April 10, 2008
Climate change legislation will affect future electric rates

The prospect of increasing electric rates due to climate change legislation was one of the messages delivered by Gregg Kiess, Northeastern’s president and CEO, to members attending the cooperative’s area meetings in March.

Climate change is one aspect of a looming energy crisis created by increasing demand for electricity and decreasing capacity to meet that demand.  The National Electric Reliability Council predicts that our region could face serious power concerns by 2012. And yet energy supply isn’t an issue our elected representatives are spending much time on.  The desire by government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly and the growing demand for power by consumers are about to collide. The result will have a direct impact on our cooperative – and on you, the co-op member. 

Some people believe we can meet the demand through efficiency and renewable energy. In reality this will not be enough.

To avert an energy crisis, the federal government must exercise true leadership.  Without a sound, responsible plan, government risks the reliability of our electric system, as well as the ability of many Americans to be able to afford to pay their electric bill.  

Electric co-op members must call on elected officials to provide this leadership.  That’s why Northeastern encourages you to contact your elected officials. Now. 

You don’t need to be an energy expert to ask questions.  Asking questions will help solve the problem of balancing climate change goals with keeping your lights on and your electric bills affordable.

Members of Congress and elected state officials are hearing from many different interest groups who have ideas on addressing climate change.  However, no one is talking directly to consumers.  We need a plan that people can live with today while also addressing the climate change problem of tomorrow.   

To make things easy, we have a website that will send an email for you.  Go to www.ourenergy.coop  and click on “Contact Elected Officials”. By filling out your address, it will determine the legislators who represent you. You can either send the prepared e-mail or personalize it. We’re kicking this effort off with a basic but critical question:  What are they doing to make sure we’ll have the power we need in the future?

Far too often questions don’t get asked by policy makers until it is too late.  We believe it makes sense to know the answers before any laws are passed.  You can help your elected officials and yourself by having this conversation.  The electric bill you save will be your own.

February 18, 2008
More savings for our members: Co-op Connections Card Program adds pharmacy discounts

A new program has been added to the very popular Co-op Connections Discount Card, that will save you money each time you need to have a prescription filled.

New cards have been produced and were distributed for the first time at our recent Member Appreciation Night.

These cards and key fobs carry the member codes you need to take advantage of a new pharmacy discount program.

The pharmacy program entitles you to get 10 percent to 60 percent savings on most prescriptions at over 48,000 independent pharmacies and national chains including CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target and more.  It's a powerful tool to help you deal with soaring prescription prices.

You can present your Co-op Connections card at any participating pharmacy and automatically receive discounts up to 60 percent on most of the prescriptions you need.  If you have other savings cards or insurance plans, your pharmacist can check to see which program offers you the best savings.  You can check discount prescription prices at www.rxpricequotes.com.

Members originally received their free Co-op Connections cards two years ago, offering savings at many local and national businesses.  There are thousands of locations around the country with savings offers.  They range from local florists to national hotel chains, from heating contractors to unique gift shops.

If you would like a new card featuring the pharmacy program, drop us a line at m_defreeuw@nremc.com or call (260) 244-6111 or 625-3700.

If you haven't been carrying a card, put one in your billfold, purse, key chain or wherever you'll always have it when you spot a Co-op Connections savings opportunity!  Local businesses have stickers in their windows or at the cash register to remind you that they are participating in the program.

Everyday savings from your Co-op Connections card... further proof that being a member of an electric cooperative has real value!