Candace Croft, WFEC, presents Malone School’s scholarship recipient, Kaycie Rich, with her scholarship at graduation on May 23, 2024.
USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 74, NO 7
Current Light Flashes is the official voice of West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., a member-owned Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. It is published as a service to the Co-op’s members. Periodicals postage is paid at Graceville, Florida.
WFEC Board of Trustees
Generation & Transmission (G&T) Co-op Fixed Costs & Solar: What You Should Know
West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) goal is to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy to all members and for all member to pay their share of the costs to provide that service. As part of our reliability goal, PowerSouth, WFEC's G&T whole-sale power provider, must maintain sufficient energy generation capacity (the max level of electric power that a power plant can supply at a specific point in time) to serve the PowerSouth system's annual peak load plus reasonable reserves. Peak load is also known as peak demandwhen power costs run the highest. This is the greatest demand on the electric system and can also refer to the time of day/season of the year when that demand happens. PowerSouth, on behalf of its members (like WFEC) must have sufficient generation resources in either owned generation plants or firm purchase of capacity to serve its peak load - plus a 25% winter reserve and a 15% summer reserve. The level of reserves are determined by regulations. WFEC usually sets its yearly peak load in the winter - typically in January or February.
The cost of this generation capacity is fixed. Firm capacity purchases are similar to house rent: a renter must pay regardless of how often they use the house. The costs to operate and maintain bulk power delivery systems (generators, transmission lines, and substations that deliver power to WFEC) remains the same no matter how much electricity is used. Because each member has access to the infrastructure that delivers electricity and must rely on it, at least some of the time, each member must pay their share of these fixed costs. Members cover part of this cost through a basic monthly service or base charge. This fee is required from all WFEC residential members whether or not they buy energy. It's similar to owning a car - you have a set monthly payment but your variable costs (gas/maintenance) vary based on how much you use it. Your power bill works the same way.
When
are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to
The money WFEC pays to PowerSouth is based on either the peak demand set that month or 75% of the maximum peak set during the previous 11 months. All of 2023's peak charges were based on an established peak on December 24, 2022 at 7:15 AM. Since then, an all-time peak was set on January 17, 2024 at 6:45 AM. Because of this, WFEC's peak for all of 2024's billing year has already been
continued on page 4
Tim Alford, WFEC Board President
established, based on historical information. It is worth noting that these two previous winter peaks, that set our bills for the year occurred at or near sunrise, so solar panels were producing minimal, if any, power. It is also worth noting that those same members with solar panels were using electricity during those times. WFEC's rates are designed to recover this demand cost based on the member's use throughout the year.
Solar members place the burden on PowerSouth to meet their annual winter peak in the same way as a non-solar member. In the late spring and summer, peak loads are in the afternoon. During these peak periods, when solar members' arrays are producing electricity, the peak demand is reduced. That is good for the whole system but the cost for the year's peak costs was already established on those cold winter mornings (as stated above). The cost of this peak charge, which WFEC pays each month for 12 months, is spread across the kilowatt hour use for the entire year. This helps keep your power bill stable. This money has to come from the power bills WFEC collects. These costs are not absorbed by PowerSouth or WFEC, but are shifted to non-solar members, leaving a portion of the solar members' peak costs to be paid by their neighbors. That is unfair to members who do not own solar. This means that the rest of the member are covering all of the peak costs for members who own solar generation. To mitigate this subsidy the solar recovery fee was implemented. The solar recovery fee is a pass-through charge from PowerSouth, our wholesale power provider.
The solar fixed cost recovery charge ensures each member pays their fair
share of WFEC's power bill to PowerSouth. WFEC wants to provide affordable electricity to ALL members, including those who do not choose to install solar. Without this charge, members WITHOUT solar would subsidize electricity bought by WFEC from PowerSouth to deliver to members WITH solar. WFEC supports solar energy when it helps meet our mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy to ALL members.
Beat the Heat with Cool Rebates
About 30% of West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) members are manufactured homeowners. In Florida, more than 10% of homeowners buy manufactured homes.
But, there is a need for these homes to be more energy-efficient. Since they typically come with an electric furnace, WFEC has a program to help manufactured home buyers, as well as existing owners, upgrade to a high-efficiency heat pump. This will help lower your electric use and save you money.
If you are in the market to purchase a new manufactured home, contact us first. We can work with manufactured home dealers in our area to cover the difference to upgrade from an electric furnace to a high-efficiency heat pump purchased by a co-op member, at no cost to the buyer. The upgrade cost is paid directly to the home dealer at the point of sale. This upgrade helps lower the purchaser's electric bills for years to come - without adding anything to the mortgage.
We're helping homeowners in our service are who already own a manufactured home, too. Those members can get a rebate up to $400/ton when they replace an electric furnace with a high-efficiency heat pump.
