A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative
September 2026
Co-op Comments REC's 87th Annual Meeting set Registration for the 87th Annual Meeting of Rural Electric Cooperative will begin on Thursday, October 1, as a drive-thru only from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and an in-person only meeting on Saturday, October 3, 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
Cara Belt
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. Cara Belt will provide the entertainment on Saturday, October 3, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Belt was born and raised in California where music was steeped in her blood. Belt was raised in a musical family where she learned the importance of using her voice. She has been singing since she was a little girl in church and playing guitar since her teens. In her professional career she has played and performed all around the United States in theatres, oprys and venues. Currently she resides in the Allen, Oklahoma area where she continues to pursue her music and is the Worship Minister at her church. For updates on where she will be next, and more information, you can find her on Facebook at Cara Belt Music. After enjoying entertainment from Cara Belt, members who are in attendance on Saturday will hear reports from Board President, Gary Jones, and CEO, Dusty Ricks, updating members of activities from 2025. Members driving through on Thursday can find these reports on REC's website after the meeting at www.recok.coop. The Lindsay Elk's Lodge will host a pancake fundraiser breakfast starting at 8 a.m. for all members in attendance on Saturday. 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. Registration gifts include: an REC baseball cap, roll-up tech organizer, bamboo spoon rest, non-woven reusable shopping bag, LED light bulbs, calendar and an ink pen. For more information about the 87th Annual Meeting, call 405756-3104 ext. 238.
CEO’s MESSAGE
Electricity bringing everyday value
When it comes to electricity, we rarely think twice when we flip on a light switch, brew coffee in the morning, charge our phones or adjust the thermostat. We simply expect the power to be there - and that is how it should be because you are a member of Rural Electric Cooperative, and reliably powering your life is our mission. We know many families across our local communities are feeling the impact of rising costs for everyday expenses. Groceries, gasoline, insurance and other necessities cost more than they did just a few years ago. And because of that, we understand every household is carefully considering where each dollar goes. This is why I think it is important to occasionally step back and consider the value electricity provides. The average U.S. residential electric bill is about $150 a month - roughly $5 a day. I often think about what that $5 provides. 2 Co-op Comments
It is about the cost of a specialty coffee, yet electricity powers nearly every moment of our daily lives, often without us giving it a second thought. In fact, many typical purchases cost more than a day's worth of electricity. A fast-food combo meal averages about $9, and a single movie ticket can cost around $13. For about $5 a day, your refrigerator keeps food fresh around the clock. Your heating and cooling system helps keep your family comfortable through the seasons. Lights brighten your home after sunset. Appliances make cooking and cleaning easier. Devices stay charged so you can work, learn, communicate and stay connected with loved ones. When you think about everything electricity makes possible, it is one of the greatest values in the average household budget. Even with electricity’s exceptional value, we know every dollar matters. If you are looking for ways to lower your energy use, we are here to help. Whether you need efficiency advice from our energy advisors, information about co-op rebates and efficiency programs or answers to questions about your monthly bill, our team is always available. Please call us at 1-800-259-3504 or 405-756-3104. Rural Electric is proud to be more than your electric provider. We are a cooperative - we are locally owned by you, the members we serve. Meaning every decision we make is guided by what is best for our community - not by outside shareholders. Our Board of Trustee members are also members who live in our service area. Thank you for trusting us to power your home and your life. We are committed to providing everyday value for you and your family, with reliable, affordable power – so you can make the most of every energy dollar. 10500
September 2026 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 Darren Townley, CFO 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 Scott Henson, System Superintendent Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
The power surge Factors driving the rising demand for electricity Across the United States, the demand for power is climbing at one of the fastest rates in decades. As the economy becomes more reliant on electricity and data centers continue to sprout up in many parts of the country, electric cooperatives are preparing to meet the challenges skyrocketing demand brings. The North American Reliability Corporation – the watchdog for the U.S. electric grid – released their recent reliability assessment, which echoed other recent reports, including longer-term outlooks expecting sufficient energy resources during normal conditions but potential supply shortfalls and outages under more intense weather conditions. Extreme weather coupled with additional factors are driving increased demand creates challenges for electric utilities, including cooperatives, in their mission to provide reliable power around the clock. Several key factors are driving increased demand - including economic growth, expanded manufacturing, data center
development and increased electrification in transportation. Together, these trends are reshaping how much electricity we consume and how quickly utilities like REC must adapt to meet future needs. One of the biggest drivers of rising demand is increased electrification. More homes and businesses are transitioning to electricity for home heating, water heating and transportation. EVs are becoming more common on the road, and many states are offering incentives to help consumers make the switch. Additionally, electric heat pumps are replacing traditional furnaces in many homes due to their efficiency. These transitions mean more energy use and pressure placed on our electric grid. Data centers are another major contributor to rising demand. As AI, cryptocurrency and cloud computing technologies grow, the need for data processing and storage has skyrocketed. Data centers require huge amounts of power to operate servers and cooling systems 24/7. Tech
companies are building new facilities nationwide – many of which are in electric cooperative-served areas – and these regions are experiencing multi-year surges in electricity demand as a result. Economic and manufacturing growth are also contributing to higher electricity use. As businesses expand and new industries take root, especially in rural and suburban areas, the demand for reliable, high-capacity power is increasing. The resurgence of domestic manufacturing has led to major facility construction. These facilities often require substantial energy loads, and many operate continuously to keep production lines running. This growth brings jobs and investment, but it also puts new pressures on the electric grid. Population growth and housing development are also contributing to rising demand in many regions, and everyday life is becoming more energy dependent, too. Smart appliances, connected devices, home offices and entertainment systems are adding to overall consumption, even as efficiency improves. While increased demand presents new challenges for electric utilities, it also has the potential to create significant opportunities for co-ops and the communities they serve, such as job growth, steady revenue and improved infrastructure. Strategic planning is critical to ensuring the grid can support everything from EV charging to large-scale manufacturing plants. Electricity powers nearly every aspect of today’s economy, and its role will only grow stronger. As electrification accelerates, long-term planning becomes more important than ever. REC is ready to meet rising demand in our local communities. Through innovation, investment and collaboration, we are preparing for a more reliable and resilient energy future.
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Classified Advertisement COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR AUCTION: REC will have several pieces of equipment in an online auction with J.J. Kane Auctions on 9/1 - 9/2/26, including a bucket truck, a digger truck, side-by-side, half-ton Chevrolet truck, one-ton Ford truck with a utility bed,
woodchipper, forklift, aluminum toolboxes, bed to a 2015 Ford truck and a 16 ft. black trailer, all equipment can be viewed in person at 3307 NE 10th Street, Okla-
homa City, Okla. or viewed online at www. jjkane.com, please visit J.J. Kane's website for more information.
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.
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 September kicks off the fall shoulder season, when cooler mornings and milder evenings often mean you can give your heating/cooling system a break. Open windows, use ceiling fans and enjoy the fresh air whenever temperatures allow. It is also the perfect time to schedule annual HVAC maintenance before colder weather arrives. Demand is typically lower during the fall, heating and cooling professionals often have greater availability, making it easier to book an appointment. Regular maintenance can improve your system’s efficiency, help prevent unexpected breakdowns and keep your home comfortable all year long. 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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