2016 June Cookson Hills Hot Watts

Watts Inside

□□Capital Credits, Page 2-3 □□Prepaid Metering, Page 4

Hot Watts

June 2016

Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.

CHEC Awards Scholarships

Energy Efficiency

Tip of the Month Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Source: energy.gov

Congratulations!

Amy Johnson is our online survey winner.

If you purchase an ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner this summer, you can earn a $50.00 rebate. Visit our website at www.cooksonhills.com for more information or call 800-328-2368.

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ookson Hills Electric Cooperative (CHEC) is pleased to announce the 2016 recipients of the Herman Driscoll Memorial Scholarship: Elijah Matthew Davis of Sallisaw High School, son of Matthew and Jill Davis; Jennifer Stemmer of Central High School, daughter of Jeff and Helen Stemmer; Adyson Holt of Sallisaw High School, daughter of Kyle and Lisa Holt; and Cidney Madison Ross of McCurtain High School, daughter of Charles and Ashley Ross.

The employees and Board of Trustees of CHEC support the educational goals of area youth by awarding the Herman Driscoll Memorial Scholarship. Each year four college bound graduates in the CHEC service area will receive a $500.00 scholarship.

CHEC employees initiated the scholarship program in 1997 in memory of long time

Jennifer Stemmer

Cidney Ross

employee and former general manager of CHEC, Herman Driscoll. Mr. Driscoll believed that education is of foremost importance of success. The scholarships are solely funded by employee fundraisers and donations. Their goal is to provide eligible graduating seniors the opportunity to further their education.

To be considered for this scholarship, students must submit an application and two letters of recommendation. Students must plan to attend a state accredited school or technical school offering an associate or bachelor degree. The program is open to any graduating senior whose parents or guardians are members of CHEC. For details on the scholarship program, visit www.cooksonhills.com,or call Felicia Williams at 800-328-2368.

Elijah Davis

Adyson Holt

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 William T. Mills, President Joe Falleur, Vice President Kenneth Kelley, Sec.-Treas.

Rocky Woods, Sr., Trustee Joe Ogle, Trustee Ronnie Pevehouse, Trustee Theron Croisant, Trustee

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

STAFF Kendall Beck, General Manager Eric Johnson, Assistant General Manager Dalen Garner, Director of Operations Juli Orme, Chief Financial Officer Amy Smith, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services 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.

Felicia Williams, Editor E-Mail: fwilliams@cooksonhills.com 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

June 2016 - 2

Unclaimed Capital Credit Checks

The names listed below are member accounts that have capital credit refund checks available to them. The owners of these checks received service from CHEC and were issued a check which was returned by the postal service as undeliverable, or were never cashed. If your name appears on the list, or MONKS, LEON MONTGOMERY, CHARLIE MONTGOMERY, SHELIA L. MOON, KENNETH R. MOORE, JENNIFER MOORE, THOMAS J. MOORE, TONY N. MORGAN, DOUG MORGAN, JACK D. MORGAN, RAYMOND P. MORGAN, WILLIAM H. II MORRIS, JERRY MORRIS, SOLOMON J. MORRISON, JAMES MORRISON, LUELLA E. MOSBY, EARL MOSIER, FRANCINE MOSLEY, KAREN J. MOSLEY, RUBY MOSSEY, RICHARD MOTON, DALE D. MUNCIE, JERRY B. MUNIZ, CHARLIE P. MURPHY, EDWARD D. MURPHY, JIM MURRAY, ROGER MYERS, TENITA L. NANCE, GREG A. NATION, BILL NECESSARY, CHERI L. NEEDHAM, J. R. NELSON, BILL J. NICELY, BARBARA S. NICHOLS, TERRY M. NICHOLSON, JAMES W. NICKLES, ALBERT C. NIMMO, ERNEST E. NIXON, DAMON NOBLE, LLOYD N. NOFIRE, JODY W. NOISEY, DENNIS M. NOISEY, MICHAEL NORTHWEST FINANCIAL NOSSAMAN BROTHERS OBERSTE, MARK D. OGDON, ERIC R. OGDON, KAREN J. OKLAHOMA TULSA MISSION OLIVER, PAUL OLIVER, THOMAS ONEAL, RONNIE L.

if you are the surviving heir of a name listed below, please contact CHEC about the capital credit refund check. Below is an alphabetical listing of names (Mo-Z). The first half of the list appeared in the May issue of the Hot Watts. If you have any questions about capital credits, please contact CHEC at 800-328-2368.

