February 2026

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

FEBRUARY 2026 | VOL. 76 NO. 2 | www.westflorida.coop Comfort You Can Feel, Savings You’ll See

I nside

At West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), we know how important it is to keep your home comfortable while also keeping your monthly bills under control. Energy costs can climb quickly, especially during chilly winter nights. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new way to help you make smart upgrades to your home: the Energy Efficiency Loan Program, offered in partnership with MAX Credit Union. 55710002 This program is designed just for our members. It offers affordable financing for energy-saving improvements, so you can invest in your home without the stress of paying for everything up front. With MAX Credit Union providing competitive rates, reliable terms, and friendly local service, making your home more efficient has never been easier.

What can you finance? One of the best things about the Energy Efficiency Loan is the wide range of upgrades it covers. Members can finance improvements such as: • Heat pump purchase and installation • Duct repair or replacement • Attic ventilation • Attic, floor, perimeter, or wall insulation (foam or cellulose) • HVAC tune-ups

Page 2: What is the Monthly Base Charge and Why is it Billed?

Page 3: Board of Trustee Nominations Due Feb. 24 Page 3: Utility Scam Awareness Page 4: Level the Load, Control Your Costs

ROW U pdate • Water heater blankets and pipe insulation • Energy-efficient window replacements • Insulated exterior doors • Air sealing • Manufactured home skirting These upgrades aren’t just for looks - they’re practical improvements that can make your home more comfortable year-round while also helping lower your energy use.

Why efficiency matters: Making your home more energy efficient has benefits that go beyond your monthly power bill. continued on page 2

WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during

FEBRUARY: Westville, Caryville, and Compass Lake

When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Spot your WFEC account number & earn a $25 bill credit!

Find your account number inside the articles in this publication and give us a call or send an email to clf@westflorida.coop with your name and account number to verify.

A Partnership that Works for You: By teaming up with MAX Credit Union, we can make sure you have the tools and financing you need to take control of your home’s energy use. Whether you want to replace old windows, add insulation, or install a high-efficiency heat pump, this program can make it possible. Instead of putting off needed upgrades, you can make improvements now and pay for them over time with confidence.* Ready to get started? If you’ve been thinking about making energy improvements to your home, now is the perfect time. The Energy Efficiency Loan Program gives you

the chance to save energy, lower your monthly bills, and enjoy a more comfortable home, all with affordable financing from a partner you can trust. 60631003 To learn more or start your application, visit https://www.mymax.com/ energyloans-wfec or contact Rhonda Byrd-Lee by calling (800) 342-7400.

We’ll be glad to walk you through the process and help you take the first step toward a more efficient, comfortable home. *MAX is federally insured by NCUA. Certain restrictions apply. For qualified buyers.

What is the Monthly Base Charge and Why is it Billed?

As a member of West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), you make an investment in the co-op every time you pay your bill. This collective investment in the co-op benefits you and the community immediately and

over time. So what exactly is the monthly base charge and how do you benefit from it? 111652001 At WFEC, the monthly base charge is $35. It is a monthly investment that helps your co-op cover the expenses of maintaining the overall electric system. The monthly base charge recovers some of the fixed costs that come directly from serving an individual member, regardless of how much electricity is used. These costs include the cost of the meter, wire, and other equipment used to deliver electricity to the home or business, as well as technology and billing expenses.

All utilities have some type of monthly base charge.

2 • Current Light Flashes • February 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Statement of Non-Discrimination: West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is a recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Therefore, in accordance with Federal and civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 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 conducted or filing deadlines by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET center at (202) 720-2600 (voice or TTY) or contact the USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested on the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistance Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or 3) email: program.intake@isda/gov.

WFEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

This charge also helps ensure the expenses of maintaining the overall electric system which includes maintaining wires, poles, substations and other equipment.

Regardless of how much electricity a particular family uses, the cost of delivering power to that house is still the same. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we believe the operational costs should be spread fairly and equitably across all members, regardless of the level of electricity use. That is why every member pays the base charge each month and why all members are charged the same amount for the cost of operation.

This gives each member an equal share in WFEC’s operation and ensures you have access to reliable power when you need it.

Board of Trustee Nominations Due February 24

Energy Efficiency Tip:

In accordance with Article IV, Section 5, of West Florida Electric Cooperative’s (WFEC) bylaws, WFEC has appointed a nominating committee to identify interested and qualified members to be candidates for the Board of Trustees in the co-op’s upcoming elections. WFEC’s members will elect trustees to represent the following districts: District 4: That part of Jackson County lying west of Marshall Creek, west of the Chipola River, north of U.S. Hwy. 90 and east of Holmes Creek.

