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Medical Alert Program
Oftentimes, planning is the best medicine! This is true for both your Co-op when implementing planned outages that let us work on and improve our system, and with members who can use notice of planned outages to make sure their needs will be accommodated while the power is out.
We understand that planned outages are inconvenient, which is why we almost always schedule them during times of day when the majority of those in the affected area would be at work or in school. However, we also recognize that an outage, even a brief one, can have a large impact on members that need an uninterrupted access to electricity to power medical equipment they rely on.
If you are one of these members, you live in a household with one such member, or you are their caretaker, we highly encourage you to sign up for our Medical Alert Program! Enrollment in this program will ensure that you receive advance notice of when a planned outage is scheduled so you can prepare your backup plan. Whether that involves a generator or heading to an alternate location that will have electricity for the duration of the outage, Medical Alerts at least gives you time to prepare to keep everyone’s health and safety secure.
You can find our enrollment form online at www.sussexrec.com/medalert, or you can call into our office to request a copy be sent to you. Please note that to remain in this program, you must enroll yearly. Members whose medical equipment is life sustaining must include their physician’s signature in their application. We cannot provide notice of unplanned outages caused by unforseen circumstances, but you can rest easy knowing that SREC will keep you in the know on any and all planned outages.
![MEDICAL ALERT PROGRAM - Do you rely on electric-powered medical equipment? Enroll in our Medical Alert Program to receive advance notice of planned outages. www.sussexrec.com/medalert](http://www.sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Medical%20Alert_0.png)
![Image of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. Text reads: Currents - The quarterly newsletter of Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative | 64 County Route 639, Sussex, NJ 07461 | Website: www.sussexrec.com | Email: currents@sussexrec.com | Phone 973-875-5101 | Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative: President & CEO - Chris Reese; Our Board of Directors: Chairman - Jack Haggerty, Jr., Vice Chariman - William Kovach, Sec./Treasurer - Ronald Dupont, Thomas Madsen, Barbara Miller, Brad Sparta, Joseph Barca, Michael Abate, Karen McDougal](http://www.sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/FDR%20Board%20Bumper.png)
![4 KEY FACTORS THAT IMPACT ENERGY BILLS | You pay for the electricity you consume each month, but there are additional factors that impact your energy bills. 1. Fuel Costs - Before electricity can be delivered to your home, it must first be generated at a power plant or from a renewable source. The cost of fuels used to generate electricity fluctuates, which is why you see a PCA charge on your monthly bill. This monthly charge covers cost fluctuations without having to continually restructure electricity rates. 2. Service Costs - Your bill includes a monthly System Connection Fee, which recovers part of the co-op's ongoing investments in poles, wire, meters, system maintenance, and additional costs necessary to provide electric service. 3. Weather - When temperatures soar or dip, your cooling or heating equipment must run longer and at maximum capacity, which can greatly increase your energy use. Extreme temperatures can also affect electricity market prices. When the need for electricity increases due to extreme heat or cold, the price of power typically rises. 4. Energy Consumption - This is the amount of electricity you use each month to power your home's cooling/heating system, appliances, lighting, electronics, and more. The amount of electricity you consume is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. You have control over how much energy you use, which can ultimately help manage your monthly costs.](http://www.sussexrec.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Key%20Factors%20That%20Impact%20Energy%20Bills.png)