October 2025

CURRENT LIGHT

FLASHES

OCTOBER 2025 | VOL. 75 NO. 10 | www.westflorida.coop Why Outages Happen & What We Do to Keep the Lights On We understand power outages can be frustrating for our members, especially frequent outages and outages on blue-sky days. At West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), we continuously work hard to strengthen our system and improve reliability. However, some outages are completely unavoidable due to weather, trees and branches, animals and equipment failure. 35543001 The cooperative maintains approximately 5,100 miles of power lines across our four-county service area and that is a huge challenge. To help members better understand the causes of outages, here are some of the actual causes of power outages from the past three months.

Over the past three months, WFEC members across our service area experienced 1,014 total outages. The top three causes of all of these power outages were lightning/ weather, trees inside and outside of the right-of-way and small animals or birds. A breakdown of those causes for the months of June, July and August is on the next page of this newsletter.

continued on page 2

I nside Page 2: Why Outages Happen (cont.)

Page 2: Infrastructure Costs Page 3: Power Up Your Home’s Efficiency Page 3: Adams Earns Member Services Certificate Page 4: FEMA Act of 2025 Could Bring Aid to Co-ops Much Faster

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

October:

Westville Area & South Alford 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!

Give us a call or send an email to clf@westflorida.coop with your name and account number to verify.

1 • Current Light Flashes • October 2025 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Cause

June 2025

July 2025

August 2025

Lightning/Weather

162

204

102

Trees (inside & outside) the Right-Of-Way

111

59

25

Small animals/birds

32

21

17

The remaining 281 power outages during June, July, and August were caused by various things including car accidents, equipment failure, or structure fires.

WFEC continually works to patrol and maintain our power distribution system by investigating and diagnosing problems, inspecting substations on at least a monthly basis, and upgrading lines and equipment by adding devices like fuses and reclosers when needed. We also conduct pole inspections and replace aging poles and lines when necessary.

For example, during a monthly inspection at the Chipley substation, crews found heat-damaged equipment, were able to identify the problem, and promptly make repairs before a larger and longer outage occurred.

Infrastructure Costs The past five years have been a period of exploding costs for the electric utility industry and for broadband providers, pushed by soaring demand, supply chain challenges, raw materials shortages, increased labor costs and tariffs. The impact has been rapid increases in the cost of producing power, longer and more unpredictable project timelines and the need for more financing, all of which have driven electric rates up for residences, businesses and other end-users. Here’s a look at what’s contributing to the trend. Percent increase since 2020:

Other steps WFEC takes to reduce outages and maintain its system include an aggressive right-of-way management program which includes a 4-year trimming cycle and maintains a 30-foot clearance from ground to sky (15 feet on each side of the power lines) to keep power lines safe from trees and vegetation. The co-op also removes storm-damaged and dead trees that threaten lines, even those beyond the immediate right-of-way that can cause chain reactions. Maintaining rights-ofway is one of WFEC’s largest on-going expenses. Florida’s long growing season, frequent lightning storms, and animal activity also add to the challenges of keeping the lights on 24/7/365. 52939001

Utility poles (wood, steel, composite) +25–40% Crossarms & braces (steel/wood)....... +20–35% Conductor wire (aluminum/copper).. +30–50% Transformers....................................... +70–100% Grain-oriented electrical steel........... +80–100% Oil/dielectric fluids............................ +25–40% Copper wiring...................................... +50% Concrete.............................................. +25–35% Smart meters....................................... +20–35% Pad-mounted switchgear.................... +25–40% Circuit breakers/reclosers................... +20–35%

Generation

Diesel gensets...................................... +20–40% Gas turbines........................................ +20–30% Solar PV systems................................. +25–35% Wind turbines...................................... +25–35% Hydropower components................... +20–30% Battery storage.................................... +25–40% SCADA/EMS systems........................... +20–30% Inverters.............................................. +20–30% Relays & switchgear............................ +25–40% Natural Gas.......................................... +20–120% Coal...................................................... +30–60% Diesel/fuel oil.................................... +40–70%

Build-outs

Utility construction labor.................... +20–40% Freight/logistics................................... +30–60%

Fleets

Light trucks.......................................... +25–40% Bucket trucks, digger derricks ........... +20–50% Fuel costs (especially diesel).............. +20–30% Maintenance........................................ +15–25% Insurance premiums........................... +20%

Broadband

Fiber-optic cable................................. +25–40% Splicing & telecom gear...................... +20–30%

Design: Kevin Kepple

At WFEC, we know reliable power is important to your daily life, and we’re committed to doing everything possible to keep the lights on. While some outages are unavoidable, we work year-round to strengthen our system, clear rights-of way, and upgrade equipment so disruptions are fewer and shorter. We will continue being proactive with inspections, right-ofway maintenance, and repairs so we can provide safe, dependable electricity for our members.

