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Power in Your Hands Recently, one of our newer employees asked me what makes electric co-ops different from other types of utilities. This month, I thought I’d share a few of the things I told her. Because we’re a co-op, we operate a little differently than other utilities. Orange County REMC’s decisions are made locally, by directors who also live right here in our community. Everyone who pays to receive electricity from the co-op is a member. When you pay your electric bill each month, your money stays here – to pay for the electricity used, or to make improvements to our local system to strengthen service reliability. The money you pay the co-op doesn’t line the pockets of shareholders five states away. We’re a co-op, and we exist to provide a service to you, our local members. You may notice that throughout the year, we schedule opportunities for you to attend co-op events, like our annual meeting and member appreciation day so we can hear from you. Our success lies in your satisfaction, which is why we offer these opportunities to engage and listen to what you have to say. Because you’re part of an electric cooperative, you can count on our team to maintain local jobs, at-cost electricity and first-class service, no matter what the economy––and supply chain issues–throw at us. Orange County REMC is striving to keep our costs as low as possible so we can keep more money in your pocket. We want to help you maximize the value you can get from our services and offerings. For example, we can help you save on energy bills through our HVAC and water heating rebates and incentives. If you want to receive important information from Orange County REMC, such as power restoration updates and tree trimming crew alerts, sign up for our text message notifications through our SmartHub app. Please know that you––the members of Orange County REMC––are at the heart of everything we do. We exist to serve you and provide the quality, reliable, friendly service you expect and deserve. While we’ve grown over the years, we’re still driven by the same guiding principles to serve our community. Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO

To DIY … or not to DIY When planning home improvement projects — especially those that involve electrical work — do you know when to DIY and when to hire a professional? Homeowners wanting to do it themselves can tackle many types of projects, but when safety becomes an issue, seek a professional with appropriate training, equipment and insurance. To avoid electrocution and fires, most electrical work should be left to professional licensed electricians. Home rewiring, breaker box replacement and adding a large number of electrical outlets are among tasks you should consider leaving for the pros. Faulty electrical installations can lead to large additional expenses and even injuries or death. If you’re doing work yourself with power tools, be careful. Annually, 8% of electrocutions in the U.S. are attributed to improper use of power tools. The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers the following safety tips: Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electrical shock. Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes. Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated. Do not use power tools without the proper guards. If your home improvement includes additional living space and/or added outlets, make sure your home electrical panel and service can handle the added load. Make sure all electrical work is done by a certified, licensed electrician and that local permits, if needed, are secured. Call 811 several days in advance if any digging is part of the project so the appropriate utilities serving your area can determine if they have buried lines of service in the scope of your project and mark where those are located. Whether your home improvement is being done by yourself or a contractor, contact your electric utility ahead of time if your meter must be removed or relocated to accommodate additions or renovations (such as home additions, fences, decks or patios) to your property. In almost all areas, it is illegal for a homeowner to break the seal on a utility meter or pull or set a meter. Aside from being dangerous without protective gear, there could be fines involved if you don’t call the utility first to explain the situation. Remember, you should only tackle DIY home projects within your skill and comfort level. Keep your electric meter accessible While most electric meters on the sides of homes these days include technology allowing them to be read by the electric utility without physically accessing the meter, homeowners are still responsible for keeping the meter clear of obstructions and provide meter technicians access to the meter. The meter is the property of the electric cooperative or other utility, and staff must be able to conduct routine maintenance and to access the meters on an as-needed basis. Homeowner responsibilities: Clear tall grass, shrubs, fencing, leaves, snow, icicles, etc. that may hide or damage the meter. Ensure cars and dumpsters are not blocking the meter. Provide special instructions for utility personnel, or whatever else is necessary to provide meter access, to include unlocking a gate, providing a key, or calling to arrange a time with meter technician if your gate must remain locked. Arrange with your utility a fix to any current situation that prevented the utility access to the meter. After a visit to your location, if the meter technician was unable to access the meter, the utility will leave a door hanger or contact you to let you know of the specific reason the meter was inaccessible or obstructed. Potential remedies may be as simple as pruning a hedge, keeping a dog inside or away from the meter on a given day.

