CHEC Hot Watts May 2025

Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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MAY 2025

T WATTS

The Journey of Your Power How many times do you think twice about flipping the light switch on? If you are like most Americans, your answer was probably “never.” What seems like such an insignificant action is often taken for granted, and most never consider the journey electricity takes to reach your home.

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative is a member of a three-tiered power distribution system, where each member is united by one common purpose: to provide members with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. Each layer has a specific role to play to ensure you, the member, receives power safely and efficiently.

The journey of your power begins at Associated Electric Cooperative (AECI) in Springfield, Missouri. At the top layer of the chain, AECI is responsible for power generation and procurement. AECI manages a diverse generation fleet of coal, natural gas, liquid fuel, wind, and hydropower, which provides the cooperative with optionality and the ability to take advantage of weather or market conditions for the benefit of the members.

Once your power is generated, it is transmitted from AECI by six different regional cooperatives, known as Generation and Transmission cooperatives (G&T’s). Cookson Hills Electric

is served by KAMO Power, a G&T which is headquartered in Vinita, Oklahoma. G&T cooperatives are responsible for providing wholesale power to distribution cooperatives and maintaining the high-voltage transmission systems After your power is transmitted to KAMO, it is then provided to their substations located across our service territory. At the substations, the voltage is lowered and distributed to you through infrastructure such as poles and wires.

Distribution cooperatives hold many responsibilities, including installation and consistent maintenance of power lines, working with communities to encourage economic development, and helping our members use electricity in an efficient way.

Each portion of the three-tiered system is dependent upon each other. When a governmental regulation, rate increase, or natural disaster affects one tier, the pressures are passed along to the others as well. As your trusted energy provider, Cookson Hills Electric is dedicated to providing you with reliable power and ensuring decisions are made for your benefit. So, the next time you flip on the light switch, stop and reflect on the journey the power has taken to get to your home.

WATTS INSIDE Meet the 2025 Youth Tour winners

Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced

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Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 • 800-328-2368 Branch Office PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 • 918-775-2211 Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016

Washington, D.C. Bound Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative is excited to announce the Top four winners of our Youth Tour Scholarship and Essay Competition! On March 13, 10 high school juniors from five different schools across our service territory came to our office to participate in a short interview. From there, four incredible students were named the winners of the competition.

The Top four winners for 2025 are Dixie Cooper, Muldrow; Declan Herriman, Vian; Alli LaPerle, Muldrow; and Halli Russell, Vian. Alli, Dixie, Declan, and Halli have received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. this June, along with a $500 scholarship to use toward higher education after graduation. Please join us in congratulating these students on a job well done! 3632901

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, President John Dillard, Vice President Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer Tim Jones, Trustee Dan Callahan, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Mike Rose, Trustee

District 6 District 3 District 7 District 1 District 2 District 4 District 5

STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Marty Huff, Director of Safety & Loss Control/ROW Coordinator Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering Kellan Lujan, Manager of Subsidiary Accounting Austin Poindexter, Director of Operations

Russell V. Barber, General Counsel Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article.

Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.

bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)

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Teacher Appreciation Giveaway May 5-9 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and Cookson Hills Connect would like to show our appreciation to teachers in our area. We are giving away two free months of home internet service and would like to offer you the chance to win. That’s right! If you are a teacher and choose to sign up for fiber internet during the month of May or are a current subscriber of Cookson Hills Connect, you are eligible to enter this contest.

For those who are not current subscribers, all you need to do is call 800328-2368 to sign up, and indicate that you are a teacher. If you already subscribe to Cookson Hills Connect, simply call 800-328-2368 and ask for Madison, or send an email to mwalters@cooksonhills. com. The deadline to enter the contest is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, and we will draw the names of four deserving winners in early June. Thank you to all our wonderful teachers for everything you do!

Foundation Scholarship Recipients Announced Each year, the Cookson Hills Electric Foundation is proud to award seven $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school students who reside inside our service territory. Scholarship recipients are chosen based off various criteria, including academic achievement, future career goals, and personal references.

This year’s winners include McKinley Ayala, Keota, daughter of Alonzo and Jamie Ayala; Addy Hardin, Muldrow, daughter of Chad and Ashley Hardin; Anna McElhaney, Roland, daughter of Twyla McElhaney; Dakota Montague, Kinta, daughter of Amber Montague; Addison Patterson, Quinton, daughter of Travis and Jennifer Patterson; Houston Perry II, Stigler, son of Todd and Redonna Perry; and Kaylee Truax, Bokoshe, daughter of Thomas Truax and Julie Conway.

Congratulations to these scholarship recipients, we are so proud of you!

Advocating for You

On April 7, 2025, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives held its annual Legislative Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Cooperative leaders from across the state joined together to advocate for rural electricity and hear from legislators about upcoming bills that could impact our industry.

General Manager/CEO Juli Orme was among the cooperative leaders who attended the event. She was joined by members of our Board of Trustees, Dan Callahan, John Dillard, and Dart Drummonds, as well as Director of Member/Public Relations/Economic Development Brad Martin, and Member/Public Relations Specialist Madison Walters. The group was able to visit with legislators who represent our areas and discuss issues that could potentially affect the field.

Thank you to OAEC for hosting such a successful event and the legislators who took time out of their day to speak with us. It is always our pleasure to advocate for you—our members. www.cooksonhills.com | 3

The Benefits of Smart Doorbells Have you ever considered installing a smart doorbell in your home? These devices have become a popular addition to many residences, and it’s easy to see why.

They have many features that can enhance the security, convenience, and overall enjoyment of your home. Here are just a few benefits you’ll experience if you install a smart doorbell.

1. Deterrence and Crime Prevention- The visible presence of a smart doorbell and camera can deter potential burglars and lower the likelihood of crime occurring at your home.

2. Real-time monitoring alerts- With a smart doorbell linked to your phone or tablet, you can monitor who is at your door from anywhere, at any time.

This can be especially useful when you are away from home or worried about someone unexpected showing up at your door.

3. Two-way communication- Smart doorbells often come with two-way audio, which allows you to communicate with anyone at your front door

through your phone, even if you are not at home.

4. Evidence Collection- Most doorbells come with a recording feature, which allows you to review footage of who came to your door and when. This can be helpful if you need to provide evidence to the police or your insurance company.

5. Package Protection- With the increase of online ordering and packages constantly being delivered, the rise of porch theft has also unfortunately become more common. With a smart doorbell, you will receive alerts when deliveries arrive, allowing you to keep an eye on your packages.

Many homeowners who have invested in a smart doorbell have received peace of mind and a higher sense of security. In order to work properly, these devices will need to be connected to a strong wi-fi network. At Cookson Hills Connect, we are pleased to offer internet services that will fully support the functions of a smart doorbell. For more information, call us at 800-328-2368 or visit www.cooksonhillsconnect.com.