would be years before their homes would be able to flip a switch and brighten a dark room. But they persevered during dark times. And so will we.

We don’t take our responsibility to continue their work lightly. Even as our world changes, we remain focused on ensuring our actions and future plans keep your lights on. We are transitioning to more renewable energy in our generation portfolio, which is exciting. As that happens, we are working with Dairyland to keep reliability, safety and affordability at the forefront of the decision-making process.

Vernon Electric stands by our core values of innovation, integrity, accountability, and commitment to community. Whether a severe storm or a pandemic, we are committed to being here for you – our valued members – and our communities. Please reach out to our cooperative employees if you have questions regarding your bill, energy efficiency tips or if you just need to talk. Power On.

Vernon Electric Cooperative “Information for our member-owners.”

Watt’sNewJune 2020

Focused on Reliability: In times of uncertainty, we are committed to keeping the lights on

For a child, darkness can be scary. Waking up in the middle of the night, the imagination runs wild with every shadow or noise. But, when a

light turns on, everything is better, and they see it is going to be OK.

At Vernon Electric Co-op, we want you to have the same peace of mind any time you need to turn on a light in your home. We are committed to keeping the power flowing to your home or business. Among many other things, electricity keeps your phones and tablets charged so you can safely connect with friends and family through calls or video chats.

As your local electric cooperative, we are committed to our mission to provide reliable and safe electricity to our members. Reliability is our wholesale power provider, Dairyland Power Cooperative, taking steps to ensure their plant and system operators, field crews and maintenance staff have the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and procedures in place to continue operations safely and smoothly.

Reliability is having our own lineworkers and dispatchers on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to keep your lights on. We ensure our employees who respond to power outages and maintain our system can do so quickly and safely.

In 1936, Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act, which allowed the federal government to make low-cost loans to farmers who united to create not-for-profit electric cooperatives. In the midst of the Great Depression, our founders believed so strongly in their vision of electricity for all that they sacrificed time away from their farms and families to – literally – build the cooperative we are today. For many, it

Couleecap Offers Financial Assistance Program for Residents Unemployed or Underemployed Due to COVID-19

Couleecap is offering the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program to Crawford, Monroe,

La Crosse, and Vernon Counties to help low-to-moderate wage workers whose employment has been ended or reduced due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Small business owners may also apply for assistance for their personal expenses. Funding can be used for critical expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, car payments, medical or prescription bills, and more.

Funding can be used for critical expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, car payments, medical or prescription bills, and more.

A simple, online application process will determine recent unemployment, income eligibility, and critical needs of the household so appropriate assistance can be determined. All participants will be provided referrals to the Wisconsin Unemployment Office, other government programs for which participants can apply, and local resources, such as food pantries. Program participants will also receive information on emergency and unemployment budgeting, including tips for reducing or eliminating expenses during a crisis.

Residents seeking assistance can complete an application at www.Couleecap.org. General

The information in this newsletter has been prepared for you by David Maxwell, Marketing and Communications. Comments or questions regarding information contained here should be directed to:VERNON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE110 Saugstad Rd; Westby, WI 54667 Call (608) 634-3121 or 1-800-447-5051.

www.vernonelectric.org • E-mail: info@vernonelectric.org This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Watt’sNew

Adist, JamesAmes Feed StoreBaker, JaymeBaker, Timothy MBarney, Dawn MBarr, Abraham BBaudek, Daniel & MegganBastyr, Derek JBeatty, Helen MBentzler, BrendaBiba, James JBiellier, Christopher or DianeBishop, Jason JBjornstad, RuthBrandt, Mike or MarinaBrowne, Quintin MBrudos, Ronald EBrutscher, Margery BBurkum, JeanetteBurmaster, Mark JBuros, Marisa & RonCampion, Bret RCarrier, MarciaCarter, Shane ACasper, Frederick JCenami, FlorineClark, Richard JCovery, Robert GCrum, RussellDalziel, William HDempsey, Tracy JDenton, ChristopherDeutsch, Paul A

