Co-op Comments September 2023

C o-op Co-op C omments Comments

REC's 84th Annual Meeting set

Registration for the 84th Annual Meeting of Rural Electric Cooperative will begin on Thursday, October 5 as a drivethru only from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m and an inperson only meeting on Saturday, October 7 beginning at 8 a.m. Both the drive-thru and the in-person meeting will be held at REC’s Multi Purpose Center on Highway 76 N in Lindsay.

Official notice, prize drawing information and ballot will be arriving in the mail about 10 days prior to the meeting. Please bring this information with you on either day for ease in the voting and registration process.

During the early drive-thru registration on Thursday, members will stay in their vehicles and enter the circle driveway of the Multi Purpose Center off of Highway 76 and go through the registration line.

For members attending on Saturday, please follow the signs to park and attend in-person. Each member who registers will automatically receive a one-time $25 bill credit in addition to their registration gift

Zach Ray will provide the entertainment on Saturday, October 7 beginning at 8:45 a.m. Ray is orginally from Blanchard, Oklahoma and got his start singing at his home church.

Ray was raised on country music and Jesus and likes to incorporate his upbringing into his music. He started taking piano lessons at nine years old and then started taking guitar lessions just a year later. During high school, he gained experience from singing and performing at the Rodeo Opry in Oklahoma City, Okla. During college

Ray was in three bands and led worship at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry for Southeastern Oklahoma State University and many other events. Currently he lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Brittney. His first EP was released the end of 2019 and his second EP "Roots" was released last summer. Since moving to Nashville, he has played at the Grand Ole Opry, the Bluebird Cafe and the Listening Room.

After enjoying entertainment from Zach Ray, members who are in attendance on Saturday will hear reports from Board President Gary Jones and CEO Dusty Ricks updating members of activities from 2022. Members driving through on Thursday can find these reports on REC's website after the meeting at www.recok.coop.

REC will give out seventy-five, $75 gift

certificates for electricity during the business session and three grand prize drawings of $500 gift certificates for electricity. All members registered on either Thursday or Saturday will be eligible for the seventy-five, $75 gift certificates for electricity. During the in-person meeting on Saturday, three members will win $500 gift certificates for electricity. To be eligible to win the grand prize drawings members must be present to win. 1813600

Registration gifts include: an REC baseball cap, four-piece stainless steel measuring spoons, a granny paring knife, LED bulbs, a calendar, 2024 Farmers’ Almanac and an ink pen.

For more information about the 84th Annual Meeting, call 405-756-3104 ext. 238.

CEO’s MESSAGE

Power in your hands

in-person meeting for those who cannot join us in person. We conduct surveys to gather your feedback on Co-op programs and services so we can plan and adjust for the future.

Our success lies in your satisfaction, which is why we offer these opportunities to engage and listen to what you, our members, have to say.

Because you are part of an electric cooperative, you can count on our team to maintain local jobs, at-cost electricity and first-class service, no matter what the economy, and supply chain issues, might throw at us.

September 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

Recently, one of our newer employees asked me what makes electric cooperatives different than other types of utilities. This lead to me thinking, I should also share this with you, our members.

Because we are a co-op, we operate a little differently than other utilities. Rural Electric’s decisions are made locally, by Board of Trustee members who also live right here in the communities we serve. Everyone who pays to receive electricity from the Co-op is a member. When you pay your electric bill each month, your money stays here – to pay for the electricity used, or to make improvements to our local system to strengthen service reliability. The money you pay the Co-op does not line the pockets of shareholders five states away. We are a Co-op, and we exist to provide a service to you, our local members. You may notice throughout the year, we schedule opportunities for you to attend co-op events, like our Annual Meeting so we can hear from you. We also offer a drive-thru the Thursday before our

REC is striving to keep our costs as low as possible so we can keep more money in your pocket. We want to help you maximize the value you can get from our services and offerings. For example, we can help you save on energy bills through our free energy audit program and efficiency rebates. If you would like to know more about these programs call our office at 405756-3104 ext. 257.

If you want to receive important information from REC, such as planned power outage updates and tree trimming, make sure we have your most accurate contact information, like your cell phone numbers. You can also stay in the know with our monthly newsletter and social media channels.

Please know you – the members of REC –are at the heart of everything we do. Coops adhere to seven guiding cooperative principles which reflect our core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness and service.

We exist to serve you and provide the quality, reliable, friendly service you expect and deserve. While we have grown over the years, we are still driven by the same guiding principles to serve our communities. We hope to see or hear from you soon. This Co-op was created for you, the members. The power is in your hands.

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

Eight questions to consider before installing rooftop solar

“Free energy from the sun and lower electric bills… Where do I sign up?”

The benefits of installing rooftop solar panels may seem like a no-brainer, but the reality is, not every home (and homeowner’s situation) is always right for solar.

