BPA: Our Source of PowerThe Bonneville Power Administration is a federal agency that sells wholesale power at cost-based rates to its customers. PenLight buys the majority of its power from BPA at rates established by BPA every two years. BPA also sells a sizable amount of power on the open market, which adds to its income.

BPA’s income is closely linked to how much money it takes in by selling surplus power to utilities in other West Coast states on the open market. Energy markets have been experiencing a change in the last few years. As more renewable power is added to the grid, and with the abundance of natural gas, power prices have remained low. This directly affects the revenue that BPA receives from its surplus power sales.

If BPA’s income is lower than planned, PenLight’s power contract allows BPA to invoke a provision that increases its rates. This provision, called the Cost Recovery Adjustment Clause, allows BPA to add a temporary fee on top of its regular rates to make up for declining income. BPA hasn’t invoked the CRAC provision since 2006.

We look forward to bringing you more information in upcoming newsletters about current topics in the energy industry.

Peninsula Light Company News

Supervising Editor: Ryan Redmond • 253-857-1567 • newsletter@penlight.org • Produced by Peninsula Light Co.

DON’T FORGET THOSE HIDDEN NUMBERS!

Every month, five randomly chosen account numbers are hidden in Lights. If you spot yours, call Cathy at 253-857-1525 and receive a $50 credit on your next bill.

INSIDE:PenLight 253-857-5950 • PenLight.org • PenLight Office: 13315 Goodnough Drive NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Threads Through Time

Emergency Preparedness

PenLight Celebrates 92 Years During National Co-op MonthOctober is National Cooperative Month. It is a good time each year to reflect on our accomplishments and to measure our value to our members. Here’s a look at how we got started.

In 1924, when the city of Tacoma was building a transmission line from its hydro project at Lake Cushman on Hood Canal to their city, our community members came together to form an electric utility. They chose the co-op model because many farmers in the area were already familiar with how it worked. PenLight’s first articles of incorporation were adopted in July 1925. Power from the Cushman lines energized the peninsulas in December 1926.

Today, there are more than 900 electric co-ops nationwide. Most began with the purpose of serving rural areas like ours. The principle that sets PenLight apart from others is our

community involvement. Since we work for our members, we support activities where they live and play. That’s why we sponsor many events, from Little League baseball to community gatherings like the Maritime Gig Festival and the Key Peninsula Farm Tour.

PenLight has grown to serve more than 31,000 electric meters, making us the second-largest co-op in the state. We are the 6th oldest in the nation. We cover 112 square miles in Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas, and maintain nearly 1,000 miles of line, two-thirds of which is underground. Since 2013 we placed in the top quartile among electric utilities in the nation for reliability performance and we have invested $8 million a year in system maintenance and reliability projects.

We also have an eye toward the future. We generate some of our own power at the Harvest Wind project—a 99-megawatt wind farm near Goldendale that began to operations in 2009. PenLight owns 20 percent of this $250 million project. We promote conservation by offering rebates to our members for products such as heat pumps, commercial lighting, and comfort control. In addition, we support local renewable-energy producers through net-metering agreements. Penlight will continually strive to employ appropriate technology to meet the growing needs of our community.

The Key Peninsula Farm Tour

To find the most up-to-date community calendar information, please visit the following resources: • Gig Harbor Tourism and Communications Office – www.gigharborguide.com • Pierce County Library System – www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar • Harbor History Museum – www.harborhistorymuseum.org/events • PenMet Parks – www.penmetparks.org • Key Pen Parks – www.keypenparks.com/events

• Downtown Waterfront Alliance – www.gigharborwaterfront.org/annual-events • Harbor WildWatch – www.harborwildwatch.org • Key Peninsula News – www.keypennews.com

Holiday Closure: September 3

September/October 2018

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Peninsula Light Co. Newsletter September/October 2018

The Key Peninsula Farm Tour Saturday, October 6The Key Peninsula Farm Tour, the oldest farm tour in Pierce County, is a free family-friendly event offering fun, food, music, arts, crafts and so much more! This event is one of the largest community events on the Key Peninsula.

Visitors are welcome to travel to the Key Peninsula and choose farms to visit. They will discover farming practices that range from agriculture to aquaculture and see a huckleberry machine, antique tractors and a hydroponic garden. Enjoy a

variety of activities as you hike in a haunted forest, watch dog and horse demonstrations, visit with fiber artists, stroll gardens, see environmental camps, listen to good music and eat good food. This year’s tour introduces two "start-up" farms developing sustainable farming techniques.

