FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO: Dennis Svanes

As I sat down to write this month’s message, I couldn’t help but think about my own electric bill this summer. If your AC is working overtime like mine, you’re probably feeling the pinch, too. And with winter on the way, many of us are bracing for higher energy use in the colder months. 

That’s why I want to remind you about some helpful billing options available. 

BUDGET BILLING. Instead of paying more in the summer and winter and less in spring and fall, our levelized plan smooths out seasonal spikes. Your monthly bills stay consistent — like setting your energy costs on cruise control. The budget amount recalculates twice a year to reflect your usage accurately. 

PREPAY BILLING. If you’ve ever wished you could pay-as-you-go for electricity like you do fuel — add funds, use what you need, get notified when it’s time to refuel — then Prepay Billing may be a good fit. No deposit is required and no connect/disconnect fees assessed. If you have a deposit on file when you switch to Prepay, it will be credited to your account. You’re notified when your account funds are running low, helping you stay in control of your usage and budget. 

INVOICE BILLING MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS. If you have multiple meters, like a home and a shop, we can roll them into a single invoice for added convenience. 

ONLINE BILLING WITH SMARTHUB. Unfortunately, the postal service is a bit unpredictable lately, so if you haven’t tried our SmartHub web and mobile app, now’s a great time. You can receive email or SMSnotifications, view bills online, make payments or set up auto-pay. You can still receive a paper bill if you’d like, but SmartHub gives you account management options. 

ENERGY ASSISTANCE. Funds have not been approved for the 2026 Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), which has been a valuable resource for our members. We will provide details as soon as they are available. If you think you may qualify, be sure to apply early. 

APPLIANCE REBATES. If you’re considering a new electric water heater or heat pump system, we offer rebates to help offset the cost. Upgrading to more efficient equipment can lower future bills, and a rebate makes that purchase a little easier. 

If you have questions about any of these options, give us a call, stop by the office, or visit us online at www.4riverselectric.com. We’re here to help you make the most of your membership.

Wishing you all a safe and smooth fall. For those working the harvest — watch out for power lines and stay safe out there!

(Originally printed in September's KCL Centerspread)