To find out more, contact the co-op at 800-342-7400 or visit westflorida.coop.
New EPA Power Plant Rules Threaten Grid Reliability
On April 25, the EPA released 4 new major regulations for the electric utility industry, including a rule to cut emissions from power plants, a sweeping move that aggravates reliability concerns for electric co-ops and other utilities.
"The path outlined by the EPA is unlawful, unrealistic and unachievable," said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Assoc. "It undermines electric reliability and poses grave consequences for an already stressed electric grid."
This rule constrains existing coal & new natural gas plants by requiring them to install carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology that is not yet reliable or commercially available.
"The new EPA rules ignore our nation's ongoing electric reliability challenges and are the wrong approach at a critical time for our nation's energy future," Matheson said.
Under the new rule, existing coal-fired power plants that plan to operate past the start of 2039 must install CCS to capture 90% of emissions by 2032. It also requires new natural gas plants that operate more than 40% of the time to install CCS & capture 90% of their carbon emissions by 2032. These standards, and their reliance on unproven CCS technology, will undermine electric reliability. Electric co-ops understand the need to keep the lights on at a cost local families & businesses can afford. Clean energy technologies must be balanced with generation sources that are always available to ensure a reliable electric grid. Lawmakers in the House and Senate introduced resolutions to overturn this rule in mid-June. It remains to be seen if they are successful in doing so.
Building Bright Futures for Local Students
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is thrilled to share some exciting news from our cooperative. This year, through our dedicated scholarship program, we awarded scholarships to 13 outstanding local students. These scholarships aim to support and empower our youth as they pursue higher education and work toward building bright futures for themselves.
The recipients of this year's scholarships were selected based on their academic achievements, community involvement, and an essay about what makes cooperatives different from other types of utilities. We are immensely proud of each of these students for their hard work and dedication, and we believe they represent the bright future of our communities.
West Florida Electric's $1,000 scholarship recipients for 2024 were:
• Joseph "Kade" Hill, Altha School
• Garrett Mason Beall, Bethlehem School
• Zadie Blair, Blountstown High School
• Samuel Culbreth, Chipley High School
• Evan Mercer, Cottondale High School
• Keshawn Daniels, Graceville School
• Seth Crutchfield, Holmes County High School
• Kaycie Rich, Malone School
• Kellan Parmer, Marianna High School
• Keelan Pelham, Poplar Springs School
• Talan Woodham, Ponce De Leon High School
• Constance Bartle, Sneads High School
• Kaylee Harrison, Home School
Here's some exciting news about this year's scholarship program: the number of students applying in 2024 (just the second year of this program) jumped from 28 in 2023 to a whopping 47 this year! It is exciting to see more and more students taking advantage of this opportunity. We're all about supporting local talent, and this increase shows there is no shortage of it.
Thank you to our cooperative members and the Board of Trustees whose support makes programs like this possible. We are excited about the growth of our scholarship program and look forward to continuing to expand our support for local students in the years to come.
Candace Croft, WFEC Communications & PR Coordinator, congratulates Keshawn Daniels, Graceville HS, for receiving a scholarship from WFEC. He plans to attend Chipola College. Photo courtesy of The Graceville News
West Florida Electric Cooperative Scholarship Winners
Joseph "Kade" hill Altha School
Garrett Beall Bethlehem School
Zadie Blair Blountstown HS
samuel CulBreth Chipley HS
evan merCer Cottondale HS
Keshawn daniels Graceville School
seth CrutChfield Holmes Co. HS
KayCie riCh Malone School
Kellan parmer Marianna HS
Keelan pelham Poplar Springs School
talan woodham Ponce De Leon HS
ConstanCe Bartle Sneads HS
Kaylee harrison Home School
Pay Your Bill On Time, Anytime, Anywhere
It's summertime and that means it's also vacation time! Are you heading out of town this month? If so, our easy and convenient online payment system gives our members a variety of ways to manage energy bills while on the go.
Our secure online payment system can help simplify your life and is available from anywhere at any time (as long as you have internet access).
Pay your electric bill with just a few clicks. If you're new to the process or looking for some guidance, we've got you covered. Here's how to access your online member account if this is your first visit:
1. Access the member portal from the co-op's website: westflorida.coop.
2. Set up your account by selecting Create User ID on the login screen.
3. Create your Username and password & select continue.
4. Follow the rest of the set up instructions and you will be on your way.
Once you've got your account set up, log in using your account number or custom login ID you created. The member portal requires a login using your full account number (member number + the three digit member separator at the end - example: 123456001). If you have multiple accounts, you will be able to see all accounts under one login - regardless of the member separator used for the actual login.
If you use a custom login ID, you should be able to continue to access the portal unless your login ID was numeric only. If this is the case, log in using your account number and change your login ID to an alpha-numeric ID.
