Renewable Energy for PenLight Members

Peninsula Light Company News

Supervising Editor: Ryan Redmond • 253-857-1567 • newsletter@penlight.org • Produced by Peninsula Light Co.

DON’T FORGET THOSE HIDDEN NUMBERS!

Every month, five randomly chosen account numbers are hidden in Lights. If you spot yours, call Cathy at 253-857-1525 and receive a $50 credit on your next bill.

INSIDE:PenLight 253-857-5950 • PenLight.org • PenLight Office: 13315 Goodnough Drive NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Overlooking the mighty Columbia River, nestled among the dry wheat fields of Bickleton, WA, a new type of crop is thriving. This crop does not require rain and sun but it does require a strong wind to sustain its growth.

In 2006 the state of Washington passed “Initiative I-937”, which mandates that electric utilities with over 25,000 members must obtain 15 percent of its power from renewable resources. In December, 2009, PenLight with its partners Cowlitz PUD, Lakeview Power & Light, and Eugene Water & Electric Board, energized a wind-powered renewable energy project. The project helps meet about 50 percent of the PenLight’s renewable energy requirement. The forty-three 2.3 megawatt wind turbines are located 4 miles north of Roosevelt, and 21 miles east of Goldendale, in Klickitat County, Washington. The 6,700 acre site is wind-swept agricultural land that is primarily used for dry wheat farming and livestock grazing.

In order to construct the system, 15 miles of new roads were built and modifications to 4 miles of existing trails and roads were made in order to move the giant wind machines to their new home. The turbines are mounted atop towers that are 262 feet tall. The rotor blades are 295 feet in diameter. These turbines’ combined output is 98.9 Megawatts, equal to providing renewable power for over 23,000 homes!

Make Life Easier With Bill Pay!

Almost Back to School

Board of Directors at Work

We Make It Easy at PenLight: Bill Paying at Your Fingertips! Automated Phone System PenLight’s automated phone system gives you access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To use, simply dial 253-857-5950 to enter the automated system. There you can get information about your account, including your last payment amount and current amount due. You can pay your bill via Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, and can also learn about PenLight products and services.

Members who have trouble with this system can dial “0” at any time to reach a member services representative, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Online Bill Pay With our secure online bill pay, you can make payments, view your last 13 months of statements, and opt out of receiving your paper bill. To pay your bill online, you need to have your 13-digit account number ready.

Auto Pay Are you interested in saving the time, energy, and expense of writing a check for your utility bill each month? Do you travel often and find you don’t have time to pay your bills on time each month? Call our Member Services Department at 253-857-5950 and ask to use Auto Pay. Use your credit or debit card or your checking account to set up your automatic payment each month.

PrePay Does your income schedule not match your billing due date? Can’t afford the security deposit if your credit is not ideal? Want to avoid late fees or reconnect

fees? With PrePay, there are no paper bills, no due dates, and no late fees, just pay as you go.

An email, text, or voice message (or all three if you wish) will be sent alerting you when your account balance gets low. PrePay calculates the dollar and energy usage per day for each account, which can be viewed by logging into your PrePay account from www.penlight.org or calling our 24-hour automated system at 253-857-5950.

Just like putting gas in your car … pay when you need to. It’s a simple solution.

Drive-Up Window & Drop Box To make your utility bill payment in person, the drive-up window is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located at PenLight’s headquarters at 13315 Goodnough Drive NW. Our drop box, which is located at the drive-up window, is available to receive payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Discounts Eligible low-income disabled members and low-income seniors (62 years or older) can receive a 25 percent discount. The discount applies to residential services only. Fees and miscellaneous charges are not discounted. To qualify you must provide proof of disability and live within Peninsula Light’s service territory at least six months.

If you have any questions, please contact Member Services at 253-857-5950.