ORGAN, WANDA M. ORMAN, STEVE ORRICK, MARJORIE OSBORNE, WILLIAM L. OSBURN, ANDY H. OSBURN, JOE OSMOND, ROBERT OTTS, TIMOTHY J. OTTS, WILLIAM E. OWENS, RICKEY E. OWENS, SHELIA PACHECO, LAKEETA PACK, JAY A. PAGE, JO L. PALMER, C. J. PALMER, ELMER PALMER, SHERRY L. PANNELL, KAY PARK, BOB PARKER, DAN PARKER, LORI L. PARKER, RICKY L. PARRIS, EARNEST B. PARSONS, ENNIS PARTAIN, MICHELLE L. PASCALE, LEONA W. PATTON, DEWAYNE PATTON, RICKY PAYNE, EARL PAYTON, THOMAS N. PEARSON, DONALD W. PEARSON, CAROL L. PEARSON BROTHERS FARMS PECK, CARY O. PEREA, MICHAEL D. PERKINS, DAVID PERRY, FRANK PERRY, HUGH PERRY, ONA PERSON, ROBERT B. PETTIGREW, PEARL PETTY, MARTHA S. PHELAN, ROGER D. PHILPOT, SHARON PIERCE, C. B. PILKINGTON, BEN E. PINE TREE BAPTIST CHURCH PITTS, CARL G. PLUMMER, SCOTT K. POINDEXTER, ELLA M. POINDEXTER, RICK

POLLARD, JOHNNY S. POLLOCK, BOBBY D. POOR, CECIL POOR, ELVIS POPLIN, ALICE POWELL, ROBERT M. POWERS, HAROLD POWERS, PAUL E. PRATER, RICHARD PRATHER, GLENN D. PRATT, DAVID A. PRICE, NATHAN L. PRINCE, AUBRY PROCK, MURRAY PROCTOR, JESSE T. PROCTOR, MARY M. PROE, TERRY PRUITT, LEROY PRUITT, LOYE D. PRYER, GLENN QUALLS, LONNY D. QUALLS, WALTER QUICKEL, CECIL QUINTON, DONNIE RACHEL, VERNON G. RACINE, GRETCHEN J. RADEBAUGH, DONNIE RAGLAND, GEORGE B. RANDALL, CHRIS RANDELL, WILLARD C. RAUE, MARK C. RAY, GUY E. REAL, ALLEN D. REAL, ANDREA S. REAL, DAVID E. REAL, PATRICK REASNOR, JOLEE REATHER, WILLIAM R. REAVIS, ESTEL E. REECE, RICHARD REECE, RILEY REED, ROY G. REESE, DANA L. REEVES, RODNEY D. REID, FELIX RELEFORD, ALONZO RENTZ, BILLY J. REYNOLDS, DAN REYNOLDS, EDWARD A. REYNOLDS, FREDDIE J. RHOADES, E. A.

RHOD RICE, RICH RICH RICH RICH RIDER RIGG ROAC ROBB ROBE ROBE ROBE ROBI ROBI ROBI ROBI RODG RODG ROGE ROGE ROGE ROGE ROSS ROSS ROSS ROUS ROYE ROYE RUAR RUDI RULE RUNY RUSH RUSS RYAN SABIN SALLE SALLI SALLI SAMM SAMP SAMP SAND SAND SAND SAND SAND SCHIE SCHO SCOT SCOT SCRA SEAB SELF, SEMO SESSU SHAD SHAD SHAD

DES, PHILIP B. , J. S. HARDSON, CARL HARDSON, DAVID HMOND, RAYMOND R. HMOND, SUEANNA M. R, LARRY T. GS, C. D. CH, JERRY B, PERRY ERTS, BILLY G. ERTS, KELVIN ERTSON, RICK INSON, CASSANDRA T. INSON, GRAFTON L. INSON, ROLAND R. ISON, WILLIAM GERS, JOHNNY GERS, THOMAS ERS, BOYCE D. ERS, CHARLES E. ERS, MICHAEL J. ERS, REBECCA R. S, M. T. S, STACY M. S, W. C. SE, DEWAYNE E, IVAN E, WADE J. RK, TAMMY ICK, STEVEN K. E, CLOYDE B. YON, JOHN HING, BO SELL, MELVIN N, ARCHER K. N, GERALD F. EE, JIMMY INGS, REBA ISAW REC AREA MONS, LOIS M. PLES, DAVID PSON, CLINTON DERS, J. D. DERS, JAMES H. DERS, MOSE J. DONA, ARTHUR DOVAL, ALVARO M. ELKE, STEVEN L. OMERUS, SANDRA TT, UTAH G. TT, W. L. APPER, JOHN L. BOLT, GREG A. , KENNETH J. ORE, DARRELL UMS, JENNIFER J. DE, ROBERT W. DE, RED B. DIX, MARLA G.