Factors that Impact Electricity Prices I was recently asked by a member about what impacts electricity prices. We talked about how the daily cost of living seems to have increased across the board. Just as inflation has impacted everything from the price of gasoline to the price of eggs, costs for the fuels required to produce electricity have also risen. This is a timely topic, so I wanted to help explain some of the factors that impact electricity prices (and energy bills) in this month’s newsletter. While there is no short answer, there are a few key elements that impact electricity prices and rates. Some of these factors Orange County REMC can manage, some of them you can impact and other factors are beyond our control. So, let me break it down. There are three primary parts to your monthly electric bill: a consumer service charge, a standard service energy (per KwH) and a Wholesale Power Cost Tracker (PCT). To understand your total energy costs and what impacts your bill, let’s unpack one piece at a time. The first is a fixed monthly service consumer charge, which covers the costs associated with providing electricity to your home. This includes equipment, materials, labor and operating costs necessary to serve each meter in Orange County REMC’s service territory, regardless of the amount of energy used. In order to ensure the reliable service you expect and deserve, we must maintain the local system, including power lines, substations and other necessary equipment. Like many other businesses, we’ve experienced supply chain issues and steep cost increases for some of our basic equipment. For example, the cost for a distribution transformer (which looks like a long metal can at the top of a power pole) has increased significantly in price over the last couple of years. Because we are a not-for-profit cooperative, some of these expenses must be passed on to our members. I should note that the service charge is the same for everyone and the costs are shared equally across the membership. The second component of your monthly bill is the kWh charge, which covers how much energy you consume. You’ve likely noticed the amount of energy you use can vary from month to month and is typically impacted by extreme temperatures. When temperatures soar or dip, your cooling and heating equipment run longer, which increases your home energy use. Regardless, energy consumption is an area that you have some control over, and you can lower your monthly bill by actively reducing energy use. Your thermostat is a great place to start, so be sure to keep it close to 78 degrees during summer months. Your REMC also offers a “Time of Use Rate” that allows members to take advantage of a lower rate by using electricity at times during the day when it is cheaper to produce. The last component of your bill is the Wholesale Power Cost Tracker, which is the same amount for all co-op members. This recently increased because of higher fuel prices, which means the power that Orange County REMC purchases from our wholesale provider is more expensive. The Wholesale Power Cost Tracker covers fuel cost fluctuations without having to continually restructure electricity rates. I hope this information sheds light on some of the factors that impact electricity prices. While we can’t control the weather or the rising costs of fuels, please know Orange County REMC is doing everything possible to keep internal costs down. Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO

Members who wish to participate in Operation Round Up can have Orange County REMC automatically round their electric and/or fiber bills to the next highest dollar each month. The amount contributed by each member is less than a dollar a month and will average about $6 a year. Those extra few dollars from our members can greatly impact groups and organizations, making a big difference in our community. Nine local organizations received grants in the July 2023 Operation Round Up board of trustees meeting. Details of the funds awarded are listed below. Coats for Kids of Orange County, INC received a $1,000 grant to purchase coats, gloves and hats. Paoli Youth Football received a $1,000 grant to purchase football helmets. Orleans Running Start received a $1,000 grant to help purchase school supplies. Orange County Habitat for Humanity received a $400 grant to purchase an energy efficiency package. WTK (Want to Know Club), Women's Homemaker Club received a grant of $500 to purchase food and supplies for its soup supper. Families Rising received a $500 grant to purchase a phone relay system. Safe Haven Recovery Engagement Center, LLC received a $1,000 grant to fund the Voice of Recovery program. Orange County Cancer Patient Services, Inc. received a $1,000 grant to purchase food and gas cards for cancer patients. Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services received a $500 grant to purchase turbans, head coverings and bandannas for cancer patients. If you are part of a school group, community organization, fire department, first responder group, 4-H club or other local non-profit and would like to apply for an Operation Round Up grant, go to www.myremc.coop and look under the “Community” menu to download an application and grant guidelines. The deadline to apply for the next cycle of grants is Oct. 20. The board of trustees will meet on Nov. 6 to review the applications. GRANT TOTALS: Awarded in July 2023: $6,900 Grand Total since 2003: $596,869.23

