SEPTEMBER 2020
3
WFEC Renewables Report
4
Operation Round Up report
A supplement to the Oklahoma Living
4
Lig ght Post
the
Lunch Box Pita Pockets
PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS OF KIAMICHI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
ANNUAL MEETING POSTPONED KEC 2020 Annual Meeting Postponed Greetings Kiamichi Electric Cooperative members, this is your manager Brett. I would like to update you concerning this year’s Annual Meeting that is scheduled for Oct. 3. The health and safety of our members and employees is a top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, with our employees’ and members’ health and safety a primary concern, Kiamichi has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Annual Meeting until it is deemed safe by the proper authorities to gather in large groups. With the number of positive COVID-19 cases on the rise as well as CDC guidelines that have placed gatherings such as the Annual Meeting in the high-risk category for spreading the virus, postponing seems the safest option. Additionally, we have been unable to secure our normal venue and its reopening is contingent on CDC recommendations.
Brett Orme, KEC General Manager
I know many of you enjoy this event and look forward to it every year and we here at KEC enjoy the opportunity to get to see you at the event. We sincerely apologize for any disappointment; we are disappointed as well. Other options were considered but under the current circumstances, KEC feels this decision is in the best interest of our members, employees and our communities. Although we are postponing this meeting, we want to assure you that we are actively at work providing you, the members, with safe, reliable and affordable electric service and that we look forward to seeing you at an Annual Meeting as soon as it is safe to do so. As always, we encourage our employees and members to follow CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Thank You!
able electricity when you need it.
2 | the Light Post
work every day knowing embers.
In next month’s issue: Affordable electricity is important to all members. We’ll explore energy affordability and how Associated works to keep costs low.
y job is to ensure every nts stay on line.”
rse supply Kiamichi Electric Cooperative 944 SW Highway 2
A mix of generation means reliable power Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm — Wind
mportant parts AsPOof Box 340 Wilburton, Oklahoma e’s a difference. They 74578 and water are plentiful tele: (918) 465-2338 toll free: (800) 888-2731 FAX: (918) 465-2950
www.kiamichielectric.org lant — Coal
-
rs d m-
d w-
rd. .
email: support@kiamichielectric.org HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm
“No one likes to be without electricity for even a minute. My job is to ensure each piece functions so these power plants stay on line.”
24-HOUR OUTAGE HOTLINE (800) 888-2731 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Don Parr, President DISTRICT 5 Mark Ichord, Vice President DISTRICT 6
Provided by Associated Electric Cooperative
— Joe Bader
For most enough to make turbines spin. Generation from renewable sources, like power solar, typically members’ things in life, output to don’t serve match members when they early in the morning on a winter day or balance is healthy. The same is peak true ofuse thetimes —need electricity. late in the day during the summertime. This mismatch is power generation mix that delivers electricity Russell Shaw why having power supply, with a foundation of to your home, farm or business. Balance a diverse “KEEP THE TURBINE TURNING SO WE CAN DISTRICT 1 around-the-clock resources like coal and gas, is important. is a key part of the reliability Associated KEEP THE LIGHTS BURNING.” Electric Cooperative, the power generation Amy Miller It’s a balance Associated’s maintenance programs ensure and transmission cooperative for Northeast DISTRICT 2 these generators are efficient and available Oklahoma’s electric co-ops, worksAtoward balance of generation sources lights when they’re most means needed.the If one unitwill stops every day. David Ray keep burning for members throughout Associated’s sysoperating, others make up the difference. Associated’s balanced generation mix — tem. More than 700 employees like Joe work for Associated DISTRICT 4 Joe Bader, an Ozark Border Electric at its power plants and headquarters in Springfield, Misfeaturing different fuels and ways to generate Cooperative is one of many souri. Each is a critical part ofmember, the power supply picture, Larry Culwell electricity — ensures lights come on when Associated employees tasked with keeping andgas, each is devoted to ensuring you have affordable, reliDISTRICT 7 you flip that switch. Coal, natural wind plants able flexibility electricity when yourunning. need it.Joe is a journeyman and hydropower generation means machinist/mechanic at the New Madrid Brett Orme to meet members’ needs. This mix lets In next month’sPower issue:Plant. Affordable electricity is important He works on equipment that Associated employees like Joe Bader go toAssociated work every focus day knowing Executive Vice President-CEO on reliability, to along with all members. We’ll explore energy affordability and how supports power