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July 2022

Notice

When mailing payments to the McLouth office, please address them using the PO Box.

Remit to:

PO Box 70

McLouth, KS 66054

Introducing A New Cash Pay Option!

CEO Column

Beat the Peak

July in the Kansas heat brings the need to stay cool by running the air conditioner during those sweltering days. It’s hard to think about cutting back on energy use when the temperatures reach three digits, but in fact, that’s the best time to consider saving electricity — even if it is just a little bit.

By saving or conserving energy, you’re helping all FreeState members save money, and that’s cause for a celebration — fireworks included.

A few degrees on your thermostat could be tangible savings for you. Being conscious of the peak times from 3 to 6 p.m. each day and saving those household chores until later in the evening or even earlier in the morning may help you save energy for your home and the entire cooperative. If all members do their part, the cooperative purchases less electricity during the most expensive times of the day — and that results in real savings for everyone.

Summer isn’t the only time to conserve energy. It really is a year-round consideration. You can look at mechanical changes in your home, like older HVAC units or less efficient appliances. Those may be pricey options, but one inexpensive way to increase efficiency without buying new items is looking at your windows. You don’t need brand new windows. Improve the seal by caulking doors, windows, and any other openings where cold air could escape. The noticeable difference in switching to LED lightbulbs may also surprise you.

Another way to increase your efficiency is through the energy you use. The thermostat is a great starting point. There are smart options you can invest in that include apps and technology, or try adjusting the thermostat higher when you are gone or programming it to match your schedule. If you’re looking for simpler actions to take immediately, try washing clothes in cold water, running the dishwasher when you go to bed, keeping lights off when you aren’t in a room, or taking the family outside instead of sitting inside watching TV.

If you have questions about how you can save or start conserving energy, contact our energy use coordinator. No matter what steps you take — small ones, larger ones — it doesn’t matter. They all help. FreeState employees want to help you save money and find ways to be as energy efficient as possible.

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New Cash Pay Option

FreeState understands that some members don’t operate during regular business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That’s why the cooperative has added VanillaDirect Pay as an option for cash payment with a barcode printed right on the monthly bill. The option is a convenient and secure service that lets you pay your bill with cash when you are on the go, running errands to your favorite retail or grocery stores.

Using the cash payment option is one of the quickest ways to post money to your electric account if you cannot get to the office.

Supply Chain Slowdown

These days the word “unprecedented” gets thrown around, often in a negative light. The latest use of the word is tied to supply chain slowdowns in the electric utility industry. It is not just cooperatives that have been experiencing these challenges. The issues are industry-wide.

Delays along the supply chain contribute to delivery delays of the components essential to new construction projects or other infrastructure upgrades or projects.

Avoid Scams

We have recently noticed an uptick in calls from our members reporting phone calls from someone claiming to be either from Evergy or FreeState demanding payment of past due balances. The person on the end of the line wanted to be paid by a pre-paid credit card. THIS IS A PHONE SCAM.

Phone scammers and how they use technology to fool members are incredibly concerning. We cannot rely on caller ID anymore as scammers can duplicate trusted phone numbers and trick those we care about into financially harmful situations.

FreeState Electric Cooperative

800-794-1989

www.freestate.coop

FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc., is not subject to the jurisdiction, regulation, supervision and control of the Kansas Corporation Commission, except as specified in K.S.A. 66-104d(f).

Statement of Non-Discrimination

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Read the complete statement

FreeState is a consumer-owned and consumer-controlled electric cooperative. FreeState operates on a not-for-profit basis for the benefit of its member-consumers. Accordingly, the Board has adopted this Policy on Privacy of Member-Consumer Information to establish fair information principles for FreeState in carrying out its responsibility to respect the privacy of personally identifiable information about member-consumers.

Notice: FreeState publicly discloses its policies and practices for the collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of personally identifiable information about member-consumers.

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