A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative
August 2022
Co-op Comments Round up your monthly bill to help others in the community Using seven guiding principles to define how Rural Electric Cooperative conducts business within the communities it serves, not only benefits REC's members, but everyone in the community. One of the seven principles is concern for community. One of the ways REC shows concern for community is offering a program called Operation Round-Up. This program allows REC to help others in need by having the members round up their bill. The Operation Round-Up program is voluntary for REC members who desire to round up their monthly bill to the next dollar amount. The difference between the actual bill and the next dollar amount is “ear-marked” for use by the Operation RoundUp Board to assist those who qualify according to the rules and regulations of the program. Operation Round-Up has provided thousands of dollars in assistance to individuals and organizations throughout this area. People with medical needs, those who have lost homes to fires and natural disasters and non-profit organizations have benefited from this program. Donations can be made from one account or multiple accounts. The average yearly contribution from each participating cooperative member is about $6. The most a member would contribute each year is less than $12 per year per account and the least is zero cents. Since starting in 1999, the funds donated for Operation RoundUp have helped more than 110 families in our area. The Operation Round-Up Board consists of five individuals who reside in REC's service territory and have a desire to help others. The Board evaluates each application and determines the need for the applicants. REC cares about helping everyone in need throughout our service area. By providing the Operation Round-Up program, REC is able to specifically help area residents who have suffered some type of catastrophe and have no insurance or inadequate coverage. In addition to helping individuals, Operation Round-Up also provides financial funds to non-profit organizations throughout its service
territory to assist with special projects to benefit the area. In the past, Operation Round-Up has helped an area family who had lost their home and all of its contents. The family was not adequately insured so the Board of Operation Round-Up approved $1,000 to help this family purchase household items and clothing. Also, they have assisted several senior citizen centers by helping purchase necessary food. If you are not participating in this program, you are encouraged to sign up now to help your neighbors and local organizations in their time of need. All the contributions are tax deductible and participation is voluntary. Members who are interested in this program must notify REC's office for you to be added to Operation Round-Up. Anyone needing additional information about this program should contact REC’s Member Services Department at 1-800-2593504 or 405-756-3104, extension 238.
CEO’s MESSAGE
Avoid distractions while you are driving
Some temptations are hard to resist. For me, it can be especially challenging to turn down the last piece of chocolate cake. While driving, we typically hear a “ding” on our phone, alerting us to a text or call coming through, and we sometimes feel the urgent need to check it. We know we should not, but we reason with ourselves to make an exception–just this once. So, why do we indulge in behavior we know to be wrong, dangerous and in many states, illegal? Call it hubris. According to AAA research, most people feel they are better-than-average drivers. Afterall, we have busy lives and are accustomed to multitasking. However research and thousands of deaths every year prove otherwise. August is Back to School Safety Month. As a new school year begins with young drivers and school buses back on the road, I thought it would be a good time to remind folks, including myself, of the dangers of distracted driving. The reality is using a phone while driv2 Co-op Comments
ing creates enormous potential for injuries and fatalities. Distractions take a motorist’s attention off driving, which can make a driver miss critical events, objects and cues, potentially leading to a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of every 10 fatal crashes in the U.S. involves distracted driving, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths annually. I find this statistic heartbreaking considering so many of these accidents could easily be avoided if we would simply put down our phones while driving. Distracted driving is considered any activity diverting our attention, including texting or talking on the phone, and adjusting the navigation or entertainment system. Texting is by far one of the most dangerous distractions. Sending or reading one text takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 mph, that is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. In addition to refraining from texting while driving, we can help keep the roads safe by moving over for first responders and other emergency vehicles. Additionally, if you see utility crews conducting work near the roadside, I would encourage you to move over when possible and give them extra space to perform their work safely. At REC, safety is foremost in everything we do – for our employees and the members of the communities we serve. We routinely remind our crews of the dangers of distracted driving and we hope you will have similar conversations with your teens who may be new to the roadways and who are especially susceptible to the lure of technology. Let us work together to keep everyone safe on the roads. Remember: the text can wait and waiting just might save a life.
