2020 February White River Valley Electric Cooperative "Current Times" Newsletter

CURRENT TIMES A White River Valley Electric Cooperative Publication

SAVE THE DATE

Hooked on Education Bass Tournament is back on May 2!

FEBRUARY 2020

LEGISLATION FOR COOPERATIVES

CURRENT TIMES A White River Valley Electric Cooperative Publication

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Hyatt - District C, President Jenny Whorton - District A, Vice President Keet Short - District A, Secretary-Treasurer Lyle Rowland - District B Donnie Rains - District B J.J. Leek - District C Neal Crum - District D Pat Funk - District E Jim Kyle - District E LEADERSHIP TEAM Chris Hamon - CEO John Combs - Operations Cassie Cunningham - Communications & Member Engmnt.

Larry Hughes - Safety & Training Beau Jackson - Engineering & Development Angie O’Dell - Executive Business Administration Tim Shafer - Finance & Office Operations JC Zalog - Information Technology WRVEC HEADQUARTERS 2449 MO-76, Branson, MO 65616 OUTER OFFICES 2807 MO-14, Ozark, MO 65721 1405 NW 9th St., Ava, MO 65608 CR 503, Gainesville, MO 65655 20346 MO-413, Reeds Spring, MO 65737 BUSINESS HOURS Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Offices are closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE AN OUTAGE: 1. When contacting the cooperative to report an outage, use the name as it appears on your bill, and have your account number ready. You can report an outage 24/7 at 417.335.9333 or via SmartHub. 2. Track the status of a current outage on our website at whiteriver.org/outages or on social media.

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Chris Hamon CEO Electric cooperatives, like White River Valley, are deeply connected to the communities they serve and are focused on meeting energy needs today and into the future.

Providing our members with safe, reliable, and affordable power will always be our highest priority. It requires much more than simply maintaining overhead power lines and other infrastructure. We must also focus on what elected leaders are doing in Washington to ensure they are acting in our best interest.

Congress created a problem for electric co-ops when it made changes to the tax code in 2017 that inadvertently put co-ops’ tax-exempt status at risk if they received government grants. This could have stuck co-op members with the cost of paying taxes had Congress not acted to fix the problem. Fortunately, the bipartisan legislation known as the RURAL Act passed and co-ops won’t lose their tax-exempt status just because they receive government grants for efforts in disaster recovery, broadband service, renewable energy, energy efficiency, or other priorities.

The Affordable Clean Energy rule was also passed in 2019.

This rule replaced the overreaching Clean Power Plan and empowers states to continue to reduce emissions while still providing affordable and reliable energy for all Americans.

The effects of ACE have been felt at a local level.

Our power provider, Associated Electric, was given a strong Aa3 credit rating in their latest financial report. A rating given to only one other generation and transmission cooperative in the entire country. The report noted that the Affordable Clean Energy rule provided more time and flexibility to achieve carbon reductions, especially when compared to previous regulations on greenhouse gases. The report also noted a sound governance structure, low risk profile, diverse assets, and competitive wholesale power rates – which all means clean energy AND lower rates for White River members.

As a WRVEC member, you have ability to join the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE). These are members who form a strong grassroots network dedicated to the long-term success of electric cooperatives and legislative items such as these. Visit whiteriver.com for more information and to make your voice heard in Washington.

We will continue to manage operational uncertainties and government regulations, but we are pleased to celebrate these wins from 2019 and invite you to join our efforts for the years to come.

Follow Us on Social Media @WRVEC

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FEBRUARY 2020 - CURRENT TIMES

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MAKE AN IMPACT WITH MAP! We are now accepting applications. To find out more about the teachers’ continuing education program, visit: whiteriver.org/community/ energy-in-todays-classroom/

Youth Tour applications are due February 15. Find out how you can win a free trip to Washington D.C.: whiteriver.org/community/ youth-programs/youth-tour/

HAPPY

PRESIDENTS’ DAY In observance of Presidents’ Day, all WRVEC offices will be closed Monday, February 17.

Normal operations will resume the following day.

Cooperatives are owned and controlled by their members so member engagement is vital to the organization. Your involvement helps us to meet common economic, social, and legislative goals. It also allows us to best serve you. WRVEC is making it easier than ever before for you to participate.

The Member Alliance Program offers a direct pipeline to the Cooperative’s Bylaws, Governance, and Engagement Committee.

The committee was formed to evaluate best practices to continually improve the organization and help the Cooperative to better reach the membership. Comments and suggestions from the program will be reviewed each time the committee meets. Submissions are evaluated and implementation is considered in accordance of industry best practices, cooperative betterment, and affects of the membership as a whole.

As a MAP participant, you can submit your ideas on items such as operations or member engagement opportunities, express concerns on government regulations, and get the information you need on upcoming legislation so you can be educated and confident to act, if needed. Visit whiteriver.org/member-center/resources/governanceengagement/ to sign up now.

APPLY FOR ORU SCHOLARSHIPS WRVEC has allocated funds from Operation Round Up to encourage the pursuit of higher learning in our community. Scholarships are offered to undergraduates living in our service area. ORU has given over $1.6 million in scholarship funds since 1992.

Candidates for scholarship funds are evaluated on the basis of financial need, overall academic performance, extracurricular activities, and college acceptance. All undergraduate students residing within the WRVEC area are welcome to apply. This $1,000 scholarship is renewable up to a maximum of four years, but students must reapply each year in order to be considered for another scholarship.

Applications must be completed online by April 17, 2020. The application is available online at whiteriver.org/community/operationround-up/scholarships/

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Are you using your fireplace efficiently? Remember to turn down the thermostat when burning a fire, and close the damper when a fire is not burning.

Source: energy.gov

FEBRUARY 2020 - CURRENT TIMES

WRVEC EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Thankful for the opportunity to serve our members, White River Valley Electric Cooperative employees wanted to give back to the community this holiday season.

Each office teamed together to raise and distribute funds to places in-need within their communities. In total, the offices raised more than $2,900, straight from the employees’ pockets.

The Branson office purchased items for senior citizens who live in Branson Manor Apartments. Gifts included necessities such as lotion, hand sanitizer, soap, socks and gloves.

Ozark Co. students had their overdue school lunches paid for by our Gainesville office. Chadwick students had the same fortune, and also received leftover funds for their backpack program - all thanks to the Ozark office.

The Heart of the Ozarks nursing home in Ava was presented with a new microwave and some games for their community area. Items were also purchased for 17 residents.

Last but not least, our Stone County office delivered snacks and bingo prizes to Wedgewood Gardens nursing home. They also purchased and delivered 38 winter coats for children in the Reeds Spring school district.

The gifts and donations were distributed just in time for the Christmas holiday.

Kieth Essick delivers coats to the Reeds Spring school district.

2020 - CURRENT TIMES

Desiree Clayton and James Highfill present Chadwick schools with funds to pay all student lunch debt.