December 2017 Committed to safely and economically provide reliable energy and other services which bring value to its membership. When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. Extreme winter storms are common in our area and Fall River Electric cares about your safety. We want you to be prepared. Heavy snow, wind, and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving owner-members without power. During extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power out- age, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself and your family. • Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood- burning stove during a power outage. These are great options to keep you and your loved ones warm, but exercise caution when using, and never leave the heating source unattend- ed. If you are using a propane-burning device, never use them indoors. Remember that ALL alternative heating sources should be prop- erly ventilated. • Stay fed – Although most winter power outages last less than 24 hours, you should be prepared with several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked. Crackers, Be Prepared For Winter Storm Power Outages cereal, canned goods, and bread are good op- tions. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage. • Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usu- ally means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live and energized. Stay as far away from a downed line as possible, and report the situation to Fall River as quickly as possible. Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and Fall River wants you ready for what Mother Nature has in store. For more winter safety tips, visit www.ready.gov/winter- weather. Members To Receive Over $1 Million Fall River Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors has authorized the distribution of $1,023,143 in patronage capital funds to owner-members who were members of the Cooperative in 1996 and 1997. Fall River Electric operates as a nonprofit cooperative, so when revenues exceed operating costs, those extra revenues, called margins, become patronage capital. They are disbursed to the owner-members of the Co-op on an approximate twenty-year cycle. Unlike for-profit utilities that pay profits to shareholders, Fall River Electric’s patronage capital is your investment in the Cooperative’s infrastructure. The amount of patronage capital paid out to you this year is based on how much electricity you used during the year(s) being retired. The Cooperative’s board retires, or pays out, patronage capital when the financial condition of the Co-op allows it. You can learn more about patronage capital by clicking the QUICK LINK title Patronage Capital on Fall River Electric’s webpage at www.fallriverelectric.com or by calling a friendly Member Service representative during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, at 800.632.5726. Offices To Be Closed For Holidays Fall River Electric and Fall River Propane offices will close early on Friday, December 22, and will be closed all day on Monday, December 25, for the Christmas holiday. Additionally, our offices will close early on December 29 and all day on Monday, New Year’s Day, January 1 and on Monday, January 15 for the federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In case of an unexpected power outage or propane emergency during these holiday weekends, our crews will be on stand-by to respond as quickly and safely as possible. Call 800.632.5726. Need Help Paying Your Energy Bill? Winter officially arrives this month, which usually means higher monthly energy bills. Help is available. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program and the Weatherization Assistance program can both be utilized by Fall River Electric mem- bers. Applications are now being accepted, call the office in your state for more information: IDAHO 208.522.5391 MONTANA 800.332.2796 WYOMING 307.739.4500 Holiday Lighting Contest Fall River Electric invites you to participate in our Holiday Lighting Contest. Three lucky residents and two business will win a $250 energy credit certificate. To enter, take a nighttime photo of your exterior holiday lights and post it on our Facebook page, facebook.com/Fall- RiverREC; email to memberservices@ fallriverelectric.com; or mail to 1150 N 3400 E, Ashton, ID 83420. Be sure to include your name, address of the lighting location, and phone num- ber. Mailed entries must be received by December 15. Winners will be announced the following week on Facebook and our website.