Mark Leu

How many of you remember dropping into LaGrange County REMC with your parents or grandparents to pay the light bill? Whether you do that in person, by mail or online, today paying your monthly electric bill does a lot more than just keep the lights on.

Electricity keeps us connected to our modern world. Consider all the necessities and conveniences we enjoy in part because of the power lines running to the electric meter outside your home.

Count the number of televisions; desktop, laptop and tablet computers; printers; gaming consoles; and music and video players you own. Whether they get used every day or just occasionally, the electricity that keeps them working comes from LaGrange County REMC.

Have you looked around your kitchen lately? There are modern conveniences we enjoy today, that at one time were considered a luxury. From the coffee maker and toaster to the microwave and dishwasher, many of us have also added several other modern appliances to make our lives easier.

If you’ve got a hobby room or workshop, the power tools and machines you use to cut and shape your projects are either plugged in or recharged from the outlets connecting your wiring to the REMC.

You use electricity to run all these devices, keep the lights on, do the laundry, heat and cool your home, and get hot water from the faucet. The good news is, even as we rely more on electricity, it’s still a bargain, especially compared to other things we pay for regularly.

Since 2011, medical care, home rentals, and education have increased at rates of 3 percent or more per year. The prices on staples such as butter, meat and eggs have gone up nearly 2 percent annually.

Electricity costs rise about 1 percent each year, and at the same time people are consuming less. Co-ops across the country have reported a decline in average residential use per household since 2010. That means we’re doing more things with less energy.

When it comes to value, electricity is a clear winner, and we’re always looking for ways to work with you to make it even better. That’s why LaGrange County REMC urges energy efficiency, encourages you to look for ENERGY STAR® appliances, and promotes programs designed to give members more control over their electricity use.

Programs like our Power Shift for air conditioners shifts power use off of peak rate periods. This helps reduce the co-op’s overall demand, saving both you and the co-op energy and money. (Find more about this program on page 8.)

Efficiency is good for everyone trying to live within their budgets. And it’s going to become even more important as digital devices and internet-connected technologies become even more important in our lives.

MARK LEU
CEO