A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative
December 2023
Co-op Comments Members receive capital credits It is time once again for our members to get credit, capital credits, for helping build, sustain and grow the electric cooperative.
Starting in December, REC will retire – or pay by cash or bill credit – $900,000 to members across portions of the six coun-
Employees complete certificate programs
Recently, two employees, Travis Loper and Dalton Todd completed certificate programs for Journeyman Line Worker and UTS Power Line Design and Staking. Loper completed the requirements to become a Journeyman Line Worker. He had to complete four sections with 10 units per section along with 6,240 hours of on-the-job training with Northwestern Lineman College. Todd had to complete four courses in distribution line design and staking to receive this certification in Distribution Line Design and Staking. Pictured from left to right is Casey Henson, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities; Joe Lewis, Purchasing Agent; Travis Loper, Warehouse Supervisor; Dalton Todd, Engineering Specialist; Jon Jones, Manager of Engineering and Dusty Ricks, CEO.
ties served by REC. When you signed up to receive electric service from REC you became a member of an electric cooperative. While investorowned utilities return a portion of any profits back to their shareholders, electric co-ops operate on an at-cost basis. So instead of returning leftover funds, known as margins, to folks who might not live in the same region or even the same state, REC allocates and periodically retires capital credits (also called patronage dividends, patronage refunds, patronage capital or equity capital) based on how much electricity you purchased during a year. This year, members from 1991-1993 will receive their capital credit retirements through bill credits, reflecting their contribution of capital and ownership of, the Cooperative during those years. While this may seem like a long time ago, those funds helped us keep the rates low; reduced the amount of money we needed to borrow from outside lenders to build, maintain and expand a reliable electric distribution system and covered emergency expenses. Each year, the Board of Trustees makes a decision on whether to retire capital credits based on the financial health of the cooperative. It is important for inactive members or members who have moved to keep their information up-to-date with REC so future retirements can be properly mailed to them. If you have any questions about capital credits please contact our office at 405756-3104.
CEO’s MESSAGE
Reliable power for today–and tomorrow
Ringing in a new year sparks a sense of renewed hope and optimism about the future. As the CEO of REC, for me, it is a time to reflect on where we are and where we are going. At the heart of this reflection, I think about ways we can better serve you, the members of the cooperative. Our team is always looking ahead, exploring ways to innovate and utilize new technologies to improve our services. As our nation increasingly relies on electricity to power the economy, keeping the lights on has never been more important. We are committed to powering–and empowering– our community at a cost local families and businesses can afford. One critical component of reliable power is the mix of energy resources used to generate the electricity keeping the lights on across REC's service area. You may not realize it, but REC does not generate electricity. Instead, we purchase it from our 2 Co-op Comments
energy provider, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, and from there, we distribute it to homes and businesses throughout our community. Our current energy resource mix is made up of one percent solar, 26 percent wind, four percent natural gas, four percent hydropower and 58 percent of purchased power which is a blend of resources. We are increasingly using more electricity generated from renewable energy sources, but we still depend on a diverse energy mix to ensure the availability of reliable power to our members whenever they need it. In addition to managing a reliable energy mix, REC is using technology to enhance our local grid, limit service disruptions and improve outage response times. Advanced metering technology, also known as AMI, enables two-way communication between the Co-op and the members. In the event of a power outage, AMI helps pinpoint the exact location of the outage and can even analyze damaged or tampered meters. AMI helps save money with real-time data, and ultimately improves power reliability for our entire service area. Proactive tree trimming is another way we limit service disruptions. Scheduled trimming keeps power lines clear from overgrown limbs likely to fall. One of the best methods for improving our services to you is monitoring trends and leading practices from other electric co-ops in Oklahoma and across the country. Learning from other co-ops is one of the many benefits of the cooperative business model because for us, it is about cooperation, not competition. As we turn our focus to 2024, REC will continue working to provide the reliable, affordable electricity you expect and deserve – for today and tomorrow.
December 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 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 Casey Henson, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities David Crull, System Superintendent Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
Five ways to safeguard your home for the winter season As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there is a natural inclination to create a warm and cozy haven at home. Unfortunately, as we see increased use of heating equipment, candles and electrical items, the number of home fires tends to increase during winter months. Here are five ways you can safeguard your home for the winter season. 1. Ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. If your detectors are battery-operated, replace the batteries annually. Test the detectors once a month and give them a good dusting to ensure the sensors are clear of dirt and debris. 228700 2. Inspect electrical cords. We depend on more cords during winter, whether for holiday lighting, extension cords or portable heaters. Before using any corded items, double check to make sure cords are
not frayed or cracked. If you use portable space heaters, remember to keep them at least three feet away from flammable items. Use models that include an auto shut-off feature and overheat protection. Space heaters can take a toll on your energy bills. Use them efficiently (to heat smaller spaces) and safely. Never plug a space heater into a power strip. 3. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips. When overloaded with electrical items, outlets and power strips can overheat and catch fire. If you use power strips for multiple devices, make sure the strip can handle the electrical load. For a safer bet, look for power strips which include surge protection. 4. Clean the fireplace to improve safety and efficiency. There is nothing better than a warm fire on a chilly night, but it is important to maintain your fireplace for
safety. As wood burns, a sticky substance known as creosote builds up in the chimney. When creosote buildup becomes too thick, a chimney fire can ignite. The chimney should be cleaned at least once a year to reduce fire risks. Regular cleaning also improves air flow and limits the amount of carbon monoxide that seeps indoors. 5. Practice safety in the kitchen. As we spend more time in the kitchen during the holiday season, be mindful of potential fire hazards. Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended. Clean and remove spilled foods from cooking surfaces and be mindful of where you place flammable items like dish towels. Rural Electric Cooperative wants you and your family to stay safe during the winter season.
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Look for your
Capital Credits
applied to your bill If you were a member in 1991, 1992 and 1993, your Capital Credits will be applied to your bill.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month Get smart with a better way to heat and cool your home. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled and automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings in your home for optimal performance. Smart thermostats learn your temperature preferences and establish a schedule adjusting to energy-saving settings when you are asleep or away. For maximum energy savings, look for smart thermostat models with the ENERGY STAR® label. Learn more at www.energy.gov.
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 Portable and Septic Services, LLC, 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.
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