will review a year’s worth of electric bills at a member’s Budget Billing can help members MEC service address, add up the number and then divide by 12. The amount is then paid by a member each month with a credit or debit settled at the end of the term. avoid shock of summer bills If the first electric bill of the summer season throws a damper on plans to purchase a new electronic device, Mohave Electric Cooperative’s Budget Billing plan might be something to consider. In a good portion of the MEC service territory, air conditioning is the largest consumer of energy for a household. While bills drop during fall through spring, summer heat has air conditioning units working overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature.
“Since a member’s electric bill is the same each month, it may be easier for our members to budget the rest of their month,” Reese said. “You won’t pay a higher bill during the warmest months when more power is required to run the air conditioner.” The plan does not afford members an opportunity to suddenly run up higher bills without consequence. Members are encouraged to be diligent in conserving electricity so when the plan year ends, they don’t end up in the same situation.
That’s the reason summer bills rise.
“If a member alters their lifestyle because they joined the plan, they can find themselves owing money,” Reese said. “However, members who use energy wisely can see a credit, so conservation is the best course to follow.”
MEC has been offering budget billing to members for more than 15 years. In short, it affords members better financial planning throughout the year. “Members pay a set amount each month for their electric bill,” said Gina Reese, member service manager at MEC.
Any credit will be applied to a member’s account. Members interested in Budget Billing can clip the card with this article and return it to the Member Services Office at 928 Hancock Rd. Forms will also be sent out with the September bill and is available on the MEC website: mohaveelectric.com.
Visit www.mohaveelectric.com
September 2019
Currents
Just a small gesture during Member Appreciation Month Members are the heart and soul of the communities Mohave Electric Cooperative serves. MEC works hard for its members in many ways, such as making every effort to keep rates as low as possible, providing a reliable source of electricity, supporting community activities, providing free home energy evaluations, education, and many beneficial programs like the Washington Youth Tour and Operation Cool Shade. Every Wednesday in October, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., MEC celebrates Member Appreciation Month at the Member Services Office at 928 Hancock Rd. “It’s a small gesture to say thank you for your support,” said Terry Puryear, public affairs and communication coordinator. “We’re there to answer questions, provide information and, in some cases, just to talk with our members. “Member Appreciation important to MEC.”
Month
is
Various brochures and educational materials will be available in one location each Wednesday in October as well as coffee, cookies, and other goodies. “We also bring the Wheel of Winning,” Puryear said. “You can’t lose. Spin the wheel and win a prize. “No need to have other business. Stop on by, have a cup of coffee and a cookie, and win a prize.”
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There’s a lot of ways to save, especially when combined Mohave Electric Cooperative hosts and attends many events throughout its service territory, providing handouts with advice on saving energy and, therefore, money.
Operation Cool Shade is one method to save, creating shade for a home that reduces the stress on air conditioning units trying to keep a home at a comfortable temperature. But there are many other ways to save and not all MEC members have an opportunity to stop by the office or visit an event to collect the valuable information. Below are 10 ways to save on water heating, which are contained in the booklet about Ways to Save. u Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees F. u For households with one or two members, a 115 F setting may work fine. u Install water-heater wrap per manufacturer’s instructions. u Drain water heater each year to reduce sediment buildup and avoid costly repairs. u Install heat traps on hot- and cold-water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater. u Insulate exposed hot water lines. u Take shorter showers. u Install low-flow shower heads. u Fix dripping faucets. Leaking hot water can cause the water heater to work harder. u Don’t run hot water while shaving.
Capital credit estate retirement paperwork due end of October Mohave Electric Cooperative reminds family members who have applied for estate retirements of capital credits to return that paperwork to MEC no later than Oct. 31. Estate retirements are done annually and all applications with the required documentation must be returned. MEC sends out information about, and applications for, estate retirements throughout the year. If the application and paperwork arrive after Oct. 31, it will be included in next year’s estate retirement. The application, a copy of the decedent family member’s death certificate, an Estate Verification Letter, and an Estate Option Selection form need to be executed and returned to MEC. There is still time to begin the application process for this year’s estate retirement. To begin the process, simply call Mohave Electric at (928) 763-4115 and select option 4. Questions regarding the process should be addressed to the same number. Visit www.mohaveelectric.com
September 2019
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Feels cooler in the shade Many Mohave Electric Cooperative members would be willing to walk farther to a store for an opportunity to park under a shade tree. The reasoning is simple; without the sun baking the metal and coming through the windows, the inside of the car doesn’t get as hot. The same can be said for a well-shaded home. Operation Cool Shade tree orders run from Sept. 11-24 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the MEC Member Services Office at 928 Hancock Rd. There is a limit of four trees per member. Tree pickup will be 7 a.m.-noon, Nov. 9, at the Justice Complex parking lot. Sales are on a first-come, first-served basis at a reduced cost of $9 per tree and members receive a free LED bulb with each tree purchased. Purchased trees that go unclaimed will be donated to local schools and parks.
