February Co-op Comments

C o-op Co-op C omments Comments

Tree giveaway set for February 11

Rural Electric Cooperative has over 3,000 miles of electric distribution lines and clearing trees is an on-going project. One of the ways REC can provide reliable, affordable electric power is through its right-of-way clearing program which includes pruning, removals and chemical control. In addition to removing trees, REC crews also prune new growth during their daily routines.

REC’s tree giveaway program helps replace trees the Cooperative must remove from under its power lines. These trees are provided to the members as a way for the Cooperative to help replace one of our natural resources.

Rural Electric Cooperative’s annual tree giveaway for its members will be held Saturday, February 11 beginning at 8 a.m.

Employees of REC will be in Lindsay, Elmore City, Maysville and Rush Springs to give members trees during the Cooperative’s Operation Tree Planting/Replacement Program. Each member will each receive up to ten trees.

Employees of the Cooperative will be at the Walmart parking lot in Lindsay, located at the junction of Highways 19 and 76; in front of the Town of Rush Springs City Hall/Police Department in Rush Springs, located at 301 W. Blakely Street; the parking lot of Worth Every Bite in Maysville, located at 314 6th Street and

the parking area of Speedy G’s in Elmore City, located at 22964 Highway 29.

The types of trees available are Loblolly Pine and Water Oak. Loblolly Pines are one of the most common pine trees. This North American native has dark green needles with narrow, redbrown pinecones about three to six inches long. These trees grow to be about 60’ to 90’ tall and have a spread of 25’ to 35’ wide once they reach maturity. 32500

Water Oak is a North American native and is adapted to wet, swampy areas along pond banks but can also tolerate other welldrained sites and even heavy, compacted soils. This oak variety is considered both a shade and an ornamental tree, featuring a spreading canopy capable of blocking sunlight while adding visual interest and beauty to landscaping. They provide a dull bluishgreen to lustrous dark green color in the summer and a showy shade of yellow in the fall and will yield acorns. These trees grow to be 50’ to 80’ tall and have a spread of 50’ to 80’ wide.

The Cooperative requests members to not plant trees any closer than 30 feet of the electric power lines. This will allow the trees to mature without requiring trimming or removal in the future.

Members should contact our office for additional information.

CEO’s MESSAGE

Help beat the peak

mand for tickets (or electricity), and both are subject to the basic economic laws of supply and demand. When a lot of people want the same thing, it is more expensive. When they do not, it is cheaper – like a bargain matinee or an “early bird” special at a restaurant.

While REC does not have specific time of use rates, it is important to still follow these principles to help with the demand charge. The Cooperative as a whole is charged a demand charge from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative which in turn is passed to our members.

February 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

If you look around your home, you likely have more devices and equipment requiring electricity than ever before. Our connected lives are increasingly dependent on more electricity to function. At the same time, as demand for electricity rises, Rural Electric continues to provide uninterrupted power supply 24 hours a day, seven days a week – regardless of market conditions or other circumstances.

As you would expect based on your family’s habits, electricity use fluctuates throughout the day based on consumer demand. REC provides enough electricity to meet the energy needs of all members during times of highest energy use or “peak hours.” These peak times are typically in the morning as people start their day and in the evening as people return to their homes.

What you may not know is electric utilities including REC typically pay more for electricity – either from a power plant or from another utility with excess power –during those morning and evening “energy rush hours.” In addition, the demand for electricity is even higher when it is especially cold outside, when heating systems must run longer to warm our homes.

If the “peak times” concept is a bit puzzling, here is an easy way to think about it, and it is similar to a major concert. We know costs go up when there is strong de-

During the year, normally in the summer, you may notice REC asking our members to help beat the peak on social media. These will be times when we need your help in conserving your electric consumption because of the stress on the grid.

During peak periods when the cost to produce and purchase power is higher, we encourage you to take simple steps to save energy, such as turning your thermostat down a few notches, turning off unnecessary lights and waiting to use large appliances when demand will be lower.

You can also save energy by plugging electronics and equipment such as computers, printers and TVs into a power strip, then turn it off at the switch during peak hours. If you have a programmable thermostat, adjust the settings to sync up when demand is less. When we all work together to reduce energy use during periods of high electricity demand, we can relieve pressure on the grid and save a little money along the way.

Reducing the peak impacts the powersupply cost to every co-op member. This is particularly noticeable as energy costs have risen across the U.S. Collectively, everyone conserving energy and making small changes can truly make a difference.

Remember, taking simple steps to save energy throughout the day and shifting energy intensive chores when demand is less, is a smart choice for you and our community.

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

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

Clint Yeary, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities

David Crull, System Superintendent

Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent

REC recognizes two employees for Employees of the Year

Every year REC recognizes employees who exceed in their defined job description, achieve outstanding results in certain areas and demonstrate loyalty to the Cooperative. Since 1994, REC has honored these employees as Employees of the Year. Beginning in 2010, REC started recognizing two employees – one from Operations and one from Administration.

and lives in Lindsay with his wife Kelli and their two children - Taylor and Tanner.

