August 2020 | Volume 82 | Issue 8
Co-op Voting Now Open
Visit www.PCEC.coop/vote between August 1st and August 31st 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 August 21st and postmarked for return by August 31st.
Electricity Remains a Good Value For Cooperative Members
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
Even though I work in the energy industry, like most people, I still don’t think much about the electricity I use. I expect the lights to turn on when I flip the switch and the coffeemaker to work each morning. Electricity is so abundant that we don’t think much about it. Since many of us have been spending more time at home over the past few months, we have likely been using more energy. And yet, we still expect an endless supply of power with uninterrupted service 24/7. The only time we really think about electricity is when the power goes out or when the monthly bill arrives.
Electricity is a great value given how it powers our modern lifestyle every day – especially when compared to other common services and expenses. For example, consider how the cost of groceries or a cup of your favorite specialty coffee has gone up over the past few years. By comparison, the cost of electricity has remained largely fl at, unlike most other consumer goods.
Like many of you, I have a cell phone to stay connected, and I subscribe to cable channels so I can enjoy more viewing options. Many of us consider these necessities for modern day life. We can see what we’re getting for our money, and we pay the price for those services. In contrast, when we use electricity, we don’t necessarily “see” all that we’re getting for our money.
Considering what electricity does for us, it’s a tremendous value for our quality of life as well as our budgets. For comparison, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average rent increase was nearly 4% from 2014-2019. The cost of medical care increased 3% during the same time period and education was not too far behind at 2.6%. So, where did electricity rank? According to the Bureau, electricity increased by a nationwide average of less than half a percentage point, 0.4%.
The bottom line: electricity brings reliable, everyday value. In fact, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative members experienced 99% reliability in 2019 in terms of outage minutes per year. Considering electricity is something that we all use around the clock, I’m very proud of our track record. At the same time, we are striving to increase our service reliability to reduce those brief interruptions and reduce costs. We are continually working to improve our operations to ensure a smarter grid and explore more renewable energy options where possible.
PCEC provides the reliable service you expect as a valued member of the co-op, and as your trusted energy advisor we want to help you save energy and money.
We recognize that the past few months have been challenging for many of our members, and we’re here to help. If you have questions about your account or are looking for ways to save energy at home, please give us a call. Platte-Clay is your electric co-op and our sole purpose is to serve you and the needs of our community. That’s everyday value.
Reliability Improvement Plan Continues With Brush Control Efforts
Platte-Clay’s Reliability Improvement Plan was launched in 2018 in an effort to reduce power outages across the co-op’s service territory.
The plan includes increased underground inspections, brush control and tree trimming. Significant progress has been made on all three fronts since the plan was launched and the month of August will mark a significant increase in brush control in parts of the Northland that Platte-Clay provides service to.
Contract crews will be in Excelsior Springs, Excelsior Estates, Lawson and Crystal Lakes In August to continue their brush control efforts around Platte-Clay power lines. Learn more about the Reliability Improvement Plan by visiting www.PCEC.coop/reliability.
PCEC CEO Elected President of N.W. Electric Co-op Board of Directors
PCEC General Manager and CEO Dave Deihl was recently elected to serve as the President of the Board of Directors for Northwest Electric Power Cooperative.
N.W. Electric Power Cooperative is a transmission cooperative that delivers power to seven co-ops in the northwest Missouri region, including Platte-Clay. N.W.’s Board of Directors consists of board members and managers from each of its member-cooperative.
Deihl has served on the N.W. Board of Directors since 2017.
Dedication to Member Service Shines Through in Pandemic
Debi Koechner
Board President
The Board of Directors passed a resolution in August recognizing PCEC employees for their dedication to member service through these difficult times. From the earliest moments of the pandemic, the entire team at Platte-Clay has remained focused on making sure members continue to get the same great service of which they are accustomed.
From shifting to remote work to taking extra sanitation precautions, the individuals who are responsible for keeping our co-op going have effectively navigated an ever-changing office environment while being just as productive as before. They also worked to ensure PCEC members still had the opportunity to vote on issues facing the cooperative by implementing a combination of mail-in and online voting for this year’s co-op election, which can be utilized through August 31 by visiting www.PCEC.coop/vote.
The service that PCEC provides is fundamental to our members’ daily lives. In a time where more and more of us are working from home, having access to safe and reliable electricity is extraordinarily important. Despite the extra work involved with social distancing, spring storms and the challenge of remote work, coop employees have continued to respond to outages as soon as they occur and have helped countless members resolve issues relating to their service.
The Board of Directors has made adjustments to our normal procedures as well. A combination of virtual meetings and social distancing has enabled us to continue to meet on a regular basis to track progress and discuss cooperative governance.
We are continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the cooperative and have been encouraged by the creative problem solving we’ve seen among staff members. Our commitment to the communities we serve remains strong and naturally includes a concern for the health of our fellow Northlanders.
It’s my honor to serve as the President of Platte-Clay’s Board of Directors. I can confidently say that each of us are proud of the approach the co-op’s employees have taken to navigate this public health crisis. We’re also grateful for the thousands in our communities working in healthcare and other essential services for the role they’re playing.
It’s the strength of our community and the organizations we belong to that will get us through the challenge of COVID-19.
Clear Creek Wind Project Now Live
Associated Electric Cooperative’s Clear Creek Wind Farm is now fully operational, adding more renewable energy to the generation cooperative that provides power to Platte-Clay’s local system.
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.