Innovation in the Classroom

To find the most up-to-date community calendar information, please visit the following resources: • Gig Harbor Tourism and Communications Office – www.gigharborguide.com

• Pierce County Library System – www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar

• Harbor History Museum – www.harborhistorymuseum.org/events

• PenMet Parks – www.penmetparks.org

• Key Pen Parks – www.keypenparks.com/events

• Downtown Waterfront Alliance – www.gigharborwaterfront.org/annual-events

• Harbor WildWatch – www.harborwildwatch.org

Holiday Closure: September 3

August/September 2018

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Peninsula Light Co. Newsletter August/July 2018

Innovation in the Classroom: Supported by Peninsula Schools Education FoundationWe all know great public schools require collaborative support by residents, parents, business and community leaders through a diverse array of organizations. Established in 1995, the Peninsula Schools Education Foundation is an all-volunteer, 501 (c)(3) organization that supports high-quality education for each student in the Peninsula School District. The Peninsula Schools Education Foundation raises money to fund local teachers’ innovative classroom projects. Since its inception, the foundation has provided more than a half a million dollars to the students, classrooms, and teachers of the Peninsula School District.

On Thursday, September 27, the foundation will hold its annual fundraiser, which is also its primary funding vehicle for teacher grants. PenLight is a major sponsor of this event, which last year awarded more than $20,000 to Peninsula School District teachers.

The organization will host a breakfast at 7 a.m. and a lunch at noon that day, both hosted at Canterwood Golf and Country Club. The two seatings offer more opportunities for people who want to attend and support local education efforts.

The keynote speaker this year is Greg Copeland, KING 5 TV News anchor and former Peninsula School District student.

Teachers have until Oct. 31 to submit a proposal online. Grants are awarded in November. As part of the process, teachers issue reports when their proposals are complete. In the past, grant funding was used to buy cameras, computers, and supplies such as biology field guides, binoculars, and chemistry probes.

For more information or to register for the breakfast or lunch, visit www.peninsulaeducationfoundation.org.

School’s (Almost) Back in SessionSeems like summer just started, doesn't it? Well, get ready because class begins for Peninsula School District students in grades one through 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Kindergarten students get an extra week of summer, starting school Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Student supply lists can be found on the district website, at www.psd401.net. While there, you can learn more about your student’s individual school, his or her bus routes, sign up for pre-pay meals, and much more.

We send our best wishes for all students (and their parents) to enjoy a great year of learning and growing in the classroom and beyond.

Peninsula School District Board of Directors at WorkIn governing Peninsula School District, the school board works with its administrators to make decisions and set policy regarding a number of matters, including bond and levy elections, budget adoption, facilities, curriculum adoption, fiscal planning and oversight, employee relations and transportation.

While the board is ultimately responsible for setting policies, it employs a professional staff of administrators to implement them and manage the day-to-day functions in the district. The staff is led by the superintendent, who carries out the board’s vision and direction.

Peninsula School District has five board members. Each individual donates their time and expertise to ensure a quality education for all students. The board of directors works in partnership with the administrative team to set the district’s direction. The school board’s governance responsibilities fall into five major areas.

Vision The board focuses the work of the district and community on student achievement through a comprehensive strategic planning process.

Structure The board governs the district through prudent financial planning and oversight, and diligent and innovative policy-making.

Accountability The board infuses all district programs and crucial policies with specific goals and a process for evaluating, reporting, and recommending improvements.

Advocacy The board champions public education at the local, state, and federal levels.

Public Comment The board recognizes the value of public comment on district issues and the importance of involving members of the public in its meetings. To permit fair and orderly expression of such comment, the board provides time for public comment during each regular monthly board meeting.

For ways you can get involved in your local schools, check out the district's website: https://psd401.net.

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Converting to a Heat Pump Can Save You MoneyEight months out of the year, the biggest expense on your electric bill comes from heating your home. You can save energy—and money—by upgrading to an energy-efficient heat pump.

Heat Pump Conversion If you have an electric forced-air furnace and convert to a high-efficiency heat pump, you may be eligible to receive a $1,000 PenLight rebate.

Heat Pump Upgrade Members who replace an existing heat pump with one that qualifies as energy efficient, or add a heat pump to a system with natural gas, oil or propane backup, are eligible to receive a PenLight rebate of $400.

Going Ductless For homes with baseboards, wall heaters, electric radiant heating, or an old electric furnace, a ductless heat pump can heat and cool your home more efficiently. Conversion to a qualifying ductless system is eligible for a $1,000 PenLight rebate. Both site-built and manufactured homes qualify.

How do I qualify? To qualify, the new heat pump system must be the primary heating source for the home, be high-efficiency, and be installed by a qualified participating contractor. Contractors are required to submit all projects for approval upon completion of work.

For more information about additional programs or contractors, visit www.penlight.org/rebate-programs.