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A CONVERSATION Hoosier Energy Board with JERRY Director for 10 Years

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A CONVERSATION Hoosier Energy Board with JERRY Director for 10 Years ENERGYLINES News from Hoosier Energy for members and employees. | OCTOBER 2015 | Vol. 38, No. 10 Two of 10 solar arrays installed in distribution cooperative territories. SOLAR SEE STORY, PAGE 5 POWER A CONVERSATION Hoosier Energy Board WITH JERRY Director for 10 years. SEE STORY, PAGE 7 CO-OP NEWS 1 EnergyLines | October 2015 EPRI plant manager forum provides co-op value On Sept. 15 - 16 plant managers from across the country attended a two-day forum at Hoosier Energy headquarters. Topics included chemistry challenges, operational flexibility and equip- ment maintenance strategies. The Hoosier Energy facility set a new standard for the Plant Manager’s Forum, according to one of the EPRI officials in atten- dance. “The technology for visual and verbal communications in the board room made for an effective meeting,” said Merom Station Plant Manager Karl Back. Attendance was strong with five G&T electric cooperatives represented. HE photo “The forum gives us the opportunity to ask questions about our VALUE ADD: Vice President of Power Production Rob Horton kicks off the operational issues and get feedback from a wide variety of utili- meeting by discussing Hoosier Energy facilities and the value the forum brings to G&Ts. ties,” said Back. HE photo Cooperative program helps guide future leaders Participants in the first Cooperative ative culture, an inventory management ness model. Member managers select Accelerated Leadership Development decision-making toolkit and a decision employees to attend the classes at Program class presented their capstone model for fiber-to-the-home distribu- Hoosier Energy’s headquarters in projects to the Managers’ Association tion. Bloomington. Faculty from the I.U. last month. The program for Hoosier Energy’s Kelley School of Business teach the This first class of 17 presented team member cooperatives brings togeth- coursework, which includes formal projects that ranged from a process er academia and industry with an learning with an emphasis on projects improvement plan based on the cooper- emphasis on the cooperative busi- directly related to the co-ops. ENERGYLINES 2 EnergyLines | October 2015 EnergyLines is published monthly by Hoosier Energy’s Communication Clean Power Plan to require Department for members, employees and retirees of Hoosier Energy. utility coordination ON THE COVER Rule might force states to adopt more stringent renewable Recently completed solar arrays are two of 10 that portfolio standards, efficiency requirements and other programs Hoosier Energy is investing in to support renewable energy with our 18 member distribution co-ops in On Aug. 3, 2015, the EPA This extremely complex rule central and southern Indiana released the final version of its will require unprecedented coor- and southeastern Illinois. Clean Power Plan (CPP), one of dination among utilities, state and the most aggressive and contro- federal regulators, and consumers. versial regulations in our nation’s It likely will force states to adopt history. It governs greenhouse gas more stringent renewable portfo- emissions from new, existing and lio standards, energy efficiency modified or reconstructed power requirements and possibly cap and plants. Agency and news accounts trade programs to comply. NRECA SEND COMMENTS TO BACK ISSUES project that the rule will be pub- and Hoosier Energy remain very EnergyLines Editor To read back issues, log on lished in the Federal Register in concerned that the rule will cost Hoosier Energy REC, Inc. to Hoosier Energy’s website at mid- to late October. consumers more, will challenge P.O. Box 908 www.hepn.com/energylines.asp The CPP sets state emissions the reliability of the grid, result Bloomington, IN 47402 reduction targets that result in in premature plant closures, and ENERGYLINES EDITORIAL STAFF a 32 percent reduction of CO2 significantly exceeds the authority Claire Gregory Jonie Gates from 2005 levels nationwide by granted to EPA under the Clean Manager of Communication Communication Specialist 2030. Each state reduction target Air Act. On behalf of electric coop- email: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] is different, and Indiana’s is a 39 eratives nationwide, NRECA is percent reduction that requires pursuing all legislative, administra- Eric Neely Mary Lynn Beaver Communication Specialist Communication Specialist compliance to begin in 2022. tive and legal options. EL e-mail: [email protected] email: [email protected] Interactive table provides state-of-the-art touch This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Hoosier Energy’s headquarters has an interactive kiosk in EnergyLines is printed using post-consumer recycled paper. Continue the cycle and recycle this publication. the lobby. The display allows visitors and employees