May 2021 | Volume 83 | Issue 5
Co-op Online Voting Open May 6-31
Visit www.PCEC.coop/vote between May 6 and May 31 to cast your ballot online. Mail-in ballots can be requested by visiting the website or calling 816-490-6614. Mail-in ballots must be requested by May 27 and returned by June 6.
Why We’re Returning $3.4 Million To Our Consumer-Members This Year
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
As a non-profit electric cooperative, Platte-Clay is owned and governed by its members. The co-op’s consumers share in any profit of the cooperative after operating costs and sound financial practices are accounted for.
This year, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is returning $3.4 million of capital credits to consumer-members, shattering the organization’s previous record of $2.7 million.
Capital credits will be applied to members’ May bills using the auto-apply system, which has significantly decreased the possibility of fraud that was present when physical checks were still being mailed to members every year.
This also gives members immediate access to their credits, which can make a huge difference to those struggling to catch up with their bill.
These credits play a significant role in setting us apart from investor-owned utility companies. As a community-led and community-focused organization, our members’ best interests are the cooperative’s only financial priority.
This means when our financial standing is strong, our ratepayers are the ones who benefit – not investors thousands of miles away or the bottom lines of out-of-state corporations.
Despite COVID-19, the cooperative saw continued financial success last year. A large portion of PCEC’s electric accounts are residential, meaning the government-mandated shutdowns of businesses during the height of the pandemic had a minimal impact on the co-op’s revenues.
Another reason for our ability to return such a large amount to our members is our continued efforts to keep costs low and embrace technology.
Team PCEC is always looking for cost-efficient solutions to any problem that surfaces at the cooperative. We operate every day with our members in mind, knowing that their financial support makes our entire operation possible.
The record amount of capital credits being returned by Platte-Clay this year puts the strength of the cooperative model on full display and we’re thrilled to be able to provide this relief to our members.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns you can reach me via email at GeneralManager@pcec.coop.
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative 2021 Scholarship Winners Announced
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative has awarded academic scholarships to three outstanding Northland area students.
Every year, PCEC awards a $1,000 scholarship to one high school senior in each of the co-op’s three service districts. The recipients of the $1,000 scholarships this year were Liberty Holm of Holt, Emma Faith Jones of Platte City and Emily Shepherd of Liberty.
The scholarship program focuses on students pursuing degrees that can be used in the electric power industry. Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative supports Northland schools throughout the year by hosting learning experiences, giving electrical safety demonstrations, sponsoring school events and extracurricular activities, and investing in STEM teacher development.
Crews Complete Rescue Safety Training
In April, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative lineworkers and technicians conducted annual safety training to review policies and procedures around rescue scenarios.
Crews trained on how to rescue a stranded lineman who has been injured and is stuck in the air either in a bucket or on a pole. The goal of the training is for every participant to be able to complete the rescue in under four minutes – an important time marker for scenarios where someone has lost their oxygen supply.
Pole-top rescues, as they’re called, are trained for using life-like 200-pound dummies that present all the same challenges as someone who has become incapacitated in the field.
New Electric Vehicle Tools Available on WWW.PCEC.COOP
New tools have been added to PCEC.coop/EV to help consumer-members with researching the advantages of purchasing an electric vehicle. The tools include ways to find cost savings, maps of electric vehicle charging stations and information about vehicle models available on the market.
The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.
Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.