FEBRUARY 2021
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WFEC Renewables Report
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Energy Savings for Every Season
A supplement to the Oklahoma Living
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Angie’s Best Brownies
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PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS OF KIAMICHI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Oklahoma continuing to add wind turbine capacity, already third in the nation Adapted from the Energy Information Administration, principal contributors were Richard Bowers and Owen Comstock
According to data collected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), project developers expected more than 23 gigawatts (GW) of wind turbine generating capacity to come online in the United States in 2020, far more than the previous record of 13.2 GW added in 2012. Only 5.0 GW of capacity has come online in the first eight months of this year, but as is typical with wind turbine installations, most of the annual capacity additions come online in the final months of the year. Another 18.5 GW planned to come online in the final quarter of 2020, 15 percent of which right here in Oklahoma. “Wind was the top fuel source for the first half of 2020 across the Southwest Power Pool footprint,” said Gary Roulet, CEO of Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), KEC’s wholesale power provider. “It averaged 34% of the fuel mix, followed by coal at 26.6%.” Texas has the most wind turbine capacity among states (29.1 GW installed as of August 2020). Project developers in Texas expected to add another 4.0 GW by the end of the year, based on reported online dates. Project developers planned to add 2.7 GW in Oklahoma, increasing the state’s wind capacity from 8.2 GW to 10.9 GW. As of August, 2020, Oklahoma was the third
highest wind-producing state behind Texas and Iowa. The 5.0 GW of capacity added in the first eight months of 2020 is already more than the capacity added in the first months of any year except 2009. Developers expect to add another 18.5 GW in the final four months of 2020: 8.9 GW in September through November and 9.6 GW in December. December is typically the month with the
most wind turbine capacity additions. In the previous 10 years, 41% of the annual wind capacity additions came online in December. EIA’s November 2020 Short-Term Energy Outlook showed wind’s share of U.S. electricity generation increasing from 7.4% in 2019 to 8.8% in 2020—more than any other renewable electricity generation source. EIA forecasted wind’s share to reach 10.3% in 2021.
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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 Mark Ichord, President DISTRICT 6 Ron Pelanconi, Vice President DISTRICT 3 Russell Shaw, Treasurer DISTRICT 1 Amy Miller DISTRICT 2 David Ray DISTRICT 4 Don Parr DISTRICT 5 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.
Over the years, you’ve heard me expound on why and how Kiamichi Electric Co-op is different — because we’re a cooperative. Our business model sets us apart from other utilities because we adhere to seven guiding cooperative principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness and service to the greater good of the community. Electric cooperatives, including KEC, have a unique and storied place in our country’s history. We democratized the American dream by bringing electricity to rural areas when for-profit electric companies determined the effort too costly. Back then, cities were electrified, and rural areas were not, creating the original ruralurban divide. Newly established electric lines helped power economic opportunity in rural areas. Today, that spirit of equity and inclusion is a vital part of our co-op DNA. EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL
different needs and perspectives, and we welcome diverse views on all issues under consideration by the co-op. The more viewpoints we hear, the better we are able to reflect the needs of all corners of our community. INCLUSION
While our top priority is providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, we also want to be a catalyst for good in our community. Because we are your local electric cooperative, co-op revenues stay right here in our community. In turn, we invest in our diverse community base through scholarship programs, charitable giving, educational programs and more. We strive to make long-term decisions that improve and enrich the communities we serve. While today’s world is radically different than it was when KEC was founded, our cooperative values have stood the test of time and remain just as relevant today. We recognize that today’s co-op members expect more, and my pledge to you — the members we proudly serve — is to promote a cooperative culture of inclusion, diversity and equity for all.
