TCEC Rural Living

Our Leroy Rutherford

Maintenance Supervisor Page 6

TCEC Board Authorizes Distribution of

$971,000

in Capital Credits.

Page 4

March & April 2018 Vol. 21 • No. 4

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The Value of Electricity Continues to Shine Vol. XXI No. IV March & April 2018

Board of Trustees

Gary Fulford

Albert Thomas

Catherine Bethea

District 6

District 7

District 5

President

Vice President

Secretary - Treasurer

Junior Smith

Bobby Dodd

Donnie Waldrep

George Webb

Johnny Edwards

Elmer Coker

District 1

District 4

District 2

District 8

District 3

District 9

TCEC Staff

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Brewer, Manager of Engineering Stephanie Carroll, Manager of Corporate Services Eileen Herndon, Executive Assistant Darrell Tuten, Manager of Operations Wendell Williams, Manager of Finance Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees in partnership with Madison Media Group. Postage is paid at Blountstown, Fla.

Publication Team

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer Eileen Herndon, Executive Assistant Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Specialist

Publisher

Curtis Media Michael Curtis & Staff Tri-County Electric Cooperative 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340 www.tcec.com 1-800-999-2285

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How many of us remember dropping into a Tri-County Electric Co-op office with our parents and grandparents to pay the light bill? Whether you do that in person, by mail or online today, paying your monthly bill does a lot more than just keep the lights on.

Electricity keeps us connected to our modern world. Consider all the necessities and conveniences we enjoy in part because of the power lines running to the electric meter outside your home.

Count up your televisions; desktop, laptop and tablet computers; printers; gaming consoles; music and video players; and personal assistant devices.

Whether they get used every day or just occasionally, the electricity that keeps them working is delivered by TCEC. Have you looked around your kitchen lately? Between the coffee maker and toaster and the microwave and electric skillet, a lot of us have added several other modern small appliances.

If you’ve got a craft nook or workshop, the power tools and machines you use to cut and shape your projects are either plugged in or recharged from the outlets connecting your household wiring to TCEC. You use electricity to run all these devices and still keep the lights on, use the stove, heating and air conditioning, and get hot water from tap. The good news is, even as we rely more on electricity, it’s still a bargain, especially compared to other things we pay for regularly.

Since 2011, medical care, residential rental costs and education have increased at rates of three percent or more per year. Butter, meat and egg costs have been up by more than one to two percent annually, and even bread costs have risen better than a half point on average.

Kilowatt hour use per household dropped by eight percent between 2010 and 2016, slightly less than the nine

Julius Hackett, CEO percent decline reported by all electric utilities, nationwide.

When it comes to value, electricity is a clear winner, and we’re always looking for ways to work with you to make it even better. That’s why your electric coop urges energy efficiency, encourages you to look for ENERGY STAR® appliances, and promotes technology designed to give members more control over their electricity use.

Energy performance dashboards, smart thermostats and power strips, and appliance settings that shift most water heating, laundry and dishwashing outside of peak rate periods help reduce the co-op’s overall power demand. They also give you opportunities to control or even trim your monthly utility bills.

That’s good for families, couples and individuals trying to live within their budgets. And it’s going to become even more important as digital devices and internet-connected technologies become even more important in our lives.

The average home now has 10 WiFi connected devices. That number is expected to explode to 50 by 2020.

Technology and the gateways that keep it working use electricity, so you’ll depend upon Tri-County Electric Co-op for more than the power that keeps the lights on.

That’s why we’re always working to provide service that’s reliable, keep it affordable, and make it even more valuable to our members — you, your family and your neighbors.

March & April 2018

Lineworker Appreciation Day - April 9, 2018

NRECA Board Resolution (2015) Whereas linemen leave their families and put their lives on the line every day to keep the power on; Whereas linemen work 365 days a year under dangerous conditions to build, maintain and repair the electric infrastructure; Whereas linemen are the first responders of the electric cooperative family, getting power back on and making things safe for all after storms and accidents; and Whereas there would be no electric cooperatives without the BRAVE men and women who comprise our corps of linemen; Therefore, be it resolved that NRECA recognize the Second Monday of April of each year as

National Lineman Appreciation Day and make available to electric cooperatives, materials and support to recognize the contributions of these valuable men and women to America’s Electric Cooperatives.