Neighbors Missy and Beth were heading home after playing pickleball at a school gymnasium. They’d traveled this stretch of their county road together a hundred times over the years. But this drizzly morning was going to be like none before. With their homes almost in sight, they topped a hill. Suddenly, three deer lept into the roadway from an adjacent cornfield. Startled, Beth slammed on the brakes and veered to avoid them, but her tires slid on the wet pavement. Into the roadside ditch the SUV went, stopping with a thud. Its rear end came to rest against one of the utility poles lining the road. Both women were unhurt. They hugged in relief. Then, they did something that could have turned this property damage accident into a multiple fatality: They stepped out of the car. Staying put may go against a driver’s first inclination. You want to get out and check the car. But stepping out of the car immediately after striking a utility pole may KILL YOU. Here’s why: Power lines can fall. When a pole is struck, power lines and hardware can break loose from their insulated perches atop the pole. Fallen power lines can still be energized. Even touching the ground, power lines can be carrying 7,200 volts or more. They may not spark or buzz. Fallen power lines are hard to see. Power lines are almost impossible to see when knocked down and twisted with tall grass or trees as a background, especially at night. Electricity seeks the quickest path to ground. You become that path if you get out of the car and touch a live power line and the ground. That amount of electricity passing through you can kill you instantly. If you are alive, you are safe. Immediately after a collision with a utility pole, you may not know if power lines have broken loose and are on your car. But if you are alive, you are not that deadly “path to ground.” If you were in that path, you’d already be dead. Stay put and stay safe. Call 911. After hitting a pole, call 911. Tell them you hit a pole and wait patiently. Tell passersby to stay back. First responders will see if power lines are down. If lines are down, they will call and wait on the utility’s responders to arrive before they can even approach the car. Beth and Missy were fortunate. The impact didn’t break the pole or damage its hardware; the wires held tight. Had they fallen, the two women probably never would have known what hit them — and killed them. Making a safe escape from downed power lines If your car comes in contact with a utility pole, power lines may have fallen. If that happens, stay in the car and call for help. A fallen power line could still be energized and could be energizing your car. If you step from the car, you could become electricity’s path to ground and be electrocuted. Only if the accident has caused a fire or there is another immediate threat to your safety should you exit the car. To be safe, here is how you must exit: Open the door without touching the metal of the door frame. With both feet together, hop out and away from the vehicle so no part of your body simultaneously touches the vehicle and the ground. Maintain your balance. Keeping your feet together, slowly shuffle away so the toe of one foot moves forward along the length of the other foot. Keep both feet in constant contact and always touching the ground. Keep shuffling 30 or more feet until you are away from the car and power line. Be watchful for low-hanging power lines or lines on the ground. What to do if you hit a utility pole If your vehicle comes in contact with a utility pole or a downed power line, the most important thing is to stay inside the car! Stepping out could electrocute you if your car is touching energized lines. While you wait for help: DO gather your wits. DON’T open the car door or reach out the window. DO call 911 if you have your cell phone. Tell them you’ve struck a utility pole and power lines may have fallen. DO tell passersby to stay back. They might walk right into a fallen energized line. Source: ESFI.org

