March 2024 Co-op Comments

C o-op Co-op C omments Comments

Area students gather together for REC's Youth Leadership Summit

Leadership, motivation and learning brought 11 schools from Rural Electric Cooperative’s service area together for REC’s 18th annual Youth Leadership Summit.

“REC is passionate about our youth and helping to develop their skill set,” said Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing. “REC and the Board of Trustees understand the importance our youth play in our communities and fostering their leadership development will only assist them later in life.”

Rhett Laubach, owner of Your Next Speaker, in Edmond, Oklahoma spent the day working with 64 students about leadership and preparing for the future. The students interacted with each other throughout the day and gained useful tips on how they can obtain their dream job. Laubach has taught leadership skills for over 25 years to audiences across the United States, the Bahamas and Canada.

This year, students from Alex, Bray-Doyle, Cement, Dibble,

Elmore City-Pernell, Lindsay, Paoli, Pauls Valley, Purcell, Wayne and Wynnewood participated in the Youth Leadership Summit. In addition to a full day of mental, emotional, social and physical activity, REC gave five scholarships. The winners of the scholarships were selected based on their participation throughout the day, their application they submitted and recommendations from their sponsors.

REC gave five, $500 scholarships to the students in attendance. This year’s Youth Leadership Summit scholarship winners were Hannah Kilbourn from Bray-Doyle, Kylee Hager from Dibble, Collin Bryant from Lindsay, Carter Goldston from Purcell and Zoe Spray from Wayne.

“REC is honored to provide opportunities for our youth to expand their leadership skills," Lawrence adds. "We are thankful for schools in our service territory allowing their students to participate in this event and all of our youth programs."

Clearing for reliability

Trees are majestic, beautiful and good for the soul. But we also know our members depend on us to deliver reliable power to their homes and businesses. Which is why Rural Electric strives to balance maintaining the beautiful surroundings we all cherish with ensuring reliable electricity. There are several benefits to regular tree trimming.

Reliability

Keeping power lines clear of overgrown vegetation improves service reliability. While many factors can impact power disruptions, about half of all outages can be attributed to overgrown vegetation. This is why you sometimes see REC crews or contractors out in the community trimming trees near power lines. Our trimming crews have been trained and certified based on the latest industry standards.

In fact, all U.S. electric utilities are required to trim trees growing too close to power lines. Scheduled trimming throughout the year keeps lines clear from overgrown or dead limbs likely to fall, and we are better able to prepare for severe weather events.

Plus, it is more cost-effective to undertake preventative maintenance than it is to make repairs after the fact.

Safety

Working near power lines can be dangerous, and we care about your safety and our lineworkers. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose a grave danger to families. If children can reach those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor such as a tree.

Any tree or branch fallen across a power line creates a potentially dangerous situation. A proactive approach of maintaing our rights-of way will lessen the chances of fallen trees during a severe weather events.

Affordability

As a co-op, REC always strives to keep costs down for our members. If trees and other vegetation are left unchecked, they can become overgrown and expensive to correct. A strategic vegetation management program helps keep costs down for everyone.

When it comes to vegetation management, there are ways you can help too. When planting new trees, make sure they are planted a safe distance from overhead power lines. Medium-height trees (40 feet or smaller) should be planted at least 25 feet from power lines. Taller trees (over 40 feet) should be planted at least 50 feet from power lines. You can also practice safe planting near pad-mounted transformers. Plant shrubs at least 10 feet from the transformer door and four feet from the sides. If your neighborhood has underground lines, remember to contact 811 before you begin any project that requires digging.

Additionally, if you spot an overgrown tree or branch dangerously close to overhead lines, please let us know by contacting call 405-756-3104.

We have deep roots in our community, and we love our beautiful surroundings. It takes a balanced approach, and our vegetation management program is a crucial tool in ensuring service reliability.

March 2024

Gary

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

A balanced team for reliability

The winningest basketball teams in history are ones who consistently have players with varying abilities. Some are better at shooting three-pointers, some are best at defense. Having a balanced mix of skills makes the team a powerhouse on the court. The way to keep electricity reliable is also similar.

The power team first requires a foundation of consistent sources to be put in the game any time they are needed. Having enough “always available” fuel sources like natural gas and coal can ensure consistent power generation.

Just like a team needs different players for different situations, our power grid requires multiple sources to keep the grid running. Relying solely on one player to win every game is not an effective strategy - if they get injured, you will likely lose. Similarly, using a single fuel source for electricity generation poses a significant risk to energy reliability. Natural disasters, geopolitical tensions or unforeseen

disruptions can severely impact the supply chain of a particular fuel. A diverse mix of energy sources acts as a safeguard, ensuring the grid remains operational even in the face of unexpected challenges.

A diverse energy mix also enhances grid flexibility by accommodating the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Think of solar power like a team’s inconsistent three-point shooter. It is awesome when the sun is shining bright, but what if it is nighttime or a cloudy day? This is where the other players, like wind, hydro, nuclear, natural gas and coal can step up and keep the team scoring.

Diverse fuel sources contribute to the stability and reliability of the electric grid. The different sources have varying characteristics, including generation patterns, responsiveness and storage capabilities. This diversity allows for a more balanced and resilient energy system which can adapt to fluctuating demand and unforeseen circumstances. Having a mix of these

energy sources is like having a team with different skills to handle various situations and scenarios. 81902

A diverse set of energy sources is essential, but is not the only thing we need to have reliable electricity - or a winning team. Basketball teams are always trying out new plays or training rookies to create a versatile lineup. Similarly, electric cooperatives are constantly innovating to maintain reliability for tomorrow. But creating new ways to make our power sources more efficient and reliable takes time, money and advances in technology that aren’t necessarily ready yet.

As we continue to work on the innovations of tomorrow, the key to keeping our electricity reliable right now is ensuring a diverse “team” of fuels. Each one brings something special to the table, and together, they make sure we have the power we need, whenever we need it.

REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE: 40 acre tract in the Keechi area, in the Ninnekah school district, rural water, electricity through REC, property sets on a dead-end road, good for hunting

Account number worth $10 bill credit

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.

Co-op Connections

Use your Co-op Connections Card to save you money on lodging, photographs, oil changes and other items. You can also save on prescriptions, dental, vision, hearing, lab work and imaging and chiropractor services at participating locations. Your card is a discount card. If you have misplaced your card, contact REC for a replacement card and use it to save yourself some money.

Energy Efficiency

Tip of the Month

Lengthen the life of your clothes dryer with regular cleaning. Clean the lint filter after every load, which improves air circulation and safety. Check the lint trap opening to ensure it is clean. Use a vacuum to remove any lint fallen inside the opening. If you use dryer sheets, check the lint filter for residue buildup. Remove any residue with hot water and a nylon brush or toothbrush. Over time, dyer sheets can leave a film on the filter, which can affect the performance of the motor.

Learn more at www.energystar.gov.

or building site with grass for livestock.

PH: 580-512-3096.

Leadership Summit scholarship winners

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 -

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, 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.

REC's 2024 Youth Leadership Summit scholarship winners include (left to right): Carter Goldston from Purcell, Zoe Spray from Wayne, Collin Bryant from Lindsay, Kylee Hager from Dibble and Hannah Kilbourn from Bray-Doyle.