Remember to #ThankALineworker

Congratulations to the 2018 Youth Tour Participants Ellie Cherry, James Madison Preparatory High School Monsi Santillan-Rodriquez, Jefferson-Somerset Academy Taylor Walker, Aucilla Christian Academy Jalen Sanders, Madison County High School Noved Ahmed, Taylor County High School These five high school juniors will tour Washington D.C. for a week this June — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will provide them a greater appreciation and understanding of their nation’s history and their electric co-op. It is sure to be an experience they will never forget.

Find Your Hidden Account Number & Get a $150 Bill Credit!

Hidden somewhere in this issue of Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living are two member account numbers. Look carefully, one might be yours. If you find your account number exactly as it appears on your bill for electric service, we’ll credit your bill up to the amount of $150!* You have until April 30, 2018, to claim your credit by calling Carol Timmons at (850) 973-2285, Ext. 203, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

You must contact the TCEC representative before the deadline to collect your prize. * Total credit on bill will not exceed $150.00. This one-time credit is valid only on the current balance. Any balance remaining after the $150.00 applied credit is the member’s responsibility.

March & April 2018

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At Tri-County Electric Co-op, Every Member Gets a Piece of the Pie Did you receive your slice of the $971,000?

Tri-County Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, rural electric cooperative founded in 1940 to provide electricity to farmers and folks in Madison, Jefferson and Taylor counties.

Today we provide electric service to more than 17,000 meters in homes, farms and businesses throughout this region of Florida.

Our service territory extends from the Gulf of Mexico in Taylor and Dixie counties to the Georgia state line in Jefferson and Madison counties.

Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay dividends to shareholders, not-for-profit electric cooperatives provide our members with “at cost” electric service — we do not exist to earn a profit.

TCEC is governed by a member-elected board of trustees that is responsible for helping set guidelines for our operation, oversee the costs and spending at the cooperative, and to plan our future direction.

At the end of each year, Tri-County Electric Cooperative subtracts operating expenses from the amount of money collected, and the remaining balance is called the margin. Margins left over at the end of the year are allocated, or assigned, to your

capital credit account based on individual patronage (the amount of money you pay for your electric bill each year). Your capital credit account, similar to a bank account, is the accumulation of margins that have been allocated to you each year based on your patronage. At the end of each year, the cooperative deposits your allocated patronage into your capital credit account.

Capital Credits represent your ownership in TCEC and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits you enjoy as a member of an electric cooperative.

Members who received their power from TCEC during 1990 and 1991 were mailed their capital credits check in December 2017. 19854001 TCEC makes every effort to ensure you receive your capital credit refund. To accomplish this, it is very important for TCEC to have your current mailing address.

Many capital credit checks have been returned with the address marked as undeliverable. To help you determine if you are entitled to one of these unclaimed checks, a partial list is included in this newsletter. The listing of unclaimed checks can also be found on our website, www.tcec.com.

In 2017, the Board of Trustees authorized a total distribution of $971,000 in capital credits to current and former members during the years of 1990 and 1991.

If you see your name, please call TCEC at 1-800-999-2285, Ext. 203 to claim your check.

