Co-op Comments August 2023

C o-op Co-op C omments Comments

Round up your monthly bill to help others in the community

There are seven guiding principles which define how Rural Electric Cooperative conducts business within the communities it serves. These principles can be felt not only by REC's members, but everyone in the communities the Cooperative serves, especially principle number seven: 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 monthly bill to the next dollar amount.

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 Round-Up Board to assist those who qualify according to the rules and regulations of the program. For REC to use the rounded up amount, the member needs to be signed up to participate in Operation Round-Up.

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 $11.88 per year per account and the least is zero cents. Members can also make a donation larger than the change amount to the nearest dollar.

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 territory. 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 the service area as well 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

Factors impacting your electricity prices

tions and other necessary equipment. Like many other businesses, we have experienced supply chain issues and steep cost increases for some of our basic equipment. For example, the cost for a distribution transformer has nearly doubled in price since 2021, and wait time to receive this essential equipment can take up to 36 weeks. As a not-for-profit cooperative, some of these expenses must be passed on to our members. I should note the Service Availability charge is the same for everyone.

August 2023

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

Just as inflation has impacted everything from the price of gasoline to the price of eggs, the cost for the fuels required to produce electricity have also risen. This timely topic helps explain some of the factors impacting electricity prices (and bills).

While there is no short answer, there are a few key elements impacting electricity prices and rates. Some of these factors REC can manage, some of them you impact and other factors are beyond our control. So, let me break it down.

There are three primary parts to your monthly electric bill: a Service Availability charge, a kWh charge and a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA). To understand your total energy costs and what impacts your bill, lets unpack one piece at a time.

The first is a fixed monthly Service Availabilitiy charge, which covers the costs associated with providing electricity to your home. This includes equipment, materials, labor and operating costs necessary to serve each meter in REC’s service territory, regardless of the amount of energy used. In order to ensure the reliable service you expect and deserve, we must maintain the local system, including power lines, substa-

Another component of your monthly bill is the kWh charge, which covers how much energy you consume. You have likely noticed the amount of energy you use can vary from month to month and is typically impacted by extreme temperatures. When temperatures soar or dip, your cooling and heating equipment run longer, which increases your home energy use. Regardless, energy consumption is an area you have some control over, and you can lower your monthly bill by actively reducing energy use. Your thermostat is a great place to start, so be sure to keep it close to 78 degrees during summer months.

The last component of your bill is the PCA, which is the same amount for all coop members. The PCA recently increased because of higher fuel prices, which means the power REC purchases from our wholesale provider is more expensive. The PCA covers fuel cost fluctuations without having to continually restructure electricity rates. 1125502

I hope this information sheds light on some of the factors impacting electricity prices. While we can not control the weather or the rising costs of fuels, please know REC is doing everything possible to keep internal costs down.

We are here to help you, too. Contact us if you have questions about your energy bill or for advice on how to save energy.

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

Mark Finch, District 3

Randy Griswold, District 3

Sonny Harrison, 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

Get smart about home lighting

Gone are the days when a simple flip of the switch was the only choice for illuminating our homes. While we still have this triedand-true option, we have entered a new era of innovative and intelligent technologies, which includes smart lighting.

Smart lighting connects to Wi-Fi and offers an array of cuttingedge functionality and convenience. Let us look at the main benefits of smart lighting options.

Smart lighting is energy efficient. Most smart bulbs utilize LED technology, which is much more efficient than traditional incandescent lighting. Additionally, smart lighting gives you more control over how and when you light your home, ultimately resulting in less energy used for lighting.

Smart lighting provides convenience and control. Most smart bulbs can be controlled from an app on your smartphone or can be paired with your voice assistant, like Amazon Alexa. You can conveniently control lighting settings from anywhere in your home or when you are away. Whether you want to set a schedule for lighting or adjust brightness levels, these smart options offer effortless control from the comfort of, well, anywhere.

