Brief Updates – June 2022

Coop CurrentsCoop News

Final Phase of Rate Design Effective July 1

On July 1, the final phase of WEC’s rate redesign takes effect:

  • The residential monthly customer charge will rise to $26.49
  • The residential charge per kilowatt hour will drop to $0.21149
  • Members will continue to purchase the first 100 kilowatt hours each month at the reduced rate of $0.08476.

This is not a rate increase. The monthly service charge is increasing; the cost per kilowatt hour is decreasing. This stabilizes the Co-op’s finances and incentivizes members to use more electricity for home heating and transportation.

Click here for a chart detailing changes to WEC’s rate structure as approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Previous Co-op Currents coverage of WEC’s rate redesign:

Election Results

Vote totals for the Board of Directors election

*Steven Farnham: 545
*Susan Alexander: 468
*Betsy Allen: 377
Joseph “JJ” Vandette: 329
Pat Barnes: 267
Olivia Campbell Andersen: 204
Rachel Onuf: 138
Write-ins: 4

*elected to the Board of Directors

Total ballots cast: 853
Less spoiled: 0
Less blank: 104
Less unopened: 31
Total valid ballots received: 718

Bylaw amendment

Total “Yes”: 649
Total “No”: 69

Stay Tuned: Fall Membership Gathering

Join WEC for an in-person membership gathering and cookout lunch on Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 11 AM – 3 PM at the WEC Operations Center, 230 Fassett Road in East Montpelier.

More information and reservations at wec.coop/events and in the July issue of Co-op Currents. Hope to see you there and celebrate being together once again.

Employee Anniversaries

In 2022, several WEC staff are celebrating milestone employment anniversaries. Thank you for your many years of service!

Five years

Jamie Dailey, First Class Lineworker
Rick Stergas, Safety & Environment Compliance Specialist

Fifteen years

Doug desGroseilliers, Utility Field Technician
Sandy Gendron, Information Database Technician
Susan Golden, Member Services Supervisor
Donnie Singleton, Lineworker & Equipment Operator

Twenty years

Elaine Gonier, Senior Member Services Representative

Subscribe to digital Co-op Currents

Starting in 2022, Co-op Currents is both a print and online publication. If you prefer to read your news online, you can save the Co-op paper and postage by opting out of the print publication and going digital-only.

Subscribe and change your preferences anytime.

Got something to say?

Letter to the editor, comment, or a story tip? Drop us a line at currents@wec.coop or Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 8, East Montpelier, VT 05651, Attn: Co-op Currents.

WEC in the News

At the end of April, Erica Heilman – East Calais resident, WEC member, and independent producer of the podcast Rumble Strip Vermont – rode along with WEC crews restoring power after a storm. Hear her story, which was featured on VPR.

Where’s WEC?

Summer is here, and crews are busy working to keep rights-of-way clear. Right-of-way maintenance is necessary to keep your power safe and reliable.

Where are tree crews trimming WEC’s roadside rights-of-way?

Williamstown: Cold Spring, Ferno, Flint, George, Orange, Riddell, Slate Hill Drive

Worcester: Minister Brook, Calais

Middlesex: Shady Rill

Click here for right-of-way updates.

Sign up for outage alerts on SmartHub

As of May 15, 2022, Washington Electric Co-op is sending emailed notifications of scheduled outages through SmartHub. To continue receiving outage updates by email, you must sign up through SmartHub, accessible through wec.coop.

Outage updates will continue to be posted on the Outage Center page of wec.coop, and auto-calls will be generated to those affected by outages.

By updating your notifications settings in SmartHub, you will receive targeted, real-time information about the outage affecting your line, delivered right to your phone or email. You can also receive billing and usage alerts.

If you don’t yet use SmartHub, you can start today: it’s accessible by computer, tablet, or smartphone. Call in an outage, manage your usage, pay your bill, and review your payment history all in one place.

If you would like help setting up your account, a WEC Member Services Representative will be happy to help: call 802-223-5245.

Energy coach: Call before you buy an EV

Ready to buy your first electric vehicle? Call WEC before you drive it home. Electric vehicle charging increases your electric load.

The Energy Coach’s checklist:

  1. Look at your circuit breaker box. Is it a 100 or 200 amp box? How many remaining slots are there? Take a photo.
  2. Call or email the Energy Coach to inquire about adding an EV to your peak load. If you email, attach the photo.
  3. WEC’s teams will assess your service. You’ll learn what, if any, work needs to be done to prepare your home electrically for EV load, about how long it will take, and how much it will cost. Any work you may require from a qualified electrician is not part of this equation.
  4. The Energy Coach also knows about available EV incentives. It never hurts to ask.

Contact the Energy Coach today: 802-224-2329 or energycoach@wec.coop.

WEC Office Closed to Public: Call or Email Only

WEC’s office in East Montpelier is now closed to members of the public. Thank you for understanding. You may reach any staff member or Board member by phone or email.

WEC’s website is wec.coop and phone numbers are 802-223-5245 and toll free at 1-800-932-5245.

Thank you!

Have your finances taken a hit?

Don’t let your WEC bill go past due, or grow beyond what you can manage.

Help is available: A Member Services Representative will help you put together a budget that works for you. Plus, there are state programs that may help pay down your bill.

Call us today, and we’ll help you put together a plan: 802-223-5245 or toll free at 1-800-932-5245.