SHAFER, LAURIE SHAMBLIN, CONNIE SHAMBLIN, JOE SHAMBLIN, SADIE SHANKS, FRANCIS SHARP, CECIL SHERWOOD, DENISE SHIEW, TROY SHIPLEY, JANET SHIVERS, DAVID L. SHOCKEY, HOMER L. SHOPE, W. H. SHORES, JULIA SHRUM, DOYAL SIRRATT, DEWEY R. SISCO, ROGER SIZEMORE, JERRY SIZEMORE, RIKKI SIZEMORE, WAYNE SLOAN FARMS INC SMALL, LORING A. SMITH, AMY SMITH, CORBETT SMITH, ERICK L. SMITH, G. J. SMITH, MANUEL SMITH, MARCIA SMITH, MELVIN SMITH, MICHELLE SMITH, RANDY SMITH, ROBERT A. SMITH, ROBERT F. SMITH, ROY A. SMITH, SANDRA K. SMITH, SHERRY SMITHERMAN, L. E. SNODGRASS, JACK SORENSON, LOUIS SOSA, RUBEN SOUDERS, MERLE SOUTER CONSTR CO INC SOUTHERLAND, DANIEL L. SPANGLER, NEWTON C. SPARACIO, WOODRUFF T. SPAUNHURST, CHRIS D. SPEAKS, STERLING S. SPEARS, LEAMON SPEER, LOUIS C. SPOON, DANNY G. ST CLAIR LIME CO STANCELL, J. L. STANCELL, LOYD STARNES, KENT STEELE, B. M. STEELE, ROBIN D. STEVENS, TROY W. STEVENSON, LARRY J. STEVENSON, WARREN STEWART, E. C. STEWART, JACKIE

STEWART, KENNETH E. STEWART, TIP STINNETT, FAXON STITES, MICHAEL W. STITES, R. D. STJOHN, VIRGINIA STOCKTON, NICKY A. STOKES, TEDDY G. STOLZKE, RICHARD STONE, JOHN F. STONE, LOUIS A. STOUT, ALLEN STOWE, TEDDY STRAIN, STANFORD STRAWN, WILLIAM M. STRICKER, DETIS STUBBLEFIELD, JEREMY SUMPTER, J. E. SUMPTER, TONI SWEARENGIN, ELLA SWEARINGEN, BRENDA S. SWEARINGEN, DIXIE SZYMANSKI, ROBERT E TATGE, LORRIE TAYLOR, CARLINE TAYLOR, CHERYL TAYLOR, CONNIE TAYLOR, CORA L. TAYLOR, JOHNNY TAYLOR, PAUL L. TAYLOR, RAYMOND JR. TCA CABLE TV TEAGUE, DONALD TEAGUE, RODNEY W. TEDDY BEAR COMMUNICA. TEEHEE, ANITA TEEHEE, JOHNSON TELKAMP, ELLEN TERRELL, ERNEST G. TERRELL, EULA J. TERRELL, RUBY TESTERMAN, WALLACE THOMAS, FRANK JR. THOMAS, LEORA THOMPSON, BETH L. THOMPSON, DAVID THOMSON, T. F. THORNBURG, RONNIE D. THRASHER, ALLIE P. TIBBETTS, JOHN TILLERY, JACKIE TINNING, WILLIAM J. TOLBERT, ROCKY TOMLINSON, DALLAS W. TONEY, KENDALL TRAVIS, JACK TREADWAY, MICHELLE D. TRUDEAU, WAKIE TUCCI, ROBERT G. TUNE, BONNIE M.

TURLEY, MICHAEL TURNER, STUART TURNER, VONNIE L. TURNEY, LOUISE TURPIN, ROBERT TURRENTINE, LESTER TWIST, DAVID TYLER, RUTH U. S. MARSHALS SERVICE VANCE, KENNETH VANDERLYKE, WALLACE VANN, JACK C. VANN, MARTIN VANZANDT, DANNY VASTINE, CHARLES VASTINE, C. D. VAUGHN, JAMES R. VENTERS, TONY VESTAL, MIKE VIERUS, DAN WADKINS, TOMMY WADKINS, TOMMY J. WADLEIGH, ARTHUR WAINWRIGHT, JOHN JR. WALKER, JACK H. WALKER, JERRY WALKER, PAULINE WALKUP, QUENTIN WALTERMIRE, ELLEN C. WANN, ALVIN J. WARD, BILLY G. WARD, DELBERT W. WARNOCK, BOBBY D. WASHINGTON, TIM D. WATERS, BOYD WATERS, DOIL WATKINS, FRED A. WATKINS, KENDELL J. WATKINS, LOUIS J. WATSON, SALLY G. WATTS, EDWARD WATTS, SHANE P. WEATHERLY, JOHN WEAVER, DONALD W. JR. WEBB, CHARLES E. WEBB, KATHRYN A. WEBBER, C. M. WEBBER, PAUL WEBSTER, LEON WEECE, RAYMOND WEEMS, R. G. WEER, JOE WEGHORST, JOHN WEISS, TOMMY WEST, ELZEY WEST, JASON WEST, JERRY L. WEST, RICHARD WHEAT, DOUGLAS WHEELER, DAVID C.

