KEC Light Post December 2022

DECEMBER 2022

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Five ways to save energy this winter

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KEC Foundation provides coats for kids

A supplement to the Oklahoma Living magazine

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Lig ght Post

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Renewables Report

PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS OF KIAMICHI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

BY BRETT ORME

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI C E R

Happy Holidays from KEC The holiday season is finally here. Some call it the most wonderful season of all.

That’s because we associate it with family traditions and gathering with friends and loved ones. It’s a time of giving and spreading joy.

But giving back reminds me of the many good things we have right here in our community and why it’s so important to spread the good as far as we can, especially to the most vulnerable in our local area. I’m also reminded of how wonderful our community is and what

a big impact we can have when we work together.

When you are a member of KEC, you help us spread the good throughout the year. Through our Operation Round Up Program, also known as the KEC Foundation, your donation helps local families, organizations and students in need by providing financial assistance.

When you round up your monthly bill from KEC and donate to this fund, you’re making a big difference in someone’s life.

You are helping to meet and immediate, critical need.

Over the years, our communityfocused programs, and other giving projects have built community parks, supported local schools and local volunteer fire departments.

KEC also participates in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week-long

immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors.

You’ve likely heard me say that the cooperative principle “concern for community” is part of our DNA. It defines who we are as an organization. When we first brought electricity to this community in 1945, the quality of life improved. But other things also need to be addressed and, through the years, this co-op has been at the forefront of bringing improvements to the quality of life in this community. It’s why we started the Operation Round Up program.

To date, with your help, we’ve given hundreds of thousands of dollars back to local families and organizations through this program. And across the country, more than 350 electric co-ops have an Operation Round Up program - together, we’ve raised millions. This shows that small donations from electric co-ops like ours, over time, can collectively make a big impact.

As a local cooperative, we have a stake in this community. We hope you will think of KEC as more than your energy provider, but also as a catalyst for good in our community.

I hope all our members have a joyous holiday season. May it be merry and bright.

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Kiamichi Electric Cooperative 944 SW Highway 2 PO Box 340 Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578 tele: (918) 465-2338 toll free: (800) 888-2731 FAX: (918) 465-2950 www.kiamichielectric.org email: support@kiamichielectric.org HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm 24-HOUR OUTAGE HOTLINE (800) 888-2731 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ron Pelaconi, President DISTRICT 3 Russell Shaw, Vice President DISTRICT 1 Amy Miller, Treasurer DISTRICT 2 David Ray DISTRICT 4 Don Parr DISTRICT 5 Mark Ichord DISTRICT 6 Larry Culwell DISTRICT 7 Brett Orme Executive Vice President-CEO Kiamichi Electric provides reliable and affordable electricity to members in Pushmataha, Leflore, Latimer, Atoka and Pittsburg Counties.

Five Ways to Fight the Winter Chill and Save Energy

By Abby Berry

We all have our favorite season. Some people love crisp, cool weather and bundling up under a favorite blanket, while others prefer the warm temperatures summer brings and all fun outdoor activities that go with it.

But there’s one thing we can all agree on: high winter bills are never fun. KEC is here to help you find ways to manage your home energy use and keep winter bills in check.

Here are five tips to help increase your home’s energy efficiency this winter: 1. Mind the thermostat. This is one of the easiest ways to manage your home energy use. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees (or lower) when you’re home. When you’re sleeping or away for an extended period of time, try setting it between 58 and 62 degrees; there’s no need to heat your home when you’re away or sleeping and less active.

2. Button up your home. The Department of Energy estimates that air leaks account for 24% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. Caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors is another simple, costeffective way to increase comfort and save energy. If you can feel drafts while standing near a window or door, it likely needs to be sealed.

3. Use window coverings wisely.

Open blinds, drapes or other window coverings during the day to allow natural sunlight in to warm your home. Close them at night to keep the cold, drafty air out. If you feel cold air around

windows, consider hanging curtains or drapes in a thicker material; heavier window coverings can make a significant difference in blocking cold outdoor air.

4. Consider your approach to appliance use. When combined, appliances and electronics account for a significant chunk of our home energy use, so assess how efficiently you’re using them. For example, if you’re running the dishwasher or clothes washer, only wash full loads. Look for electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like phone chargers or game consoles. Every little bit helps, so unplug them to save energy.

5. Think outside the box. If you’re still feeling chilly at home, think of other ways to warm up––beyond dialing up the thermostat. Add layers of clothing, wear thick socks and bundle up under blankets. You can even add layers to your home!

