H T WATTS
Honoring Longtime CHEC Board Trustee Rocky Woods, Sr.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of longtime Board Trustee Rocky Woods, Sr., who passed away on Oct.17 in Muldrow.
Juli Orme, General Manager of Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, expressed, “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our friend and Board Trustee, Rocky Woods. Rocky served as a board member for over 29 years, and we are grateful for his years of service, wisdom, and friendship. He will be greatly missed by the Cookson Hills Electric family.”
Rocky began his tenure as a trustee for CHEC in 1995 and continued to serve until his passing. He was a strong advocate for rural citizens and communities and took great pride in helping to bring fiber internet and phone services to the entire Cookson Hills Electric service area.
Rocky is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Woods, their son, Rocky Jr. and his wife, Tina, as well as their grandson, Rocky “Trey” Woods III. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rocky’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Joe
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mike Rose, Trustee
STAFF
Juli Orme, General Manager
Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations
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
4
5
Halloween at CHEC
Employees at Cookson Hills Electric dressed up as tacky tourists and enjoyed passing out treats, candy bags, and toy hard hats at a recent event for area merchants.
Pictured from left: Emily Rhinehart, Summer Patton, Evy the “Cabbage Patch Doll”, Megan Davis, and Felicia Wixom
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.
PEAK POWER:
New generation projects support rural reliability
by Mark Viguet | info@ruralmissouri.coop
by Mark Viguet | info@ruralmissouri.coop
When winter temperatures plunge or summer heat soars, how important is the electricity you depend on? New natural gas generating units are underway in Missouri and Oklahoma, designed to ensure reliable electric service when electricity demand spikes and rural electric cooperative members need it the most.
When winter temperatures plunge or summer heat soars, how important is the electricity you depend on? New natural gas generating units are underway in Missouri and Oklahoma, designed to ensure reliable electric service when electricity demand spikes and rural electric cooperative members need it the most.
Associated Electric Cooperative, the power generator for six transmission cooperative owners and their distribution cooperatives across Missouri, northeast Oklahoma and southeast Iowa, is working to make sure co-op system reliability continues to be the norm — not the exception.
Associated Electric Cooperative, the power generator for six transmission cooperative owners and their distribution cooperatives across Missouri, northeast Oklahoma and southeast Iowa, is working to make sure co-op system reliability continues to be the norm — not the exception.
Record-setting member energy demand underscores need for additional generation
RECORD-SETTING MEMBER ENERGY DEMAND UNDERSCORES NEED FOR ADDITIONAL GENERATION
Sean Wright, Associated vice president, construction. “Energy use during severe weather is growing and more power is needed when demand peaks for rural electric cooperatives. To make sure we have power in the future when it will be needed and avoid power disruptions, new generation facilities must now be built. These generating units can take up to six years from start to finish and we’ve been working on them for three years now.” 1365000
ties must now be built. These generating units can take up to six years from start to finish and we’ve been working on them for three years now.”
In 2022, Associated’s member-led board of directors authorized the cooperative to add up to 900 megawatts (MW) of new natural gas generation to best serve member needs for reliable power. Associated is constructing two energy centers — one in Missouri and one in Oklahoma — that will each provide 420 to 445 MW of power. That power will be available when the system needs it most.
“These types of units can start quickly and be up to full generating capacity in minutes, which is exactly what is needed during energy demand spikes,” Sean says. “Natural gas is much cleaner burning than other fossil fuels while still being available on-demand.”
Building new power generation is not a decision made lightly. The big question: How can the cooperative responsible for providing reliable and affordable power to rural communities best meet that mission?
Building new power generation is not a decision made lightly. The big question: How can the cooperative responsible for providing reliable and affordable power to rural communities best meet that mission?
In 2022, Associated’s member-led board of directors authorized the cooperative to add up to 900 megawatts (MW) of new natural gas generation to best serve member needs for reliable power. Associated is constructing two energy centers — one in Missouri and one in Oklahoma — that will each provide 420 to 445 MW of power. That power will be available when the system needs it most.
