Kilowatts & Brats returned for 2024, welcoming several hundred Tipmont members to enjoy tasty food and learn about:
- Our almost-complete fiber-optic broadband rollout
- Updates regarding our fight for a fairer and more flexible energy future
- Upgrades to our metering infrastructure, and more
Based on feedback from previous years, Kilowatts & Brats discussions shifted to more of an open-ended opportunity for Q&A with different Tipmont departments. On hand for our three events — with one each in Tippecanoe, Montgomery and Fountain counties — were representatives from:
- Broadband / Member Services
- Wintek Business Solutions
- Energy Efficiency
- Vegetation Management
- Operations
- Engineering
Ron Holcomb, president and CEO of Tipmont, informed members of the latest in Tipmont’s pursuit for a more fair and flexible power supply. Holcomb said he’s hopeful that 2024 will deliver an answer to the question of Tipmont’s push to pursue more competitive, member-friendly pricing in an open market.
Rob Ford, Tipmont’s communication director, also mentioned the ongoing advanced metering infrastructure project. Through 2026, Tipmont will upgrade meters across its service territory with updated smart meters.
Among their many features, the meters use what’s called “Last Gasp” technology — which means retaining enough power during an electric service outage to inform Tipmont that service is out at a specific location. This will help our operations analysts and line crews more quickly and efficiently restore electric service in the event of an outage.
Members also spoke with staff from numerous Tipmont departments about fiber broadband availability, opportunities in solar energy generation, and vegetation management / tree trimming across the service area.
Tipmont thanks everyone for attending, whether this was their first Kilowatts & Brats or whether they’ve got these annual events penciled in. We also thank our hosts for these events at North Montgomery High School (Montgomery County), River City Community Center (Tippecanoe County) and Fountain Central Jr.-Sr. High School (Fountain County).
If you want to catch up with us later this year, we’re planning to have booths at the Montgomery, Tippecanoe and Fountain county fairs this summer, and our 2024 Annual Meeting will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette. Look for more details to follow on this blog, on our social media outlets, and in your monthly Indiana Connection magazine.
