September 2012 - NineStar Connect

september-october
2012
volume
1
issue
5
Fiber update
Ryan Bewley updates
the status of the network
backbone of the Blue River
fiber construction.
PAGE 6
Energy
savers unite
NineStar is pleased to
offer access to 20 percent
off best-quality energy
efficient products through
EnergySavers.coop.
PAGe 8
consumers in the
driver's seat
Expert explains rate adjustments,
price increases and customer savings
See page 4
m a p p i n g
cooperatives: your
business, your benefit
c o nn e c t i o n s
ninestar connect service territory map
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AIRE
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RIPLEY TWP
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CI E
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COMMERCE DR
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ICEL
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FRANKLIN TWP
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3
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DUNREITH
40
£
¤
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E 800 S
LEWISVILLE
HENRY COUNTY
W COUNTY LINE RD
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OGDEN
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RD
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MIL
RD
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¤
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£
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40
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W OLD US
NAL
W OLD NATIO
RAYSVILLE
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N MEMORIAL DR
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E 600 S
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S MORRISTOWN
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W FAUT
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S MILL RD
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SPICELAND TWP
S 575
S GRANT CITY RD
S 750 W
S 900 W
S 975 W
S 1075 W
RUSH COUNTY
W 650 S
W 750 S
W 800 S
N 275 E
N 300 W
N 425 W
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S KENNARD RD
S GRANT CITY RD
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HENRY COUNTY
HANCOCK COUNTY
HENRY COUNTY
W 650 S
W 700 S
KNIGHTSTOWN
RUSH COUNTY
E 500 S
70
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SPICELAND
W 750 S
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RD
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HANCOCK COUNTY
L
INTERSTATE
US HIGHWAY
STATE RD
E COUNTY LINE RD
RUSH COUNTY
COUNTY RD/ CITY ST
COUNTY
ELECTRIC & TELCOM TERRITORY
TOWNSHIP
ELECTRIC ONLY TERRITORY
CORPORATION LIMIT
TELECOM ONLY TERRITORY
RUSH COUNTY
RD
HANCOCK COUNTY
RD
UN
N 100 E
N PRAIRIE RD
N 450 W
N 575 W
N 650 W
N KENNARD RD
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N 1000 E
N GRANDISON RD
S 850 E
S 775 E
S 600 E
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S 800 E
FO
PIKE
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N 650 W
N RICK JAMES DR
W 625 N
N 775 W
N GRANT CITY RD
S GRANT CITY RD
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N 900 E
N 800 E
N 850 E
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N 700 E
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S 750 E
BIN
E 450 S
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S 100 E
L
IL
S 300 E
S FRANKLIN
S 50 W
S
E 400 S
W 500 S
W 600 S
E 250 S
BLUE RIVER TWP
NM
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N MECHANICSBURG RD
S MECHANICSBURG RD
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S 400 E
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S MERIDIAN
E 350 S
E 400 S
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N 875 W
N MECHANICSBURG RD
N 950 W
N 940 W
MADISON COUNTY
HENRY COUNTY
S 525 E
HENRY COUNTY
N 1200 E
HENRY COUNTY
HANCOCK COUNTY
N 1100 E
N 775 E
N 975 W
MADISON COUNTY
S 250 E
S9W
N 625 E
THOMAS
RD
AS
OM
TH
N
N MAIN
N 400 E
N 400 E
N 450 E
N 375 E
N 500 E
N APPLE ST
S 100 E
S 150 W
S 125 W
S 200 W
S 300 W
W FURRY RD
S 150 W
S 400 W
N 975 W
S 400 E
TOMAHAWK TR
WALNUT ST
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S 300 E
S 150 W
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S 175 W
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N TROY RD
N 250 E
N 300 E
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9
BRANDYWINE TWP
W 350 S
W
S 565
S 550 W
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N MERIDIAN RD
N WINDSWEPT
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S JACOBI RD
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ID
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PK
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W WEBER RD
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W SWEET CREEK
E 150 N
PIK
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W 175 S
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W DAVIS
NEW PALESTINE
W 650 S
109
40
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MARION COUNTY
GREENFIELD
W 300 S
W 380 S
W 675 S
E 325 N
E 200 N
W MCKENZIE RD
W
W 650 S
70
E 200 N
E NEW RD
OR
HANCOCK COUNTY
E 300 N
E 300 N
E 350 N
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S
E 25 N
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W 200 S
MAIN
JACKSON TWP
650 S
IL
SM
SB
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RD
S TSC RD
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10
S 175 E
W 100 S
ROCKWAY
W
OWN
W 100 S
HENRY TWP
W 550 S
70
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E 200 N
E 150 N
E BR
WESTWOOD
W 200 S
GREENSBORO
GRANT CITY
W 450 S
E 450 N
E 100 N
WALNUT
SPRING
LAKE
SUGAR CREEK TWP
38
W 300 S
S 775 W
40
£
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W 425 S
W 425 S
E 250 N
W 100 N
CUMBERLAND
S 800 W
N 50 E
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N SPARKS RD
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MARION COUNTY
HANCOCK COUNTY
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N 500 W
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E 400 N
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70
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¨
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E 500 N
CENTER TWP
BUCK CREEK TWP
N BUCK CREEK
N BUCK CREEK
W 200 N
N WA
Y
W 100 N
0W
S 35
W ST
ATIO
W 300 N
E 200 N
W 50 N
GREENSBORO TWP
W 300 S
ELIZABETH CITY
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103
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WILKINSON
S KENNARD RD
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T BL
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N
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HILLSBORO
W 200 S
SHIRLEY
E 700
E 550 N
Director District 6
Ronnie Mohr (A)
Philip M. Hayes (B)
District At-Large
Robert Glazier
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E 700 N
E 700 N
10
W 200 N
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234
W 100 S
W 300 N
W 150 N
KENNARD
SM
Director District 3
Stephen Vail (A)
Joseph Paxton (B)
N 50 E
E 750 N
W 700 N
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HARRISON TWP
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S MORRISTOWN PK
EMAIL:
dspencer@
ninestarconnect.com
www.ninestarconnect.com
BROWN TWP
E 950 N
234
N 350 W
N FRANKS LN
W 650 N
Director District 5
Richard C. Parker (A)
Mark Evans (B)
Director District 7
James E. Cherry (A)
James Gillett (B)
GREEN TWP
PK
Annual subscription price
is $3; available to members
of NineStar Connect
co-operative.