Smart options empower you to personalize home lighting. Bright, warm, purple, green–whatever mood you want to create, smart lighting can help. For a more traditional look, try dimmable white bulbs. If you want to create the perfect ambiance for movie night, look for bulbs that can be adjusted for a variety of vibrant

colors. The possibilities are endless.

While smart lighting offers convenience and control, keep in mind your wall light switch will need to stay “on” for you to control the smart bulb from your phone or via voice command. To use a smart bulb, the wall switch it is connected to must be “on” so the bulb receives power, which enables it to connect to a Wi-Fi network.

If you need additional options to operate the lights, consider a smart light switch. Today’s smart switches tend to play nicely with smart bulbs. If you want to control your smart bulbs with a physical switch (in addition to using your phone and voice commands), look for smart switches that include a built-in feature and allows both. Many smart light switches include motion detectors as well.

If you are looking to take the plunge and integrate multiple smart bulbs to your home lighting system, your best bet may be a kit, like the Philips Hue Starter Kit. Most kits include several bulbs and any additional tools you will need to get started.

If you are new to smart home tech and looking to start small, try a smart bulb in a high-traffic area of your home. It is also worth noting smart plugs are a great starter option and allow convenient control of lamps or other lighting fixtures plugged in to a wall outlet. Smart plugs are inexpensive and simply plug in to your existing outlet. Electrical items connected to the smart plug can be controlled from a smart phone app, just like smart bulbs.

Whether you are looking for more convenience, colorful options or better ways to manage energy use, smart lighting can provide multiple benefits. Determine which smart lighting features are most important for your needs, then start shopping.

Most smart bulbs can be controlled from an app on your smartphone or can be paired with your voice assistant, like Amazon Alexa. Photo Credit: Freepik.com.

Smart plugs are a great starter option and allow convenient control of lamps or other lighting fixtures that are plugged in to a wall outlet. Photo Source: Kenny Ginapp.

MISCELLANEOUS

FOR SALE: 30 foot swimming pool with pump and motor, needs chemicals, new liner, $1,000 or best offer. PH: 405-268-2774.

FOR SALE: Trail Boss 15k fifth wheel hitch and bipod stabilizer stand $250. PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: 2 large hair salon mirrors $50 each. PH: 405-756-4277.

FOR SALE: Used candle jars, most with lids, $1 per piece. PH: 405-756-4277.

FOR SALE: New 55-gallon drum barrel rack, $25. PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: Like new Gearench Manufacturing Company 67 tongs reversible titan chain, 2 to 12 in. pipe, $500. PH: 405-207-0228.

RECREATIONAL

FOR SALE: 1999 Rockwood Premier pop up trailer with slide out, fully self-contained, sleeps six, lots of storage, heat and air, kitchen sink, microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, toilet, shower, inside or

Classified Ads

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.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Did you know ceiling fans can make a room feel four degrees cooler? To save energy through ceiling fan use, remember to raise your thermostat a few degrees while fans are turned on. Ceiling fans can help improve comfort year-round. In the summer, operate ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction. Reverse the direction to clockwise during winter months and set fans on a low speed so warm air can circulate from the ceiling to the lower levels of the room. Remember, ceiling fans cool people, not spaces. Be sure to turn them off when you leave the room. Learn more at www.energy.gov.

outside three burner stove, new propane tank, new tires, and new spare, ready to go, $4,000 or would considered a trade for

dual axle enclosed trailer with rear ramp and side door, leave a message if needed. PH: 405-207-0228.

Local Co-op Connection Card Deals

A-U-Store It, Purcell$5 off first month rent

Backroads Boutique, Lindsay5% off everything excluding special order and sale items

Best Western, Chickasha15% Off Regular Room Rate

Blue Moose Outdoor

Portable Rentals, Elmore City5% 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, Lindsay10% Off $50 or More Purchase of Pictures

Lindsay Tire and Lube, Lindsay$5 Off Any Full Service Oil Change

M & M Furniture, Chickasha10% Off Any Purchase

Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Purcell10% Off Purchase

Photos by Ginger, Pauls Valley1 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.