August 2022 Co-op Comments Official publication of Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. CO-OP COMMENTS is owned, controlled and directed by Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. It is printed monthly and mailed to members in Garvin, McClain, Comanche, Stephens, Grady and Carter counties in Oklahoma. Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. 13942 Highway 76 • P.O. Box 609 Lindsay, OK 73052 405-756-3104 • 800-259-3504 Outage Number: 855-399-2683 www.recok.coop
Board of Trustees Gary Jones, President, District 1 Scott Christian, Vice President, District 1 Brent Bacon, Sec./Treasurer, District 1 Larry Anderson, District 2 Johnny Harrel, District 2 Terri Hays, District 2 Charles Crawford, District 3 Mark Finch, District 3 Randy Griswold, District 3 Lisa Whitman, Attorney Management and Staff Dusty Ricks, Manager/CEO Linda Ray, CFO Kelli Lindsey, Administrative Assistant and Staff Coordinator Elaine Gilreath, Manager of Customer Service and Data Processing Jon Jones, Manager of Engineering Mitch Gilreath, Manager of Information Technology Services Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing David Crull, System Superintendent Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
CO-OP NEWS
Extremely high power costs projected for summer heat trend Consumers are at the mercy of Mother Nature this summer, especially if warmer-than-normal temperatures persist throughout the next few months. Plus, analysts have said recent action with prices in the gas market could also be a forerunner of conditions to come. Forecasters have said supply is currently tight in the U.S. market, with the amount of gas in storage being at an unusually low level. The cooler spring weather followed by extreme heat has created more demand than normal at this time of year and is expected to strain power grids across the U.S. Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) staff have been closely monitoring the predicted market conditions, which have worsened in recent weeks. It is important to realize WFEC fuel costs are a significant portion of the wholesale cost of power to WFEC’s cooperative members. Increases or decreases in this cost component are typically passed on by member cooperatives to their respective consumers through a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA). WFEC has carefully structured a portfolio of diverse power supply resources to provide lower-cost renewable energy and a solid fleet of resources allowing it to generate additional energy when needed. All SPP resource adequacy requirements and obligations have been - and will continue to be - met by WFEC. Although there are several components contributing to the overall cost of WFEC fuel, the one with the most impact on current pricing is the wholesale market settlement experienced in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Integrated Marketplace, in which WFEC participates. As a regional transmission organization (RTO), SPP ensures the reliability of the bulk electric system and determines when conditions exist requiring further action from power suppliers across their 14-state region, extending across the country’s mid-section. The SPP is not alone in facing near “crisis level” summer conditions, as several regional transmission organizations are also closely monitoring all factors contributing to sufficient generation and higher pricing. If the power grid becomes unstable or overloaded, temporary controlled manual load sheds, or periodic power outages, may be used as a last resort to keep the system in balance. WFEC is ready should this event occur. Ways to help: As summer temperatures continue to soar, energy bills will be at their highest, particularly at times of the day when electricity consumption is the greatest. In practical terms, typically the hours between 2 and 8 p.m. not only have the most usage, but also have the highest-priced costs. During this critical summer timeframe, all or some fam-
ily members are typically at home due to school breaks, or just getting off work and coming home. Naturally, the first instinct - lower the thermostat for a cool and comfortable setting. Next comes activities, such as laundry, running the dishwasher, watching television, playing video games and other related tasks. This onset of additional energy usage is occurring in many homes simultaneously during this 2 to 8 p.m. period, creating a need for additional generation at a time when costs are at their highest. The less energy required to meet this demand - the better, as it helps avoid paying for higher-cost power in the heat of the day. Being conscientious with energy use will not only be beneficial for the power provider, but also for the distribution cooperative and its members, as it will impact future electric bills. Finding ways to curb usage during these critical times can be a challenge, but doing so is a valuable step in the right direction to help conserve energy overall, as well as taking some of the strain off the power grid. 125700 Fuel Costs: Specifically for WFEC, fuel base indications continue for higher than recent historic fuel base costs, with increased megawatts (MW) and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales. The fuel base remained around $45 MWh through the spring, followed by an increase to at least the $50 MWh range for the summer, before projected to soften to the $47 MWh range by fall. The fuel cost (actual May for June) is 50 mills per kilowatt-hour (kWh), with a fuel base of 52 mills estimated for next month. Southwest Power Pool market prices are in the $70/MWh range, which is higher than recent past months. Expectations are for the SPP market to increase significantly through the summer months. In fact, June and July forward prices are well above $100/MWh. Currently, natural gas price futures continue to show prices at these levels through March 2023.