PHONE:
(317) 326-3131
(765) 533-4303
Director District 2
Doyle S. Baker (A)
David G. Heller (B)
E 1000 N
W 100 N
CADIZ
234
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N 300 W
N 475 W
W 750 N
W 100 S
Director District 1
Darrell H. Thomas (A)
Thomas Kirby (B)
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E EDEN RD
ILLE
POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to:
2243 E. Main St.
Greenfield, IN 46140
NineStar South Campus
2243 E. Main St.
Greenfield, IN 46140
Board of
Directors
E 1000 N
38
W 100 N
109
E 900 N
RTV
Published Bi-monthly.
Periodical Postage Paid at
Greenfield, IN.
Address:
NineStar North Campus
2331 E. CR 600N
Greenfield, IN 46140
S 225 W
W 850 N
VERNON TWP
W 800 N
N MERIDIAN RD
N RICKS DR E
McCORDSVILLE
W 900 N
S 350 W
NineStar Connection,
USPS (Periodical permit
application pending),
Volume 1 No. 5
N BARNARD RD
N 125 W
W 950 N
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W 750 N
MADISON COUNTY
HANCOCK COUNTY
E 1050 S
W 925 N
ND
The NineStar Connection
is a publication of NineStar
Connect servicing retail
and residential customers.
Nearly 15,000 families
and businesses receive
this newspaper as part of
their membership. NineStar
Connection provides news,
information and features
about people, places and
issues related to readers.
S 600 W
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HANCOCK COUNTY
RD
MADISON COUNTY
HANCOCK COUNTY
N 550 E
RD
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FORTVILLE
N 400 W
M
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9
RD
W
CC
E 1100 N
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N FO
connection
S 750 W
W 1100 N
E 101ST ST
S 400 W
ATLANTIC RD
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AV
HAMILTON COUNTY
W 1000 N
N 700 W
T
LE
RD
U
N ALFORD RD
FISHERS
TIC
W STONER DR
EDITOR
David Spencer
S 650 W
S 800 W
S 1000 W
CYNTHEANNE RD
OLIO RD
K
EC
E 1000 S
W 1000 S
W 1050 S
N
S RD
EE
N
W 1050 S
MOUNT
SUMMIT
E 350 N
N 275 W
¬
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N
67
E 950 S
IZ
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PRAIRIE TWP
W 350 N
D
25
W 550 N
36
£
¤
W 300 N
W 300 N
A
10
W 585 N
E 650 N
E 600 N
RING
INGALLS
W 575 N
W 400 N
MARKLEVILLE
W 950 S
W 950 S
W 575 N
SULPHUR SPRINGS
C
FA
L
RPOR
W AI
Director District 4
Don Shaw (A)
Kim Cronk (B)
K DR
W 1000 S
W
W 400 N
NineStar Connection
EE
W 600 N
W 400 N
W 400 N
RILEY DR
E 900 S
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R SP
CR
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MECHANICSBURG
36
£
¤
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38
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W 920 S
W FA
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C
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N
238
K
HONEY
CREEK
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LP
N CYNTHEANNE RD
W 875 S
FISHERS
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FA
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JEFFERSON TWP
N SU
126TH ST
W
CR
W 700 N
E 800 N
W 800 N
E
FALL CREEK TWP
LL
VIL
Page 7
W 800 S
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SPRINGPORT
W 750 N
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LURY
E 875 N
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FALL CREEK TWP
W 650 N
PENDLETON
SH
The Riley Home recently sponsored a contest to
determine who is reading his famous works. Check
out who from NineStar was captured on camera.
GREEN TWP
NA
WHo's reading rileyPage 12
ADAMS TWP
FALL CREEK TWP
N
Check out photos from the 2012 Indiana REMC
Golf Outing, hosted by NineStar Connect.
W 950 N
N 175
HAMILTON COUNTY
N 1000 W
W 750 N
S ELA
Have a story idea?
ninestar at Golf OutingPage 10
W 900 N
N 50 E
W 825 N
S 300 W
"I cannot say enough great
things about suzy! i was
very impressed with her
due diligence and
follow-up after the sale.
i've told no less than a
dozen people about how
great the customer service
is. suzy is a 'rockstar!'
i had choices where i live
and am grateful
i selected ninestar!"
- Jeff c.
After a little more than five years at NineStar and
more than 43 years in the industry, Larry Knight has
decided to retire.
MIDDLETOWN
W SR 236
E COUNTY LINE RD
HENRY COUNTY
W 950 N
W 850 N
S 700 W
Our employees make
the difference. Here's a
customer review for our
Service rep. Suzy.
recent RetirementPage 8
NineStar
Connect
introduces
electric safety
program for
fourth-grade
elementary
students as a
valuable tool
in promoting
electric safety
to students.
0W
Expert wants NineStar customers to understand
how their utility costs are determined, where their
money goes and how they can save on their power
bills by making savings driven choices.
Energy
safety
85
PageS 4-5
DELAWARE COUNTY
HENRY COUNTY
N
NINESTAR CONNECT SERVICE TERRITORIES
Tim
Hills
cover story: in the driver's seat
DELAWARE COUNTY
W 975 N
N 950 W
T
he month of October is here, and we once again marvel
at the changing of the seasons. While the change is much
welcomed after such a hot summer, it is important to remember October holds a special meaning for NineStar Connect
and all cooperatives. October is cooperative month, and this
year it is particularly special, as it is
the pinnacle of the 2012 Internationpresident & CEO
al Year of Cooperatives celebration.
A cooperative or co-op is different
than most businesses in that it is a
member-owned and controlled business that operates for the mutual benefit of its members. Co-ops operate
across all sectors of the U.S. economy
and include agriculture, food distribution and retailing, childcare, credit
unions, purchasing, worker-owned,
housing, healthcare, energy and telecommunications cooperatives.
A few facts about cooperatives include:
More than 29,000 cooperatives operate in every sector of
the economy and in every congressional district
Americans hold over 350 million co-op memberships.
