NW Network
A NORTHWESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PUBLICATION
June 2025
Keeping Our Community Cool and Connected
How you can help ensure reliability this summer
When outdoor temperatures soar, our electricity use increases. That’s because our air conditioners are running longer and more often to counteract sweltering outdoor temperatures. Factor in that we all tend to use electricity at the same times—in the morning and early evenings—and that equals a lot of strain on our electric grid.
At Northwestern Electric Cooperative, we work closely with Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, our local generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative in resource and infrastructure planning to ensure you have the power you need whenever you flip a switch, but the electric grid is much larger than your local co-op and G&T.
In summer months, when even more electricity is being used simultaneously across the country, it is possible for electricity demand to exceed supply, especially if a prolonged heat wave occurs. If this happens, which is rare, the grid operator for our region of the country may call on consumers to actively reduce their energy use or initiate other protocols to relieve pressure on the grid. NWEC will always keep you informed about situations like this. (14565002)
We work proactively with our G&T to create a resilient portion of the grid and ensure reliability in extreme weather, including regular system maintenance, grid modernization efforts and disaster response planning; but it takes everyone to keep the grid reliable.
To help keep the air conditioner running for you, your family and neighbors, check out the tips below to see things you can do to relieve pressure on the grid during times of extreme summer heat.
As we face the challenges posed by soaring summer temperatures, understanding the impact on energy demand is crucial for maintaining a reliable power supply. By adopting energy conservation practices during periods of extreme heat, not only can you save money on your electric bills, but you can also contribute to the resilience of the grid, keeping our local community cool and connected.
Our co-op maintains a list of members to notify when WFEC calls a peak day for load management and provides a time frame to conserve energy. If you would like to be added to our peak notifications list please give us a call at 580-256-7425.
Pro tips:
-Seal air leaks around windows and exterior doors with caulk and weatherstripping. Air leaks and drafts force your cooling system to work harder than necessary.
-During summer months, set ceiling fan blades to rotate counterclockwise, which pushes cool air down for a windchill effect.
-Consider blackout curtains with thermal backing or reflective lining to block heat and light.
-Start the dishwasher before you go to bed.
Annual Meeting Gathers Nearly 1200 Members
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 $50 each. Happy hunting!
Drive-through success continues
April 17, 2025, marked the third time in Northwestern Electric Cooperative’s history that more than 20% of our members attended the Annual Meeting.
A total of 1,180 members drove through our three locations to show their support for the co-op.
Members who attended were asked for their approval of the 2024
Annual Meeting Minutes and Financial Report, and each passed with approval from 99% of the membership.
Our co-op adapted when an inperson gathering was not possible, and after our first drive-through we asked our membership which format was preferred and the drivethrough prevailed at that time.
TYSON LITTAU, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Northwestern Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Board of Trustees
Kenny Knowles, President | Arnett
Gilbert Perkins, Vice President | Gate
John Bruce Jr., Secretary/Treasurer | Sharon
Lindsey Craighead | Woodward
Duane Henderson | Mooreland
Brycen Shoaf | Taloga
Jeff McIntosh | Quinlan
Darla Young | Buffalo
Marvin Wilkinson | Buffalo
NWEC’s Board President, Kenny Knowles, and Justin Hiner with Great Plains Arnett congratulate Robert and Ronda Jones for winning the grand prize for NWEC’s 2025 Annual Meeting.
In 2026, we plan to ask your preference once again to ensure we are always putting the changing needs of our membership first.
We are grateful for everyone who stopped by to see co-op employees and board members during our 84th Annual Meeting of the members, and we can’t wait to see what next year will bring.
Mike or Kaci Barnes
Duane or Stephanie Gillenwaters
Paul or Lori Allison
Rohrer Cattle Co.
Les or Tammy Loomis
Troy D Waugh
Michael Harper
Tommy Joe Jr or Christ Leisy
Gary Pope
Douglas or Leona Stricker
Georjeana Vo
David or Noretta Williams
Tiffany or Kristopher Miller
Mike Bassett
Kaplin or Denise McNaught
Jarrell Pittman
Steve or Penny Bridal
David Immell
Jimmie or Rhonda Wayland
Darren L Hughes
Jerry Phelps
C Thomas Jr Bryant
Kyle Carey
Randy or Rebecca Demuth
Buffalo Diner
James or Betty R Chapman
Bryan or Elizabeth Pope
Gary or Jane E L Molloy
Boyd or Nelwyn Hughes
Justin Clow
Linda Meister
Matt or Amanda Spradlin
Ronald or Jo Simmons
Jody or Bobbi Bryant
Gary or Patty Wright
Linda Fox
Billy or Becky George
Dale Wanger
Thomas or Vicki Houston
