FEBRUARY 2020
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KEC Foundation scholarship application now open
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A supplement to the Oklahoma Living
Operation Round Up report
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PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS OF KIAMICHI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
LOOKING INTO AN EV? WE’VE GOT YOUR POWER
By Tom Tate The appeal of electric vehicles is gaining momentum. The push for greater mileage in terms of MPG that began in the second half of the last century has been joined by the push for greater miles per charge. While many drawbacks of EVs are gone, there is still a major concern limiting EV growth dubbed “range anxiety.” This stems from the persistent limited range of all EVs. “Thanks to a partnership between Francis EV and electric cooperatives across Oklahoma, KEC offers convenient EV charging options right here in southeast Oklahoma,” said Todd Minshall, director of member and public relations for KEC. “Our part of the state continues to see an increase in road-tripping tourists, and we are prepared to accommodate them, along with residents who might purchase an EV in the future, with convenient charging options.” Charging stations across KEC’s service area like those in the photo above mean folks in Wilburton, Talihina, McAlester and Poteau can eliminate any range anxiety fears when purchasing an EV. Range anxiety notwithstanding, EVs have a bright future. Prices are dropping and range is expanding so owners can confidently drive nearly everywhere with a little bit of planning. On top of this, the cars are just plain cool. The Tesla Model 3 offers a minimalist interior with
all the necessary controls and information presented on a large touchscreen in the center of the console as opposed to using the traditional instrument cluster. Further, if you’ve never driven an EV, you are in for a treat. While an internal combustion engine must rev up to speed, an EV has full power at its disposal instantly. Of course, there are limits on this 0-60 mph capability to prevent inexperienced and over-eager drivers from launching themselves into accidents and speeding tickets. They are quiet, well-appointed inside and allow you to forever bypass the lines at the gas station — unless you are in need of some snacks and a slushy. If you still have doubts, we welcome you to stop by our headquarters in Wilburton to take a look at our 100-percent electric battery-powered Chevy Bolt. Already, we have observed the electric car saving us $100 per month in fuel expenses alone. One final word, if you do purchase an EV, be sure to let your electric cooperative know. The service to your home is sized to meet the demands of your house as they existed when service was connected. Adding the EV charger creates a risk of overloading the wires and transformers powering your home. Overloaded services can fail and leave you in the dark with an uncharged EV. Someday, we’ll all be gliding silently — and cleanly — on our travels.
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.
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ceo’s report BRETT ORME
C HI E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C ER
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 Don Parr, President DISTRICT 5 Mark Ichord, Vice President DISTRICT 6 Ron Pelanconi, Treasurer DISTRICT 3 Russell Shaw DISTRICT 1 Amy Miller DISTRICT 2 David Ray DISTRICT 4 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.
“To move forward, you have to give youth, such as education scholarships or the back.” Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we This quote from Oprah Winfrey reflects take our community’s brightest young people the special bond and obligation that ties to Washington, D.C. for a week-long tour of KEC to the community we serve. With our nation’s capital. It means organizing food Valentine’s Day approaching, we can’t think and clothing drives and contributing more of a better time to express how much we than $1.5 million to Operation Round Up®, love this community and serving you, the a program that helps local families in need. members of the co-op. It means partnering with organizations like We know when KEC helped bring Salvation Army and other worthy programs. electricity to rural Oklahoma many years Over the last seven decades, our ago, the quality of community-focused life improved for all. programs and other Through the years, giving projects have We want to help meet the longother issues needed fed hungry families to be tackled, and and so much more – term needs of our community we have been at the and we couldn’t do to ensure it continues to thrive forefront of helping any of this without — because just like you, we live to address some of you, our members. those issues. We want We all benefit here too.” to help meet the longfrom these programs term needs of our because of you and community to ensure your neighbors. You it continues to thrive – because just like you, empower KEC through your membership we live here too. and through your participation in and While our top priority is to provide safe, support of these programs. reliable and affordable energy to you, equally As a local business, we are proud to important is our mission to enrich the lives power your life and bring good things to of the consumer-members (that’s you!) that our community. We hope you will continue we serve. This focus to benefit the larger to guide our efforts by sharing your community is central to the way we operate perspective as we plan for the future. The as a cooperative. KEC knows that electricity energy landscape is undergoing dramatic is a critical need for modern-day life, but it change fueled by evolving technology and takes more than poles and power lines to consumer desires for more options. While make a community. the larger environment in which we operate Over time, your co-op has evolved to is constantly changing, one thing remains meet the changing needs of our community, the same. By working together, I’m certain thereby improving the quality of life for that we can continue to do good things for everyone. And that can mean many different our community. things. It can mean programs for Oklahoma’s
APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 6 VISIT WWW.KIAMICHIELECTRIC.ORG
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KEC announces scholarship opportunity for college students The KEC Foundation is proud to announce it is now accepting applications for its annual Operation Round Up® scholarship. Since 2004, the KEC Foundation has awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to more than 150 deserving area students thanks to the generosity of KEC members who round up their electric bills to the nearest dollar each month. “We are always proud to reward our next generation of members who are working hard for their futures,” said KEC Foundation President Danny Choat. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Applicants must be members of Kiamichi Electric Cooperative, or live in the household of a KEC member. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS?
Applicants must be enrolled full-time (12+ hours per semester) in a state-accredited community college, university or Vo-tech in the state of Oklahoma or school from a neighboring state that charges in-state tuition to Oklahoma students. Students receiving ORU scholarship funds must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 in their major area of concentration. WHAT CAN THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS COVER?
Scholarship funding may be used only for college or university tuition costs and books and other classroom related items as approved by the foundation. HOW DOES AN APPLICANT APPLY?
Those who meet the qualifications must submit the application at www.kiamichielectric.org (or scan the bar code to the right with your smartphone’s camera) along with a 250-500 typed essay that addresses the applicant’s educational goals and why, in the applicant’s opinion, he or she should be considered for this scholarship. The KEC Foundation board members may choose to interview finalists prior to the awarding of scholarships. Finalists will be judged on the following criteria: • Financial need • Grade point average • Leadership skills; and • Participation in extracurricular activities. “We are excited to continue the tradition of investing in our students,” Choat said. “Thank you to the many members who round up their bills to the nearest dollar each month and allow us to award this scholarship to deserving students.” Visit www.kiamichielectric.org for the full scholarship application.
SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION APPLICATION Use your smartphone’s camera to scan this code and access the ORU Scholarship!
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operation round up
Chicken Marsala
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 2019: $76,669.97 YEAR-TO-DATE DISBURSEMENTS: $98,685.24 TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION: $1,601,558.60 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION:
$1,544,928.31
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
INGREDIENTS
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 6 ounces each • 3 tbsp. flour • 1 10-ounce package sliced cremini mushrooms
• 1 large shallot • 1 clove garlic • 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth • 1/2 c. marsala wine
DIRECTIONS
• Pound the chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thick. Season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Lightly coat the chicken breasts with flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet on medium and cook chicken until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side; transfer to a plate. • While the chicken is cooking, finely chop the shallot and garlic. • Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to same skillet. Cook the sliced cremini mushrooms on medium-high, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 5 minutes. Add the chopped shallot and garlic. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; cook 2 minutes. • Add the low-sodium chicken broth and Marsala wine to the skillet along with the browned chicken and its juices and simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, 4 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with sautéed spinach. Recipe from Good Housekeeping
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