July 2019 | Volume 81 | Issue 7
New Charging Station Unveiled
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative was joined by Platte City Mayor Frank Offutt, the Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce and Mid-Continent Public Library on Monday, June 10 to unveil the first public electric vehicle charging station to be installed in Platte City. The charging station is located in the parking lot between the library and the Platte County Community Center.
This investment in the community is part of Platte-Clay’s larger PCECEV program, which aims to support the use of electric vehicles across the Northland. In addition to the new charging station, PCECEV also includes a rebate program for in-home chargers, educational resources for consumer-members and the addition of a new Chevy Bolt to the co-op’s vehicle fleet.
The Commitment of a Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative Lineworker
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
National studies consistently rank power line installers and repairers among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and for good reason. Laboring high in the air wearing heavy equipment and working directly with high voltage creates the perfect storm of a dangerous and unforgiving profession. But electric lineworkers are up to the task. These brave men and women are committed to safety, as well as the challenges of the job.
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s lineworkers are responsible for keeping power fl owing day and night, regardless of national holidays, vacations, birthdays, weddings or other important family milestones. Beyond the years of specialized training and apprenticeships, it takes internal fortitude and a mission-oriented outlook to be a good lineworker.
In fact, this service-oriented mentality is a hallmark characteristic of lineworkers. The job requires lineworkers to set aside their personal priorities to better serve their local community.
Family Support System
To perform their jobs successfully, lineworkers depend on their years of training, experience and each other to get the job done safely.
Equally important is their reliance on a strong support system at home. A lineworker’s family understands and supports their loved one’s commitment to the greater community during severe storms and power outages.
This means in times of prolonged outages, the family and their lineworker may have minimal communication and not see each other for several days. Without strong family support and understanding, this challenging job would be all the more difficult.
Community Commitment
In the Northland and across the country, electric co-op lineworkers’ mission-focused mentality of helping others often extends beyond their commitment to their work at the co-op. Lineworkers are often familiar figures in the community.
They can be found coaching youth sports teams, volunteering for local charities and serving on local advisory boards. PCEC linemen are involved in a wide variety of activities and causes that constantly demonstrate their commitment to their families and community.
Thank You
Our linemen are dedicated to serving you, both on and off the job. We are grateful for their many contributions to the community and thankful for their service to the co-op. As the summer storm season takes hold, if you see a Platte-Clay lineworker or a family member out in the community please take a moment to offer them a thank you for their service.
PCEC Youth Tour Delegates Attend National Leadership Conference
One-hundred and eight high school students participated in Missouri’s 56th annual Missouri Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 14-20. Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative was represented at the national leadership conference by Jakob Scroggins of North Platte High School and Hayden Humes of Platte County High School.
The seven-day tour provides an action-filled week for high school students, offering them opportunities to learn firsthand what it is like to be involved in politics, leadership positions, community service and today’s pressing issues.
“The Youth Tour is the highlight of the summer for many students and we’re proud to send our best and brightest to Washington, D.C. this year to participate,” said Chris Massman, Vice President of Member Services for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives in Jefferson City.
Highlights included the students visiting with representatives from their congressional districts and touring famous monuments, the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and Arlington National Cemetery. After a 30-year hiatus, the group also went on a tour of the White House.
Other events of the week included participation in the Electric Youth Day, which featured a special program coordinated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association with nearly 2,000 Youth Tour delegates from across the United States. The delegates enjoyed featured speeches by government leaders and motivational speakers such as Mike Schlappi, an inspiring four-time Paralympic medalist and two-time world wheelchair basketball champion.
Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative has been sponsoring students to attend Youth Tour since 1964. The conference gives students the chance to visit historical sights, meet with elected officials and connect with other students from across Missouri and the nation.
Everyone Likes Getting a Good Report Card
Your electric cooperative employs hard-working and dedicated staff who work together for the benefit of you, our consumer-member. Thank you for proving that “hard work pays off” by providing your feedback in our 2018 member satisfaction survey that includes American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) metrics. Your opinion landed us at the top of the utility industry average scores* and above several other service industry average scores.*
Platte-Clay Moments
Missouri’s 2019 Youth Tour delegation of 108 students from all across the state pose for a picture at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual event in Washington, D.C.
Left: A Platte-Clay lineman climbs an electrical pole to examine and repair damage after a heavy storm. Right: Fox 4 Meteorologist Garry Frank provides weather awareness training for crews gearing up for storm season.
Summer Safety Tip
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.