District 5: That part of Jackson County south of U.S. Hwy. 90 and west of the Chipola River.

District 6: That part of Washington County served by the cooperative.

District 8: That portion of Holmes County lying west of State Road 177 and lying west of State Road 79, from the junction of State Road 177 and State Road 79 to the south county line of Holmes County and east of the Choctawhatchee River.

To be eligible to serve as a trustee, a person must be a bona fide WFEC member residing in the respective district and meet certain other requirements set forth in WFEC’s bylaws. Desired qualifications include the ability to become bonded, the capability of receiving and sending electronic mail transmissions and successfully meeting all requirements to become a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Credentialed Cooperative Director within 36 months.

All candidates must agree to abide by Board Policy No. 126: Board Election Campaign Policy. Any WFEC member living in Districts 4, 5, 6, or 8 who are interested in running should contact a committee member in the appropriate district. All completed documents must be mailed or delivered to the Graceville office and submitted to Penny Bryan or her designee by noon on February 24. The deadline for submitting nominations by petitions is also February 24 at noon.

Please note that those candidates running in District 8 will serve the remaining one-year term for that district and will run again in next year’s election.

The following are the names and telephone numbers of the nominating committee members: District 4

District 5

District 6

District 8

Marvin Marley (850) 638-0698

Mark Butler (850) 557-5939

Howard Kent (850) 849-7559

Medea Callahan (254) 423-5807

Billy Williams (850) 573-6695

Kenny Brock (850) 573-1863

Jarrod Adkison (850) 260-2444

Stephanie Cloud (850) 445-1051

3 • Current Light Flashes • February 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Mid-winter is a great time to ensure you’re making the most of your home heating system.

Replace or clean filters to keep your furnace or heat pump running efficiently. Listen for strange noises and check for uneven heating.

These signs indicate the system might need servicing. Ensure vents are not blocked by furniture or rugs as proper airflow helps your system work less and save energy.

Utility Scam Awareness: Enrolling in bank draft payments with WFEC can help prevent certain types of utility bill scams. If a scammer contacts you with fake disconnection threats, you can rest easy knowing your bill is paid automatically through a pre-arranged,secure channel.

Automatic draft payments also eliminate the risk of exposing checks and personal banking information through the mail.

If you receive a phone call you do not initiate, never pay before you verify the call is from WFEC. Hang up and call us at (800) 3427400. The co-op will never call to demand a payment.

Leveling the Load Helps Control Costs When it comes to managing your electric bill, when you use electricity can be just as important as how much you use. One simple way to save energy is by avoiding “stacking” your electric use.

What is energy stacking? Energy stacking happens when several high-energy appliances are running at the same time. For example, using your washer, dryer, oven and air conditioner all at once causes a sudden spike in electrical demand. These spikes make your system work harder and place added strain on the electric grid. 56574001 By spreading your energy use throughout the day, you can help level the load and reduce overall demand.

Why leveling the load matters: Electric demand rises sharply during peak times (typically mornings and evenings) when homes are the busiest. Demand spikes when: • Power plants must generate more electricity quickly • The electric system experiences greater stress • Energy costs increase for everyone When members help reduce these

WFEC Board of Trustees

DAVID TATUM

TIM ALFORD

District 1/Treasurer

District 2/President

JACKIE POOSER

JOHN ADAMS

DAVID CORBIN

GEORGE C. OWENS

RANDY BUSH

VACANT SEAT

MYRON HUDSON

NATHAN BERRY

District 3

District 4

spikes, it supports a more reliable electric grid and helps control rates for everyone.

Easy ways to avoid stacking energy: You don’t have to change your lifestyle - just your timing. Here are some simple steps you can take: • Stagger appliance use • Wait to dry • Cook smarter • Adjust your thermostat • Run major appliances during offpeak hours West Florida Electric Cooperative’s and PowerSouth’s peak times are 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the winter and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer.

Leveling the load is a win for your cooperative and the electric system as a whole.

R ecipe of the M onth Chicken Pie

Submitted by: Roberta Peacock Submit your event by email clf@westflorida.coop. Visit the link below to view a list of events.

Find this recipe and more: www.westflorida.coop/recipes 4 • Current Light Flashes • February 2026 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

District 5/Vice President

District 7

District 9/Secretary

District 6

District 8

Executive VP & CEO

Notifications Statement: Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM, unless special circumstances warrant a change.

If a change is warranted, it could include changing the time or date of the meetings.

It is best to verify the details by calling (800) 342-7400. If you would like to address the Board of Trustees, please consult Board Policy 114 (located on the co-op website).

This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.