*Note: when setting passwords for both the customer service portal and mobile app, only the following special characters are acceptable (!@#$%) as part of your password.* If you forget your password, it's easy to reset it.
Once you have an account set up, it's easy to make your monthly payment. Simply enter your payment details, and review the information carefully to ensure accuracy. WFEC's system will allow you to set up recurring recurring payments if you prefer automatic bill pay each month.
After confirming your payment details, submit your payment. You will receive a confirmation message once it has been submitted successfully.
It's always a good idea to save or print the confirmation of your payment for your records. This can serve as proof of payment in
case of discrepancies in the future. Lastly, consider setting up reminders and alerts for future bill payments to avoid late fees. By following these simple steps, you can easily pay your electric bill online from the comfort of your home or from the road as you travel. Not only does online bill payment save you time and hassle, it also helps you stay organized and on top of your finances. Embrace the convenience of technology and simplify your life by going digital today.
Questions about paying online? Call 800-342-7400.
SOD
Centipede
SOD
• Screens
SURVEYOR
Doug Hannon's Fish & Game Forecast
efficiency
tip of the month
Electricity used to operate major appliances accounts for a significant portion of your home energy use.
Here's an easy way to lighten the load on your clothes dryer. Before you dry a load of damp clothing, toss in a clean, dry towel. The towel will absorb excess water, shortening the drying time. If your dryer does not include an autosense feature to determine drying time, remember to reduce the timer to about half of what you normally would. Remove the towel about 15 minutes after the cycle begins. Shorter drying times will extend the life of your dryer & save energy. Source: homesandgardens.com
Community Calendar
Pressure Canning & Dehydrating Class • July 19; 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Jackson Co. Ag office, 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
This course is designed to help you understand the science of how canning and dehydrating works, proper food safety techniques, the differences in canning methods, and how to properly preserve food using a pressure canner. The cost is $20/person. Participants will take home a sample jar of vegetables prepared in class. Pre-registration is required. Call 850-4829620 or visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com to register. UF is committed to providing universal access to all events. For disability accommodations, contact Terri Keith, teri2003@ufl.edu or call 850-482-9620 at least 2 weeks prior.
Homebuyer Education Class • July 25 & August 1; 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Jackson Co. Ag office, 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
Understand home buying, analyze personal financial and credit situations & learn basic home care/maintenance to help maintain the value of your home/save money.
Pre-registration is required. The Florida Cooperative Extension service is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Completion of the course satisfies the homeownership education requirements for the SHIP and USDA Rural Development program. For more info call 850-482-9620 or 850-638-6265 or 850-674-8323. UF is an Equal Opportunity Institution. Require assistance? Call 800-955-8771.
2024 Southeastern Crop Scout School • July 29-July 20; 7:30 a.m.
Jackson Co. Ag Complex, 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
Kids/campers will visit several farm locations and business throughout the area including Farmer's Peanut Company, Gainous Shade Trees (ornamental nursery), and Southern Gin in Georgia. They will also visit a research station, attend an insect scouting event, and visit Red Fox Fertilizer in Alabama. Campers will visit a vegetable farm in Malone, Jackson Farms in Grand Ridge, and Jackson County's Blue Springs Park. Lunch will be provided each day. Call Liz at 850-482-9620 by July 24 to register.
UF Peanut Field Day • August 8; 7:45 a.m.
Marianna North Florida Research & Education Center, Greenwood
Registration begins at 7:45 and the event will end with a sponsored lunch. Field tours start promptly at 8:40 a.m. Tour groups will rotate through 6 field stops. Topics include insect, disease, fertility management, pesticides and more. The event will offer Florida and Georgia pesticide CEUs and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) CEUs. For disability accommodations, contact 850-482-9620 at least 2 weeks prior.
Garden to Table Workshop Series • August 10; 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Jackson Co. Ag Complex, 2741 Penn Ave., Marianna
This is the first in a 3-part series. It focuses on growing and cooking food from your own garden. Topics will include what to do this fall to have a flourishing vegetable garden and best practices during the fall and winter. Taste fresh vegetables and take home a variety of seeds to get your garden started. The series will continue with a session about winter herbs and temperate fruit. The cost for each workshop is $15 or register for all 3 and save $10. Pre-registration is required. Visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com or call 850-4829620. UF is committed to providing universal access to all events. For disability accommodations, contact Terri Keith, teri2003@ufl.edu or call 850-482-9620 at least 2 weeks prior.
121st Andrew Elton Williams Reunion • October 5
Galilee UMC, Graceville
Registration at 9. Program begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Lamar Faircloth at 850-547-2275 or 850-326-3045.
CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE
Animals/Livestock
Three bred Red Angus cows; 2 yearling Red Angus heifers; 2 yearling Red Angus bulls; 850-209-7919.