Infrastructure

Sources: BLS; energynews.com; Reuters; Wood Mackenzie; NREL; IEA

2 • Current Light Flashes • October 2025 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431) 7/14/25 7:10 AM

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7/16/25 6:33 9:01 AM

Power Up Your Home’s Efficiency

Ready to improve your comfort and cut energy costs?

Looking for a simple way to make your home more comfortable and affordable?

West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) has teamed up with MAX Credit Union to offer Energy Efficiency Loans designed just for our members.

With this program, you can finance a wide range of upgrades, including heat pump installations, duct repairs, insulation (foam or cellulose only), energy-efficient windows and doors, HVAC tune-ups, and more. These improvements can help lower your monthly utility bills, reduce drafts and hot spots, and even improve your home’s indoor air quality.

West Florida Electric Cooperative makes it simple to upgrade with rebates and low-interest loans.* Upgrade to a highefficiency dual-fuel or mini-split heat pump, and take advantage of financing that also covers windows, doors, insulation, and more. Save energy today and for years to come.

Call 800-342-7400 for more information.

LET’S

POWER SAVINGS *Certain restrictions apply. For qualified borrowers.

Through MAX Credit Union, members can enjoy competitive loan rates, flexible terms, and personal service - all with a quick, no-hassle application process. That means you can make the upgrades you need now and pay for them over time.* 67707001 Whether it’s staying cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, or saving money year-round, investing in energy efficiency is a smart move for your home and wallet.

To learn more or to apply, visit https://www.mymax.com/energyloans-wfec or contact our Energy Services Department by calling 800-342-7400. *MAX is federally insured by NCUA. Certain restrictions apply. For qualified borrowers.*

Adams Earns Member Services Certificate West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) is proud to announce that Amy Adams, Supervisor Member Services, has successfully earned her Member Services Certificate from the Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA). This professional development program is designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of Member Services Representatives, helping them better serve cooperative members and support our cooperative.

To achieve this certification, Adams completed a rigorous series of nine courses carefully selected to address the skills and knowledge essential Amy Adams in today’s member service environments.

Each course is tailored to the unique needs and responsibilities of electric cooperative representatives, ensuring participants are well-prepared to meet challenges with confidence and professionalism.

R ecipe of the M onth Maple Shortbread Cookies Submitted by: Anna Fox

Adams’ accomplishment not only reflects her dedication to excellence but also enhances the overall competence and reputation of our cooperative. We congratulate Amy on this achievement and look forward to seeing the many ways her enhanced knowledge and expertise will benefit West Florida Electric Cooperative’s members.

Find this recipe and more: www.westflorida.coop/recipes 3 • Current Light Flashes • October 2025 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

Co-ops Back Bill to Speed Up FEMA Disaster Relief Electric co-ops nationwide are supporting the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025. The bill aims to cut red tape, speed up disaster relief, and make FEMA an independent agency that reports directly to the president.

Currently, co-ops often wait years for FEMA reimbursements after hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and other disasters which drives up the cost for rural communities.

This bill would change that by:

WFEC Board of Trustees

• Faster payments: FEMA must reimburse emergency work within 120 days once 90% of costs are approved.

• Quick reviews: FEMA must review long-term project estimates in 90 days and release funds within 30 days of approval.

• Smarter rebuilding: Co-ops could strengthen damaged systems instead of rebuilding them exactly as before. 73307001

DAVID TATUM

TIM ALFORD

District 1/Treasurer

District 2/President

JACKIE POOSER

JOHN ADAMS

DAVID CORBIN

GEORGE C. OWENS

RANDY BUSH

MISTY ERICKSON

District 3

District 4

Supporters from both parties say reforms will cut bureaucracy and speed recovery.

“Most co-ops are waiting years for reimbursement,” said Will Mitchell of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). “This would be a huge change.”

The bill still needs approval from the House, Senate, and President Trump. NRECA, which represents over 900 electric cooperatives, says it will keep pushing to ensure rural communities benefit.

WFEC Offices Closed October 13

Thank you for all the calls, texts, thoughts, prayers and acts of kindness during the loss of our mother, Addlean Corbin.

David Corbin and Family

District 5/Vice President

District 7

MYRON HUDSON

District 9/Secretary

4 • Current Light Flashes • October 2025 • Toll Free Outage Hotline: 844.OUTAGE1 (844.688.2431)

District 6

District 8

NATHAN BERRY

Executive VP & CEO