Submitted by Orcas Power and Light Cooperative.

Joining forces with T-Mobile

Rock Island will deliver on its promise to bring wireless services to both home and business users in San Juan County via LTE Fixed Wireless by working with T-Mobile USA, Inc. Both parties are bringing wireless spectrum to collectively expand wireless capability to islanders. There is no financial exchange in this agreement. Rock Island will dramatically improve communications for first responders resulting in better public safety county-wide. This will be equally beneficial for people dialing 911. Network buildout has begun and service will be robust by the end of the year.

Helping low-income households

Did you notice the new line item on your January bill from OPALCO? All members began paying about 45 cents per month (average residential bill) to fund the new Energy Assistance Credit to help qualified low-income households pay their electric bills. This program provides a bill credit of $10-$25 per month (depending on household size) every month of the year to members who meet the qualifications for other assistance programs such as Federal Free Lunch, LIHEAP or OPALCO’s Project PAL. The application for the Energy Assist program is at http://www.opalco.com/about-your-account/energy-assistance-program/ and paper copies can be picked up at OPALCO offices and at family resource and senior centers. Applications will begin to be processed by the end of February 2016. Project PAL is still an essential program for members who have emergency needs during the heating season. PAL provides a one-time per year winter grant, funded when members round up their bill or make monthly and one-time donations to PAL. Members who qualify are eligible for Energy Assist, and members who receive the Energy Assist credit are eligible to apply for an emergency PAL grant.