Want to relax and enjoy yourself without the worry and hassle of driving? Catch a shuttle bus at Gateway Park or Longbranch Improvement Club. Come early and start your day at the Key Center Firehouse Pancake Breakfast and grab a map. The KP News October issue will include the farm tour program insert.

Farm Tour Art Show The Blend Wine Shop presents the Farm Tour Art Show on Sept 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. Blend will host an artist reception followed by the KP Historical Society’s History of Farming program at the Mustard Seed Crandell building in uptown Key Center.

Scarecrow Invasion September is the month of the Scarecrow Invasion—a Key Center contest for individuals, organizations and businesses with a chance to win cash prizes. Local residents and businesses are encouraged to create scarecrows

for the Scarecrow Invasion starting September 17. Entry applications for Scarecrow Invasion can be found at www.kpfarmtour.com.

Fiber Arts – ‘Threads Through Time’ In its 11th year, “Fiber Arts – Threads Through Time” is held at the historic Longbranch Improvement Clubhouse on October 6, in conjunction with the Key Peninsula Farm Tour. The Fiber Arts festival features more than two dozen artists who demonstrate, exhibit and sell their work. The full gamut of fibers, using traditional techniques and modern adaptations, is on display during the one-day festival. In addition, both the Farm Tour and Fiber Arts have fun activities for the entire family.

Inside the unique clubhouse, vendor displays include quilts, hats, bags, handwoven baskets, buttons, clothing, jewelry, rugs, wall hangings, table decorations, hand-tooled leather crafts, embroidery, wearable art from silk, alpaca fur, wood, Hardanger (or whitework) embroidery and more! Demonstrations include weaving, spinning and cross stitch. Pierce County Library provides duct tape for use in making wallets (always a hit!). Outside on the LIC grounds there are antique tractors to emphasize our connection to the Farm Tour. Of special interest, yard art, furniture and wood sculptures are available for purchase.

Longbranch Improvement Club Established in 1921, the Longbranch Improvement Club (LIC), is 30 miles south of Gig Harbor on the Key Peninsula. Its mission statement for almost 100 years has been “to encourage any activity for the betterment of schools, homemaking, roads, marketing, dairy, poultry and all its branches.” This all-volunteer organization maintains a clubhouse—originally a school gymnasium—which is now on the National Historic Register. The LIC holds numerous events throughout the year to benefit the community, including Kids & Christmas, Trunk or Treat at Halloween, and fundraising events for camp and college scholarship programs.

Power Outage/Emergency PreparednessDon't get caught in the dark without a plan.

Sudden power outages and disasters can occur without warning. They can be frustrating and troublesome, especially if they last for a long time. For prolonged power outages, stock up on the materials listed below to keep the members of your household as comfortable as possible until the situation is resolved.

Here are a few emergency supplies you should have:

• At least a three-day supply of drinking water

• Nonperishable food that is easy to prepare

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

• Flashlights and fresh batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle

• Manual can opener

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal hygiene

• Extra blankets and warm clothing, including a hat

• Sleeping bags

• Battery-powered or wind-up clock

• Any special medications you may need

• Food and water for pets

• Cash

• A plastic tub or backpack so you can keep these things together

Power Outage Tips• During an outage, open the refrigerator and freezer doors as rarely as

possible. Don’t leave them open long. Food will stay frozen for about 72 hours in an unopened, non operating freezer.

• If you have an emergency heating source, learn how to use it properly to prevent fire and ensure proper ventilation.

• During an outage, turn off lights, any heat sources, and any sensitive electronics.

• Learn how to operate a generator safely.

See the power outage status at PenLight’s Outage Viewer: https://outages.penlightop.org.

Disasters Don't Plan Ahead. You Can!Make an emergency plan today. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area.

Know how you will contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find. As you prepare your plan, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use it as a guide to create your own. Be sure to practice your plan with your family and/or household.

Check on your neighbors. Almost half of Americans expect to rely on their neighbors after a disaster. Your neighbor might have to rely on you. Will you be ready? Learn skills you need to help yourself and others until help can arrive. Take the training Until Help Arrives.

Visit the following links to learn more:

www.ready.gov/make-a-plan • www.ready.gov/neighbors

Fiber Arts – Threads Through Time

• October 6, 2018, Longbranch, Washington

• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Admission

• licweb.org

• On Facebook: Longbranch Fiber Arts Show

“Cali-CoHo” by 2018 featured artist Carolyn Wiley is on display at the Longbranch Marina. 1083730813683

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