If you have hard-surface flooring, consider purchasing an area rug to block cold air that leaks in through the floor.

If you’re taking steps to save energy but continue to see major increases in your bills, give us a call at 918-465-2338. KEC’s energy experts can help identify areas and other factors impacting your home energy use and recommend next steps for savings.

Winter months often bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. By being proactive about saving energy, you can increase the comfort of your home and reduce monthly bills. Visit our website at www.kiamichielectric.org for additional energy-saving tips.

Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.

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Keeping Kids Warm

KEC Foundation continues providing winter coats to local children For 12 years, you have helped provide much needed winter coats for children in need across our service area. Through the Operation Round Up’s® (ORU) Coats for Kids program, the KEC Foundation donates more than 300 coats each year.

“We ask each of the 33 schools in our service territory for the sizes and gender of 10 kids who are in need of winter coats,” said Danny Choat, KEC Foundation president. “We are very grateful to the members who round up their electric bills each month to help

provide this service.”

ORU is made possible thanks to the thousands of members who choose to round up their bills each month. If your bill is not rounded up and you would like to sign up, submit the contact form at www.kiamichielectric.org or call us at 918-465-2338.

The KEC Foundation, a board of five volunteers, strives to help individuals, families and community organizations address needs that cannot be met through other resources.

Applications — individual and organizational — can be found online at www.kiamichielectric.org or by calling 918-465-2338.

Contact Michelle Warmuth at mwarmuth@kiamichielectric.org or 918465-2338 if you have questions about ORU or the application process.

Make payments and report outages using our free mobile app

Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives and the Oklahoma Council on Economic Education hosted the first Co-operneur Day competition in October. KEC’s Michelle Warmuth volunteered as a judge, as seventh and eighth graders from across the state participated in co-op and business entrepreneurship activities and created their own mock co-op business to address a need in their communities. Winning teams walked away with cash prizes.

CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS KEC’s Youth Tour contest is now open!

You could win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. next summer!

Apply now at www.kiamichielectric.org

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Instant Pot® Chicken & Dumplings

operation round up M O N T H LY U P D AT E Operation Round Up® is a voluntary bill roundup program that benefits local communities, organizations ,and needy families.

Funding applications are available at Kiamichi Electric, local social services, or online at www.kiamichielectric.org.

YEAR-TO-DATE COLLECTIONS 2022: TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION: TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION:

$72,722.00 $1,752,089 $1,813,022

Energy Efficiency

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • •

Tip of the Month

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Blocked air vents force your heating system to work harder than necessary and increase pressure in the ductwork, which can cause cracks and leaks to form. Make sure all air vents are unobstructed from furniture, drapes or other items to ensure sufficient circulation throughout your home.

If necessary, purchase a vent extender, which can be placed over a vent to redirect air flow from underneath furniture. Source: energy.gov.

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Renewables Report

½ tablespoon olive oil 1 cup diced onion ½ cup diced carrot ½ cup diced celery 1 bay leaf 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 pound bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed ½ teaspoon thyme (Optional) ½ teaspoon dried marjoram 1 teaspoon salt (Optional) ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons unsalted

butter, softened • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • salt and ground black pepper to taste (Optional) • ½ cup frozen petite peas • ½ cup frozen cut green beans DUMPLINGS • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon salt (Optional) • 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley • ½ cup buttermilk

DIRECTIONS Pour the olive oil into a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as an Instant Pot®) and select the Saute function. Cook onion, carrot, celery, and bay leaf until the vegetables are soft and the onion has turned translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add chicken broth, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, thyme, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 9 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes. Carefully remove the chicken pieces with tongs and place them in a bowl to cool slightly; discard bay leaf.

Mash butter with the flour to make a smooth paste; set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl for the dumplings.

Cut in cold butter until mixture is the texture of cornmeal. Stir in parsley and set aside.

Shred cooled chicken and return to the pot. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add peas and green beans. Stir in the flourbutter paste. Select Saute function to bring broth back to a boil.

Pour buttermilk into the dumpling mixture and stir until combined.

Drop the dumpling dough by heaping spoonfuls on top of the stew; a small cookie scoop works well.

Data collected from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative — KEC’s wholesale power provider — reflects generation during September 2022, which shows 27 percent of the power generated by WFEC potentially came from renewable sources.

Cover pot with the lid, leaving the steam vent open. Select Slow Cooker function and simmer on Low, covered, until dumplings are cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. A skewer inserted in the center of a dumpling should come out clean.

Recipe from AllRecipes.com