production, including their efforts keep the power flowing for members. providing electricity that is affordable. Associated works turbines. to keep costs low. “Keep the turbine His motto? Kiamichi Electric provides reliable and By using coal and natural gas units turning so we can keep the lights burning.” affordableout electricity to members in members electricity reliably from electricity for even a minute. My job is toreceive ensure every Joe says being a co-op member drives Pushmataha, Leflore, Latimer, Atoka generators piece functions so these power plants stay ondesigned line.” to run around the clock. him to serve diligently. He knows families and Pittsburg Counties. These plants can increase or decrease their like his depend on his work for the electricity Why members benefit from a diverse supply Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm — Wind Ron Pelanconi, Treasurer DISTRICT 3
Wind and hydropower also are important parts of As-
ators are efficient and available when they’re most needed. If one unit stops operating, others make up the difference. Joe Bader, an Ozark Border Electric Cooperative memthat powers their lives. “That inspires me to do the best I can,” Joe says. “No one likes to be without ber, is one of amany Associated employees tasked electricity for even minute. My job is to ensure every piece functions so these powerwith plants stay on line.” keeping plants running. Joe is a journeyman machinist/ WHY MEMBERS SUPPLY mechanic atBENEFIT the FROM NewA DIVERSE Madrid Power Plant. He works on Wind and hydropower also are important parts of Associated’s generationincluding mix. But there’s a equipment that supports power production, difference. They only produce electricity when wind and water are plentiful enough to make turbines turbines. His motto? “Keep turbine turning sopeak we spin. Generation from renewable sources, likethe solar, typically don’t match members’ use can times — early in the morning on a winter day or late in the day during the summertime. This mismatch is keep the lights burning.” why having a diverse power supply, with a foundation of around-the-clock resources like coal and gas, is important. Joe says being a co-op member drives him to serve diligently. IT’S A BALANCEHe knows families like his depend on his work A balance of generation that sources means the lights will keep burning“That for members throughout me for the electricity powers their lives. inspires Associated’s system. More than 700 employees like Joe work for Associated at its power plants and to headquarters do the best I can,” Joe says. “No likes to picture, be within Springfield, Missouri. Each is a critical part one of the power supply and each is devoted to ensuring you have affordable, reliable electricity when you need it.
Associated the Light Post | 3
their effort
A mix of out electr generation piece fun means reliable F power
Why mem
2019 AECI GENERATION RESOURCES
Coal
Wind a sociated’s only prod
Natural Gas
In next month’s issue: Affordable electricity is important to all members. We’ll explore energy affordability and how Associated works to keep costs low.
Chouteau Power Plant — Natural gas
o t i part pow east A ent com and bers alon B elec the er o
Wind
Hydro
Renewables Report
Learn more at www.nationalvoter registrationday.org
37% Renewables Data collected from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative — KEC’s wholesale power provider — reflects generation during May 2020, which shows 37 percent of the power generated by WFEC came from renewable sources.
“Ke burn
A ator If on J ber, keep mec equi turb keep J dilig for t to d
4 | the Light Post
operation round up
RECIPE
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: $45,070.90 YEAR-TO-DATE DISBURSEMENTS: $26,915.78 TOTAL COLLECTED SINCE INCEPTION: $1,652,945.76 TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS SINCE INCEPTION:
$1,582,808.10
Lunch Box Pita Pockets INGREDIENTS
½ cup deli ham or turkey ½ cup lettuce ¼ cup carrots, raw 1 pita bread
¼ cup salad dressing, hummus or other spread Grated cheese (optional)
DIRECTIONS It’s back-to-school time, and this recipe puts a healthy twist on the traditional sandwich. First, split the pita in half, then open each pocket. Place ham, lettuce, carrot and grated cheese in the pockets. Put dressing or spread in a small container to pour into the pocket right before eating it. COOK’S NOTE:
Energy Efficiency
Tip of the Month Clothes dryers make up a large portion of your appliance energy consumption. Clean the lint filter after each cycle, and scrub the filter with a toothbrush once a month to remove film and increase air circulation. Source: Energy.gov
Manage your KEC account from wherever you are with our free mobile app
Ingredient variations include chopped pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and pizza sauce; chopped bacon, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and Ranch dressing; or sliced apples and peanut butter. Recipe from AllRecipes.com
3 View bill & make payments 3 Sign up for auto-pay 3 Go paperless 3 Monitor energy use and savings 3 Report outages 3 Set up text alerts 3 And more!
Use your smartphone’s camera to scan the QR code and download the mobile app
W W W. K I A M I C H I E L E C T R I C . O R G