We’re Here to Serve You “We’re here to serve you.” We’ve all heard this phrase countless times. These words may sound generic, but to us – your local electric cooperative – they mean everything. Orange County REMC was created to serve our community. Back in the day, neighbors joined together and formed our co-op for the common good. In our case, it was the only way the community could bring electricity to the area where there was none. In doing so, Orange County REMC helped the community thrive. That mission-focused heritage is the golden thread that is woven throughout our history. Today, we are continuing to power the community. While our focus has remained steady on providing reliable energy to our members, today’s energy landscape and consumer expectations are far different than they were decades ago. That’s why we’re adapting, to keep pace with changing technology, evolving needs and new expectations. Serving as your trusted energy advisor means we want to help you save energy (and money) and provide advice and information on a broad range of energy topics. For example, if you’re looking for ways to save energy, check out our website for details on the rebates and incentives we offer to members who want to install more efficient HVAC and water heating equipment in their home. We also offer our SmartHub app that features online tools to compare and track your home’s energy use. If you’re considering a rooftop solar installation, our energy advisors would be happy to give you an unbiased view of the pros and cons. Investing in a solar system is a major decision, and it’s important to fully understand the costs, responsibilities and potential energy savings. Unlike a solar company that has one objective––to sell their products and services––we will look at the total energy picture and help you determine the best options for your home. We understand that homeowners must undertake their due diligence, and we’re here to help in that process. This is also the reason your co-op offers information and research tools on our website, at myremc.coop/solar. In a similar vein, we recognize that many members are considering electric vehicle options. Orange County REMC provides information about EV charging and electrical requirements to our members so they can make informed decisions about EVs. We can provide a candid assessment of residential and business charging requirements for all types of EVs. Visit www.myremc.coop/ev for more information. So, the next time you hear Orange County REMC use the phrase “we’re here to serve you,” we hope you know that we mean it. Service is deeply ingrained into who we are. We continue to evolve with the times, and in return, we’ve found additional ways to serve you and provide more options for you to power your life. We’re here whenever you need us. Connect with us online, in person, through the Orange County REMC SmartHub app or our social media channels. However you choose to connect, please let us know how we can serve you better. Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO

Orange County REMC sponsored one student on the Indiana Youth Tour June 11-18. Youth Tour provides young Hoosiers the opportunity to visit the nation’s capital, learn about government, experience American history and gain a better understanding about their electric cooperative and government. The following student represented Orange County REMC on Youth Tour: Alexis Lindley Lamb-Flynn, Orleans. “Orange County REMC is pleased to provide this opportunity for our local youth,” Hope Matthew said. “It’s a great trip and a wonderful chance to see the sites, make new friends and learn how everyone, even young people, can make a difference in the political process.” Students participating in the trip are visiting the Flight 93 Memorial, Gettysburg Battlefield, Arlington National Cemetery, National Museum of the Marine Corps and Smithsonian museums. The delegation is also touring the National Mall memorials, meeting friends from across the country and much more. The Indiana Youth Tour students will also participate in a youth rally hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and spend a day on Capitol Hill, where they will have an opportunity to meet with Indiana’s congressional delegation to ask questions and share their thoughts on a variety of timely issues.

Happy camping means keeping electrical safety in mind Camping gets us into the great outdoors and lets us leave civilization behind. Yet, for personal preferences or medical reasons, many of us still want or need the modern conveniences or necessities electricity provides. Fortunately, most popular campgrounds have electricity at individual sites. For “off-grid” camping, generators and solar panels are becoming more portable. Here are some things campers should keep in mind: Before you go Make sure a fire extinguisher is included with your gear. A general ABC fire extinguisher will cover ordinary combustibles, like wood and grass, and fires involving electrical current. Make sure the extension cord you plan to run from the hookup to your tent is heavy enough to handle the load you intend to plug into it. It should have three prongs and a built-in ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) as an added safety measure. Be aware and observant Once you arrive at your campsite, inspect the electrical hookup for any damage. For tent camping, a 30-amp hookup is probably the most you’ll need, and it should have a GFCI installed. Make sure the extension cord to your tent doesn’t create a trip hazard. Also, keep it away from the campfire, the drive lane and water. Recreational vehicle (RV) hookups may have a 50-amp outlet designed for larger RVs. If you need an extension cord, make sure it is rated the same or higher than the supply cord plugged into the hookup. Using an insufficient size can und erpower devices or overheat wires. Always use a quality RV surge protector between the hookup and your RV. Don’t be a statistic According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year around 400 to 500 people die in tents and campers from carbon monoxide poisoning. Culprits are generally heaters that malfunction in RVs or fossil-fueled electrical generators. Make sure your RV is equipped with fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Off-grid camping is becoming more popular, and portable generators make it easier. Be sure to choose portable generators with automatic carbon monoxide shutoff systems. Keep the generator outside and as far away from doors and openings as possible. Always position the generator so fumes are pointed away and downwind from your RV, tent and people. Be aware of any neighbors and keep fumes pointed away from them, too.

