Jeff WadsworthPresident & CEO

JULY 2017

President & CEO, Poudre Valley REAJeff Wadsworth

Growing up in a small town in Colorado, we never locked our doors—everyone looked after each other. But times have changed.

It seems every day we hear about another security breach, and today’s thieves aren’t targeting traditional goods like electronics or the family safe. Instead, they want your (and our) data. Cyber thieves keep testing digital doorknobs and looking for open

software windows to find a way to crack personal and business databases.

We take this threat seriously. After all, PVREA is owned and governed by you, our members. You’ve placed your confidence in us, and we’re committed to protecting your data while delivering reliable, safe, and affordable power.

Unlike my old neighborhood, we don’t have a digital open door policy at PVREA. As a cooperative, we’re part of a national network of consumer-controlled electricity providers working together to constantly evaluate and bolster cybersecurity measures. We (PVREA, local businesses and individuals) can no longer assume it will not happen to us in Northern Colorado. The unfortunate reality is that it no longer is a question if we will have a cyber attack, but when and to what extent.

Your co-op has its own team of Information Technology (IT) professionals whose responsibility is cybersecurity. They are trained in cybersecurity and develop techniques and software not only to keep PVREA’s electric grid reliable and secure, but to protect sensitive member, employee and co-op data and information from identity theft.

Every PVREA laptop, tablet, phone, and other pieces of equipment are controlled and protected to prevent any security breach. We constantly monitor our computer systems and electric grid to protect the co-op against any intrusions or cyber attacks. Your co-op also keeps each members’ information private and confidential, and is used only for PVREA purposes. We never share your address, email, energy use or other personal information without your approval. Further, we protect our data systems that

holds each members’ account information with advanced software and security measures to keep your data safe.

Your co-op puts a high priority on protecting our local grid from a constant variety of cyber computer attacks, including organized crime to

hobbyist hackers, who are constantly launching attacks on computers around the world. We are consistently improving and reinforcing our defenses with new technologies and best practices to protect your data and our operations.

The bottom line is cybersecurity and physical security challenges are increasing for all segments of the American society and PVREA is no exception. No matter what security challenges rear their heads in the future, we are striving to be ready to meet them. As always, PVREA is looking out for our members and striving to exceed your expectations. That is our commitment to you.

Keeping Your Data & the Grid Safe

“PVREA is owned and governed by you, our members. You’ve placed your confidence in us, and we’re committed to protecting your data while delivering reliable, safe, and affordable power.”

www.pvrea.com

Save Money and Energy! Heat and Cool Your Home More Efficiently with Heat Pumps

As a co-op driven by cooperative values and exists to serve members, PVREA wants to help members save energy and money. One of the best ways to save energy and money in your home is by heating and cooling your home with a heat pump. PVREA offers rebate incentives on new heat pump units; and in 2017 PVREA has a limited amount of additional bonus rebate incentives for a member who installs a heat pump unit in their home or business.

Heat pumps move heat into homes or buildings during winter and out of them in summer, trimming overall home heating and cooling costs by as much as 40 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Heat pump technology isn’t new—geothermal has been used since the 1940s—but innovations are improving performance and efficiency. Installing a heat pump instead of an air-conditioner provides both heating and cooling options that can enhance comfort, reduce costs, and provide fuel choices in the future. In fact, the PVREA headquarters is heated and cooled with a geothermal system.

The PVREA Heat Pump rebates will likely cover much of the cost of upgrading from an air conditioner to a heat pump. Additional rebate information and eligibility requirements are listed online at pvrea.com. Be sure to use a contractor from PVREA’s Select-HVAC contractor list, which can also be found online at pvrea.com.

Act fast - the 2017 Bonus Incentives are first come first serve. For questions about heat pumps, the rebates and Select- HVAC contractors, contact Member Relations at 1-800-432-1012.

Control. Convenience. Easy.

Sign up today!www.pvrea.com/PrePay | 1-800-432-1012

Tired of not knowing what your electric bill will be at the end of every month? It’s hard to budget your expenses when you’re not sure how much energy you’ve used, and what your PVREA bill will total after a full month. We get it - that’s why we have an account option, Pay As You Go, that shows you every day how much energy, and money, you’re using. And you pay what you want and however often you want to keep your electricity “tank” full. You get the control.

It’s like filling up your gas tank in your car. With a Pay As You Go account, you can manage your account on your own time and dollar with SmartHub, a free online tool and smartphone app provided by PVREA. With SmartHub, you log into your account and see your electricity use daily. When your electricity “tank” is running low, simply make payments as your budget allows.

And with Pay As You Go, there are no late fees, disconnect or reconnect fees. Want to make the switch? Simply call into the office or visit our website to switch your account to Pay As You Go.