an easy The following image has been purchased by Hoosier Energy from iStockphoto.com for use in this publication. way to search for information ©iStockphoto.com/Photohamster on Hoosier Energy and its member systems as well as ©iStockphoto.com/Davidhills transfer content to an iPad. Copyright 2009-2015 Hoosier Energy © 3 EnergyLines | October 2015 In celebration of National Cooperative Month The seven cooperative principles Cooperatives across the country follow seven southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. key principles. Applying these principles, co-ops From training conducted at the Franklin provide an efficient consumer resource focused Training Center to building hope for families on service, not profit. in need through Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Hoosier Energy employees have spent the Energy employees embody the essence of the last year applying co-op values in central and cooperative model. EL OPEN MEMBERSHIP The 18 member cooperatives that own Hoosier Energy are a reminder of our roots and the responsibility entrusted to Hoosier Energy every day. The cooperative spirit takes form through the “Commitment Stands Tall” statue in front of Hoosier Energy’s headquarters. DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL The Hoosier Energy Board of Directors represents the Hoosier Energy power network. The Board works to keep rates affordable and electricity reliable. MEMBER ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION During annual member meetings, President and CEO Steve Smith presents patronage capital checks to eligible cooperatives, as member owners of Hoosier Energy. 4 EnergyLines | October 2015 AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE The Hoosier Energy Board of Directors volun- tarily elected to increase the renewable energy portion of the generation portfolio to 10 percent by 2025. The best balance for reliability, afford- ability and environmental stewardship includes an “all-of-the-above” power supply mix. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION The Hoosier Energy Franklin Training Center provides a variety of skill training for Hoosier Energy and member co-op employees. Sessions help line specialists and other electric coopera- tive employees who are charged with maintain- ing reliable service for consumers. COOPERATION AMONG CO-OPS The Cooperative Accelerated Leadership Development Program brings together employ- ees from the member distribution cooperatives. The leadership training focuses on formal learn- ing specific to co-ops and the electric industry. Participants are selected by REMC managers. CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY For 14 years Hoosier Energy women have helped frame and raise walls on homes in Monroe County. The homes they work on, combined with a mon- etary donation to the organization, help build hope for families in need. This commitment to community is part of the cooperative difference. 5 EnergyLines | October 2015 COVER STORY Tapping into the power of the sun Two solar arrays add to energy resources benefiting member systems nder bright sunny skies, local “This project will benefit the members seen by thousands of commuters. officials, REMC directors and of the REMCs and the communities of The solar farms serve as a learning Urepresentatives from Henry lab for cooperatives, providing real- County REMC, RushShelby Energy and east-central Indiana.” world data on how solar works, said Whitewater Valley REMC dedicated a Shannon Thom, Terry Jobe, CEO of RushShelby Energy. new, cooperative-owned, solar farm on CEO of Henry County REMC “It puts us in a better position to give Wednesday, Sept. 16. “(This site) puts us in a better position advice to our member-consumers on the Almost two weeks later, the Utilities operational issues, costs and benefits of District of Western Indiana REMC and to give advice to our member-consum- solar as a renewable energy resource.” Daviess-Martin County REMC hosted ers on the operational issues, costs and Hoosier Energy is working with an “open house” despite overcast skies benefits of solar as a renewable energy member co-ops to install eight more and a steady drizzle to celebrate another resource.” arrays in the next 18 months. The pro- solar array that borders Greene and gram is part of the power supplier’s Terry Jobe, CEO of RushShelby Energy Daviess counties in southern Indiana. commitment to provide reliable and The solar arrays are two of 10 that affordable power to member systems Hoosier Energy is investing in to sup- for us. This project will benefit the mem- and co-op consumers. port renewable energy with the G&T’s bers of the REMCs and the communi- “We think the best way to meet that 18 member distribution co-ops in central ties of east-central Indiana.” commitment is through an ‘all-of-the- and eastern Indiana and southeastern At one megawatt, each array’s total above’ power supply mix that includes Illinois.
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