More payment locations—we have teamed up with local Albertsons, HEB, Wal-Mart and Handy Andy Supermarkets to provide convenient bill payment locations.

Industrial Load Management—a peak load reducing program for large commercial and industrial customers. The participants are notified via the Energy Services Information Network (ESIN) or by radio receivers of an impending monthly peaking of the generation system. The companies can then use this information to reduce their current load demand, thereby reducing the kW demand charge for that month.

Energy Audits—an audit of power use at a home or business is provided free of charge to any NBU customer upon request. The audit involves a comprehensive visual inspection of the building envelope and electrical equipment. The energy efficiency of the structure is then analyzed, and recommendations are made to possibly improve performance.

Water Audits—an audit of water use at a home or business is provided free of charge to any NBU customer upon request. The audit involves an inspection of the facility to look for signs of leakage or excessive use and a calculation of irrigation system usage if necessary.

Looking ahead, we are fine-tuning our performance in these and the many other areas that are crucial to exceptional customer service, involved corporate citizenship and utility prices that are among the lowest in the region.

At the heart of these and other initiatives is our focus on relationships, the powerful partnerships that help customers and communities prosper and grow. Family finances, the business bottom line and the community's future are vital to all of us. Your success is our success.

You may have heard or read recent news about deregulation in parts of the electric utility industry. At NBU, we support an orderly transition to increased competition. The transition must give all customers the opportunity to benefit, while maintaining the highest standards of electric service and reliability. At the same time, it must honor past obligations and investments made under the present system.

Although we are not yet at the point when all customers can choose their electricity providers, we at NBU are out to earn your business now as if you already have that choice. We will do that by continuously improving the value and service we provide to our customers.

Paula DiFonzo
NBU CEO