Agner, Alex Aikens, Norman Jr Ajax Construction Co Inc Albertson, Tom E Alexander, Eddie L Alexander, Tim Allen, Dalton F III

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Allen, Gary S Allen, Pauline Alley, Scott Ammons, Mary Anderson Chapel AME Church Anderson Peat Organic Compos

Anderson, Robert R Jr Andrews, William L Archer, John R Armstrong, William S Arnold Bridges, Renee Ashton, Sheri Atwood, Cory T B L Charboneau, Inc Bailey, Clyde E Batchler, Rob Battey, Cheryl Lea Beeman, H D Jr Bell, Steven R Bellamy, Sam Bennett, Ardella Bennett, Virgil Bentley, Gerald W Bevel, Aloise R BJ Electric Company Inc Blanton, Laura Ann Blanton, Lester Bowen, Charles F

Bowers, Kevin Brantley, Georgia Bravo, James Brinson, James Brock, Gary & Pam Brown, Billy & Linda Brown, Billy R Brown, Gloria Brown, Henry Brown, Terry L Bruner, John Bryant, F E Bryant, John David Bunch, Ernest M Burkhalter, Charles V Burton, Wanda Butler, Cecil Butler, Gloria C & T Logging Calhoun, Dorothy Candela, Ginger Carlisle, Doris L

Carrabelle School Carter, James R Carter, Kaye Chapman, Linda Cherokee Smoke House Chihuahua, Jesus Chippen, Cheryl Christy, Michael Anthony Cina, Francis Clark, Dave Clark, Lynn Clayton, Leslie Clayton, W R Clift, Billy W Cochran, Ruby Cockerham, Freddy O Jr Collins, Michael Colvin, Darrell & Laurie Comstock, Billy Cooper, Hilton Corbin, Annie M

March & April 2018

Crager, John A Croom, Robert Crowley, Mack Cuffy, William & Pamela Curry, Evelyn Daniels, William Davis, Benny Davis, Cora Davis, Harold Davis, Stuart J Delk, Harley Delkamp, Junior Delp, Christine Dimick, Wendell E Downing, James Ed Duckett, Joe Duckett, Roosevelt Dunbar, Eddie Edmondson, J M Emory, Debra Erdman, Alfred or Angela Estrada, Reynaldo Fleming, William Fongeallaz, Steven & Ernest Fouche, Robert Frederick, Vic Frith, Stephanie Frost, H W or Deborah Gallagher, Daniel W Gallon, Reginald Ganus, Linda Garcia, Leland Garner, Dorothy & William R Gethsemane Bapt Church Gibson, Helen M Given, Willie Good, Dana Goree, Mary C Gottheld, Mae Gramling, Michelle Grant, John Grantham, Mary Gray, David O Gustin, John Hadley, Donna Hall, Dexter J Hall, Willie Hamann, Rudolph Hamilton, Dot Hammonds, June Hamrick, Brenda Hanna, Hazel

March & April 2018

Harris, Emma C Harris, Helen E Harris, Phillip W Hartsfield, Charles Hartsfield, Halene Hastings, William Haviland, Paul Henry, Sandra R Henshaw, Victor L Hicks, L C Hicks, Mike & Cheryl Hines, Janet Hoffman, Donna G Holzapfel, Wayne L Hook, Barbara Household of Ruth Hudson, Robert Hughes, R P Humphrey, Ray D Hunger, Helen G Hunter, Jesse L Hutchins, John Hutto, Tim Isreal, Rhonda Ivey, Vernon R Jackson, Dixy Jackson, Ginnia Jackson, Sam W Jr Jefferson County Grants Jenkins, Mildred Jobe, George Johnson, Betty J Johnson, Carey Johnson, Darrien Johnson, Frank B Johnson, Lola R Jordan, Lawanda Juarez, Leonel Karp, Jack Keith, Gregory & K Robertson Kersey, Rex L T F Inc Lambert, Charlie Land, Dean E Land, Irene Laurin, Emile Leachman, Dianne Leago, Lassie Lee, Rachel Lemus, Jacqueline Lenhart, Gene C Lewis, Alex Lewis, John Lewis, Margaret