"I was not expecting to be selected as Employee of the Year," says Loper. "It is an honor to be recognized for doing a good job. I appreciate being recognized, but it is an honor to work with such a great group people who make it easy to come to work."

REC's 2022 Administration Employee of the Year was Nayeli Arballo. Arballo started in June of 2018. She is currently serving as a Customer Service Representative. Arballo is a tremendous asset to our members and helpful in assisting with language barriers. She is friendly and courteous to all our members. She is willing to assist her fellow co-workers whenever she can with a smile on her face.

Arballo graduated from Lindsay High School and continues to lives in Lindsay. She enjoys spending as much time with her fiance Dalton as possible.

"I was completely shocked to be selected as Employee of the Year," says Arballo. "It was truly a great moment to be selected, let

alone nominated. I feel extremely grateful to be recognized and blessed to work here."

Volunteer at your electric cooperative

Have you ever started a project or even a business with a friend? Co-signed a loan for your adult child? Partnered with a group to plan a surprise party for someone?

In fact, the Board of Trustees are made up of consumer-members like you.

The 2022 Operations Employee of the Year was Travis Loper. Loper started in March of 2018 as a Line Worker. He became the Warehouse Supervisor in April of 2021. Loper is a dedicated employee who is always looking for ways to help and better the Cooperative. He is quick to help his fellow co-workers by coming in early or staying late in order for them to be ready for the day. He is continually coming up with new ideas to save time and money.

He graduated from Lindsay High School

If so, you know the importance of taking ownership of the success of the venture. Taking an active role in making sure the business ran smoothly and made money; your kid was making payments on time; or the reservations and orders for the party were on track for delivery.

Consumers who get their electricity from the electric cooperative are known as “consumer-members.” A cooperative is a membership organization, and every household who is receiving power from the cooperative “belongs” to it.

Not for you? Consumer-members also get to vote for their neighbors who they think will do the best job as a Board of Trustee member.

Your Cooperative holds an annual membership meeting, where you can meet the employees and socialize with your neighbors while hearing how the Cooperative is faring.

Your Cooperative offers lots of ways to get involved, from serving on commitees to helping other members.

Make a New Year’s resolution to get involved with your Cooperative.

You own it, after all.

Travis Loper

Nayeli Arballo

PETS & LIVESTOCK

FREE: Ten guineas. PH: 405-203-8393.

RECREATIONAL

FOR SALE: Rockwood Premier pop-up camper 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 outside three burner stove, new propane tank, new tires and new spare, ready to go, $4,200. PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: 24' pontoon boat 40 hp Mariner, power trim, 24 volt and 36 volt trolling motors, 2 Garmin fishfinders, $5,500. PH: 405-344-3496.

Account Information Is your REC up-to-date?

Have you change your phone number or email address lately? Notify REC, so we can update our information. Call our office at 405-756-3104 and make sure we have your current phone numbers and email address. When we have the most up-to-date contact information it allows us to better inform you, our members, about what is happening at REC.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Do you have a home office? Set equipment like printers and scanners to automatically switch to sleep or energy-saver mode when not in use. In addition to saving energy, the equipment will stay cooler, which will help extend its life.

Another way to save in the home office is to use energy efficient lamps for task lighting. Small lamps use less energy than whole-room lighting. Learn more at www.energy.gov.

FOR SALE: 16' Long Star deep v-boat, stick steering and power trim, 24 volt trolling motor, Garmin Fishfinder, 20 hp, mercury motor ran approximately 7 hours, like new, $6,500. PH: 405-344-3496.

FOR SALE: 18' Bass Tracker boat, 115 hp mercury motor, 24 volt Spot Lock Trolling Motor, Garmin Fishfinder, $12,500. PH: 405-344-3496.

FOR SALE: 35' travel trailer, everything included, $4,000. PH: 405-756-4409.

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.

Carbon monoxide alarms saves lives

If your home has a fireplace or any gas appliances, you should install carbon monoxide alarms in or near every bedroom. The CO alarm will react when it senses carbon monoxide levels being too high in your house, usually due to an appliance malfunctioning.

Here are eight tips for ensuring your CO alarm works when you need it:

1. Replace your alarms every five years.

2. Replace your batteries at least once a year or when the device starts making a “chirping” sound.

3. Test the alarm regularly by pressing the “test” button.

4. Place CO alarms at least 10 feet away from sources of humidity like showers and bathrooms.

5. Place a CO alarm on every level of the house and at the top of the basement stairs, even if there are no bedrooms on those floors.

6. Do not put a CO alarm in the garage, kitchen or the room with your gas furnace.

7. If your alarm goes off too often, it probably means it is too close to a fireplace or a gas furnace or stove. It also could mean your gas appliances are not burning the fuel completely. Call a plumber to check it out.

8. Leave the alarm plugged in all year, not just during heating season. Your gas stove, clothes dryer and water heater also are potential sources of CO leaks.

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 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, 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.