Dickson, Jeff & JillDuell, Felicia KEnsslin, Will & SusanElfrink, SteveErickson, Brian & SueErickson, PamEverson, Brian REverson, Russell JEwing, Lisa MFlakenberg, Amy AFink, EricFischer, Frank RFischer, Charles JFlaherty, JohnFlorian, Corina JFox, Terrissa AFredrickson, Cheryl AFull, ChrisGlick, Lee GGundersen, Carol WHeath, LaVonne LHolten, Aaron LHanelein, T & Treacy, MHansen, Jay PHarris, Pam & MikeHeintz, ReneeHelgesen, Jeffrey DHill, Leona JHodgson, John FHughes, Jeffrey LHysel, PamelaJacobson, Darian LJohnson, James J

Johnson, John PJones, Maurice DJorgensen, Jenae LKeenan, WayneKlum, Ronald IKnepper, Mark AKoltermann, Kevin JKuhnke, Robin LLa Haie, Nathan JLarson, Devin RLeis, Kathy MLe June, Delores ELepak, JeffLibbey, Gayle MLloyd, Jessica MLooker, Marvin HMajurin, JulieManning, Lori AManning, Timothy LMarchionda, Gordon FMarkee, Evelyn LMarks, Lloyd EMarks, Pauline AMartin, Sharon RMc Cauley, Nate EMc Daniel HerbertMcPherson, Mathew AMehrhoff, Todd WMickelson, David & PaulaMiles, JanetMiller, Wayne AMills, Steven EMithum, James O

VEC’s Most Wanted List

The following individuals and organizations are owners of outstanding capital credit checks that have not been cashed. Capital credits represent the Cooperative’s margins which are returned to the members of the Cooperative over a period of time. Please call our office at 608-634-3121 or 1-800-

447-5051 with your current address so we can update our records and see that you receive your checks.

Moldenhauer, Thomas KMowery, Michael GMueller, Jane MMueller, Olivia KNarvrestad, George NNeidel, James & AjaNelson, AmandaNyberg, Melissa & RyanOliver, Jason MOstervich, Joseph, AParish, Bonita LParker, Cecil BParr, PatriciaParsneau, Angela RPearson, Paul APesik, William EPlantz, La Verne OPowers, Ron DProehl, Harlan RRadloff, MarvinRapidlink Wireless LLC Rappl, John BRickey, Mitch JRoscovius, Duane ARudser, Marion & CarolRuud, MarjorieSaam, R KevinSanwick, Steve GSchams, BernardScharping, Louise CSchendel, CorrieneSchramm, Michael J

Schroeder, Marlin FSchwem, BarbaraSebastian, DeboraSeddon, John T IVSeymour, RichardShaffer, Robert BSherman, Penny RShurtleff, Robert G MDSimonson, Amy LStaege, Todd & WendySteele, Michael SStewart, David LStuczynski, RobertThieman, Ralph AThorton, Steven JTimmer, FredTschida, Mary PTschirley, RubyTway, LindaVold, Eric & BethWalker, Joyce MWarmouth, Terry OWeipert, Curtis JWesterhoff, ThomasWhite, Marlin AWilder, Verlin WWilson, Joshua PWirrer, Joseph KWolter, Todd CZimmerman, Brad SZimmerman, David LZimmerman, James A

household information, recent pay statements, and documentation of reduced or terminated employment will be required. For phone assistance, residents may contact Sara Berger at 608-632-6512 but given the volume of calls Couleecap is receiving, online assistance will be faster.

Funding is limited and, therefore, the highest needs will be determined through the application process.

Other Couleecap resources are available to help people and businesses impacted by the current emergency. Couleecap is offering zero-percent interest revolving loans to rural small businesses impacted by COVID-19. To learn details, visit the Couleecap website. Other services may also be found on the site.

continued. . . Couleecap Offers Financial Assistance Program for Residents Unemployed or Underemployed Due to COVID-19

About Couleecap, Inc.Couleecap, Inc. is a private non-profit 501c3 charitable organization. Couleecap helps people in need with housing, food, transportation, and more. Created in 1966, it is a community action program that fights poverty and promotes self-sufficiency in Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon counties. Learn more at couleecap.org, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.