Leyland, James Walter Lindsey, R A Lineweaver, William Link, Bobby Linton, Mark Lioce, Nicholas Livingston, Roderick E Louk, Merle Lugo, Easter Lynn, Robert K Maloni, Chris Markey, Charles W Matthews, Ginger K McFadden, Zelda McKinney, Tony McLeod Construction Co Meadows, Harold Mejia, Zenarda Melchor, Saul Cruz Merton, Bernice E Mickel, Tracy Mills, Dennis E Mincy, Mike Mock, Sharyl Montgomery, Debra Montgomery, Larry E Moore, Chanda M Moore, Grady Morgan, John Morrissey, Laurel & John Jr Moury, Clarence Muckenfuss, Julian A Mulkey, B E Murray, Katherine M Myers, Jason Nettles, Randy Odell, Karla M Odom Hardwood Inc Oquinn, Charles L Ortega, Francisco Palladino, Decca Palmer, Eva Belle Parker, Angie Peeks, Leroy D Jr Pennington, Roger Picard, Darlene Pinesett, Ida Mae Pratt, Rosetta Proctor & Gamble Cellulose Puckett, John P Quiett, Delbert C Quintanilla, Juan Randell, James H Jr

Ratcliff, Kenneth Wayne Redding, Ernest Reisler, Rex & Sharon Reynolds, Betty L Richards, Lila H Ritter, J B Robinson, Janice M Robinson, Joy Rockhill, Dorothy Rodriguez, Antonio Rodriquez, Martin Rogers, Rob Royals, Darrell W Rubio, Reyes Rudd, A F Russell, Kelly Rutherford, Joe Sabin, Tosh Anna Sampson, Wade Sands, Elaine Sauer, William Saul, Carol Scheuerman Jerry & Pat Schwartz, William D Scurry, Jeff Seabrooks, John Sharpe, Frank Sharpe, Larry Sikes, Sam Silver, Jeff A Sirmans General Store Co Skidmore, Faye Slaughter, Benny Slaughter, Michelle Smith, Gil Smith, Tom P Something Special Inc Starling, Scott Stedcke, William Stevens, William Stokely, Gail Stone, Henry T Stormes, Joseph B Stover, A C Strickland, Earl Strickland, James E Sturdivant, William Suelter, Mike & Felecia Surles, Sherri Sweet, Beth D Tamayo, George Taylor Co Improvement Club Taylor, Cindy

Taylor, Steve K Taylor, Wyatt Terry, Fonda Thomas, Harley B Three D Builders Tillotson, Gary S Tingle, Ben Tire Recyclers of America Torres, Adam Tourangeau, A W Jr Travis, Albert Turner, Billy Tuten, Darlene Tyler, Vanessa L Val Disole Food Products Varner-Bass Enterprises Vincent, Price Volks, Richard Wagner, Les & Pat Wainwright, Brent Waldrep, Royce Walker, Daniel E Walker, E Jack Walker, George (Mr & Mrs) Watson, Collis Jr Watson, Joyce Webb, Steve & Julie Nielson Weekly, Pam Wersing, Steve & Sherry West, Kenneth Whiddon, Michelle White, Arthur White, Rhonda R Whitehead, Paul Wilcox, Glenda L Williams, Brandy Williams, Calvin Williams, David Williams, Frankie Williams, Joe B Jr Williams, Keith Wilson, Kathy Wilson, Ricky D Wireman, Russell Wirtemburg, Kurt Wolff, R A Wood, Clint Woodard, Michael A Wright, Vanessa Wysong, Sarah Young, Angela Zuniga, Lupe

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DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT Maintenance Supervisor, Leroy Rutherford, Jr.: Our

Has anyone ever asked you before, “If you were stranded on a deserted island, who would you bring?” At TCEC, we know exactly who that person would be! Leroy Rutherford, Jr., Maintenance Supervisor for the Cooperative, is definitely the person who would tie the knots, build the shelter, and keep us away from poison ivy!

A maintenance supervisor by day, Leroy is responsible for the maintenance operations related to the upkeep of the electrical, plumbing, ventilation and other building systems for all TCEC facilities.

