News & Events

What's Happening

November 2009
Thu 19:	2010 Residential Rate Increase
	Dear Member: If you have been listening to the news lately, other than healthcare, you have no doubt heard a great deal regarding energy. The subjects of green house gas emissions and climate change are most often what you hear discussed. These issues, while sometimes debated, prompted new regulation by the federal government limiting certain forms of electricity generation. On January 1, 2009, the impact to your cooperative was a 60% increase in the price of power purchased on your behalf. The cooperative expects another 4% increase January 1, 2010. In anticipation of new regulation, McDonough Power, over the last several years, did the following in effort to minimize the impact to members. We deferred revenue when possible in order to offset this increase. We lowered labor costs by trimming the number of employees and consolidating duties. We utilized new technology in order to create internal efficiencies and cost containment. We recently refinanced large portions of our debt, which lowered expense. As a result of these and other proactive measures, your cooperative is limiting the members' rate increase to an average of 2.6%. The increase will be accomplished by raising the facility charge $2.00 and modifying the energy charge slightly. Furthermore, the cooperative is eliminating the declining rate structure, which modestly discounted the price per kilowatt-hour for electricity purchased in larger amounts. The new rate will take effect January 1, 2010. We appreciate the trust and support you give us. Your cooperative and your Board of Directors are closely monitoring the issues that affect rates. We are concerned; however, rest assured that we will waste no opportunity to protect your interests and to advocate on your behalf. We plan to update you in our newsletter as more information becomes available. Please call or visit us at the cooperative if you have any questions.
Sat 21:	Our Energy
	Ensure that our elected officials make keeping electricity affordable and reliable a top priority as they develop and vote on energy legislation. Click here to visit www.ourenergy.coop Let Congress know how you feel about the energy crisis.
Sat 21:	It's Here -- Online Bill Payment
	McDonough Power Cooperative is working to meet your needs – and now paying or viewing your bills will be even easier. In response to your requests, members now have another helpful option to view and/or pay their McDonough Power Cooperative's monthly bill – an online website. Even if you choose not to pay your bill this way, you will still be able to view current or past month billing statements. This secure site is operated by our billing software contractor, Southeastern Data Cooperative (SEDC), and maintained independently of McDonough Power. It meets all security regulations to ensure that your financial information is protected by the highest industry standards. Here's how you can take advantage of this electronic bill presentment and easy payment method: If we have your current email address on record you may sign up online. Follow these simple instructions: Click on the *Online Bill Payment* link found on our homepage In the *Customer Login* section click on *New User* This will walk you through step-by-step instructions – please have your account number handy (this can be found on your billing statement in the upper left-hand corner-do not include the (-) dash) Once you have completed the necessary information you will receive an activation email with a link to activate your account The following are a couple of error messages which indicate that we do not have your email address on record or the information entered did not match our records. You should contact us for further assistance – call 309.833.2101 or click Contact Support to send an email message. Possible Error Messages We do not currently have your email address on record. Your request cannot be processed. Please call us or click Contact Support for further assistance, regarding your problem. The account number or telephone number that you entered is not recognized. Please verify that you have entered correct information in these fields. If you know that we do not have your email address on record or you do not have an email address simply call us at 309.833.2101 or click on the Online Bill Payment link found on our homepage then click Contact Support to send us an email. E-BILL NOTIFICATION You may also choose to be notified via email when bills and notices are cycled. Choosing this option will allow you to continue receiving a paper bill as well as an email notification with a link directly to your most recent bill/notice. Please contact us to enroll. We hope you enjoy the new convenience of viewing and/or paying online for your electricity. Our Member Service Department will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the new system – give us a call at 309.833.2101.
January 2010
Fri 22:	Illinois ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate Program
	Check out the new appliance rebate program at: www.illinoisenergy.org/appliances