CHEC Hot Watts April 2024

Gratitude for a special group

Each year in April, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and cooperatives across the nation celebrate Linemen Appreciation Day to honor the hard work, dedication and service of our invaluable linemen. Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of our linemen who work

tirelessly, day and night, in all weather conditions to ensure that our members always have power. Although they may miss out on special occasions, they are always ready to help “keep the lights on” for others.

We invite you to join us in showing appreciation by leaving a comment on our Facebook post on April 18 as we pay tribute to these exceptional men.

Stigler crew: Kent Altstatt, Cody Gray, Brandon Johnson, Calvin Boren, Lakin Bass, Colton Sweeden, Huck Wixom, David Bumpers, Nick Worsham, John Henry Parsons

Sallisaw crew: Kevin Harvell, Matt Davis, Jake Simpson, Kaleb Nixon, Cody Crase, Mike Sizemore, Austin Poindexter, Jason Blalock, Reuben Kemp, Steven Dodson, Jesse Ruark, Scotty Holcomb. Not pictured: Jeremy Baker

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

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Joe Ogle, President District 6

Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1

Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7

Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2

John Dillard, Trustee District 3

Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4

Mike Rose, Trustee District 5

STAFF

Juli Orme, General Manager

Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler

Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw

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

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.

New features for SmartHub

We have good news for SmartHub users! The free app has recently been redesigned for a new and improved experience that allows you to manage your account like never before. Beginning in late March, this new design is available to all Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative (CHEC) members. This new version of SmartHub puts usage and payment details front and center for fast, easy access, and the simplified menu structure makes navigating the site a breeze.

If you’re not familiar with SmartHub, it’s a free app that allows members to view their usage, report a power outage, make a payment, and receive special messages from CHEC 24/7, without having to call the office. For more information, please visit our website at www.cooksonhills.com/smarthub or call us at 800-328-2368.

INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE

The energy industry is changing, but electric co-ops are known for adapting to their local members’ needs.

As we plan for changes and challenges ahead, innovative solutions are essential. Here are a few ways weʼre innovating for the future.

Use of Advanced Technologies

Drones aid in power line inspection and maintenance. Smart meters provide real-time data and help pinpoint service issues.

Preparing for Increased Energy Use

The demand for electricity is increasing as more technologies are electrified.

Co-ops are exploring innovative solutions like battery storage to meet demand.

Energy Solutions for Members

Co-ops provide innovative efficiency services like appliance rebates and flexible billing options to help members manage their energy use.

Strength in Numbers

By working with and learning from other co-ops, we are uniquely positioned to improve service for our local communities.

The future is bright!

March was a busy month for many junior students who took part in the Cookson Hills Electric Youth Tour Scholarship contest. Students in the Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative (CHEC) service territory had a chance to participate in the annual Youth Tour Scholarship competition. CHEC partnered with the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives to offer students from 14 schools the opportunity to earn a scholarship and win a trip to Washington, D.C.

To apply for the scholarship, students went through a two-part process. The first step was to write an essay on the topic of electric vehicles. The essays were submitted to a school representative, who then selected the top four essays from each school. These essays were then sent to CHEC, where a judge outside

of the cooperative scored them and ranked them according to their final score.

The top 10 students were then invited to participate in the interview process at the CHEC office in Stigler, where a panel of judges interviewed each student. The interviews were then scored, and students from sixth through tenth place received a $250 scholarship. Students placing in the top four received a $500 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. this June. 1677202

We would like to express our gratitude to every student, parent, guardian and school representative for making this scholarship a success. Congratulations to each of these outstanding students!