About 1.2 million rural Americans in 31 states are served
by the 260 telephone cooperatives.
More than 900 rural electric co-ops deliver electricity to
more than 42 million people in 47 states. This makes up 42
percent of the nation’s electric distribution lines and covers
75 percent of our country’s land mass.
U.S. cooperatives generate 2 million jobs and make a substantial contribution to the U.S. economy with annual sales of
$652 billion and possessing assets of $3 trillion.
The cooperative model is one of the many things that set NineStar apart; we are owned by our customers. Why would you
not buy products and services from a company you own? If you
are thinking of purchasing advanced communication services,
such as voice, video and broadband, I urge you to take another
look at NineStar and learn more about what sets us apart.
N 127 W
p r e s i d e n t
N 125 W
t h e
N 100 W
f r o m
S 100 W
e d i t i o n
N 200 W
t h i s
MADISON COUNTY
i n s i d e
This is not an official map but for reference use only. A degree of error is inherent in all maps, but
this map was compiled by NineStar Connect staff using data believed to be reasonably accurate.
This is NOT an Engineering or Survey grade map and should not be used as such. This document
is distributed “as is” without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied and NineStar
Connect is not responsible or liable for any use, derivative use or misuse of this map.
1 0.5 0
1 Miles
¯
MAP GENERATED BY
J. MCMILLAN ON 08/21/12
E 600 S
Contact David Spencer at
[email protected]
2 september-october 2012
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
september-october 2012
3
c o v e r
s t o r y
in the driver's seat
Blake explains rate adjustments,
price increases and customer savings
T
hough no one likes to
see it, consumers know
that rising costs are
a fact of life. It seems
written by
Julie
young
there is always something
lurking around the corner ready to squeeze a
household budget, such as rising gas and food
prices. Utility cooperatives face similar rising
costs from their suppliers and need to make rate
adjustments to reflect those rising costs.
4 september-october 2012
“They [customers] can get
rowdy on you,” said Dr. Martin
“Marty” Blake, a Principal of
the Prime Group, LLC in Crestwood, Ky., who serves as a rate
consultant, cost of service expert
and strategic planning facilitator
for Prime Group clients, such as
NineStar Connect.
“Usually they understand the
price increase once it’s explained
to them,” Blake said.
But therein lies the problem; it’s
not always explained to them.
Blake said he understands
customer ire when they call their
utility provider and are told that
their only option is to “use less.”
He said that doesn’t help anyone,
and he wants NineStar customers
to understand how their utility
costs are determined, where their
money goes and how they can
save on their power bills by making choices that put them in the
driver’s seat.
Show me the money
Blake has enjoyed a distinguished career in the regulatory
area, including serving as a utility regulator. He has developed
utility marketing programs for
electricity and natural gas, facilitated utility strategic planning
and worked on matters involving
state and federal regulation. He
said customers must think of
their electric bill in two ways:
the money that goes to the power
supplier and the money that goes
to the local co-op for the installed
infrastructure. Between 65 and
75 percent of your electric bill
is spent directly on the cost of
purchasing the power from the
power generation and transmission supplier with only 25-35
percent of the bill going to the
local service provider to recoup
the money spent to distribute that
power from the substation to the
transformer and ultimately to the
meter on the side of the house or
business.
“Without this minimum
amount of equipment, customers would not be able to receive
electric service,” he said. “Unfortunately, the cost of the poles,
wire, transformers, service drops,
meters and substations necessary
to provide a customer with access
to the electric grid are not cheap.”
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
What Customers
can do about it
Those fixed costs, which are not
as volatile as the power generator’s
rates, still have their challenges because one mile of single phase distribution line costs about $30,000
to construct, which includes both
the poles and the wire with additional costs associated with annual
maintenance as well. However,
the cost passed on to the customer
depends on how many customers
are being served by that line. Blake
said urban areas can easily split
the cost among 60 to 80 residents
per mile of distribution line, but in
rural areas, fewer people are being
served, so there is a difference in
their minimum rate. In NineStar’s
electric serving area, there is an
average of only 12 customers per
mile of distribution line.
“These represent fixed costs to
the cooperative; that is costs that
do not change regardless of the
amount of electric energy pur-
chased by customers,” Blake said.
In order to charge the appropriate rate, Blake said cooperatives
such as NineStar conduct a cost
of service study in order to see
what expenses were incurred on a
particular test year. If the cooperative knows of any increases
in the cost of energy, labor or
other factors that can change their
expenses for the following year,
they can add those to the formula
and make those adjustments in
order to determine rates for the
following year. Blake said new EPA
regulations on air emissions, the
handling of ash and retrofitting
power plants will be among the factors that cause the cost of energy
to rise.
“Conducting a study such as this
will help give us a good estimate
of what it will cost to provide our
customers with service for the following year,” Blake said.
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
NineStar customers who are
concerned about future rate
adjustments have several options
that can allow them to save money
and be good energy stewards at the
same time. With peak and off-peak
rates, customers have the ability
to pay less while still enjoying the
power they need each day. Blake
said peak usage not only costs
customers more, but local providers have to pay more to deliver
that service to the end user. By
cutting back on their peak usage,
everyone saves a little something,
and that savings can be shifted to
the off-peak usage rates.
“It’s a win-win situation for
everyone,” Blake said. “Now, no
one is going to want to turn off
their A/C during a 100-degree
day of course, but when there is
a choice to do your laundry or
other power related chores during
off-peak [instead of peak] hours,
everyone can be good stewards of
their energy.”
In addition, customers can opt
to have a load control switch put
on their A/C unit or electric water
heater, which allows NineStar
to “cycle off” their power for 15
minutes out of
the day in order
Dr. Martin
to conserve
"Marty" Blake
electricity and
explains utility
pay a little less
cooperative
each month.
pricing and
Providers often
how customers
offer a credit
can minimize
to those who
increases.
participate in
these programs
that conserve usage and do not
inconvenience the consumer in
any way. NineStar is currently
studying various programs to
encourage use of load control devices and hopes to roll out a local
program in 2013.
Blake said these switches could
be used on any appliance, but
few customers would want their
favorite TV shows suspended for
15 minutes every hour, making an
A/C unit or electric water heater
the obvious choice for a load control switch.
