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800-933-7362FAX 260-636-3319CALL BEFORE YOU DIG 811EMAILremc@nobleremc.comOFFICE HOURS 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., Monday-FridayMAILING ADDRESSP.O. Box 137, Albion, IN 46701

EMERGENCY POWER OUTAGESTo report a power outage, please call 800-933-7362. We are available to serve you 24 hours a day.

CUSTOMER CONTACTSTina Gienger and Amanda LockNEW SERVICES, ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND CUSTOMER PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Donita BrillBUDGET, CREDIT AND PAYMENT PLANS

Rex ShislerENERGY ADVISOR

Kevin DreibelbisMARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Nic EngleCOMMUNICATIONS

Kay RappelLINE CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS / CUSTOMER SERVICE

Doug Dickmeyer, P.E.MANAGER OF ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

Kenny KillSYSTEM ENGINEER

Rob HauckRESIDENTIAL LINE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN

Ray BurnsTREE TRIMMING AND SPRAYING

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NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATIVE

RON RAYPOLE

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TIP OF THE MONTH

Energy-saving oven alternatives

Use small electric pans, toaster ovens or

convection ovens rather than your stove

or oven for small meals. A toaster or

convection oven uses one-third to one-half

as much energy as a full-sized oven . — ENERGY.GOV

4 ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JULY 2016 • ElectricConsumer.org

Electricity is a great valueKeeping your power affordable and reliable

In today’s world, it is hard to remember a time with-out electronic technology. It would be hard to live without our cell phones and per-sonal digital devices that are so much a part of our lives. Everyone, it seems, is con-nected on the go — whether

they’re just making phone calls, text mes-saging, or checking email. Such commu-nication freedom is a luxury we pay for, generally without grumbling.

So why is it that when it comes to elec-tricity — a necessity in our modern world — many of us complain when the electric bill comes every month? We expect elec-tricity to be there at the flip of the switch, and when it’s not, we get frustrated.

Hey, I’m no different — I expect the lights to come on every time, too. And as CEO of Noble REMC, I have a special responsibility to make sure your electric service is safe, reliable, and affordable. I also believe that when compared to other com-modities, electricity remains a great value.

Although the price of a gallon of gaso-line has come down within the last year or so, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it had been steadily increasing every single year for about 10 years. Over that time period, a loaf of white bread had increased 4.2 percent annually, and a dozen eggs 6.5 percent per year.

In comparison, electricity increased just 3.7 percent a year nationally for the past decade. At Noble REMC, average residential rates have increased only 2.76 percent per year for the same time period. When you consider how reliable electric-ity is, the value goes up even more.

Unfortunately, there continues to be upward cost pressure on wholesale power costs and the impending decision of the EPA to shut down coal plants will impact

the cost and reliability of power. Add to that, the cost of local operations also con-tinues to rise.

Our employees work diligently to keep a well-maintained distribution system. This helps keep outages to a minimum and increases reliability. The Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that was installed in recent years also helps us keep electricity flowing to your homes and businesses more efficiently.

Those cell phones I mentioned ear-lier? Nearly a third of all U.S. house-holds have four electronic devices, such as cell phones, plugged in and charging. Although the amount of electricity needed to operate new ENERGY STAR® appliances is decreasing, the number of appliances in each household has increased dramati-cally. At one time, things like central air conditioning, dishwashers, digital video recorders (DVRs), and computers were considered a luxury for many households. Today, most homes are equipped with those items and multiple televisions have become universal.

Clearly, our appetite for electric-ity shows no signs of slowing down. So the next time you flip a switch, use your toaster, or run your washing machine, remember the value electricity holds. The employees and directors at Noble REMC are looking out for you by working together to keep electric bills affordable, controlling costs through innovation, and putting you, our members, first.

RON RAYPOLE is president and CEO of Noble REMC.

“...when compared to other commodities, electricity remains a great value.”

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATIVE

ElectricConsumer.org • JULY 2016 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 5

Noble REMC News

28 ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JULY 2016 • ElectricConsumer.org

Mixing business AND FUNS cattered clouds and sunshine

greeted members at the Noble REMC Annual Meeting/Picnic

on June 4 where approximately 2,500 people attended. Registered members re-elected three incumbent directors with-out opposition — Bob Lortie in District 1; Rick Robertson, District 2; and Doug Burnworth, District 8.

Board Chairman Bob Marshall opened the business meeting and let the audience know that Noble REMC remains in very solid financial condition.

The national anthem was per-formed by Scott Archer, a student at Central Noble High School. Member Services Manager Sherryl Rhinesmith led the members in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and in recognition of veterans.

Noble REMC CEO Ron Raypole wel-comed the members and thanked them for taking time from their busy lives to join us.

“Noble REMC was formed in 1936 when local farmers banded together to create their electric cooperative that

would deliver electricity to rural areas where other electric utilities would not serve.” Raypole said.

Raypole noted that serving members is at the heart of everything we do and we were rated number one in customer satisfaction out of 19 northern Indiana REMCs.

Raypole continued, “We are always looking for ways to improve service to you. We continually upgrade technol-ogy and offer new programs to meet your needs. For example, on our website there is an online outage map to keep you updated on outage restoration efforts. When major storms hit, we will keep you informed of restoration efforts on both the outage map as well as our Facebook page.”

Raypole thanked community organi-zations for making the event successful. He then gave a special thanks “to each and every employee who, through their efforts and dedicated service, make this organization one of the best REMCs in the state.”

Members had the opportunity to view several displays that included Freedom electric water heaters, POWER MOVES® rebates, information on energy efficiency and the Touchstone Energy Home. Noble REMC’s power supplier, Wabash Valley Power Association, provided information about our power sources and Indiana’s Electric Cooperatives hosted an Electric Consumer booth.

Community organizations provided information about their services. Those organizations included Parkview Noble Hospital, Noble County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, All-IN Block Party, Noble County Sheriff’s Department, Noble County Historical Society, Noble County Emergency Management Agency, Stone’s Trace Historical Society and Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

Maple Lane Wildlife Farm offered pony rides and a petting farm. The clowns and bounce houses were once again a hit with the kids, and the Hubie Ashcraft Band entertained the crowd with live music. …

Your Noble REMC board of directors stands ready to serve you, the membership. They are, from left, Steve Kirkpatrick, Andrew Strack, Wayne Zumbrun, Rick Robertson, Doug Burnworth, Bill Knox, Bill Emmert, Bob Marshall and Bob Lortie.

Left: The American flag flies high as members and their families line up to register for the meeting. Approximately 2,500 people attended this year’s event.

ElectricConsumer.org • JULY 2016 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 29

This young man gets ready to enjoy a porkburger lunch at the annual meeting and picnic served by REMC employees.

Attendees of the Noble REMC Annual Meeting and Picnic were able to visit many booths from various community organizations during the event.

Fun was had by all who took a slide in one of the bounce houses at the event.

Artistically inclined clowns painted the faces of the younger meeting attendees.

The Noble County Pork Producers grilled over 2,000 delicious porkburgers for attendees.

The Hubie Ashcraft Band entertained meeting goers with live music for all generations.