Preparing to Serve You Better Providing reliable power to you is and will always be top priority for Orange County REMC. These days, power reliability seems to be making news now more than ever. As the energy industry continues to transition and more segments of the economy are becoming electrified, such as vehicles, machinery and even lawn equipment, additional pressures are being placed on our nation’s electric grid. Since the summer storm season is upon us, I thought it would be a good time to tell you about a few measures we’re taking to ensure you continue receiving the reliable power you depend on and deserve. Let me be the first to say I love trees and the charm they add to our communities, and I know you do too. While trees provide shade and add beauty to our area, you may be surprised to learn that overgrown vegetation accounts for about half of all power outages. That’s why we strive to keep the co-op’s power lines clear in right-of-way (ROW) areas. A ROW area is the land a co-op uses to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. This ROW enables Orange County REMC to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder distribution power lines. The overall goal of our vegetation management strategy is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our area. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keep lines clear to improve power reliability. However, traditional vegetation management is costly and time consuming. It entails on-the-ground, labor-intensive efforts involving dozens of workers assessing vegetation and overseeing the quality and completion of contractor work. Although this approach has worked for decades, advances and improvements in technology have allowed us to reduce our costs and improve efficiency. Vegetation management is an essential tool in ensuring power reliability and minimizing the risk of outages. As advancements become more accessible and costs drop, we anticipate using additional technologies to ensure a consistent energy supply while managing the environment. Lastly, I encourage you to follow Orange County REMC on social media so you can learn about the latest co-op updates. Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO

Orange County REMC sponsored two students at the annual Camp Kilowatt. The camp was held June 7-10, 2023, at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana. Students entering seventh grade this fall were eligible to attend and were selected by their local cooperative to participate in the four-day program. The students’ agenda combined traditional outdoor camp activities with environmental education, electrical safety practices, and cooperative business education. “This was a great way for students to learn about the role of the electric cooperative in their community. On top of that, they experienced all the fun of camp,” said Matt Deaton, CEO/General Manager of Orange County REMC. Students representing Orange County REMC at Camp Kilowatt were: Katherine Noble, Orleans Eli Morris, Orleans The Camp Kilowatt program was developed by a committee of electric cooperative employees from Indiana. The camp is funded in part by Indiana’s electric cooperatives, Hoosier Energy, Wabash Valley Power Alliance, Indiana Electric Cooperatives and other industry partners.