“With so many programs in
place, it allows people to save
significantly per kilowatt hour,”
Blake said. “Being conscientious
about your time of use allows
customers to be more diligent,
and that’s why we are building
programs designed to help our
residents get the most for their
money.”
t e c h
t i p s
Self-help forums
available at the
click of a mouse
N
ineStar would like to introduce you to
the new NineStar Connect Self-Help
forums and ticketing system, which can
be accessed at http://support.myninestar.net.
This new site will allow for enhanced communication, resources and trouble reporting
for our members.
The Self-Help tab provides many articles,
how-tos and troubleshooting tips created by
our staff. These articles provide step-by-step
assistance for numerous services and solutions. Examples include setting up email on
an iDevice and setting up parental controls
on your NineStar-provided STB.
The Submit a Request tab allows you to
submit a help request if you’re unable to
resolve the issue using the self-help service.
To submit a request, you will be required to
provide information in the fields designated
with an asterisk (*). Once all the information
is entered, you have the option of attaching a file you feel would be beneficial. Once
complete, please click the submit button in
the lower right corner. Once submitted, one
of our Support Technicians will review and
resolve your service request.
If you would like to review previous tickets
you have submitted or check the progress
of an open ticket, please click on the “Check
Your Existing Requests” tab. If you have
already signed up to this site with an email
address and password, please just log in to
review previous requests. If you have submitted a ticket via [email protected]
in the past week or so, please click the “Get
a password” link at the bottom of the page
and follow the prompts. Once logged in, you
can review your open requests by clicking
the “Check Your Existing Requests” tab. If
you would like to review recently solved or
closed tickets, please click the link to the far
right.
Finally, if you would like to submit a help
request via email, please email support@
myninestar.net and please include the name
on the account, phone number or agreement
number, a description of the issue, and any
other pertinent information you think may
be helpful in resolving the issue. You will
receive an automated email from NineStar
acknowledging your request.
If you prefer to speak with one of our Support Technicians, you can always call our
24/7 Help Desk at 317-326-4357 or 765-445-4357.
september-october 2012
5
N E W S
n i n e s t a r
n e e d
t o
kn o w
i n
Blue River fiber
construction update
great customer service just
got better. Ninestar connect's
tech support call center is
open around the clock.
317-326-help
ninestarconnect.com
ryan
bewley
p o w e r
top five devices that will
increase your electric bill
S
tandby power or leaking electricity,
refers to the electric power consumed
by electronic and electrical appliances
while they are switched off or in a standby
mode. This only occurs because some devices
claimed to be "switched off" on the electronic
interface, but are in a different state from
switching off from the plug, or disconnecting
from the plug, which can solve the problem
of standby power completely. Here are the top
five devices that will draw standby power –
increasing your electric bill.
1. Game consoles
2. Plasma TVs
3. Digital picture frames
4. Laptops
5. Battery chargers
6 september-october 2012
c o m m u n i t y
Ninestar's Operation Round-Up
gives funds to local organizations
I
n our last article, the status of the network
backbone fiber construction was mentioned. As of Sept. 4, the construction and
installation of the network backbone was
complete and connectivity accomplished. The
remaining portion of this project is comprised of individual service drop construction and connection of those service drops
to the network backbone. Previously, we also
revealed the
method in which
written by
we will be deploying this network
by dividing this
considerably
large, townshipwide area into
seven smaller,
more manageable serving
areas comprised
of 100 to 200
homes each. This
method will have
inherent efficiencies by allowing service drop construction
crews to concentrate on the placement of
drops from the network backbone fiber to
individual homes in one serving area before
progressing to the next. This will be immediately followed by the fiber-optic splicing
crews working to splice, connect and test
the network in preparation of service being
made available. Once a serving area has been
completed, it will be released to our Customer Service Representatives to begin taking
orders for service.
t h e
Need help saving?
Follow these tips to save on energy
H
ave you ever wondered what it costs to operate the extra refrigerator or freezer you
have in your garage or basement? Are you considering buying an electric space
heater or maybe you already own one and you would like to know what it costs to
operate? Want to reduce your energy usage but don’t know where to start? NineStar
Connects Energy Adviser is available to help you answer those questions.
written by
Darrin
Couch
Not only is energy efficiency advice available by phone or email,
but NineStar Connect offers
FREE in-home energy audits for
electric members. A home energy
audit is simply a formal examination of how your home uses
energy, followed by recommended
steps you can take to improve
your energy efficiency.
The Energy Adviser will
perform a home energy audit to
determine what types of energy
consuming appliances and electronics are present in the home.
Complete a visual inspection
of the accessible portions of the
home to evaluate the insulation
and air sealing and make suggestions for effective ways of improving the homes energy efficiency.
The energy auditor usually
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
begins by asking questions about
your home and family. They want
to know how many people are in
the house and when, what thermostat settings you use, and which
rooms see the most activity on
an average day. They’ll also ask
if there are problems with your
house, such as rooms that never
seem to get warm in the winter, or
drafts that give you the chills.
Next, the auditor will use special
equipment to study your home. For
example, an infrared camera can
help the auditor detect temperature differences that suggest air is
leaking into or out of your home.
The camera also shows whether
doors and windows are properly
sealed, pinpoints leaks in ductwork and detects attic areas that
lack adequate insulation.
Once the energy auditor gathers
all that information, the next step
is explaining what it means to you.
The auditor will describe your
home’s energy efficiency and call
attention to systems and areas that
are not as efficient as they could
be. You’ll learn about ways to eliminate air leaks and better manage
operating costs for appliances
and electronics. If appropriate,
the auditor will offer advice about
replacing or upgrading heating
and cooling systems. Throughout,
the focus is on providing practical, useful advice that will help
you improve your home’s energy
efficiency and comfort.
If you’d like to know more about
energy audits and how to arrange
one for your home, our Energy
Adviser will be happy to help.
Contact NineStar Connects
Energy Adviser Darrin Couch
by phone at 317-323-2715 or email
[email protected].