Extensive analysis shows Associated needs additional generation capacity to serve members reliably during peak weather conditions, such as winter storms or extreme summer heat. The need for additional generation has been underscored as the Associated system set a new summer demand record and its three highest winter peaks between 2021 and 2024.
Extensive analysis shows Associated needs additional generation capacity to serve members reliably during peak weather conditions, such as winter storms or extreme summer heat. The need for additional generation has been underscored as the Associated system set a new summer demand record and its three highest winter peaks between 2021 and 2024.
“The data and upward trend are very clear,” says Sean Wright, Associated vice president, construction. “Energy use during severe weather is growing and more power is needed when demand peaks for rural electric cooperatives. To make sure we have power in the future when it will be needed and avoid power disruptions, new generation facili-
“The data and upward trend are very clear,” says
Associated developed and applied for all required air, water and land permits for both locations, which are in various stages of rigorous regulatory review. Construction and commissioning will take about two years with a total project cost of more than $500 million per energy center. Associated plans to finance the projects with the Rural Utilities Service, a division of USDA.
“These types of units can start quickly and be up to full generating capacity in minutes, which is exactly what is needed during energy demand spikes,” Sean says. “Natural gas is much cleaner burning than other fossil fuels while still being available on-demand.”
Turney Energy Center: Missouri’s most advanced natural gas generator
Associated purchased an 82-acre parcel near Turney in northwest Missouri for the site of the new natural gas generation facility. The Turney Energy Center’s strategic location near gas supply pipelines, water supply and transmission lines allows for the new facility to be built at a lower cost to members.
Associated developed and applied for all required air, water and land permits for both locations, which are in various stages of rigorous regulatory review. Construction and commissioning will take about two years with a total project cost of more than $500 million per energy center. Associated plans to
Turney Energy Center will be the most advanced natural gas generation facility in Missouri, employing 300 to 400 workers during construction and ultimately home to
continued from page 3
finance the projects with the Rural Utilities Service, a division of USDA.
TURNEY ENERGY CENTER: MISSOURI’S MOST ADVANCED NATURAL GAS GENERATOR
Associated purchased an 82-acre parcel near Turney in northwest Missouri for the site of the new natural gas generation facility. The Turney Energy Center’s strategic location near gas supply pipelines, water supply and transmission lines allows for the new facility to be built at a lower cost to members. Turney Energy Center will be the most advanced natural gas generation facility in Missouri, employing 300 to 400 workers during construction and ultimately home to six to eight permanent employees. Construction of Turney is anticipated to begin in 2025 with the unit generating power in 2027.
A similar project, Ripley Energy Center, is being built near Stillwater, Oklahoma. Initial construction activities began in October. Ripley, which features the same type of generator as Turney, is projected to start generating power in 2026. When complete, both projects will deliver power into the Associated member-owned transmission system, serving more than 2.1 million people in rural areas.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT A PRIORITY IN GENERATION DEVELOPMENT
An important part of the new generation development process is working with the local community around the site locations to make sure they understand why it is needed, what is being built
and the safeguards being put in place for the local environment. Project information developed and distributed describe the need for the project and the technical and environmental aspects of the peaking energy centers. Informational web pages are online for the Turney Energy Center and Ripley Energy Center at www.AECI.org.
“Meetings with generation and transmission memberowners, local distribution cooperatives, community leaders and other stakeholders are conducted early and often,” Sean says. “We work closely with them to better understand the local area and sensitivities to make sure our projects are accepted and welcomed by the community. We don’t want there to be any surprises for local residents. We want them to be an engaged, active part of this process.”
PUBLIC MEETINGS EDUCATE AND INFORM MEMBERS
In September, Associated hosted a public meeting in the Turney area to meet with cooperative members, make project subject matter experts available and distribute materials providing an in-depth look at the Turney Energy Center. Attendees asked questions and learned about the many facets of natural gas peaking stations. A similar public meeting was held in December 2023 in the Ripley, Oklahoma, area.
“We are member-owned and member-led. We don’t forget that as we work to build these projects that are so important to keep power supply reliable,” Sean says.
