Blunt, S.D. Office Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Phone: 605-962-6243 OR 1-800-640-6243 Web Site: www.oaheelectric.com NOVEMBER 2016 VOL. 17 NO. 7 Co-ops Vote: Ensuring Rural America is Heard P8-9 Co-op News My Electric Co-op Is Sending Me a Check! Capital Credit Retirement Statement of Ownership Only your local cooperatives make every consumer an owner of the business. Unlike other electric utilities, your co-op exists to make sure your needs are always met, not to make a profit. As a member-owner, you share in the profits in the form of capital credit refunds. The cooperative works hard every day to keep your rates as low as possible. But it’s sure nice to know that when there are profits, they go back to you! After reviewing the financial condition of your cooperative for the year, your board of directors approved a capital credit retirement of approxi­ mately $250,000. As a nonprofit electric cooperative, Oahe Electric allocates our annual operating margins, or profits, to members receiving service during the year. These margins (revenue in excess of expenses) are allocated using a propor­ tional ratio (using the dollar amount of electric service that each member purchases in a year compared to the total electric service purchased by all members) and are called capital credits. They are used by Oahe Electric for operating funds and paid back to our members as the financial condition of the cooperative permits and as bylaw provisions are met. In keeping with our attempt to run your business in the most efficient manner we can for the entire membership, your capital credits were cred­ ited directly to your bill again this year. This transaction will be on the bill you receive in November 2016. The amount credited will be listed in the Detail of Charges on your bill. Of course we still have to hand write some checks. Checks will be written for those members who no longer have an active electric account with us or current members whose capital credit re­ tirement dollar amounts are large enough that it would create an ongoing credit balance on their bill. If you cease to purchase energy from Oahe Electric Cooperative, please keep us informed of your address in future years. This will enable us to forward payment when the capital credits are refunded for the year or years of your membership. Your co-op is always there with you, reinvesting in your community. In an electric co-op, the people have the power! Got a Sub Meter? Please Leave Power Turned On Most of you remember when Oahe Electric was at your home to install the sub meter. This meter allows your heating and cooling usage to be billed at the reduced rate. A problem that Oahe Electric encounters from year to year is that some of these meters are being shut off. This is done by shutting off a breaker in your service panel and when this happens, the meter cannot record any usage at the reduced rate. Therefore, the electric usage consumed by your heating system is being billed to you at the regular residential rate. This causes two problems: First, the consumers call with a high bill complaint. Second, Oahe employees have to diagnose the situation. Oahe will try to contact the homeowner via phone. If the problem cannot be fixed via phone, then we have to visit each site and check breakers, wiring and so on. Please make certain that all of your electric breakers are turned on. All electronic equipment has a switch or thermostat that should be used for and during maintenance. DO NOT SHUT OFF YOUR BREAKERS unless it’s an emergency. 2 November 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS Manager’s Column This November, Let Your Voice Be Heard (USPS No. 019-042) Editors Russ Hohn and Sam Irvine General Manager Low voter turnout has been a topic of conversa­ Rodney Haag tion for the last several election cycles. Since the Oahe Electric Board of Directors 1960s, voter turnout during presidential elections President has seen a steady decline – with the occasional Ken Gillaspie, 280-5015 uptick here and there. In the 2016 primary election cycle, voter turnout in most states was only 21 to Vice President 30 percent, and this was a record year for primary James Feller, 962-6207 Rodney Haag voter turnout! Secretary General Manager Some speculate the reason for the decline is Ross Sperry, 962-6141 [email protected] because the average American is not as engaged in politics as they have been in the past. And who Treasurer can blame us really? Often times, we may feel like Blaine Livermont – 945-2910 candidates are not speaking to the issues we care about. Or perhaps we Assistant Secretary don’t feel like we understand enough about the candidates’ stances on the Kirk Yackley, 605-258-2412 issues, or even the issues themselves. But we can change this. Here at Oahe Electric Cooperative, we want to see civic engagement Attorney in our rural communities increase. We want to give you what you need to David Larson make informed decisions about candidates at all levels of government, not just the presidential race. And we want you to know more about the issues OAHE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS is published monthly by Oahe Electric Cooperative, that could impact our local communities. Inc., PO Box 216, 102 S. Canford, Blunt, SD 57522, America’s electric cooperatives are doing their part by informing co-op for its members. Families subscribe to Oahe Electric staff and members through Co-ops Vote, a non-partisan campaign with Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. Oahe Electric Cooperative one simple goal: increase voter turnout at the polls this November. By vis­ Connections’ purpose is to provide reliable, helpful iting vote.coop, you can learn about your candidates, access voter registra­ information to Oahe Electric Cooperative members on tion information and more. matters pertaining to rural electrification and better rural living. Subscription information: Electric cooperative The future of rural economies depends on their ability to keep up members devote 50 cents from their monthly electric with today’s global economy, which is why access to broadband internet payments for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions is a key topic of discussion this election season. Just 55 percent of rural are available for $12 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Blunt, SD 57522 and at additional mailing offices. Americans have broadband at home. Quick access to information is crucial in finding a job, getting a better education and even gathering the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Oahe Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 216, Blunt, SD 57522­ information needed to make major health decisions. But there is a barrier: 0216; telephone (605) 962-6243; fax (605) 962-6306; expensive costs. e-mail [email protected]; www.oaheelectric.com With the right state and federal policies, broadband technology can become available to all rural Americans, allowing families and businesses Oahe Mission Statement to communicate in new and faster ways. Electric cooperatives are already committed to providing affordable Oahe Electric delivers high quality, low-cost electricity to our communities, so helping provide affordable broadband electric service to our local member-owners. access is a natural next step. As a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, we are We encourage you to visit vote.coop and take the pledge to learn more committed to meeting the highest standards of about the issues that impact us locally. Let’s work together to improve our customer satisfaction. communities by increasing voter turnout and changing our country, one We do business with accountability, integrity, vote at a time. innovation and commitment to community. As an electric co-op, we are part of America’s most trusted network of high quality energy providers. COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • November 2016 3 Safety Tips Kidsʼ Corner Safety Poster Tricks, Treats and “Call before you dig.” Safety Make Halloween a Scream! It’s the time of year to stock up on sweet treats and fill the yard and home with decorations as ghosts, goblins and caped crusaders plan their invasion of your neighborhood. Safe Elec­ tricity urges everyone to make sure your costumed visitors are kept safe by following some basic electrical safety guidelines. Safe Electricity suggests the following to avoid potential safety hazards: • Use only lights that have been safety tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Look for the UL label on the box and on each string. • Make sure extension cords are in good condition. Use only Amy Cichosz, 9 years old UL-approved cords rated to carry the electrical load you will Amy is the daughter of Eric and Jill Cichosz, Spearfish, S.D. connect to them. They are members of Butte Electric Cooperative, Newell, S.D. • Before plugging in the lights, check each string for broken sockets, frayed cords, or faulty plugs. Replace damaged strings. Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric coop- • Keep electric cords out of high-traffic areas. erative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, youʼll receive a • Don’t staple or nail through light strings or electrical prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names cords. of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged. • Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold light strings in place, not nails or tacks. • Do not attach cords or lights to metal objects. • Outdoors, use only lights and cords rated for outdoor use.