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
N
ineStar Connect is proud
of our Operation RoundUp Program (ORU) and the
Central Indiana Power Community Trust. The purpose of the
program is to accumulate and
distribute funds for charitable
purposes to individuals, families, groups and organizations
located within the perimeter
boundaries of NineStar Connect’s power service area. This
roughly includes the counties
of Hancock, southeastern Hamilton, southern Madison and a
small portion of northwestern
Rush.
The source of these funds is
NineStar Connect electric customers who voluntarily have
their electric bills rounded up
to the next dollar. This money
is accumulated by the co-op and
transferred to Central Indiana
Power Community Trust. Each
quarter, these funds are distributed by a committee made up
of members of the cooperative.
The maximum amount
available to any individual
l o c a l
who is a member (customer) of
NineStar Connect is $2,500 per
request; and only one request
per 12-month period is permitted. The maximum amount
available to any group or
organization that directly benefits a portion of the members
(customers) of NineStar Connect is $10,000 per request; and,
only one request per 12-month
period is allowed.
Those eligible to apply for
funds include any individual
that is a member (customer) of
NineStar Connect electric division and any group, organization or charity whose primary
mission benefits a significant
portion of the members (customers) of NineStar Connect.
For the most part, funds will
be provided to meet applicant
needs that aren’t being met
through other sources.
At their last meeting, the
ORU Committee awarded
grants to the Greenfield-Central
High School Amateur Radio
Club for the purchase of new
NineStar presents checks to the Hancock County Historical Society
(above) and the GCHS Radio Club (below).
equipment, as well as the Hancock County Historical Society
for roof repairs to the chapel in
the park. If you would like to be
considered for an ORU grant,
you can download an application form at www.ninestarconnect.com. Applications are due
Oct. 19 to be considered at the
Nov. 1 meeting.
p r o g r a m
Electric safety
program
E
lectric safety education
is vital to protecting the
citizens of our community
against the potential dangers
of electricity transmission and
distribution. NineStar Connects electric safety program
for fourth-grade elementary
students is a valuable tool
in promoting electric safety
to students. The program is
available to all fourth-grade
students within NineStar Connects electric service territory.
The Electric Safety Program
is about 1 hour in length. The
presentation is designed to appeal to students and focus their
attention on the importance of
electric safety. The presentation is delivered to groups of
one or two classrooms rather
than an auditorium full of
Energy Adviser at NineStar Connect Darrin Couch presents an Electric
Safety Program for local fourth-grade students.
students. These small groups
allow for better interaction
between the students and the
presenters to discuss questions
the students may have about
electric safety. The students
also have better visual access
to the safety demonstrations.
Electric safety and energy
saving habits are the topics
of the program. Presenters of
the program utilize an electric
simulation board. The simula-
tor is complete with a meter
base, breaker panel, lights,
outlets, switches and high voltage power lines. The presentation explains to students how
electricity is delivered to their
homes and schools and the
importance of being aware of
electric distribution equipment in their surroundings.
The safe use of electric equipment is discussed and demonstrated to students. Simulating
the danger of a person coming
into contact with electricity by
“frying” a hot dog on simulated high voltage power lines is
a highlight of the program for
students as well as an effective
educational tool.
Teachers or administrators
should contact the Energy
Adviser at NineStar Connect,
Darrin Couch, to schedule the
Electric Safety Program for
their students. Darrin can be
reached by phone at 317-3232715 or email at dcouch@
ninestarconnect.com.
september-october 2012
7
i n
t h e
n e w s
t e l e v i s i o n
I N
e m p l o y e e
N
ineStar TV is proud to offer NFL
Network in full High Definition!
The new offering can be found in
all bundled packages on Channel 939. In
addition NineStar also offers you the
ability to see every touchdown during the
2012 season in High Definition on the NFL
RedZone on CH 946. Call 326-3131 today to
sign up for NineStar TV!
a d d r e s s e s
N
8 september-october 2012
utumn is the season when pumpkins
are ripe for the picking, and thousands
of people flock to local farms and roadside vendors to select perfect pumpkins.
Many pumpkins are turned into decorative
jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween, only to be
tossed in the trash come Nov. 1. That could
be because many people are unaware of
the various ways they can put pumpkins to
good use.
Ingredients:
1 9-inch pie crust
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups pureed cooked pumpkin
1 1/4 cups evaporated milk
3/4 cup egg whites, whipped
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Larry Knight shakes hands with Ryan
Bewley at the retirement celebration.
Larry Knight
To say Larry Knight was dedicated
to his job at NineStar Connect would
have been an understatement. While
Larry worked in Greenfield, he lived
in Richmond, Ind., which meant
getting up at 5:30 a.m. every day and
driving 50 miles one way. In fact, on
some nights when it looked as if bad
weather or an occasional ice storm
was moving in, Larry would stay in
a local motel to be close to the job
in case he was needed through the
night.
After a little more than five years
at NineStar and more than 43 years
in the industry, Larry decided to
retire and his last official day on the
job was Aug 31.
Larry graduated high school at
Energy
Savers:
Power of
Cooperation
Pumpkins are gourds
and members of the
squash family and have
been grown and used
for thousands of years.
Evidence suggests that
pumpkins date back
to 7000 B.C., possibly
originating in Mexico.
Today they are widely
used for decorating
around Halloween, but
there are many other
things that can be done
with pumpkins.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
In a separate large mixing bowl,
combine pumpkin, milk, egg, and vanilla;
whisk until smooth. Pour dry mixture
into wet mixture and mix until just
moistened.
Pour into prepared pie crust and bake
50 to 60 minutes, until crust is golden
and filling is set in the center when
jiggled. Cool and serve.
Hartford City High School in 1964
and completed 60 hours in Electronic Communications at Ivy Tech in
Richmond, Ind. Upon completion, he
started as an Engineering Assistant
Jr. at GTE and worked his way to a
Senior Engineer. In 2008, he started
work for NineStar, and while at the
cooperative, he held positions as
Supervising Engineer and Outside
Plant Manager. While at NineStar,
Larry worked on FTTH, the home
deployments throughout the territory. In all, Larry has spent more
than 40 years in OSP Engineering
and Construction.