WHITE, IMOGENE WHITE, JON WHITE, MACK WHITLOCK, ROBERT G. WHITMIRE, JOE B. WHORTON, SHANNON M. WILDCAT, TAMMY F. WILEY, JOHN R. WILLIAM, THOMAS L. WILLIAMS, BOB WILLIAMS, DAVID B. WILLIAMS, JOHN W. WILLIAMS, LESLIE WILLIAMS, MACK WILLIAMS, ROBERT J. JR. WILLIAMS, BILLY J. WILLIS, MICHAEL A. WILSON, MARY A. WILSON, GREGORY L. WINKLEPLECK, CARMEN WINN, KEVIN WISWELL, JIM WISWELL, WILLIAM WOKATY, EUGENE R. WOLFE, RONALD E. WOOD, EMMA F. WOOD, GERALD W. WOOD, KATHY WOODALL, NANCY A. WOODRUFF, F. M. WOODS, DALE WOODS, ROBERT J. WOOLRIDGE, BOYD WOOTEN, RACHELLE WORRELL, BOB WRAY, PATRICIA WRIGHT, CARL W. WRIGHT, CHARLES W. WRIGHT, LOLA J. WYNN, LEO H. XAYAVONGSA, NOI XERIC OIL & GAS CORP YARBROUGH, SHELIA YATES, THOMAS C. YERBY, RAYMOND A. YORK, JIM YOUKNA, CONNIE YOUNG, CHERYL YOUNG, ROGER D. ZORICH, JOSEPH E.

June 2016 - 3

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You have the Power with Prepaid Metering

repaid metering is as simple as it sounds: consumers pay for electricity before it is used, and then use the electricity until the credit expires. A terrific analogy for prepaid metering is putting gas in your car. Say you only have $30 for the week to pay for gasoline. You drive down to the station, pump in $30 and drive off. As you drive during the week, what happens? You monitor the gauge and make sure each trip is necessary. If you drive too much, you burn up your $30 before the week is out.

Literally. By checking the gauge throughout the week, you became more prudent with your gas use and made informed decisions on when and how much to use.

Now let’s transfer that analogy to your account with CHEC. With normal metering, you get a bill after you have used the electricity. Sometimes it comes as a shock.

“How could I possibly have used so much electricity?”

Prepaid metering is designed to ease – and hopefully eliminate – that shock. Let’s take a look at how it works.

The components of a prepaid metering system aren’t too different from regular metering. Two extra pieces are required: a way to turn off the power when all your money is used and a way for CHEC to tell you how much you have left in your account. Think of this as your “electricity tank gauge.” On the cooperative’s side, we handle the extra software and processes.

Now let’s see it in action. You have the prepaid metering equipment installed. Prepaid users often receive electricity use notifications through a smartphone app, emails, and automated phone calls.

By Tom Tate

Now you decide how often you want to buy electricity.

Monthly? Weekly? Then you budget for a certain amount of power and pay the co-op. Bingo, your electricity tank is full.

During the time period you have paid for (let’s say a week for this example), you receive regular feedback on how much you have left in your tank.

As you approach “empty,” you add more money to your account and are then set for the next period. If you run out, the power goes off just like your car stops when it runs out of gas. To complete the analogy, let’s look at what you have been doing during the week. You become quite aware of how you are using electricity. You turn things off more often. You may change the setting on your thermostat so you don’t cool or heat as much. You might cook outside to avoid using the oven or make sure your 3045300 dishwasher is really full before running it.

Industry studies show that consumers who participate in prepaid metering plans use as much as 10 percent less electricity than their counterparts.

Prepaid metering teaches the value of electricity, what uses watts in your home, provides absolute control over how much you pay, and helps you reduce your energy use. It is a tremendous way to power your life. Contact CHEC at 800-328-2368 or 918-775-2211 to learn more about prepaid metering.

Tom Tate writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Taxes Paid

June 2016 - 4