When our electric co-op was founded, each member contributed an equal share in order to gain access to electricity that benefited individual families as well as the larger local community. Each member had an equal vote in co-op matters. That sense of equity and inclusion is still how we operate WA today. KEC was built 9.7¢ MT by and belongs to the 11.1¢ OR diverse communities 11¢ ID 9.9¢ and consumer-members WY 11.2¢ we serve. NV By virtue of paying 12¢ UT CO 10.4¢ CA 12.2¢ your electric bill each 19.2¢ month, you’re a member AZ NM 12.4¢ of the co-op, and every 12.5¢ member has an equal voice and vote when it comes to co-op AK 22.9¢ governance. This ties HI back to our guiding 32.1¢ principles of equitable economic participation and democratic control of the co-op. We know members of our community have
ND 10.3¢ SD 11.6¢ NE 10.8¢ KS 12.7¢ OK 10.2¢ TX 11.8¢
MN 13¢
WI 14.2¢
IA 12.5¢
MI 15.7¢
VT: 17.7¢ NH: 20.1¢ MA: 21.9¢ RI: 21.7¢ NY CT: 21.9¢ 17.9¢
PA 13.8¢ IN OH IL 13¢ 12.6¢ 12.4¢ WV VA MO KY 11.3¢ 12.1¢ 11.1¢ 10.8¢ NC TN 11.4¢ 10.9¢ SC AR 13¢ 9.8¢ GA AL MS 12.5¢ 11.8¢ LA 11.3¢ 9.8¢ FL 11.7¢
Under 10.5 ¢ 10.5¢ to 13¢
ME 17.9¢
NJ: 15.9¢ DE: 12.6¢ MD: 13.1¢ DC: 13¢
Over 13¢
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Energy savings for every season By Anne Prince
While saving money through greater energy efficiency may be a year-round objective for many consumers, the way to achieve this goal will vary by season. There are a number of factors that impact energy efficiency, including weather, the age and condition of the home, and desired comfort levels. During fall and winter months, when the outdoor temperature is chilly, consumers desire a warm home and seek to keep the cold air out. Conversely, in the spring and
summer, the focus is on keeping the hot air from infiltrating cool abodes. FALL AND WINTER: KEEPING HEAT IN
To maintain a warm indoor environment in chillier weather, there are simple steps you can take to increase energy efficiency. Fall is a great time to examine seals on doors and windows to check for air leaks. Caulk and weatherstrip as needed to seal in warm air and energy savings. Similarly, examine outlets
for air leaks, and where necessary, install gaskets around the outlet to prevent drafts. During the day, open curtains or drapes on south-facing windows to enable sunlight to heat your home naturally. Close curtains or drapes at night for an added layer of window insulation. As the temperature drops lower with the onset of winter, schedule a service appointment for your heating system to
Stay Comfortable.
S
pace heating and cooling account for a large portion of the average home’s energy use. A programmable or smart thermostat can help you control the temperature of your home and save energy.
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Renewables Report
Data collected from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative — KEC’s wholesale power provider — reflects generation during October 2020, which shows 32 percent of the power generated by WFEC came from renewable sources.
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energy efficiency << continued from page 3
SPRING AND SUMMER: KEEPING YOUR COOL
ensure it is operating at an optimal level. Low-cost or no-cost steps for energy savings include taping or affixing heavy, clear plastic to the inside of your window frames to create an additional barrier against cold air. Ensure that the plastic is tightly sealed to the frame to help reduce infiltration. Use a programmable thermostat to set the temperature as low as is comfortable when you are home (ideally around 68 degrees). When you are asleep or away, turn the temperature down 10-15 degrees for eight hours. According to the Department of Energy, this small adjustment can help you save approximately 10 percent a year on heating and cooling costs.
During warmer months, energy savings and efficiency will require different measures, many of which are inexpensive. If you live in a climate that is cool, open your windows in the evening and turn off your cooling system while sleeping. In the morning, shut the windows and blinds to hold in the cool air. Where practical, plant trees and shrubs that provide shade in warm months and sunlight in winter. In addition to the aesthetic value, well placed trees can take heat gain from the sun and provide needed shade by creating a canopy for the house. In extremely hot weather, your cooling system works harder to close the gap between the high outdoor temperature and the cool indoor thermostat setting. To lessen the
difference in temperature between the two, and to lower cooling costs, set the thermostat as high as you can while maintaining your comfort level. Moreover, using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioning can allow you to increase the thermostat setting to approximately four degrees with no reduction in comfort levels. During the hottest months, it’s all the more critical to replace any remaining incandescent bulbs with LEDs. The waste heat from the old bulbs impacts energy use and creates wasteful and unwanted heat. Employ a programmable thermostat to adjust the settings a few degrees higher when no one is home or your family is sleeping. To learn more about additional energysaving tips and programs, visit www. kiamichielectric.org.
Anne Prince 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.
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 2020: $64,343.64 YEAR-TO-DATE DISBURSEMENTS 2020: $64,344.70 TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION: $1,672,218.50 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION: $1,620,237.02
Angie’s Best Brownies INGREDIENTS • • • • •
½ cup butter 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder • ½ cup all-purpose flour • ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder Frosting: • 3 tablespoons butter, softened • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Energy Efficiency
Tip of the Month Use wool or rubber dryer balls in the clothes dryer to reduce drying time and static. Wool dryer balls can also absorb extra moisture. These are an efficient alternative to dryer sheets, which can create buildup on the dryer’s filter and reduce air circulation. If you prefer dryer sheets, scrub the filter once a month to remove buildup.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons softened butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup confectioners’ sugar. Stir until smooth. Frost brownies while they are still warm. Image and Recipe from AllRecipes.com