Longtime Wayne County residents, Larry and his wife, Georgia
Lynn, have two sons and five grandchildren. Dedicated to the community in which they live, Larry is
very involved serving as a church
elder at Earlham Heights Presbyterian Church in Richmond, and he is
currently chairman of the Wayne
County Utility Coordinating Committee. In his spare time, he enjoys
hunting, fishing, gardening and oil
painting. His plans in retirement
include some elk hunting, and work
around the house as the chief cook
and bottle washer.
While he will miss the many
friendships he has made at NineStar, Larry noted that he will not
miss getting up at 5:30 a.m. and the
100-mile roundtrip drive each day.
He appreciates and thanks Hancock
Telecom/NineStar Connect for the
many opportunities given to him
throughout his years of service. In
return, we wish him nothing but
many years of happiness in his
retirement.
eyes on Duplicate Mailings
ineStar Connect has been working
diligently to eliminate duplicated
addresses that result in members
receiving multiple mailings. If you receive duplicate items in the mail, please
call Julie Mitchell at 326-3131, and she
will address the situation. We appreciate
your assistance in helping eliminate these
duplications.
Putting pumpkin
to different uses
A
A staple for every holiday dinner table,
homemade pumpkin pie can be enjoyed
year-round. This easy recipe will become
a household favorite, whatever the
holiday.
I
NFL Action on NineStar TV
K ITCHE N
Pumpkin Pie
r e t i r e m e n t
NineStar TV offers
solution for frustrated
DISH subscribers
f you are a DISH TV subscriber, no doubt
the month of September has been a
frustrating time for you. With DISH TV
in a heated battle with many providers over
content cost, it has left you missing many
of your favorite TV shows, newscasts and
sporting events.
NineStar offers a
solution by offering digital television service with
no interruption in
current programming. If you want
to catch some of
the key matchups on the Big
Ten Network in October, you need to
call NineStar Connect today at 317-326-3131.
Remember, some of the key match ups of the
season, such as the Hoosiers taking on Ohio
State and the Boilers matching up against
the Wolverines of Michigan, is just weeks
away. Don’t miss a minute of the action with
NineStar TV!
THE
M
any of our members want to save energy and money
but are not sure of the best products to purchase. We
are pleased to offer access to 20 percent off best-quality
energy efficient products through EnergySavers.coop. You
can easily access the energy saving products for your home, business and personal use
through our main website. Just look for the EnergySavers.coop logo and find special
savings on items like CFLs and other lighting products, weatherization products for
your home, water conservation items, and other tested energy saving devices. This new
service is just another way that we are looking out for you. Little Changes. Big Savings.
Together We Save!
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
Roast Pumpkin
Lasagna
Ingredients:
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg, scrambled
nutmeg
1 sugar pumpkin or butternut squash
½ medium-sized onion, white or yellow, chopped
½ cup vegetable or chicken stock/
water
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Sage, dried 1/8 teaspoon or fresh
chopped ¼ teaspoon
½ cup parmesan cheese
¼ cup brown sugar
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Olive oil
1 box of lasagna noodles
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bring water to a boil and then add the
lasagna noodles.
Meanwhile, while the noodles are
cooking, peel, deseed, and chop up
the sugar pumpkin or squash, half an
onion, and coat all with oil, salt, and
brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon sage and
spread evenly on a baking sheet. Roast
at 375 degrees F for 10- 14 minutes.
When the pumpkin is fully cooked, add
the garlic and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Take out and
allow to cool a little.
Scoop the pumpkin into a
blender filling half-way each time
and pureeing until smooth. Empty
the contents into a bowl.
Separately, combine and stir
the two cups ricotta, the mixed
egg, ¼ cup parmesan, 1 cup
of the mozzarella, ¼ teaspoon
nutmeg in a bowl with a couple
pinches of salt and a sprinkle of
pepper.
Drain the noodles when done
cooking according to the directions on the package.
Begin layering the lasagna by
putting some oil on the bottom of
the baking dish. Then add a layer
of pumpkin, then add a layer of
noodles, then add a layer of the
ricotta and mozzarella mixture,
another layer of noodles, pumpkin
mixture, and so on, alternating
ricotta mixture and pumpkin layers. The top should be noodles,
cover with the remaining shredded mozzarella and the rest of
the parmesan and drizzle with oil.
Cover with baking dish with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
minutes. Uncover and bake for an
additional five minutes.
Pumpkin
Muffins
A bit of applesauce added to
recipe makes for an especially
moist muffin.
Ingredients:
2 medium eggs
3 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup pureed cooked pumpkin
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon ginger
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Combine all ingredients in a large
bowl; mix until smooth.
Fill sprayed muffin tins with
mixture until ¾ full. Bake 20 to 25
minutes, until a toothpick inserted
in a muffin comes out clean.
Chocolate
Pumpkin
Pudding
Some traditional pumpkin
puddings require several hours to
steam over hot water. This recipe is
as instant as they come - just stir
and serve.
Ingredients:
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 package instant chocolate
pudding mix
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups prepared whipped cream
Directions:
In a medium bowl, beat together
pumpkin, puddings, milk, and cinnamon until blended. Gently fold in the
whipped cream and chill until serving.
Make
Pumpkin
stock
While vegetable or
meat-based stocks may
be the standards, pumpkin
can be used to make stock
as well. Clean out the
seeds from the stringy
guts of the pumpkin and
put the guts into a pot filled
with water. Add celery, carrots or any other aromatic
vegetables for extra flavor.
Allow to boil for at least
30 minutes. The stock is
ready when it begins to
change color. Strain and
reserve the stock for use in
a variety of recipes.
Create a food vessel. Pumpkins can be
transformed into bowls
to hold soup, punch,
fruit, or even dips. Make
sure the pumpkin has
been cleaned well of its
pulp and seeds, as well
as the stringy flesh that
is inside. Rub the inside
walls of the pumpkin with oil to keep them
from drying out and caving in, then fill with
your food of choice.
Make pumpkin puree. Puree from a
pumpkin can be used in all types of recipes,
from soups to baked goods. The puree also
can replace the oil in cake recipes. Cut
the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and
stringy membranes. Then place it cut-sidedown in a pan with a little water in the
bottom. Bake at 350 F for around 90 minutes.
The flesh will become tender and easily
removable. Blend the resulting puree in a
food processor and reserve flesh for recipes.