His knowledge of the laws, regulations and building codes that govern construction and repairs of buildings has served him well during his 30-year career at the coop. This experience allows him to evaluate problematic systems or facilities, making sure they meet statutory requirements and retain value, allowing employees and visitors to efficiently conduct the business of the cooperative.

Leroy says the co-op has always been a part of his life, and his father, Leroy Rutherford, Sr., once served as TCEC’s General Manager. But his aspiration to be a part of the co-op came much earlier in life, as he recalls watching the TCEC linemen work in his neighborhood as a young boy.

Officially, his career began in 1979 when he was hired as a meter reader in Taylor County. By 1980, he came to Madison where he and another meter reader read all the meters in Madison County. Leroy remembers it sometimes took as much as nine or 10 days to read all the meters in his half of the county. During the late 1980s, Leroy contributed in the construction of the new co-op headquarters office building, where

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he was a member of the crew responsible for the installation of all the wiring for the computer network and telephone communication systems.

Circumstances led Leroy to leave the co-op for a period, but in March 2000, he returned for the final time where he took on the role of Maintenance Supervisor. In addition to maintaining the functionality and reliability of all facility systems, he has developed his own preventative maintenance program that includes operating and testing systems and equipment and restoring, repairing or rebuilding faulty or inoperative components and parts. Having a multiskilled employee such as Leroy at the co-op helps keep cooperative operating costs down by decreasing the need for outside contractors such as plumbers, welders, painters, etc.

Leroy says, “I have two families; I have my family of loved ones, including eight grandchildren, and then I have my family of co-workers. We are very much like a family at the co-op. We share a common goal of wanting to provide reliable and affordable service to our members.”

When posed with the question of what he enjoys most about his job, Leroy pauses before saying, “I can’t say it’s any one particular thing because each day is different.

My position as maintenance supervisor allows me to meet and work with a lot of different people, which is something I enjoy.”

By night, Leroy is a volunteer fire fighter having served three decades with the volunteer fire departments of Lee and Cherry Lake. He currently is the Acting Fire Chief for the Lee VFD. His co-workers and friends know he’s got a big personality and even bigger heart for helping others. We are grateful to have him on our team whether or not we ever find ourselves on that deserted island.

March & April 2018

Energize your education, apply now!

High school seniors and non-traditional undergraduate students who are TCEC members or dependents of a member are eligible to apply!

Scholarships awarded for up to $1,000 to any accredited University, Community College, or Technical College in the state of Florida.

Visit www.tcec.com/content/tcec-scholarship to apply.

Lemon Herb Roasted Salmon Give salmon fabulous flavor with fresh herbs, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add some roasted asparagus (roasted with cooking spray, salt, pepper and lemon zest) and roasted potatoes (roasted with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, salt and seasoning) and you’ve got a healthy meal ready in 30 minutes. 71003504001 Ingredients 1 spray of cooking spray 1½ pounds uncooked wild pink salmon filets (four 6 oz. pieces about 1 inch thick each) ⅛ tsp table salt 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (divided) 1½ Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tsp fresh oregano Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a small, shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Season both sides of salmon with

March & April 2018

salt and pepper; place salmon in prepared baking dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, sugar, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, garlic and oregano; whisk until sugar dissolves. Set aside.

4. Roast salmon until almost done (about 13 minutes); remove from oven and top with lemon-herb mixture. Return to

oven and roast until salmon is forktender (about 2 minutes more).

5. Garnish with extra fresh chopped herbs and grated zest, if desired.

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Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board Meeting Notes for Dec. 11, 2017

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board Meeting Notes for Jan. 8, 2018

With all trustees (except one), key cooperative personnel, guests and the attorney present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in the Tri-County Electric headquarters office building located in Madison, Fla. Reports to the Board included those of the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association Board Meeting, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, CEO and Attorney.

