cluding your distribution president of Associ— Emery “Buster” Geisendorfer perative and a board inated Electric. h level. AUGUST 2020 A supplement to the Oklahoma Living r electric cooperatives in om our member-owntion because they operate around the clock. They can be caretakers of the natural environment. To balance reliable dorfer, member-elected controlled unlike power sources that use available wind, and affordable electricity with environmental responsibility directors. “We know they sunshine or water to operate. There also are adequate is not easy or inexpensive, but Associated is committed to enerated in a responsible supplies of natural gas and coal, including a 45- to 60-day generating power the right way. er we generate — it must coal stockpile onsite that keeps each of the plants running Associated and its members have spent more than $1.1 responsible test.” when needed. billion to reduce air emissions since 1994, resulting in Cooperative member, more than 70% improvement in air quality. By adding Power at a fair price cello, Missouri. He serves significant amounts of wind power to diversify generating nt of Northeast Missouri sources, investing in environmental controls and staying onal transmission co-op. Electricity is provided to members 24 hours a day, 7 day up-to-date with regulations and technologies, Associated — distribution, transmisa week, 365 days a year. As members ramp up their use, complies with environmental regulations at the lowest cost fference in why and how Associated’s goal is to ensure reliability, then match mempossible for members. bers’ needs to the most affordable generation resource. “Having actual end users of its electricity sit on its board ys. “Those who serve our Coal generation supplied about half of members’ electricof directors makes Associated unique among other generthe three-tiered system ity in 2019. Low prices for natural gas increased the use of ators,” says Buster. “Balancing reliable and affordable electhis fuel source in Associated’s energy mix, which benefits tricity with environmental responsibility takes a steadfast members. Coal and natural gas are typically less expensive commitment and an allocation of resources. It’s a priority for generation than wind or other renewable sources. Associated takes seriously. Their experience assures AssoHydropower, the lowest-cost source, is used as much as ciated meets the needs of its member owners. I can’t imagpossible, but is limited in supply by rainfall and is coned by members requires ine a better way to run a business that puts service first.” PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS trolled by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. ociated’s fleet — producOF KIAMICHI al gas, coal, wind and In next month’s issue: Reliability means having electricityELECTRIC Power generated the right way to provide power on the available when you flip the switch. We’ll dive deeper into COOPERATIVE and calmest days. NatAssociated’s ongoing efforts to maintain excellent reliability liable forms of generaA focus on members drives Associated to be responsible for members.
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Balanced generation: Focus on Members Provided by Associated Electric Cooperative
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owering homes, farms and businesses affordable power generated in a responsible in rural northeast Oklahoma is a way. That’s how we view the power we “We know they want repoint of pride for Associated Electric generate — it must meet that reliable, Cooperative, the generation and transmission affordable and responsible test.” liable, affordable power cooperative located in Springfield, Missouri. A Lewis County Rural Electric generated in a responsible If you are a member of a co-op in northeast Cooperative member, Buster is a cattleman Oklahoma, Missouri or southeast Iowa, from Monticello, Missouri. He serves on his way. That’s how we view your electricity comes from Associated’s local board and is president of Northeast power plants. This cooperative is owned by Missouri Electric Power Cooperative, the power we generate — members like you and serves 2.1 million a regional transmission co-op. He says people. It’s controlled through three tiers, the three-tiered system — distribution, it must meet that reliable, including your distribution cooperative, transmission and generation — is a key affordable and responsible its transmission cooperative and a board difference in why and how Associated Buster Geisendorfer includingis representatives generates power. both a member offrom each level. test.” his localgenerates co-op and power for electric “Associated “I’m a member, too,” Buster says. “Those president of Associcooperatives in our system with values who serve our member-owners at every level — Emery “Buster” Geisendorfer ated Electric. learned from our member-owners,” says of the three-tiered system are focused on Emery “Buster” Geisendorfer, membermembers.” elected president Associated’s board ofaround the clock. They can be tion of because they operate caretakers of the natural environment. To balance reliable directors. “We know they want power reliable,sources that use availablecontinued controlled unlike wind, andpage affordable on 3 >>electricity with environmental responsibility sunshine or water to operate. There also are adequate supplies of natural gas and coal, including a 45- to 60-day
is not easy or inexpensive, but Associated is committed to generating power the right way.
