December 2020 - Issue 238

Box 1420 Camrose, AB T4V 1X3 North of Junction, Highways 13 & 21 www.brpower.coop | brpc@brpower.coop

24 Hour Toll-free: 1.877.428.3972 | Local: 780.672.7738 | Fax: 780.672.7969

Battle River Power Coop Rural Energy Contract Reminder

Last Call for Scholarship Applications

We want to remind members that may have missed the initial December 20th deadline to sign existing contract amendments or new contracts, that it is not too late.Members continue to have the opportunity to take advantage of the Rural Energy Contract rate of $0.0635 per kilowatt hour (kWh). This is a three-year contract starting January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023. Members may take advantage of the rate any time during that three-year period by signing a contract and submitting it prior to the 20th of any month to be eligible for the rate the following month.If you would like to sign up to obtain the Rural Energy Contract rate for February 2021, it is quite easy.Call Utility Billing (1-877-428-3972) and request a Rural Energy Contract information package.Complete the contract and ensure the appropriate account holder signs it.For February 2021 eligibility, return the signed, completed contract by January 20, 2021.If you have any questions, you may contact Utility Billing for assistance. As always, we encourage members to carefully review any electricity contracts and be sure you understand the terms and conditions.

Please note that Friday, February 12, 2021 is the final day for scholarship application submissions. For information on the scholarship program, visit www.brpower.coop/community/scholarships and download the application. Please ensure that you include all of the documentation requirements as outlined.

Battle River Power Coop is extremely proud of our sponsorship program that annually offers 5 scholarships of $1000.00 each and we are gratified that the program has assisted so many deserving winners.

Derek and Jill Price (pictured left) were 2020 winners and they farm in the Sedgewick area.

The year 2020 made deliveries somewhat challenging for the Meal to the Field winners as we were very cognisant of the need to follow COVID-19 protocols for employee and member safety. Normally this is an opportunity for Battle River Power Coop employees to meet and mingle with our members and hear great personal stories. However with careful planning by the Meal to the Field Organizer, deliveries were facilitated by Bill (General Manager), Breanna (Field Design Technologist), Debbie (Finance Manager), Larry (Quality Control and Maintenance Manager) and Nansee (Communications/Meal to the Field Organizer) and we were able to ensure our winners had a great meal and we all made wonderful memories of coming together “at a distance.” Thanks to everyone who participated and we hope that 2021 will allow us to get back to normal.

David and Christy Lidberg were winners from the Bashaw area. They are pictured left with their children and Arlene and Lloyd Lidberg (parents) to the right.

The Almberg’s, who farm in the Czar area, were 2020 winners. Pictured: Craig and Jackie Almberg (standing behind table to the left) and family.

The Cleland family were winners from the Wetaskiwin area. Pictured from left to right: Clement Cote, Robert and Phyllis Cleland, Dale and Pat Cleland and other family members.

MEAL TO THE FIELD 2020

Melvin Marinoski from the Calmar area was a lucky winner. Pictured are members of the Marinoski family, including Melvin sitting at the table on the far right across from his wife, Darlene.

Winners from the Hardisty area were Loren and Kathy Whidden (pictured right). When their meal was delivered they were helping fellow member, Brenda De Kock (center) and family with their harvest.

Ronald and Karoline Kiddine are from the Sherwood Park area, but were harvesting in Bawlf when the meal was delivered. Pictured: Ronald Kiddine (far right) and members of the Pedersen family, who are close friends.

Don and Marlene Sproule were winners from the Bashaw area and are pictured center.

Inset photo: Enjoying a meal in a beautiful Alberta field at the Sproule family farm.

Grant and Joyce Thompson were winners from the Leduc area. They are pictured center and right getting ready to enjoy their meal.

The RRO may increase or decrease from month to month as it is priced on the open market and subject to many factors relating to supply and demand. It is not a ‘regulated’ rate, rather it is a default rate. If you do not have an energy contract, then you are on the RRO.For December 2020, the RRO is priced at $0.06691 per kWh, reflected on your enclosed blue bill. For January 2021, the REA monthly rate as calculated under the RRO regulation is $0.06464. Detailed information on the monthly RRO is available on: www.brpower.coop.

REGULATED RATE OPTION

Members are free to purchase electricity services from a retailer of their choice. For a list of retailers, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta).

BATTLE RIVER POWER COOP IS AVAILABLE FOR POWER TROUBLE CALLS 24/7/365 CALL TOLL-FREE: 1.877.428.3972

The year 2020 brought both challenges and opportunities to the Coop.

We began the year with rumors of a possible pandemic; rumors that were quickly confirmed and identified as COVID-19.

Like many organizations, Battle River Power Coop immediately put pandemic protocols in place to ensure the safety of our employees and our ability to maintain safe, reliable electricity distribution services.

Our internal protocols were designed to respond to working conditions both in the office and in the field. We worked with employees who were parents to find ways to mitigate their child care obligations and we separated departments and employees to maintain appropriate, safe distancing. Battle River Power Coop’s employees have always had a strong camaraderie and the inability to mix and mingle was tough. However, it provided an opportunity for our extraordinary staff to realize their potential when doing their jobs under difficult circumstances and we are extremely proud of their continued effectiveness despite the challenging environment.

Despite concerns with COVID-19 and the economy, Battle River Power Coop has weathered the storm and came out on top for the membership. From an operational standpoint, we were able to maintain our service levels and respond to new construction and emergency outages.We are fiscally stronger going into 2021 and our reputation has brought on business opportunities in performing additional services.

One such opportunity occurred when Tomahawk REA approached us this summer regarding managing their distribution system. They were seeking a more cooperative approach to their operations and felt, for many reasons, we could fill that need. While we have successfully provided administrative type services to other REAs, this was a unique concept for us. After careful consideration, we entered into a Distribution System Operations Agreement. This will allow us to leverage many facets of our effective operations and will create economies of scale to the benefit our members and Tomahawk REA members.

We are looking forward to a brighter 2021 and wish all our members the very best in the coming year.

Message from the Board Of Directors