OPALCO Board approves additional COVID-19 relief measures

Commercial members in need can apply for base fee waiver

— from Suzanne Olson for Orcas Power and Light —

We are all in this together. OPALCO is very concerned about how its members are getting along during this pandemic and is digging deep to put any and all available resources into helping members to pay their power
bills. The Board approved additional relief measures at their regular meeting on Thursday, April 23 – and there’s something for everyone.
Power and broadband are essential services—especially critical during this great disruption. OPALCO is doing all it can to help, without putting the viability of the Co-op at risk. Here’s what is currently available for members
in need of assistance:

Residential members in need have several ways to seek relief on their power bills:

• Fee and disconnect waivers
• Project PAL (NEW: extended through June 30, up to two grants this season)
• Energy Assist (NEW: qualify by checking COVID-19 box)
• Rock Island (NEW: $25 bill credit if on EAP)
• NEW: Switch it Up! payment deferral

Commercial members (requires commercial meter and tariff) in need can benefit from:

• Fee and disconnect waivers
• Temporarily disconnect meter (no bill during disruption)
• NEW: EAP-C (base fee/service access charge waiver)
• Rock Island (NEW: $25 bill credit if on EAP-C)
• NEW: Switch it Up! payment deferral

Please see chart online for full details. The easiest way for residential members to apply for assistance (PAL and EAP) is through their island Family/Community Resource Center. Commercial members must fill out a COVID-19 Relief Form for the EAP-C bill credit and a payment plan will be required if there is an unpaid balance on the account. For a bill credit on your Rock Island account, simply show them your OPALCO bill with the EAP credit applied. To defer your Switch it Up on-bill finance charges,
contact energysavings@opalco.com.

OPALCO is closely assessing member needs and will re-assess available measures every 60 days, based on member need and available funding. Members are still responsible for paying their bill; payment plans are
available and may be required for certain measures.

We are all affected by COVID-19, but not everyone needs assistance. If you are able to help your co-op neighbors, please consider the following:

• Round up for Project PAL
• Make a one-time or recurring donation to PAL
• Donate your community solar production credits to low-income assistance
• Donate your efficiency rebate check to low-income assistance
• Donate your stimulus check to low-income assistance (or specify local business relief)

Looking out for each other is the island way – and it’s in our cooperative DNA. We’ll get through this better working together.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.