Some pumpkins are sweeter or better to use
as part of recipes. Check the variety you’re
purchasing.
Whip up a facial. Use some pumpkin
puree with a little brown sugar and a dash
of milk to create a vitamin-rich facial mask.
Get illuminated. Turn hollowed-out
mini pumpkins into candles. Melt soy wax,
beeswax or the gel type of candle wax that
can be found at most craft stores. Add your
favorite scent and place a wick into the bottom of the pumpkin. Then pour the wax into
hallowed-out space and allow it to harden.
Try the same thing with bumpy and multicolored gourds for added decorating appeal.
september-october 2012
9
n i n e s t a r
n e e d
t o
kn o w
d i d
New office hours
to start in november
great customer service just
got better. Ninestar connect's
tech support call center is
open around the clock.
317-326-help
ninestarconnect.com
eginning on Nov. 1 the following office
hours will take effect:
McCordsville Office
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon
Knightstown Office
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Campus
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Campus
Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
phone books available
N
ineStar Connect’s 2012 phone
directories were
delivered to houses
earlier this spring.
While every customer
received one of the
directories, we have
had several requests
for additional copies.
If you are interested
in obtaining an extra
copy, you can drop into
either our North Campus or South Campus
locations and ask for one. Extra copies are
free but will remain available only while supplies last.
s e c u r i t y
NineStar Home Safety Tips
W
ith summer vacations now seeming like
a distant memory and fall weather upon
us, many people are turning their attention to planning for the holiday season. While
it is great to get away to visit friends and family, there is still worry leaving behind personal
property and possessions. Below are some tips
to help bring peace of mind while you are away.
n Temperature and flood monitoring from
NineStar Security can alert you to emergencies.
n Let your close neighbors know you are leaving so they can keep an eye out.
n Keep a light on inside of the house.
n Have your neighbor park their car in your
driveway so it appears someone is home.
n Make arrangements to have your mail and
newspapers gathered so they do not pile up.
n For more tips call Matt Layton at 326-SAFE.
10 s e p t e m b e r - o c t o b e r 2 0 1 2
kn o w
ninestar at
REMC Golf
Outing 2012
updates
B
y o u
Saving energy, money
An audit by ninestar can identify savings
A
s you may know, 2012 has been designated the International Year of Cooperatives. The celebration began last October when U.S. cooperatives traditionally celebrate National Cooperative Month. The International Year of Cooperatives’ theme, “Cooperative Enterprises Build a
BetterWorld,” resonates with co-ops in the electric, banking, food, retail, housing and marketing arenas. Electric cooperatives are leaders, delivering power and light to 42 million members in 47
states, covering more than 75 percent of the nation’s land mass.
written by
Darrin
Couch
Locally, NineStar Connect offers
a service that helps its members
become better acquainted with their
home and how it uses energy. Did
you know all of the cracks, gaps and
holes that exist in the average home
add up to the size of a large open
window or door? Your local electric
co-op can help identify these issues
by sending an energy adviser to your
home to conduct an energy audit.
A home energy audit is simply a
formal examination of how your
home uses energy, followed by
recommended steps you can take
to improve your energy efficiency.
Co-op energy advisers are trained
to determine a home’s energy use
based on its construction and how
the residents use energy. For example, a family of six will use energy
differently than a single person.
An energy adviser usually begins
an audit by asking questions about
your home and family. He/she will
want to know how many people are
in the house and when, what thermostat settings you use, and which
rooms see the most activity on an
average day. He/she will also ask if
there are problems with your home,
such as rooms that never seem to get
warm in the winter, or drafts that
give you the chills.
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
Next, the auditor may use special
equipment to study your home.
For example, an infrared camera
can help the energy adviser detect
temperature differences, which
suggest outside air is leaking into or
out of your home. The camera also
shows whether doors and windows
are properly sealed, pinpoints leaks
in ductwork, and detects attic areas
that lack adequate insulation. Sophisticated thermometers can measure everything from the temperature inside refrigerators and freezers
to the temperature of the air flowing
through your home’s ductwork.
In some cases, the energy adviser
may use a device called a blower
door to reduce the air pressure
inside your home. That makes it
easier to identify air leaks so that
the auditor can determine the cause
of those leaks. A thorough audit
typically includes examination of
your home’s heating, air conditioning, water heating, appliances, doors,
windows, insulation and caulking.
Once the energy adviser gathers
all the necessary information, the
next step is explaining what it means
to you. He or she will describe your
home’s energy efficiency and call
attention to systems and areas that
aren’t as efficient as they should be.
You’ll learn about ways to eliminate
air leaks and conserve heated water.
If appropriate, the energy adviser
will make suggestions for replacing
or upgrading systems and/or offer
participation in various POWER
MOVES energy efficiency programs
and rebates offered through your coop. Throughout, the focus is on providing practical, useful advice that
will improve your home’s efficiency
and comfort.
If you’d like to know more about
energy audits and how to arrange
one for your home, contact NineStar
Connect and ask to speak with Darrin Couch, our energy adviser.
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n
Teresa Johns
announced as
new Business
Sales Consultant
I
n August, NineStar
Connect played host
and placed first in the
2012 Indiana REMC Golf
Outing. The event, held
annually since the 1970s,
took place at Arrowhead
Golf Course just outside of
Maxwell. In all, 14 foursomes made up of vendors,
suppliers and REMCs
participated in the Florida
Scramble. Participating
REMCs included: United,
Wabash Co., NineStar Connect, Miami-Cass, Rush
Shelby, Pulaski Co. and
Carroll-White. After a fun
yet competitive round of
golf, the event wrapped up
with dinner and awards
for participating teams.
A special thanks to Gary
Oden, Heather Wooten
and the rest of the staff
at Arrowhead for making
everyone feel welcome and
for hosting a great event.
In addition, we would like
to thank all of our sponsors and organizations
that supplied prizes.
