Co-op News
Rate Increase Announced for Annual Services
Old:
Base Charge: $156 per year
First 6,000 kWh /Year @ 9.3¢ per kWh
Next 6,000 kWh /Year @ 7.1¢ per kWh
Over 12,000 kWh /Year @ 5.8¢ per kWh
New:
Base Charge: $240 per year
First 12,000 kWh /Year @ 9.3¢ per kWh
Over 12,000 kWh /Year @ 8.5¢ per kWh
The rate change was made to all of the annual services as of December 1, 2011, due to a 16% power supply rate increase on October 1, 2011 from our power supplier, Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Billing for the annual services was mailed out on December 10, 2011. The prepayment for the upcoming year was requested at the new rate.
Three Substations Now Operational With AMR
The Mott, Bowman and New England Substations are now operational with AMR (Automated Meter Reading). Members who received an insert with their bill will no longer need to read their meters as they will now be automatically posted through the AMR process. Click here to stay updated on AMR progress.
Rate Increase Announced
We have received notification from our power supplier that wholesale power costs will be increasing on October 1, 2011. The management and staff are currently evaluating the impact to the cooperative. Due to this cost increase, a rate increase will be required. More information will follow in the coming months.
66th Annual Meeting Held
Thank you to all of the members who attended the 66th Annual Meeting on June 8, 2011 at the New England Public School. 109 members registered and a delicious roast beef meal was served by the St. Mary’s Altar Guild. Musical entertainment was provided by Rhythms of the Hart.
A manger’s report was given, along with a financial report and an Operation Roundup presentation. Service awards were given to Leonard Gartner, Line Technician for 40 years of service, Dean Volk, Line Technician for 20 years of service, Lyle Kovar, Line Technician for 20 years of service, LaWanna Wilhelm, Key Accounts Executive for 15 years, Bev Braun, Bookkeeper for 10 years, Judy Kirschmann, Customer Service Representative for 5 years of service, Jeff Boynton, 5 years of service, Andrew Sonsalla, Line Technician for 5 years, of service Chris Bachaus, Line Technician for 5 years of service; and to Terryl Jacobs, board of directors for 15 years of service.
Elections were held and Terryl Jacobs and James Kerzman of Hettinger County; and Steve Wegner of Adams County were reelected to serve a three year term. The board reorganized after the annual meeting and officers of the cooperative board remained the same: President – James Kerzman; Vice President – Terryl Jacobs; Secretary – Steve Wegner; and Treasurer – Jerome Caron.
Please click here to view pictures of the meeting on our Facebook page!
Electric Cooperatives Outperform IOUs and Munis in the American Consumer Satisfaction Index
Once again, America's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have outperformed IOUs and Municipals according to a recent survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Read the full story here.
Nominating Committee Meets
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The first Nominating Committee meeting was held the morning of Wednesday, March 10th at Slope Electric. The second Nominating Committee meeting was held Wednesday, March 30th to nominate candidates for the ballot and to approve resolutions to be printed in the annual meeting report.
The three director positions up for election in 2011 include two Hettinger County and one Adams County.
Slope Electric Members: If you're interested in being nominated as a Board of Director candidate or wish to have a member considered for nomination, please contact Lynn at Slope Electric. E-mail lynnk@slopeelectric.coop or phone 1-800-559-4191, 701-579-4191. You can also contact any Nominating Committee member. Click here for list of committee members.
Director Jim Kerzman Receives Helping Hand Award.
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Congratulations Jim! You are very deserving of this award.
Scholarship Winners Named
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Jon Carlson |
Jon Carlson, Regent is the winner of the $1,000 Basin Scholarship. Jon's parents are James and Sallee Carlson, Regent. Jon has a 3.61 GPA. He has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school and participates in several areas of FFA where he has received many awards. Jon has also done very well in Football and Basketball. Jon was born and raised on a farm north of Regent. He has been very involved in the family’s cattle operation and has worked on the ranch for many years. He plans to attend Dickinson State University to pursue a degree in Agriculture. “I eventually plan to own my own ranch and continue in the agriculture fields using my knowledge to increase productions.” Jon stated.
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Allison Berg |
Mark Frank |
Slope Electric awarded a $500 scholarship for academics to Allison Berg, Lemmon. She is the daughter of Morgan and Laurie Berg, Lemmon. She has a 3.83 GPA and is on the Honor Roll. Allison participates in Volleyball, Basketball and Track. She plays in the Band and is involved in Choir and Oral Interpretation along with several other activities. Allison will attend South Dakota State University to pursue a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. “I plan to go on to go to school at USD and become a doctor.” Berg explained. She plans to return to western South Dakota to practice medicine and start a family in the future.
A $500 scholarship was also awarded in the Vocational/Technical category to Mark Frank, New England. Mark's parents are David and Lucinda Frank, New England. Mark has a GPA of 3.69 and is on the National Honor Society. Mark participates in Basketball. He has owned his own lawn mowing business for several years. He is enrolled in the Electrical Line Worker Program at Bismarck State College for the fall of 2011.
Application judge, Faye Burke, complimented, “When judging the applications I found the applicants appreciate what the cooperative has done for them and their communities.”
Congratulations to all of our winners!
Water Heater Credits Discontinued
The water heater program is no longer being offered by Basin Electric, so Slope Electric has discontinued the monthly water heater credit as of January 1, 2011.
North Dakota Utility Rebate Program
Slope Electric is taking part in the North Dakota Utility Rebate Program. Please click here for more information.
Slope Welcomes New Employees
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Cody Braaten |
Dusty Hoff |
Rodney Benz |
We welcomed new employees Cody Braaten and Dusty Hoff as full time Apprentice Line Technicians. Cody will be working out of the Bowman Outpost and Dusty will be located in New England.
Rodney Benz was hired as the AMR/SCADA Technician. Welcome Aboard!
Andrew Sonsalla named Outstanding Apprentice of the Year
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Andrew Sonsalla
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General Manager Jason Brothen (left), |
The AT&S Committee named Andrew Sonsalla Outstanding Apprentice of the Year 2010 based on his high test scores and evaluations from supervisors and peers. For his efforts, Sonsalla received an engraved watch from the North Dakota Line Superintendents' Association and a plaque from the North Dakota Managers' Association at the annual AT&S banquet.
"Everyone enjoys working with Andrew," says Rex Sadler, Chief of Staff at Slope Electric. "He comes to work every day with a positive attitude and is always willing to take on a new challenge. He is very deserving of the Outstanding Apprentice Award."
