The holidays will be here before we know it, but this time of year at Bartholomew County REMC also means its budget season. While many are preparing for family gatherings and festive celebrations, our team is busy planning and prioritizing the work that keeps your power reliable and affordable in the year ahead.

Providing safe and reliable power to you is, and will always be, the top priority for Bartholomew County REMC. These days, power reliability seems to be making headlines more than ever.

One of the most effective ways we maintain reliability is through our right-of-way (ROW) program.

A ROW is the land our co-op uses to construct, maintain, replace, or repair overhead and underground power lines. Keeping these areas clear of trees and vegetation is essential to prevent outages caused by falling limbs or overgrown branches. Our vegetation management program balances reliability with care for the scenic surroundings we all enjoy.

In addition to vegetation management, we regularly invest in planned work and system improvements. During our budget process each year, we carefully review outage data to identify areas where upgrades are most needed. These planned projects help strengthen our system and ensure it can handle growing demands.

We also focus on leveraging technology to improve service now and prepare for the future. For example, our smart grid equipment pilots allow for automated switching, helping restore power quickly to some accounts during large outages. Looking ahead, our technology plan includes advanced metering, grid monitoring, and other tools to help manage increasing electric demand. By investing in proven technologies at a pace that improves service without increasing rates, we ensure BCREMC is ready to meet future challenges.

Our budget process is detailed and stringent, ensuring every dollar is spent wisely. We take pride in managing costs responsibly while continuing to invest in the infrastructure and maintenance needed to provide the high-quality service our members expect. Careful financial planning allows us to keep rates as low as possible while maintaining reliability, safety, and the excellent service you rely on.

Were grateful for your trust and support throughout the year. On behalf of everyone at Bartholomew County REMC, I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.