There are several factors to consider before pulling the trigger on a rooftop solar system, like determining if your home will receive enough sun to achieve your goals, finding the right contractor, negotiating contracts and other important details.

Investing in solar for your home is a major decision. If you are considering rooftop solar, REC can help.

Here are eight questions to consider before installing rooftop solar panels.

1. What are my goals? If your primary goal is to save money on electric bills, you may be able to achieve this through our free energy audit program, which can identify areas of the home for maximum energy savings.

2. Is my roof suitable for solar? Your roof should be in good condition before installing solar panels. If your roof is old and in poor shape, it may need to be replaced before panels can be mounted. Additionally, your roof should receive a lot of sun to make the most of a rooftop system. Consider how much sun (and shade) the roof receives and if any trees will need to be removed. Solar panels perform best when facing south, so keep this in mind as you think about where the panels will be mounted.

3. How long will I own the home? If you’re considering rooftop solar, you are likely planning to stay in the home for several years. But if you plan to sell the home at some

point down the road, consider that not all potential buyers will want to maintain a rooftop solar system. If you enter a contract to lease the system, carefully review the terms and what those mean if you decide to sell the property.

4. Lease or purchase? Purchasing a rooftop solar system out right is expensive, which is why many homeowners opt to lease their solar panels. However, federal tax credits can help cover some of the costs for a new system, up to 30 percent. Regardless of how you decide to finance the solar system, make sure you get several quotes from qualified contractors. Speaking of contractors, there are several factors you will want to discuss with them upfront.

5. Can the contractor provide up-to-date documentation? It may seem obvious but be sure to request proof and documentation of the contractor’s licensing, permitting and other credentials. Comb through company reviews, check the contractor’s status with Better Business Bureau, etc. – do your homework on the front end before signing a contract.

6. Does the contract seem reasonable and fair? If you decide to hire a contractor to install rooftop solar, carefully read the fine print of the contract. Do the system performance calculations seem realistic? Does the project timeframe sound reasonable? Negotiate the contract terms to fit your goals and needs.

7. Who will maintain the solar panels? Determining who is responsible for maintaining the solar panels will depend on who owns the system. If you lease the system from a solar installer, it may be their responsibility. Periodically, solar panels need to be cleaned as dirt and debris can impact panel productivity. Parts may also need to be replaced, so it is important to know who will take on these responsibilities.

8. How will I work with REC? Finally, but equally important, you should contact REC if you decide to install solar. The system must be connected to the electric grid, so you will need to sign an interconnection agreement. We can walk you through the steps, including how our solar rates and fees work.

For many homeowners, solar panels are a great way to help the environment and save on electric bills – but there are many factors to consider before diving in and installing a system.

As with any major home project, do plenty of research upfront, and contact REC if you have questions or decide to move forward with installation.

We are your local energy partner and can serve as a helpful resource throughout the process.

AUTOMOTIVE

FOR SALE: 1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruise. PH: 405-756-5760.

FOR SALE: 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado diesel. PH: 405-756-5760.

FARM EQUIPMENT

FOR SALE: 1962 International Harvester 560 LTG tractor. PH: 405-756-5760.

MISCELLANEOUS

FOR SALE: Aluminum loading ramps, $100. PH: 405-568-6085.

FOR SALE: Reese Trail Boss 15k fifthwheel hitch $80. PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: Bipod stabilizer stand $50. 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 jar. PH: 405-756-4277.

FOR SALE: 50 assorted Shopkins tiny characters, $100. PH: 405-756-4277.

FOR SALE: Assorted CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, 8 track tapes, Wii games, Xbox 360 games, $2 each. PH: 405-756-4277.

FOR SALE: Parmak 12 volt battery

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 fall is the perfect time to schedule a tune-up for your heating system? Home heating accounts for a large portion of winter energy bills, and no matter what kind of system you have, you can save energy and money by regularly maintaining your equipment.

Combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended insulation, air sealing and thermostat settings can save about 30 percent on your energy bills. Learn more at www.energy.gov.

powered fence charger, $50.

PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: Vintage ceramic propane bathroom wall heater, $25.

PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: 4 Caterpiller large rear-view mirrors with mounting brackets, $80. PH: 405-207-0228.

FOR SALE: 3 vintage electric pole insulators, 1 large and 2 small, $40 each.

PH: 405-207-0228.

Did you know?

RECREATIONAL

FOR SALE: 1999 Rockwood Premier pop-up trailer with slide out, fully selfcontained, 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, $3,900 or would considered a trade for dual axle enclosed trailer.

PH: 405-207-0228.

Electric cooperatives have retired $20 billion to members since 1988 – $1.4 billion in 2021 alone. Because electric co-ops operate at cost, any excess revenues (called margins) are allocated and retired to members in the form of capital credits.

Source: National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation

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 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.