Co-op Comments 3
Classified Advertisement MISCELLANEOUS LOST DOG: Black and white speckled blue heeler male, named Jake, black collar, black patch over one eye, lost around the Dibble Crossroads on Sunday, June 19, call Chris or Vicki with information. PH:405-808-0949. LOST DOG: Tan pit bull female with a white muzzle and chest, named Harley, last seen around the Lindsay area, if you have seen her or have more information call Brian or Brandi. PH: 405-428-6393. FOR SALE: Blue heeler puppies: 8 males, 3 females, tails and dew claws intact, will have first shots, $200 each, born June 21 will be ready August 16. PH: 405-889-1943.
Classified Ads
FOR SALE: Extra nice wheelchair $280. PH: 405-351-0878.
How Americans Use Electricity
The lastest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows the combined use of clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, small appliances and other electrical equipment (noted as "all other uses" below) accounts for the largest percentage of electrcity consumption in American homes.
1.7%
TVs & Related Equipment
Locate your account number in an article of this issue; it will be good for a $10 credit on your electric bill. To claim the prize, you must locate the account number - if the number is yours, contact REC by the 10th of the month and we will credit your account. Only the member assigned that number is eligible for the prize. If you don’t know your account number, it can be located on your electric bill.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month An easy way to save energy is to seal air leaks and holes where plumbing pipes run through walls in your home. You can also check wall-mounted cabinets for plumbing holes or air gaps in the back. Fill any holes or gaps with spray foam. Wear protective gloves and use a damp rag for cleanup. Learn more at www.energy.gov.
4.1%
Lighting
4.1%
Computers & Related Equipment
7.1%
Refrigerators & Freezers
41.3%2
11.8%
All other uses
Water Heating
are FREE to REC members to post non-commercial items. Deadline for ads is the 8th of every month. Call the Member Services Dept. at 405-756-3104 ext. 238.
Account number worth $10 bill credit
FOR SALE: Pressure washer. PH: 405-351-0878.
14.2%1
Space Heating
15.7%
Space Cooling
Source: Energy Information Administration 2021 Includes consumption for heat and operating furnance fans and boiler pumps. Includes miscellaneous appliances, clothes washers and dryers, stoves, dishwashers, heating elements and motors.
Local Co-op Connection Card Deals A-U-Store It, Purcell $5 off first month rent Backroads Boutique, Lindsay 5% off everything excluding special order and sale items Best Western, Chickasha 15% Off Regular Room Rate Blue Moose Outdoor Portable Rentals, Elmore City 5% Off Septic Tank Pumping, Tent Rental and Special Event Toilet Rentals
Chickasha Diesel Services, Chickasha $50 off any big diesel oil change Edwards Canvas, Pauls Valley - 5% Off Jenny’s Pics Photography, Lindsay 10% Off $50 or More Purchase of Pictures Lindsay Tire and Lube, Lindsay $5 Off Any Full Service Oil Change M & M Furniture, Chickasha 10% Off Any Purchase Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Purcell 10% Off Purchase Photos by Ginger, Pauls Valley 1 Free 8x10 Print With First Order of $25 Pharmacy Discounts Check out the discounts available using your Co-op Connections Card at participating pharmacies throughout our area. For a complete list of pharmacies, visit REC’s website to see if your pharmacy is offering discounts to Co-op Connections Card holders.
Co-op Comments 4