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NW Network A NORTHWESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PUBLICATION August 2020

Finally Back to School

Area Schools Expected to Open Their Doors Once Again

ack to school could mean back to the computer room for many students this year. Luckily in Northwest Oklahoma, we may just get to start back with a little sense of normalcy. Area schools are expected to open this fall with changes across the board. While each school has a different set of guidelines, they all have one constant message. The guidelines will adapt to keep students and teachers safe this school year. We discussed the approaching school year with a couple of our members to see how they plan to move forward with teaching this fall. Klayne Brown, a pre-K teacher for Mooreland Elementary School, said she is ready for the coming school year. “This is going to be a new adventure,” Brown said, “but I am ready to take it on.” She expects to see things like helpful guide marks in the hallways for students to follow and sanitizer stations in many areas throughout the school, Brown said. “It will be a challenge to keep these 4-year-olds in line,” Brown said, “but keeping them safe has always been our goal, and that will not change now.” Lori Zimmerman, a sixthgrade language arts teacher for Woodward Middle School, said she is excited to meet students in person once again this fall. “I am ready to meet my new

Area schools plan to open their doors this fall with hopes for a safe start to the school year.

peeps,” Zimmerman said. “Building relationships with students is so important and meeting them in person is always helpful.” Zimmerman said Woodward Public Schools plans to offer options for course delivery to give students the best chance for learning in a changing world. “We’re going to give options for families to choose either virtual classes, online classes or a blended method for learning,” Zimmerman said. “Students can come to school a few days a week and do the rest of their classes online if they choose.” Zimmerman is confident the Woodward Public School System is going to do their best this year to adapt to the changes around them and persevere through these times. “I have no doubt in my mind that our whole entire district is going to rock it,” Zimmerman said, “no matter what we decide to do.” NW

Claim Me if You Can

Each month two member account numbers will be hidden somewhere in the issue. If you find your account number by the 8th of the current month, all you have to do is give us a call and your account will be credited for the amount listed. This month’s numbers are worth $25 each. Happy hunting!

Congratulations to last month’s winner! Joyce Dewitt

As the energy industry changes, so does Northwestern Electric. NWEC is constantly growing and improving to provide the best service for our members.

The Line Goes On and the Learning Never Ends Northwestern Electric is Constantly Evolving to Improve Service for Members

t’s soon to be a new, and very different, school year for kids of all ages. Still, from kindergarten through college, students attend school to gain knowledge about a broad variety of subjects and learn new skills that will prepare them for the future.

Similarly, Northwestern Electric Cooperative’s staff and employees are constantly learning and helping the Cooperative adapt in order to advance technology that improves electric service, reliability, safety and in turn, enhances quality of life for the members we serve.

Innovations in technology and energy types are fueling demand for more options. On the consumer front, people are looking for more ways to manage their energy use with smart technologies. Consumers expect more convenient payment methods – whether through automatic bill pay, SelectPay, online or in person. Here at NWEC we offer traditional bill payment methods such as mail-in, in person or 24/7 kiosk bill pay, along with more advanced payment methods. Mem-

Board of Trustees Kenny Knowles, President | Arnett Ray Smith, Vice President | Taloga John Bruce Jr., Secretary/Treasurer | Sharon TYSON LITTAU, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Marvin Wilkinson | Buffalo Clair Craighead | Woodward Jeff McIntosh | Quinlan

Northwestern Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer. NW NETWORK | 2

Duane Henderson | Mooreland Darla Young | Buffalo Gilbert Perkins | Gate

bers can pay by draft, through our smart app, by using the customer portal or by calling an interactive voice response number. We’re working to help sift through the options for our members in ways that benefit everyone. At the same time, we never lose sight of the top priority––providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity. For example, automated meter reading (AMR) is the technology of automatically collecting energy consumption data and transferring it from the electric meter to the coop. Because this information can be collected remotely, it enhances our system’s efficiency, helps control costs and improves work processes. Similar to AMR, there is another technology called advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). This is an integrated system of smart meters, communications networks and data management systems that enables two-way communication between utilities and consumers. In the event of an outage, AMI helps to distinguish

between events that impact a single home or multiple outages. This is critical because resolving either issue is a very different process. The two-way communication is integral to AMI because it provides a means to verify that power has been restored after an outage. However, one of the biggest benefits from improved technologies, especially for outages caused by extreme weather is pinpointing the outage location, which helps to reduce risk for crews out on the road during severe weather events. In addition to providing essential information during major outages, NWEC analyzes AMI data for anomalies including faults, damaged meters or energy theft. Detecting these problems early helps our cooperative save money and improve reliability. (16279001) Consumer interest in green energy sources and renewables is at an all-time high. Nationally, the increasing use of solar energy is paving the way for new methods of generating and using electricity. In our region, community solar

programs allow co-op members to share in a remote solar array that generates electricity from the sun. The NWEC Community Solar Member Program is available on a voluntary basis to metered residential members who enter into a program agreement with the Cooperative. Members may purchase shares of the Solar Facility that entitle the member to the output of the facility equal to 0.2667% per share of the total production of the facility on a monthly basis. The member’s account will be credited based on their share of credit. This program is a positive step in the environmentally friendly direction for the Cooperative. Whether it’s examining green energy options or exploring how emerging technologies can better serve our members, for NWEC, our “school year” is never over. We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities for the future, and we will continue to study and research the issues so that we can better serve you, now and in the future. NW

NW Network

NW Network Editors

Woodward Office

Jonna Hensley Lyndsey Harvey

580-256-7425 | 800-375-7423

2925 Williams Ave. Woodward, OK 73801

PO Box 2707 Woodward, OK 73802

www.nwecok.coop Social icon

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NWEC Attorney John Meinders 3 | NW NETWORK

Lending a Hand for Efficiency

NWEC Offers Low Interest Loan for Energy Efficient Improvements THE ENERGY RESOURCE CONSERVATION (ERC) LOAN CAN BE USED TO FINANCE THE FOLLOWING ENERGY SAVING MEASURES:

Homes and commercial buildings consume 40% of the energy used in the U.S. Energy.gov

hey say you have to spend money to make money. Well in this case, Northwestern Electric is here to help you save money during the spending process. Northwestern Electric offers a low interest loan to help cover the costs of making energy efficiency upgrades to your home or business. The Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) Loan can be used to finance upgrades such as replacing a heating and cooling system or adding more insulation and installing energy efficient windows. Northwestern Electric will finance 80% of the total cost up to $10,000 for an energy efficient air

source heat pump or geothermal system, and 80% of the total cost up to $3,000 for other energy efficient measures. You can take up to 84 months to pay on loans over $5,000 and up to 60 months on loans totaling $5,000 or less. The interest rate is based on the current prime rate at the time the loan is made and will not exceed five percent. (18449003) Loan requests must be made in advance and approved before the work is started. In order to qualify for the loan, members must have good credit with the cooperative. For more information call Lyndsey Harvey at 580-571-3926. NW

• Caulking and weatherstripping • Water heaters • Insulation • Storm windows and doors • Attic ventilation fans • Heat pumps

Efficiency Tip When it’s warm out, avoid using the oven! Try cooking on the stove, using the microwave or grilling outside instead. 4 | NW NETWORK