Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
H
D EC EMBE R 2023
T WATTS
More Convenience for Capital Credit Recipients Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative is a not-forprofit organization owned by the members we serve. Those that have signed a membership agreement for electric service from Cookson Hills Electric are members. Capital credits reflect each member's ownership in and contribution of capital to the cooperative. At the end of each year, Cookson Hills Electric subtracts operating expenses from the operating revenue collected during the year. The balance is called an operating margin. Margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on how much electricity they purchased during a particular year. We keep a record of the amount of money each customer is due. The profits are returned to our members based on how much energy they used that year. In years past, CHEC printed and mailed paper checks to all accounts scheduled to receive capital credits. We are pleased to announce that we will issue a credit instead of a paper check to all active accounts eligible for capital credit.
This credit will appear on the electric bill as a PATRONAGE CAPITAL RETIREMENT. For all inactive accounts eligible for capital credit, CHEC will issue a paper check, which will be mailed out via USPS. 1736802 We hope members find this new process more convenient by eliminating the need to cash a check physically and reducing the chances of checks being lost or stolen. If you have any questions about capital credits, please contact our office at 800-328-2368, and we will be happy to assist you.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR OUR MEMBERS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM COOKSON HILLS ELECTRIC AND COOKSON HILLS CONNECT.
WATTS INSIDE Cookson Hills Connect celebrates another milestone! >> page 2
CHEC employees sport their favorite team colors
>> page 4
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 Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer Dan Callahan, Trustee John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Mike Rose, Trustee
District 6 District 1 District 7 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5
Another Milestone Cookson Hills Connect recently celebrated another milestone as they announced connecting their 5,000th fiber subscriber. The Payne family lives on a beautiful piece of land in southern Haskell County. This family of five enjoys all the benefits of rural living, but until recently, there was one major downfall of country living—the lack of internet service in the area. “We love living in the country, but when you live this far out of town, there aren’t any options for fast and reliable internet.”, said Cameron Payne. As a gesture of appreciation and to celebrate the connection of our 5,000th subscriber, Cookson Hills Connect presented a 70” smart television to the family. The new fiber internet from Cookson Hills Connect is a welcome addition to the household. “Our family is grateful to have the same benefits as those living in large metropolitan areas. We even have relatives who come over now just to use our internet.”, said Tiffani Payne. Thank you to the Payne family and all our other subscribers for allowing Cookson Hills Connect to serve you!
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
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 fficial policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills. Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you find our 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)
2 | December 2023
Pictured from left: Front row: Ranger and Bentley; Back row: Cameron Payne, Tiffani Payne with baby Rhino, Brad Martin, Jeremy Stubblefield, and Juli Orme
CHEC offices will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 to celebrate Christmas our offices will also be closed Jan. 1 for New Year's Day. Please call 1-800-328-23 to report any 1power outages or safety hazards.
New zones open now! Substation Feeder 1 – STI
1, 2, 3, 4
2 – ENT
1, 2, 3, 4
4 – TEN
1, 2 1, 2, 3, 4
5 – SAL 6 – MUL 10 – KEO 11 – MAR 12 – NIC 13 – VIA 14 – LIB 15 – AKI
1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 1, 2, 3
Substation and feeder numbers can be found on your electric bill.
www.cooksonhills.com | 3
Fundraiser Fridays If you happen to stop by one of our offices on any given Friday in December, there is a good chance our employees will be wearing something a little different than the traditional office attire. December has been designated “Fundraiser Fridays” to help raise money for the Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative scholarship fund. Employees can donate money and, in turn, participate in the December fundraising event. The fundraiser allows employees to dress up according to the designated theme for each of the first four Fridays in December. December 1st is Candy Cane Day, where employees are encouraged to wear red and white. December 8th is “Channel Your Flannel,” where flannel will be the material of choice. December 15th is Polar Express Day; employees will be wearing pajamas.
CHEC employees sported their favorite team's colors on Friday, Nov. 3
4 | December 2023
Finally, December 22nd is Festive Friday, and employees will don the ugliest Christmas sweater they can find. All this fun is for a great cause. The fundraising is part of an ongoing effort among CHEC employees to raise money for scholarships. CHEC Billing Clerk Felicia Wixom oversees fundraising for the scholarship throughout the year. CHEC employees can pay to wear jeans one day each month, fall brings about an opportunity to wear their favorite team gear, or participate in special events such as Fundraiser Friday, and snacks and drinks from the Snack Shack are available year-round for purchase, with all donations and proceeds going to help fund scholarships for students in the CHEC service territory. This is just one of the many ways Cookson Hills Electric supports our communities.