Operation Cool Shade Order: Sept. 11 – 24, 2019
MEC Member Services Office 928 Hancock Rd.
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Pickup: Nov. 9, 2019 7 a.m.-Noon Justice Complex parking lot On Alona’s Way
Why: Cost: Limit:
Reduces energy use costs $9 per tree 4 trees First-come, first-served Tree Types/Number Available: Chilean mesquite 400 Desert Willow 400 Rosewood 600 Willow acacia 400 Bonus: Free energy-saving LED bulb with each member pre-order purchase. Visit www.mohaveelectric.com
September 2019
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Board members appointed to three-year terms
Joe Anderson became a member of Mohave Electric Cooperative in 1978. He has served as a board director for District 3 since 2005, was the board secretary, and is currently the board president. At the June 2019 District 3 meeting, members in attendance recommended Anderson to continue representing them for a three-year term.
Joe Anderson
Anderson attained the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, a recognized measurement of competency on key current issues, through course work offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He has taken advanced course studies to receive the Board Leadership Certificate, was awarded the NRECA Gold Director Certificate in 2017, and regularly updates skills through course training and workshops in the electrical utility field. Anderson also serves as board director for the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association.
Anderson received the Touchstone Energy Power and Hope Recognition Award in April 2011, a program that recognizes cooperative directors and employees who have gone above and beyond to help cooperative members in need. Anderson, who has an associate degree in fire science, retired in 2012 after serving 33 years with the Bullhead City Fire Department. He began his career at the department as a firefighter in 1979 and retired after serving 12 years as the assistant fire chief. Appointed by the Governor of Arizona to the Public Safety Communications Commission, Anderson was instrumental in the upgrade to the radio communication system for the fire departments in the river valley area.
Anderson is an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Bullhead City, assisting in a wide variety of community and church functions.
Cynthia (Cindy) A. Christy became a member Cynthia (Cindy) Christy Christy also serves on the board of directors of the Grand Canyon State Electric of Mohave Electric Cooperative in 1981. She Cooperative Association. has served as a board director for District 1 since 2013. At the June 2019 District 1 meeting, She has an Associate of Arts degree in business members in attendance recommended Christy management with an emphasis on school to continue representing them for a threebusiness. She worked for the Mohave Valley year term. Elementary School District #16 (MVESD) for 29 years and is currently retired. Prior Christy attained the Credentialed Cooperative to her employment with the MVESD, she Director Certificate, a recognized served on their governing board for two measurement of competency on key years. current issues, through course work offered by National Rural Electric Cooperative Christy serves on the Mohave Valley Fire Association. She has taken advanced course Department Board and volunteers with studies to receive the Board Leadership the Mohave Valley Bulldog Booster/PTA/TriCertificate, was awarded the NRECA Gold State Football. She previously served as First Director Certificate in 2018, and regularly Vice-President for the River Valley Republican updates skills through course training and Women. workshops in the electrical utility field. Jose (Joe) Solar became a member of Mohave Jose (Joe) Solar for another seven. Electric Cooperative in 2014. He was appointed Solar has displayed the commitment to community to the Mohave Electric Cooperative board important to becoming a board member. He was of directors in January 2019 and represents the president of the Knights of Columbus council District 2. At the June 2019 District 2 meeting, while residing in Farmington, New Mexico, members in attendance recommended Solar currently serves as president of the finance continue representing them for a three-year committee at St. Margaret Mary Church, is term. a teacher for the church’s religious class, the recording secretary for the Knights of Solar is currently taking the required Columbus council, and volunteers his time courses to attain the Credentialed working the front desk at the Western Area Cooperative Director Certificate, a Regional Medical Center. recognized measurement of competency on key currents issues, through course In 2001, Solar received an Associate of Arts work offered by the National Rural Electric degree in business management from San Cooperative Association. Juan College in Farmington. While there, he also studied microeconomics and marketing. Solar, retired, served as the store manager for TGY Corporation for 28 years and Family Dollar MEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer