BY JIM HERRON CEO | HERRONJC@MVEA.ORG

JIM HERRON

THE COOPERATIVE ADVANTAGEWe Are Co-op Strong Through COVID-19

A lot can happen in a month. Under normal circumstances, writing a column a month before it will be

delivered to co-op members is not a chal-lenge. But these are not normal times. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much in our daily lives, in so very little time, that as I write this column in the early part of May, it is hard to predict what the first week of June will look like for our members and the businesses we serve. What I can share, with absolute certainty, is that at Mountain View Electric Association, Inc., it is business as usual in regard to our priority of keeping the lights on, serving our members, and staying true to our cooperative principles. I want to take this opportunity to provide an update on our pandemic response and two helpful resources.MVEA office closure updateMVEA’s offices were closed to the public on March 18 due to Colorado’s declared state of emergency. As of this writing, our offices remain closed. We will continue to evaluate Colorado Executive Order direc-tives to determine when to reopen. When we do re-open, we will continue to use social distancing best practices, Centers for Disease Control protocols, and enhanced cleaning and sanitizing schedules.

As a critical business, our entire team of dedicated employees has remained hard at work for the needs of the cooperative. Keeping our infrastructure strong and moving forward with system improvements is more important than ever during a time when more members are at home and rely on us to provide reliable electricity. In the time since we closed the offices, numerous Colorado Executive Orders have been issued and we have been able to rethink how we operate to accommodate increased social distancing, staggered job staging, and remote work support. Keeping MVEA employees safe and healthy is a key compo-nent on keeping our electric co-op running smoothly.Personalized member supportWhile keeping the lights on is our priority, serving our co-op members — our friends and neighbors — is equally as important. During this period of uncertainty, MVEA encourages members affected by COVID-19 to contact us to set up payment arrangements. This is a sensitive topic, but current amounts due and future electric charges will continue to accrue. We are here to help provide person-alized member services to help MVEA members set up payment arrangements and

provide guidance on energy assistance resources.Operation Round Up®For less than $12 per year, you can round up your monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar, turning your coins into CHANGE to help support your community and your neigh-bors. If you want to donate more, you have that option as well. The Operation Round Up® program was formed to assist charitable orga-nizations, communities with special needs and individuals who have suffered from loss, personal disaster or medical emergencies. To learn more, apply for funds, or make a tax-de-ductible donation by opting into the program, please visit www.mvea.coop/round-up.

In the months to come, as we move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, please know that you can count on us to be there for you and your energy needs. We are proud to be a reflection of the co-op members who we serve. Together, we have a long history of being resilient in times of uncertainty. We are in this together — we are co-op strong.

Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency 1. Program your thermostat to maximize energy savings. Setting your thermostat one degree lower when heating or one degree higher when cooling can reduce energy use by up to 5%.

2. Do full loads of laundry and wash with cold water. Using warm water instead of hot can cut a load’s energy use in half, and using cold water will save even more.

3. Air dry dishes. This step can cut your dishwasher’s energy use by up to 50%.

4. Substitute LEDs for conventional light bulbs. Lighting can amount to up to 12% of monthly energy use. LED bulbs can cut lighting costs by 75%.

5. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Small appliances and electronics use energy even when not in use. When powered on, game consoles, televisions and similar electronics are responsible for up to 12% of energy use.

Home Energy Calculator & Energy Efficiency Resources • www.mvea.coop/save-energy-money

Important COVID-19 + MVEA Service Updates • Facebook or Twitter • www.mvea.coop/covid-19-response

FIVE TIPS TO SAVE FIVE TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY WHEN ENERGY WHEN SPENDING MORE SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOMETIME AT HOME

Information Source: The National Rural Electric Association

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MVEA Awards $25,000 in Scholarships to Local Students

A s a Mountain View Electric Association, Inc., member, you are part of an electric co-op that is dedicated to creating programs that give back to the members and communi-

ties that we serve. This year, more than 100 students from schools throughout our 5,000-square-mile territory applied for scholarships to help them pursue the next level of education. MVEA’s scholarship program includes scholarships to accredited colleges, universities, junior or community colleges, as well as a vocational/technical scholarship. This is the second year that MVEA has awarded a Power Lineman Scholarship for a student pursuing a career through a lineman training program, as well as a Power Engineer Scholarship

for a current college student pursuing a power engineering career. In addition, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and Basin Electric Power Cooperative each donated a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to dependents of MVEA members.

MVEA $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

CORA ARMANI HOMESCHOOLCLASSICAL CONVERSATIONS

DANE CAMPBELL DISCOVERY CANYON CAMPUS

KATIE CORNELIO PINE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

CHRIS EVANS DISCOVERY CANYON CAMPUS

EMILY FORRISTALL LIMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

NOAH GUILZON COLORADO SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

SIDNEY HINES LIMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

GRACE KIRK THOMAS MACLAREN SCHOOL

TOBY LEE BIG SANDY SCHOOLS

TONI LOPEZ LIMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CLAIRE MCDOWALL DOUGLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

OLIVIA NUNEZ ST. MARY’S HIGH SCHOOL

GRANT PIERCE PALMER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

BENJAMIN RILEY PINE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

ELENA STATHAM LEWIS-PALMER HIGH SCHOOL

TANNER SUKLE DISCOVERY CANYON CAMPUS

MCKINZIE WADE LEWIS-PALMER HIGH SCHOOL

Visit www.mvea.coop/scholarships to learn more about the scholarship winners and MVEA’s scholarship program. The next scholarship application period will start September 1, 2020. Applications are due by January 18, 2021.

Congratulations to the 2020 scholarship winners! We wish them the best in their future endeavors.

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Telephone NumbersToll-Free: (800) 388-9881

(719) 495-2283 • (719) 775-2861

Credit Card Pay-By-Phone(877) 999-3415

Falcon Office11140 E. Woodmen Road

Falcon, CO 80831

Limon Office1655 5th Street • P.O. Box 1600

Limon, CO 80828

Monument Office 15706 Jackson Creek Parkway, Suite 100

Monument, CO 80132

Office Hours Monday - Thursday • 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

COVID-19 + MVEA Service Updateswww.mvea.coop/covid-19-response

A Member-Owned Cooperative

Local. Trusted. Serving You.BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joseph D. Martin, District 1 President

Barry R. Springer, District 6 Vice President

Milton L. Mathis, District 4 Secretary-Treasurer

Donna J. Andersen-Van Ness, District 7 Assistant Secretary

Rick L. Gordon, District 2, Director

Errol Hertneky, District 3, Director

Kevin L. Paddock, District 5, Director

Stay Connected: Like. Follow. Share.www.facebook.com/MVEAInc

Search for: Mountain View Electric Assn. Inc.

www.twitter.com/MVEAInc

Search for: Mountain View Electric Association, Inc.

Visit our website: www.mvea.coop

This Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

THE $1,000 TRI-STATE GENERATION AND

TRANSMISSION ASSOCIATION, INC.

SCHOLARSHIP

ELIVIA HILFERTY LIMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ZARRAH DUNDES LIMON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

THE $1,000 BASIN ELECTRIC POWER

COOPERATIVE SCHOLARSHIP

MICAH PETERSON COLORADO EARLY COLLEGES – COLORADO SPRINGS

THE MVEA $1,000 E.A. “MICK”

GEESEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

THE $2,000 MVEA POWER LINEMAN

SCHOLARSHIP

MICHAEL NELSON PATRIOT HIGH SCHOOL

SKYLER WINTER PEYTON JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

THE $2,000 MVEA POWER ENGINEERING

SCHOLARSHIP

ZACHARY CHURCHWELL UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING

THE $1,000 MVEA VOCATIONAL/

TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIP

Do you have an eye for fiery sunsets, sweeping vistas, heritage barns, and a knack for catching nature in action? As an MVEA co-op member, you are invited to send in your photos, taken within our 5,000 square mile service territory, that capture the seasons, people, lifestyle or landscape of co-op country. The winning photographs will be included in MVEA’s 2021 calendar.

For complete Photo Calendar Contest submission information and entry form please visit

www.mvea.coop/photo-calendar-contest.

Send entries by email to nikki.r@mvea.coop. Questions? Call (719) 494-2657.

Last Call For EntriesThe deadline for entry is July 6, 2020.

20 21PHOTO CALENDAR CONTESTMOUNTAIN VIEW ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

Photos Wanted!Photos Wanted!

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Whether working from home, adapting to virtual learning, or following state issued COVID-19 directives, many Mountain View Electric Association, Inc., members are spending more time at home plugged into outlets and with the lights turned on. More time spent at home may impact monthly energy use. Use SmartHub to manage your energy use and take the guesswork out of your monthly bill. SmartHub lets you manage all aspects of your MVEA account online or with your mobile device.

SmartHub is available through MVEA’s website, www.mvea. coop, and as a mobile app through the Apple App Store (iOS devices) or Google Play Marketplace (Android devices). SmartHub has several features that make managing your account as easy as possible. Whether through the web, or your smartphone or tablet (Android or iOS), you can pay your bill, view your electric use, report an outage, and contact an MVEA member services representative.

Making payments through SmartHub is fast and easy. As soon as you log in, you can view your billing history and make a payment with just a couple of clicks…or taps, if you’re using the app. You can see your current bill, along with bills from the previous month or even the previous year, if you want to compare costs. Not only can you see your billing history, but you can view your actual use. You can see how your use is trending over time, which allows you to better understand your bill, monitor electric use, and become more energy efficient. It’s easy to get started — creating a SmartHub account takes less than three minutes!

Manage all aspects of your MVEA account from the comfort of your home!

Manage Your AccountManage Your AccountMonitor Your Energy UseMonitor Your Energy Use

SimplifySimplifyWithWithSmartHubSmartHub

www.smarthubapp.com

þ Safe & Secure Account Access 24/7þ Make & Schedule Payments*þ Report Outages & Service Issuesþ Set-up SMS Text & Email Notificationsþ Set-up Payment Remindersþ Go Paperless and/or Bank Account Auto-pay & Receive a Monthly Credit.

*To keep your account current, schedule payments to be received by the monthly due date and equal to the total amount due on the monthly bill to avoid additional fees or penalties.

Quick. Easy. SmartHub.Account management at your fingertips

Clip & Save Discount Admission Ticket

A Member-Owned Cooperative

EL PASO COUNTY FAIR • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

Discount Admission Ticket FOR MVEA Members Adult (ages 13-54) • $5 Admission

Seniors (55+) • $4 AdmissionYouth (ages 3-12) • $2 Admission

Must bring this ad with you to receive the MVEA Member Discount Admission Price. Valid only for July 14, 2020.

Event pending COVID-19 Colorado Executive Order directives.

For More El Paso County Fair Info, Visit: www.elpasocountyfair.comQuestions For MVEA?

(800) 388-9881

CO-OP STRONG Community Appreciation Day

During these uncertain times, MVEA is proud to support the El Paso County Fair’s Family Day and the co-op communities that we serve. We

are in this together — we are co-op strong.

Make The Switch & Save Every MonthSwitch to SmartHub to manage your account and monitor your electric use — all without leaving your home! Go paperless through SmartHub, or bank account auto-pay, save up to $1 per month, and get automatically entered into a quarterly drawing for a $300 account credit! To learn more, visit:www.mvea.coop/payment-options.

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