German Shepherd puppies; 850-703-7864.
Home/Farm
Legend Force 20” rear tine tiller, with forward and reverse, $600; 850-272-2208.
Vicon CM2400 hay cutter, 7.10 ft., field ready, everything works as it should, barn kept; 850-592-4798.
Miscellaneous
Homemade/handmade quilts, lap quilts, baby quilts, twin, full or queen; two used bathtubs to be used for water or feed troughs, great price; 850-547-3649.
Kaycan Timberlake Elegance D-5 siding, horizontal, white vinyl; 850-593-6003.
Two Presto canners, one unused in box, $65; one used, $40; 850-768-0556, text.
Puzzle wall clock fishing, 45.5x18.3/8, $200; Florida Light House wall map, 36x28, $200; 850-373-3709 or 850-547-0448.
Pole barn, 32’36’, 3,000, must move; sheets of galvalume metal, 3’x14’, $20 each; 850-526-8027.
Vintage 1981 Gold Wing Honda 1100, very good shape, $6,500; with 5x10 enclosed trailer; $8;000; 850-547-0448 or 850-373-3709.
Serving Bonifay & Surrounding Counties for all your mechanic needs Tilman: 850-964-0660 Jeff: 904-796-5900
CLF Free Ad Policy (Limited to one ad per household)
WFEC publishes free classified ads in the Current Light Flashes as a service to its members. The following limitations apply: 1) Ads must be 20 words or less and must be legible, with an active electric account number at the top. 2) Ads exceeding 20 words are subject to elimination. 3) Submit ads to the Graceville office by the 5th of the month to appear in the following month’s issue. (Example: An ad arriving by Jan. 5 will appear in the Feb. CLF) 4) Ads for services & businesses are not free. Service businesses include, but are not limited to, pet or livestock breeders or stud services, rentals, baby-sitting, etc. 5) Any buying or selling on a regular basis will be considered a business. On-going garage sales & the sale of similar items on a repeated basis do not qualify for free advertising. 6) WFEC may refuse to publish any ad . 7) You may submit your ad online at www.westflorida.coop WFEC will not accept ads over the phone.
Camper top, small truck; two trolling motors; Motorguide, Minn Kota, 55 lbs.; pecans; 9 Big Mouth singing Billy Bass; 27 old paintings; 850-674-0242.
Real Estate
8.5 acres, 3BR/2BA 1997 mobile home, liveable, pole barn, concrete slab, metal roof, road frontage, new well, $159,900; 334-560-6019.
16 acres of land, in the Graceville area, portions farmable; 727-403-4463.
Recreational Vehicles
2017 Tracker V-hull 16.5 boat, trolling motor, 12-volt, new outboard, new 40 hp, many extras and fishing gear, $11,500; 850-775-7528.
Vehicles
2003 Toyota Highlander, mint condition; 850-326-0302.
CLF Free Ad Form Please Type or Print Neatly.
Sale
Vehicles
2000 BMW Z3, 2.8 automatic, blue w/tan leather, 7,500 miles, maintenance records since new, covered in garage since Hurricane Michael; 850-867-6114, leave message.
WANTED
Small tract timber cutter, to cut the pines on our property, some board lumber, mostly pulp; 850-209-2993.
Horses; ponies; mules; donkeys; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.
150-500 acres of pasture land, in Holmes or Washington County; 850-234-7070.
Gentle donkeys, jennys or jacks, will pay cash; 850-263-2026, ask for Bette.
Hay tedder, 18’ or wider; 850-326-2754.
Notification 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, unless special circumstances warrant a change.
Main Business and Publications Offices
5282 Peanut Road
Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 (850) 263-3231 or 1-800-342-7400
Subscription Rate
Cooperative members, $2.50 per year Non-members, $6.00 per year
Change of Address Notices
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current Light Flashes
P. O. Box 127
Graceville, Florida 32440-0127
DISCLAIMER: Although paid advertisements may appear in West Florida Electric (WFEC) publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, WFEC does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. WFEC reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any advertisement, article or information.
This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Penny through dollar coins, loose, in jars, collections and estates; 850-326-3437.
Enclosed trailer, cash in hand or will trade; 850-332-8876, Joseph.
License plates from any state, mainly Florida, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts prior to 1960; 850-557-7030.
Torah observant fellowship, within 30–40-mile radius of Westville; 850-768-6180.
Livestock Fencing
Materials, Maintenance & Installation Board, Privacy, and Chain-link
Peanut Butter
Cream Cheese Pie
Ingredients:
2 cups peanut butter
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 cup whipped topping
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 graham cracker pie crust
Directions:
Submitted by: Rebecca Mills
Mix peanut butter, cream cheese, whipped topping, and confectioner’s sugar together and place in pie crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
