LIGHT POST
Members invited to join KEC for Annual Meeting Oct. 7
We would like to personally invite each member to the 78th Annual Meeting of Kiamichi Electric Cooperative at the SE Expo Center in McAlester, Oklahoma. This year’s meeting will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m., with the business meeting starting promptly at 10:00 a.m.
of the cooperative for the past year. We take seriously our obligation to share transparently any issue or event that has significantly impacted the Cooperative. This is an opportunity to learn more about the topics that affect you.
By CEO Brett Orme
The Annual Meeting is not only an opportunity to visit with fellow members of the cooperative but also to get to know your board of directors and the employees who work for you. I will give my State of the Co-op Address, which contains pertinent information on the finances and operations
We are committed to doing our best to serve you, and we appreciate hearing from you on how we can serve you better. Please join us this year and enjoy some great food, fellowship, and entertainment – and don’t forget the KEC Kids Corner; there is something for everyone of all ages!
I look forward to seeing you at the 78th Annual Meeting!
Brett Orme General Manager
4 Renewables Report 2 Rate Increase Effective Nov. 1 4 Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Published for members of Kiamichi Electric Cooperative the OCTOBER 2023
Join us Oct. 7 for our Annual Meeting
Rate Increase Effective Nov. 1
944 SW Highway 2
PO Box 340
Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578
(918) 465-2338 | (800) 888-2731
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ron Pelanconi, 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
KEC SENIOR STAFF
Brett Orme
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT — CEO
Linda Baldwin
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Crystal Butler
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Dennis Dolan MANAGER OF OPERATIONS
Andy Eakle
MANAGER OF ENGINEERING
Sharla Ivy MANAGER OF PROCUREMENT
Michelle Warmuth MANAGER OF MEMBER & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Heather Ziverk MANAGER OF MEMBER SERVICES
Kiamichi Electric Cooperative’s mission is to provide safe, reliable energy at a fair price. Because you are member-owners of this cooperative, your concerns are truly our focus.
We continuously examine ways to operate more efficiently while still providing the friendly, safe, and reliable service you expect and deserve.
As the energy landscape continues to change with the rising cost of goods and services coupled with increased demand for energy due to growth and recent weather, an evaluation of KEC’s current rate structure was needed.
As previous articles and social media posts mentioned, KEC conducted a cost-ofservice study, which indicated a deficiency in the current rates. As a result, the service availability fees will increase effective Nov. 1, 2023. Residential consumers will see a $3 increase, while commercial and industrial consumers will be similarly impacted on a percentage basis. This fee covers electric infrastructure costs, such as poles, equipment, lines, staff, and trucks, independent of any kWh charges.
KEC has never seen increases in the price of supplies and equipment of this magnitude.
The prices for goods and services have increased an average of 20% to 40% and, in some cases, more than doubled. Lead times for delivery have gone from a few weeks to several months to a year or more. Our staff and the Board do not take these increases lightly and continue to look for ways to lessen the impact on our members. KEC will continue to control costs by competitively bidding for materials, equipment, and labor to find the best prices and will continue to be responsible when it comes to system safety and reliability.
Concern for community is one of the seven guiding principles that all co-ops share.
In the same way our wires run through our territory, our concern for community flows through all our decisions – because being a co-op means being a responsible partner and good neighbor. We work to help our communities thrive through initiatives led by our employees and a board composed of neighbors who live right here. Because we’re local, we understand our area’s unique needs and strive to help meet them.
We encourage you to follow us on social media, our website, and KEC’s monthly Light Post publication in the Oklahoma Living magazine for further updates.
www.kiamichielectric.org
As the energy landscape continues to change with rising costs ... an evaluation of KEC’s current rate structure was needed.
Electric Co-ops Grow for the Communities They Serve
October is National Co-op Month
October is National Co-op Month, and Kiamichi Electric Cooperative is joining cooperatives across the U.S. to celebrate. Coops come in all shapes and sizes, but they each have a common goal: to provide goods or services for the members of the co-op.
Electric co-ops, including KEC exist to serve their members. Our priority is to provide affordable, reliable energy to our local communities. Because we are led by you, the members we serve, we can evolve to meet your needs.
This October, as we celebrate Co-op Month, we’re focusing on the ways “Co-ops Grow” for their members.
Co-ops Grow Communities: Co-ops help communities grow by promoting economic empowerment, fostering community engagement and supporting the unique needs of co-op members. “Concern for Community” is one of our core principles––and being community-focused is essential to everything we do.
Co-ops Grow Together: Co-ops are all about cooperation, not competition. That’s why electric co-ops work together to share lessons learned, successful strategies and better ways to serve our members. We’re better when we grow together!
Co-ops Grow Tomorrow’s Leaders: Electric co-ops serve as fertile ground for growing tomorrow’s leaders through a variety of youth engagement programs. Whether through school demonstrations, community events or the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program, we’re committed to providing opportunities for local youth to learn and thrive in our community and beyond.
Co-ops Grow for You: At KEC, your satisfaction is our number one goal. It’s why we were formed many years ago to fulfill a uniquely local purpose. We’ve come a long way since then, and your needs continue to evolve. That’s why we’ll never stop growing for you!
Electric cooperatives are joining co-ops across the U.S. to celebrate National Co-op Month. As your local electric co-op, our services are shaped to meet your specific needs. We love growing with you, the members we are proud to serve.
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MONTHLY UPDATE operation
round up
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.
Bird’s Nest Breakfast
Cups
INGREDIENTS
• 1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 2 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 2/3 cup shredded Cheddar
DIRECTIONS
Renewables Report
cheese
• 12 eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled - divided
• ¼ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups. Mix hash brown potatoes, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and 2/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese in a bowl. Divide mixture between prepared muffin cups and use your fingers to shape potato mixture into nests with hollows in the middle. Bake in the preheated oven until hash browns are browned on the edges and cheese has melted, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove hash brown nests.Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk eggs and water in a bowl until thoroughly combined; season with salt and black pepper. Pour equal amount of egg mixture into each nest; sprinkle with bacon crumbles and 1 teaspoon Cheddar cheese. Bake in the oven until eggs are set, 13 to 16 minutes. Let cool in pans and remove by sliding a knife between potato crust and muffin cup.well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Data collected from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative — KEC’s wholesale power provider — reflects generation during July 2023, which shows 24 percent of the power generated by WFEC potentially come from renewable sources.
YEAR-TO-DATE COLLECTIONS: $43,575.18 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION: $1,816,570.67 TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION: $1,881,752.58
Recipe from AllRecipes.com
