No Rate Increases Expected in 2010

I am happy to be spreading a little holiday cheer by announcing that we are not planning any rate increase in 2010. After four consecutive years of wholesale cost increases, I am happy to see that at least for next year, our wholesale rates have stabilized.

The main reason is lower natural gas prices. Our power supplier, Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), has taken advantage of these lower prices by locking in the price for our projected needs for our natural gas fired power plants. This move will protect us for any volatility in the natural gas markets in 2010. We have also benefited from the abundant rainfall this year. The rainfall has kept the hydroelectric dams in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas at or above the top of their power pools much of the year. This has resulted in significantly more hydro power than we normally receive. Hydropower is by far our most economical resource. The Board of Directors at AECI has decided to defer some of these savings to next year which also will assist in stabilizing rates in 2010.
 

THANK YOU MEMBERS FOR TALKING TO YOUR SENATORS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE!

I want to thank all of the members that took time to share their concerns about the pending climate change legislation, otherwise known as “cap and trade” with Senators Harkin and Grassley. As a direct result of your efforts and other like-minded Iowans, Senator Harkin is gathering the support of 13 of his fellow Democrat Senators who signed a November 12th letter he initiated, asking party leadership to change climate legislation so it is fair to Iowans and other people who live in the Midwest. That was a key message that you helped us share with the Senators.

The debate on this piece of legislation is far from over and we may be turning to you again soon to make your voice heard in our nation’s capitol. We don’t know exactly when that will be, but when it happens, we hope you’re ready to join in the effort again to encourage Congress to find a balanced solution for addressing concerns about climate change, and that the solution is fair, affordable and achievable. Please consider continuing to be part of the solution. 

RECare

With this being the season of giving I hope you will consider making a contribution to our RECare program. The majority of the families assisted by RECare are elderly or handicapped. While the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps these deserving people with their heating bills, most LIHEAP assistance goes to pay gas bills and doesn’t help these folks with their electric bills, but your contribution to our RECare helps these folks served by Access Energy Cooperative.
 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

As this is the last newsletter for 2009, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the Board of Directors and the
employees of Access Energy Cooperative, to thank you for your support of the cooperative during 2009 and to wish you all a happy holiday season.