Action taken by the Board included the following: approval of the Dec. 11, 2017, Board Agenda; the Nov. 13, 2017, Board Meeting Minutes; the Cooperative’s 2018 budget as presented and discussed at a workshop on Dec. 1, 2017; authorization for the present uncollectible accounts for the appropriate accounting designation; Emergency Restoration Plan approval and the adoption of the accompanying resolution as required by RUS, and Consent Agenda items as written and recommended by the CEO, which included the WPCA for December 2017 as established by resolution, RUS Form 7 for October 2017, the list of new members for Oct. 20–Nov. 19, 2017, Safety and Accident Report for October 2017 along with the System Outage Report. Other items discussed included employee Christmas gifts and 2017 ACRE donations.

With all trustees, key cooperative personnel, guests and the attorney present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in the Tri-County Electric headquarters office building located in Madison, Fla. Reports to the Board included those of the Seminole Electric Cooperative Association Board Meeting, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, CEO and Attorney. Member Joseph Chandler presented information on his net-metering account and asked the Board for consideration to changing the date when applying his 2017 KWH overages to his account. Action taken by the Board included the following: approval of the Jan. 8, 2017, Board Agenda; the Dec. 11, 2017, Board Meeting Minutes; and Consent Agenda items as written and recommended by the CEO, which included the WPCA for January 2018 as established by resolution, RUS Form 7 for November 2017, the list of new members for Nov. 20 –Dec. 19, 2017, Safety and Accident Report for November 2017 along with the System Outage Report. Other action taken by the board included changing the date of the April 2018 Board of Trustees meeting date to April 16, 2018, to avoid a conflict with the NRECA Legislative Conference, and approval of the remaining 2018 Board of Trustee meeting dates.

The CEO presented a review of board districts as required by Policy 115, “Board Districts”; an update on patronage capital credit check distributions in 2017; and information on issues relevant to electric cooperatives that are being considered during the 2018 legislative session

Gary Fulford Catherine Bethea President Secretary-Treasurer

BOARD MEETINGS The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri‑County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday in each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison.

This Publication’s Inspirational Moment “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

John 11:25–26 (NIV) 8

Gary Fulford Catherine Bethea President Secretary-Treasurer

APRIL BOARD MEETING DATE CHANGE The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative for April 2018 has been rescheduled for Monday, April 16, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the board room at the Cooperative’s headquarters office building located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison.

March & April 2018

A TCEC SOLAR PROJECT Tri-County Electric Cooperative has an ongoing commitment — to provide our members, like you, at the end of the line with safe, affordable and reliable electricity. To do this, TCEC works hand in hand with its wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative. Seminole is a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative that is partially owned by TCEC and eight other distribution electric cooperatives in Florida. Collectively, approximately 1.6 million people and businesses in parts of 42 Florida counties rely on Seminole’s member cooperatives for electricity.

In order to meet the electricity demand of 1.6 million Floridians, Seminole has owned and purchased 2018 FUEL MIX generation — including coal, natural gas, solar, and Coal Natural Gas other renewable resources.

Renewables Seminole’s newest source of generation is Cooperative 4% Solar, a 2.2-megawatt solar facility located adjacent to MGS. This Cooperative Solar facility includes more 45% 51% than 8,000 single-axis tracking solar PV panels, which rotate to follow the movement of the sun throughout the day. These panels are composed of numerous PV cells made of silicon and other semiconducting materials that convert solar rays from sunlight into electricity.

The electricity generated is transmitted onto the electric grid and becomes a part of the energy mix.

From an aerial view, the Cooperative Solar field is made up of 201 rows. Each individual row has its own motor, or drive unit, that allows the row of panels to move independently from each other. Each motor is operated by a small solar panel, containing a lithium battery and wireless signal that drives the gear to tilt each row to follow the sun.

The rows essentially “wake up” in the morning based on the data signal transmitted from the network control box. The signal then travels from the network control box to the small solar panel with wireless technology, and transmits the signal to the motor or gear drive. The panels begin each day at 60 degrees east and rotate

March & April 2018

on a wireless signal every 15 minutes until the end the day, ending at 60 degrees to the west.