2012 Indiana REMC
Golf Outing Sponsors
n Brownstown Electric
n Parr Richey
n Priority Press
n Tanalus
n WTHR 13
n Great Deals Magazine
n HD Supplies Utilities
n Altec
n Powertech
Engineering
businesses
can hang
up on phone
fraudsters
First Place – NineStar Connect:
team included Sue Layton, David Spencer,
Randy Muegge and Scott Hasty
Second Place – Miami- Cass REMC (Team 1):
team included Rob Schwartz, Nicole Schwartz,
M.J. Vrooman and Kevin Teulker
Third Place – Miami-Cass REMC (Team 2):
team included Mike Fross, Greg Millon, Brian Butt
and Amy Millon
W
n e w s
N
ineStar Connect recently announced that Teresa Johns has
been promoted to Business Sales
Consultant with the organization.
While the role may be new, Teresa has
been working with the telecommunications company for more than 11 years.
Teresa brings a wealth of experience
and knowledge working with businesses
of all sizes and providing telecommunication solutions that fit specific needs.
In her new role, Teresa will work with
business primarily in the Rushville area
providing products and services such as
Voice, Digital
Video, Broadband, IT and
N e t w o rk
Management,
Cloud Based
Solutions,
Data Backup
and Key Systems. While
Rushville will
be her main
focus, Teresa
also will be working in the Greenfield
and Knightstown areas.
“I’m excited about this exciting opportunity and the chance to spread the
story of what NineStar can provide to
local businesses,” Johns stated. “We
have made a significant investment in
the areas we serve and we hope to partner with business leaders to provide
advanced communications services to
meet their needs in an ever-changing
business environment.”
If you would like to learn more about
how NineStar can help your small- or
medium-sized business, you can reach
Teresa directly at 317-323-2136.
Teresa
johns
e have had a few cases recently in which it appears that a business customer’s phone system or voice mail system has been
compromised. The hackers are able to find and exploit a phone
system/voice mail unit that has weak security and then are making
outbound international calls from that system. All of the fraudulent
activity we have encountered has been tied to overseas numbers. The
result can be a phone bill that has increased dramatically in a matter of
hours. Residential phone lines are not likely to be targeted for these attacks since most customers do not have this type of system in their home.
By default, when we add long distance service to a line, international
dialing is allowed unless customers specify they want it blocked. Whether
your business makes international calls, we are asking that you take the
necessary steps to secure your business phone and voice mail systems.
A list of security tips can be found
online at, www.ninestarconnect.com,
under the “Communications” section.
Here are three items to start with:
n Change all voicemail default
passwords immediately and change
passwords often
n Restrict 0+, 0-, and 10-10-XXX
dialing out of your PBX
n Restrict all possible means of
out-dial capability in your voice mail
system.
For more info, call 317-326-3131.
september-october 2012
11
h a n c o c k
c o u n t y
c o n t e s t
r e m e m b r a n c e
John Kosinski
remembered by
ninestar team
W
Who’s Reading Riley?
T
he James Whitcomb Riley Home located in Greenfield, Ind., recently sponsored a contest to determine who is
reading works by the famous Hoosier Poet. The idea came about from a photo of James Dean reading from a book
of Riley’s works in the 1950s. In the current contest, the Riley Home asked for photo submissions of recognizable people in the community reading a Riley book. NineStar Connect President and CEO Tim Hills took part in the
contest by submitting a photo. The contest, running in conjunction with the annual Riley Festival, which runs Oct. 4-7
this year, will announce the top 10 photos from the contest based on community votes during the festival.
a few smart meter faqs
N
ineStar Connect began installing
smart meters in portions of our electric territory in early 2011. By the
end of the year we had converted more
than 5,300 meters. Our initial deployment
took place primarily in the areas served
by both the electric and telecom divisions,
where we already have fiber to the home.
With the fiber construction projects
NineStar is planning for 2012, we expect
to be able to deploy another 2,800 smart
meters. Included here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the
installation of smart meters throughout
our network. If you have any other questions regarding smart meters, please call
the NineStar office.
What are the benefits of
smart meters?
This innovative technology should
encourage electric consumers to use
energy more intelligently by giving them
the ability to better monitor and manage
their electric use more frequently and in
greater detail. Smart meters make possible a new energy future:
• Remote meter reading: NineStar
Connect will be able to read smart
meters remotely, virtually eliminating
the need to go house to house to read
electric meters. This means trucks are
dispatched less frequently, which in turn
saves the company money and helps to
better control the cost of electric power to
the consumer.
• Smoother transactions: Remote
connection and disconnection of electric
service should reduce the time it takes to
process service orders at most homes.
• Automatic outage and voltage
notification: Smart meters will automatically notify NineStar Connect about
power outages as well as sags and swells
in voltage monitoring to help us restore
and maintain power quality more
efficiently.
• Preventive maintenance: Smart
meters sometimes report anomalies to
NineStar, which allows the company
to dispatch line crews to fix a problem
before it results in a power outage. Without this technology, the company would
not have known of the problem until the
12 s e p t e m b e r - o c t o b e r 2 0 1 2
consumer reported the power was out.
• Energy efficiency and savings:
Consumers can more closely monitor
their electricity use to better manage
energy costs by making small changes
such as adjusting their thermostats.
• Environmental benefits: If consumers conserve energy, less power may
have to be produced, which is good for
the environment.
e are saddened to
announce
the loss of one
of our NineStar
Connect team
members, John
Thomas Kosinski. John was a
Business Sales
Consultant with
NineStar Connect
since the Business
Sales department
was established
four years ago.
John passed away John Kosinski
on Aug. 12. He
was originally
from South Bend and graduated from Ball
State University. John loved the White Sox
and the Chicago Bears. He interacted with a
large number of our business customers and
he made a significant contribution to NineStar
Connect. John will be missed by us all.
s u d o k u
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down
into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1
through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number
can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can
figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using
the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
See ninestarconnect.com for last edition's solution.
Who’s receiving Smart Meters?
All NineStar Connect electric customers will receive smart meters. This includes residences and businesses. This is
a mandatory service upgrade; NineStar
Connect is upgrading all customer meters and meter-reading technology. You’ll
be notified by mail a few weeks prior to
your smart meter installation.
When will my Smart Meter be
installed?
Smart meter deployment began in
March 2011 and will continue at least
through 2013. To find out when your
meter will be installed, visit www.
ninestarconnect.com. You should
receive a door hanger and a packet of
information when your meter has been
installed.
n i n e s t a r c o nn e c t i o n