Northland Connection: September 2024

Technology Plays Crucial Role in Co-op’s Success

Technology continues to have a dramatic impact on everything in our lives. Nearly everywhere we look technology has changed how everything works and gets done.

This has been the case in the electric industry as well. I remember when I started with PCEC in 1994 that members had meter books and read their own meters. Employees didn’t have cell phones. The World Wide Web was just getting started. Fast forward to today and technology is integrated into everything we do at the Co-op. It has completely transformed and streamlined our operations. We have doubled the number of meters we serve, yet we have fewer employees.

We have electronic meters that can track usage and demand. We have computer-based systems that can analyze, monitor and control our power distribution infrastructure in real time. Our utility plant is managed by a GPS system. We have software to handle and store member applications and information. The list goes on and on. When members tell us they’re surprised with how fast we restore outages, technology plays a big part.

To manage these systems effectively, the Co-op has created a strategic and comprehensive technology work plan. Technology helps the Co-op provide top-notch reliability and service to members, but it also requires significant dollars and highly skilled employees to maintain and protect.

We get a lot of questions about the customer charge on members’ bills and what this is for. The customer charge covers PCEC’s fixed costs such as member services, poles, wires, meters, linemen, tree-trimming, trucks, and outage restoration. This is also where technology costs fit in.

PCEC must spend the necessary resources each year to maintain and upgrade the technology we need in order to provide service to members. This also includes the costs to protect our digital infrastructure and your personal data.

We have a great deal at stake when it comes to dealing with cybersecurity. Member data, electrical infrastructure, payment systems, and communications are just a few of the essential components of our operations that we must always protect to operate successfully. Beyond cybersecurity, we face similar challenges being prepared for a natural disaster or major storm. It’s critical that we invest in the safeguards and equipment to effectively restore operations in the event our operations were to be compromised.

PCEC is deeply committed to ensuring our local system is safe and secure. We routinely monitor threats and manage cyber risks, and we work together with other co-ops to share the latest advancements in cybersecurity measures that make us stronger.

Another benefit of the cooperative network is that our leadership team can routinely analyze metrics, benchmarks and cost efficiencies to see where we stand compared to our peers.

As technology continues to evolve, so will our work plan and goals. We have already lined up strategic planning sessions with the Board of Directors for 2025. We’re going to continue to refocus our strategic goals to be sure they’re on-target based on recent member survey feedback and other industry data. If they’re not, we’ll re-evaluate to ensure there isn’t something else we need to focus on.

Lastly, we’d like to share a few cybersecurity tips that our team utilizes that can help you bolster your online safety.

• Learn how to spot phishing attempts. Phishing occurs when criminals use phony emails or direct messages that lure you to click a bad link or download a malicious attachment. If you receive a suspicious email or message that includes urgent language, offers appearing too good to be true, poor grammar or an unusual sender address, it could be a phishing attempt. When in doubt, don’t click.
• Create strong, unique passwords. Strong passwords contain at least 12 characters and include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Create unique passwords for each online account you manage and use phrases you can easily remember.
• Enable multi-factor authentication when available. Multi-factor or 2-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts. These extra security steps can include facial recognition, fingerprint access, or one-time codes sent to your email or phone.
• Update software regularly. Software and internet-connected devices, including personal computers, smartphones and tablets, should always be current on updates to reduce the risk of infection from ransomware and malware. When possible, configure devices to automatically update or notify you when an update is available.

Trip of a Lifetime

Youth Tour and CYCLE contest winners participate in youth leadership trips

Five local high school students represented Platte-Clay Electric this summer at youth leadership conferences. Each year, PCEC sponsors a Youth Tour competition for area high school juniors. Students prepare essays and finalists give presentations at the Co-op headquarters for a panel of judges.

Muhammad Ali Alrubaye, from Liberty North High School, and Isabella Monachello, from Smithville High School, were this year’s Youth Tour winners and won a trip in June to Washington D.C.

Youth Tour is an annual youth event sponsored by rural electrical cooperatives around the country. More than 100 students from the Show-Me state and over 2,000 students nationwide had the opportunity to tour museums, visit America’s historic monuments and meet with elected officials.

Mason Throm from Smithville High School, Mackenzie Cole from Excelsior Springs High School, and Skyler Shipley from Kearney High School traveled to Jefferson City in July as delegates to Youth CYCLE (Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience).

See more images from their experiences on the Missouri Youth Tour Facebook page: MissouriYouthTourCYCLE.

You’re Invited: Upcoming Member Appreciation Events

PCEC’s popular member appreciation events will return this fall with opportunities for delicious food and fellowship. Mark your calendars now to join PCEC staff and board members at the events. All members are invited to attend, and food will be served while supplies last. We hope you and your family can make it to one or all of the events!

PCEC Launches Safety Poster Contest for Third Graders

PCEC is continually working to increase electrical safety awareness for our youngest members.

One of the 2023 winning posters by Vayda Woody

During National Co-op Month in October, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is sponsoring a safety poster contest for third graders in the communities we serve.

Safety is at the forefront of everything our Cooperative does for its consumer-members. Winners will be announced on our Facebook page and featured in an upcoming Northland Connection.

The top three students will receive a prize. Teachers who submit their class artwork will be also be able to win prizes. Three teachers will win a $100 gift card to use for their classrooms!

Submission guidelines

• Submit original artwork on 8.5×11 inch paper
• Poster must use the theme, “How do I stay safe around electricity?”
• Print the child’s name, phone number, school and teacher on back of poster
• One entry per student
• Posters must be received no later than October 31, 2024

Three options to submit entries

• Mail poster to: Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060
• Hand-deliver to our Kearney or Platte-City office
• Scan poster and email to AmandaM@pcec.coop