"Same mission, new perspective" was the theme of Orange County REMC’s 86th Annual Meeting. It implies that while the overall goal remains constant, there is a fresh approach or outlook being taken. Recently, this new perspective includes adding fiber services to help improve the lives of our members and meeting challenges in the energy industry. Orange County REMC’s co-op principles remain the same as we strive to balance affordability and reliability regardless of new technologies and energy trends. The Annual Meeting was held on Friday, June 2. The meeting was located at the co-op’s location north of Orleans on Highway 37. A new attendance record was set with 425 registered members and 813 total in attendance. Members were treated to a Schnitzelbank catering and received a cast iron skillet as their gift. Attendees listened to live music by Kirby Stailey and watched a hotline demo provided by REMC’s linemen Mike Duke and Travis Thorlton. Several activities such as a bounce house, obstacle course, airbrush face painting, and crafts were available to the children during the meeting. Matt Deaton, CEO/General Manager, introduced the board of directors which included Daniel Houchin (district 1), Randy Roberts (district 2), Danny Easterday (district 3), Rodney Hager (district 4), Ben Lindsey (district 5), Brain Hawkins (district 6), and George Key (district 7). Daniel Houchin gave the secretary/treasurer report. Attorney John Paul Isom gave an explanation of the voting procedures and announced there were no other nominations for district 1 and 5; therefore, Houchin and Lindsey were elected to another 3 year term as Directors for Orange County REMC. President, Randy Roberts, spoke about the retirement of capital credits. Roberts announced the board has approved to retire capital credits from 1972 through 1974. With this decision, nearly $1.7 million of capital credits have been sent back to its members since 2017. Roberts acknowledged the wholesale power cost tracker increased in 2022. He said natural gas costs rose over 80%, coal prices were up 200%, and forward power on the market rose 126%. These costs have been passed along to Orange County REMC and continue to keep our overall prices higher than they would like. Roberts mentioned although the wholesale power cost tracker has increased, Orange County REMC has not had to raise the base rate since 2011. With the help of Orange County Fiber, base rates have been able to remain unchanged. Roberts then shared a video that speaks of how our industry is changing and how it can better serve you in the future. Matt Deaton provided the members with an update on the fiber project. Deaton reported in the past 12 months 1,972 fiber services have been added to the network. The fiber network now serves nearly 10,000 customers and members. A couple of services Orange County Fiber is proud to serve internet and IT services to Orleans School Cooperation and the Orleans Library. Deaton then recognized the hard work of the employees and the youth program recipients for camp kilowatt, youth tour, and senior scholarships. Matt Deaton recognized the employees and directors who have hit milestones in their careers. Ben Lindsey (25 years), Brian Hawkins (20 years), Misty Tincher (20 years), Brandon Bambusch (10 years), Scott Strange (10 years), Stacie Busick (5 years), Josh Frank (5 years), Ryan Flynn (5 years), Charlie Rollins (5 years), Matt Figg (5 years), Irish Mayrina (5 years), Hannah Carter (5 years), Chrystal Silverthorn (5 years). Orange County REMC thanks its members who attended the record-breaking meeting. By keeping the same mission in mind, but looking at it through a different lens, Orange County REMC can achieve greater success in its endeavors. The meeting concluded with 47 prize drawings donated by local businesses and vendors and 2 grand prizes donated by Orange County REMC. Thank you to those who donated: P&C contracting, Indiana Electric Cooperative, Ace Hardware/Ben Franklin, FiberSmith, Lineal Contracting, Pro Tree Care, Galloway Group, Mid-Southern Savings Bank, ElectriCom LLC, Kirby Hardware, Hoosier Hardware, Power & Tel, Brownstown Electric & Supply, Gray Company, Midwest Utility Sales, Altec, Rainbow Printing, Monroe Shine, Babcock Motors, Kinetik, United Utility Supply, Lucas Realty, Progress Examiner, Parr Richey, American Energy Services, Stanisfer Radio Company, John Jones Auto, Millenium, and 95.3 WUME

May is Military Appreciation Month Service. Mission. Country. You likely identified immediately (and correctly) that these three words describe our nation’s veterans. They also succinctly describe a core co-op ethos. While veterans are innately motivated to serve, in a similar vein, electric co-ops are guided by foundational principles that put their community first. After all, electric co-ops were founded to bring electricity to rural areas where there was none. In doing so, they powered local economies and helped them to thrive. I believe this close connection to an essential mission is why there are so many veterans in the utility industry and why they are such a great fit for electric co-ops. Today’s veterans are highly skilled because everyone who joins the military is either trained in a tech career field or exposed to advanced technology during their years of service. Many veterans have skills in advanced disciplines such as engineering, electronics or mechanics, which are all beneficial for the utility industry. That’s why Orange County REMC has proudly employed veterans in the past and currently has four vets on our workforce. Leadership and Teambuilding Skills Our veteran colleagues joined the co-op equipped with training in leadership and teamwork. That’s because while on active duty within their units, service members work closely together because they know their lives depend on each other’s actions. This fosters a high level of self-discipline, a sense of personal responsibility and a passion for excellence. The utility industry is increasingly complex and undergoing a profound transformation. While there is the traditional engineering and vegetation management aspect of the industry, it now also encompasses technology, cybersecurity and the electrification of the transportation sector and other areas of the economy. Veterans are adept at responding to changing conditions and learning and adapting to new technologies, which is essential in our evolving industry. Mission-oriented Outlook Working for an electric co-op is more than a job. There is a clear mission in the work –– to help our consumer-members and the community. When you work so closely with the community, you can’t help but feel a sense of commitment and responsibility to our members. It’s similar to the sense of duty and responsibility that veterans experience in the military. They feel deep, personal responsibility and commitment to their co-op team members and to the members we serve. Veterans are trustworthy and goal-oriented, wanting to do right for their co-op and their community. May is Military Appreciation Month and at Orange County REMC, we are grateful to have veterans within our ranks and we are proud to serve them and their families within our community. Matt Deaton General Manager/CEO