The electricity generated from Cooperative Solar is transmitted directly to distribution lines owned by Peace River Electric Cooperative, a member of Seminole headquartered in Wauchula, Fla. The current and historical output data from the Cooperative Solar facility is collected through a Cooperative Solar dashboard. You can view and export that information from www.seminole-electric.com/facilities/solar-dashboard/.

Since coming online in August, Seminole’s Cooperative Solar facility has overcome a few obstacles, causing output from the facility to be lower than expected, but our operations are continuously improving.

TCEC has decided to postpone the Cooperative Solar subscription program and incorporate the current output from the solar panels as a valuable part of TCEC’s energy mix, along with natural gas, coal, hydropower and purchased power agreements. Members who were subscribed to co-op solar and those on the waiting list were never charged a subscription fee nor did they receive any kWh credits from the panels’ production.

Cooperative Solar is Seminole’s first solar project, but is not expected to be their last. TCEC, in partnership with Seminole Electric, will remain involved in future energy needs, including solar, in order to continue providing you, our members, with safe, affordable and reliable electricity.

Contact Kaitlynn Culpepper at 1-800-999-2285, Ext 206 with any questions or concerns and to be added to the mailing list for future opportunities to participate in solar projects.

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Cooperative Safety

Safety: A Top Priority at TCEC and Seminole At TCEC we work every day to create a safe work environment. Safety affects our employees, our Members, and the communities we serve. Safety is also important to our wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative (Seminole).

Just like you are a member of TCEC, TCEC is a member of Seminole.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Seminole is a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative that supplies wholesale electricity to TCEC and eight other distribution cooperatives in Florida.

TCEC and Seminole are both electric cooperatives and share the same goals and values, especially safety. All of our employees, whether a Seminole team

Josh Williams, TCEC Entry Level Lineman

member at a power plant or a lineman repairing a distribution line, are trained with the knowledge and provided the materials to create and maintain a safe work environment.

Seminole, our wholesale power provider, owns and operates power plants and transmission lines that generate and transmit electricity. Seminole’s primary generating resources include the Seminole Generating Station (SGS) in northeast Florida and the Richard J. Midulla Generating Station (MGS) in south central Florida. Seminole also operates our Cooperative Solar Facility adjacent to MGS. Seminole employees at each plant site must be equipped with personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as PPE. This required safety equipment minimizes exposure to hazards that can cause serious workplace injuries such as contact with physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. PPE often includes items such as hardhats, steel-toe boots, safety glasses, insulated gloves, and fireresistant clothing.

The importance of work safety is a top priority at your co-op and at Seminole, and we will continue to provide training and materials, so that all employees may continue to work safe and go home safe!

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. is the recipient of federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs), shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is H. Julius Hackett, CEO. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization; or the USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

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March & April 2018

Holiday Schedule Reminder All Tri-County Electric offices will be closed March 30, 2018, in observance of Good Friday. We will have standby crews available for power restoration if needed. Please see “To Report Electrical Problems or Outages” below.

The TCEC staff and employees appreciate the honor of serving you and wish you a happy and blessed Easter.

energy sources activity Did you know Americans use electricity that is generated from different fuel sources? Some fuel sources are renewable, meaning they harness natural energy from the Earth’s resources, and some are non-renewable, meaning they use fossil fuels.

Do you know which energy sources are renewable and non-renewable? Use safety scissors to cut out the images below and place them in the correct row. use the answer key to check your work.

Renewable Sources

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month In spring and summer months, set your ceiling fans to turn in the counterclockwise direction. This will create a cool breeze. Remember, ceiling fans cool people, not rooms.

Turn them off when you leave the room.

-

non Renewable Sources

Source: energystar.gov

To Report Electrical Problems or Outages Please Call:

24-HOUR SERVICE THANK YOU

March & April 2018

 Answers: Renewable Sources: Hydro, Wind, Biomass, Solar Non-renewable Sources: Natural Gas, Nuclear, Coal, Oil

850-973-2285 or 1-800-999-2285

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Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340