very valuable to the co-op as details were found not visible from a ground-up view. UAV Recon pinpointed equipment needing attention, giving PVREA the exact location where our crews can efficiently go to fix issues and replace equipment to prevent future power outages. This eliminates several hundred hours of time and expense to patrol the lengthy line, also eliminating access issues a lineman would encounter to inspect on foot or from a vehicle.
UAV Recon is FAA Part 107 certified for commercial operations within the US National Airspace System. Their niche in aerial equipment assessments is specifically designed for co-ops. As we validate new technology, the use of UAV Recon safely proved to help reduce operating costs and increase reliability.
PVREA Installs Electric Car Charging Station
PVREA’s office now has an electric car charging station in the parking lot. The station is serving as a demonstration project for the co-op to evaluate how the emerging electric vehicle market brings opportunity and challenges to the co-op.
“Electric cars are becoming more widely used in our service territory, so we want to test and learn how electric car charging stations could be used by our members,” PVREA Member Relations Manager David White explained.
Members can charge their electric car for a maximum of three hours at the charging station. Come by and check it out!
This photo, taken by UAV Recon, shows broken insulators on a pole and the condition of other components. An aerial view allows the co-op to document issues on a pole not visible from the ground or done quick enough via traditional methods. Our linemen now know exactly what repairs are needed prior to accessing the pole in this tough terrain.
PVREA Office Closed PVREA’s office will be closed Monday, October 9.
www.pvrea.com www.pvrea.com
• You are a member of PVREA, which means you’re much more than just a customer! You have an actual membership at PVREA.
• Cooperatives work together. There are over 900 electric co-ops just like PVREA across America, and we all collaborate and help each other, which gives members high quality service.
• PVREA is not-for-profit, which means we are driven by service, not profit.
• PVREA returns margins to its members in the form of capital credits. Learn more about your capital credits at www.pvrea.com/capital-credits.
• PVREA was formed in 1939 by its first members - local farmers and members in Northern Colorado. PVREA is still owned by members today.
• PVREA plays an important role in community development. Your co-op gives out scholarships every year, supports our local Chambers of Commerce, sponsors many community fairs and events, has a Community Room at the office, and much, much more.
Celebrating Co-op Month 2017
With Your Co-opJoin your co-op in celebrating National Co-op Month! Stop in the PVREA office on Thursday, October 12 from 7:30 a.m. - noon for donuts and coffee. Visit with co-op staff from 9-11 a.m.PVREA: 7649 REA ParkwayFort Collins, CO 80528
Did You Know?
PLEASE MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY AND UTILITY CREWSIf you see police, firefighters, utility crews, or other emergency personnel on the side of the road, slow down and move over. It’s the law.
Together, we can keep our crews safe.
2018 Annual Meeting Mark your calendar!
The 2018 Annual Meeting will be taking place on April 7, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Hotel John Q. Hammons Conference Center in Loveland.
President & CEO Jeffrey Wadsworth
1-800-432-1012 | PO Box 272550, Fort Collins, CO 80527 | www.pvrea.com
ChairRick JohnsonLarimer County
Vice ChairSteven AndersonLarimer County
DirectorRoger AlexanderLarimer County
DirectorGeorglyn DiehlWeld County
DirectorJames FenderLarimer County
DirectorThaine MichieLarimer County
DirectorJan PetersonLarimer County
DirectorJack SchneiderWeld County
DirectorRonald SutherlandBoulder County
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
POUDRE VALLEY REA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CEO
Efficiency Tips for Outdoor Shops and BarnsThere are many benefits to having an energy efficient outdoor shop or barn. Aside from saving energy, an efficient outdoor building can keep the environment around your structure healthy and safe, save money on your water bill, keep your animals happier and healthier, and save you from costly structural repairs. Follow these tips to achieve energy efficiency. To learn more about how to make your outdoor shop or barn more energy efficient, contact the energy experts at PVREA.
• Location matters. If possible, carefully consider where you build your shop or barn. Consider drainage, sun exposure and how the building may affect your neighbors.
• Start with a sustainable design plan. A sustainable design plan, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, includes the ability to use environmentally preferable products; protect and conserve water; enhance indoor environmental quality; and optimize operational and maintenance practices.
• If you are hiring a contractor to help build your structure, make sure you look for companies who specialize in “green” buildings and energy efficient practices.
• Choose efficient building methods. Pole barns offer reliable shelter without costly excavation, concrete foundations or general site disruption.
NEW BUILDINGS
• Replace indoor lighting with energy efficient LED bulbs. PVREA has LED lighting rebates for members.
• Ensure your existing structure has adequate insulation levels.
• Choose outdoor lighting designed to be energy efficient, and install motion detectors to reduce energy consumption when not in use.
• Plant trees around your metal shed or barn. In colder climates, trees act as a windbreak, and in warmer climates, trees have a natural cooling effect that can reduce temperatures in your metal building 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Just remember to plant trees away from overhead power lines.
• Consider adding a ceiling fan to circulate air. Typically, there is a 2 degree Fahrenheit temperature increase for every one-foot increase in ceiling height. A ceiling fan can help keep warm air close to the ground in the winter, and circulate fresher, cooler air in the summer. Not only will this help with energy costs, it will also help keep the air in the building from becoming hot and stagnant, which will keep harmful bacteria from building and will keep insects at bay.
EXISTING BUILDINGS
Rates 2018 & BeyondLook for exciting news about PVREA’s rates in an upcoming issue of the Colorado Country Life.