Pay AS YOU G

That’s the power of PrePay

www.pvrea.com www.pvrea.com

GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

• Ground source heat pump incentive - $250/ton *2017 BONUS Incentive: $200/ton• Ground source heat pump desuperheater $100 ($25 additional incentive for lifetime warranty on heat pump waste units)

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS • Central air source “split” or “mini split” (ductless) units with electric resistance back up - $125/ton *2017 BONUS Incentive: $200/ton• Central air source “split” or “mini split” (ductless) units with non-electric resistance back up - $150/ton• Central air source with dual-fuel option (gas, propane, or oil) - $150/ton *2017 Bonus Incentive: $300/ton• Additional rebate for Energy Star units from 15 SEER to 16 SEER - $100/unit• Additional rebate for Energy Star units over 16 SEER - $150/unit• Additional rebate for units with controlled ETS backup - $100/unit• Terminal units (under window hotel room style) - $85/unit

*Bonus incentives are first come, first serve.

2017 HEAT PUMP REBATES

The Different Kinds of Heat Pumps

Geothermal: Outside temperatures may vary, but the earth’s temperature remains steady year-round and can be harnessed to make homes comfortable. According to DOE, geothermal heat pumps offer energy savings between 30 percent and 60 percent annually when compared to other conventional systems, and are typically the most efficient heat pump option. Many times home built to “net-zero” energy standards use geothermal heat pumps.

Air-Source: Air-source heat pumps use a system of coils to evaporate and condense a refrigerant with the help of a compressor, just like your refrigerator but on a much larger scale. During the summer, it removes heat and humidity from your home, exactly like a conventional air conditioner. During the winter, it absorbs and concentrates heat from the outdoors and delivers it to your home via ductwork. Heat pumps are two to three times more efficient than baseboard electric heaters.

Dual Fuel Heat Pumps: A dual fuel system is the combination of a heat pump with either a natural gas, propane, or oil furnace. These systems use the heat pump process to heat the home exclusively when outdoor temperatures are above 30 degrees Fahrenheit. When outdoor temperatures drop below 30 degrees, the system automatically switches over to heating your home exclusively with the gas or oil furnace.

Ductless/Mini-Split: These systems are designed for individual rooms or areas of the home to provide heating and cooling without ductwork. These are ideal for a new addition or replacement of older systems without installed ductwork, and multiples units can condition an entire home. Their advantage is quick and easy installation, high efficiency, and no energy loss from poorly insulated or leaky ductwork.

PVREA Hosts Scholarship Award NightEvery year, PVREA awards over $40,000 in scholarships to local high school and undergraduate students. In appreciation of these students’ efforts, PVREA hosted a Scholarship Award Ceremony on June 7 at the co-op’s headquarters.

“Thank you to all PVREA member students who applied this year, “Community Relations Specialist Jessica Johnson said. “Everyone at the co-op is extremely impressed with your involvement in your education and your future goals. We’re proud to help you with those future goals through the scholarship program.”

Check out more pictures from the event on our Facebook page.

President & CEO Jeffrey Wadsworth

POUDRE VALLEY REA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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.

More Solar Options Coming to Members

Another 3.5-megawatts of solar energy is coming to PVREA’s energy portfolio. In conjunction with Silicon Ranch Corporation, the solar facility, named Platte Valley Solar Farm, with over 40,000 panels will be constructed in Kersey, CO in Weld County.

Just like the Valley View and Skylark Solar Facilities that went live last year and in 2015, this array will be a generation source that will flow energy from the sun directly to PVREA substations to members in the surrounding area.

PVREA and Silicon Ranch will energize these panels by the end of summer 2017. Learn more about PVREA’s renewable energy projects at www.pvrea.com/programs/renewables.

Platte Valley Utility-Scale Solar Farm

PVREA Coyote Ridge Community Solar FarmThis summer, PVREA is building another community solar farm located at the Larimer County Landfill. Utilizing land that is otherwise unusable, PVREA is able to build a community solar farm, with more than 5,000 panels, in a location where the energy can be utilized nearby and allows greater access to solar opportunities for all PVREA members.

In collaboration with GRID Alternatives Colorado and the Colorado Energy Office, a portion of this solar farm will be specifically dedicated to income-qualified members through the PV for All program. The other portion of the solar farm will be available to non-profit PVREA members and other PVREA members.

If you’re interested in subscribing to the PVREA Community Solar Farm, contact Member Relations at 1-800-432-1012. Look for more detailed information in the next Colorado Country Life.

Get Involved!Part of GRID Alternatives’ mission, PVREA’s partner on the Coyote Ridge Community Solar Farm, is to provide solar power for low to

moderate-income families while providing hands-on installation experience for job seekers and community volunteers. GRID Alternatives will have several volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups interested in participating in the construction of the solar farm throughout the month of August. Anyone can come participate in the build of the PVREA Coyote Ridge Community Solar Farm.

Sign up Call: 303-481-4384 or email Email: AMoe@gridalternatives.org