March 2021 | Volume 83 | Issue 3
PCEC Thanks Consumer-Members For Voluntary Energy Conservation Efforts During Polar Vortex
After a week of extreme strain on energy grids across the midwest in February, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative (PCEC) is thanking its members for their voluntary energy conservation. A reduction in energy usage and a strong electric cooperative system enabled PCEC to avoid implementing any forced outages amid sustained extreme temperatures.
“We appreciate the efforts of our consumer-members to temporarily reduce the amount of energy used by their homes and businesses during a difficult period of time for the entire energy sector,” said Dave Deihl, CEO and General Manager of Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative. “The events of the past week have been a testament to the strength of the cooperative business model and the resilience of our members.”
Platte-Clay is part of an independent system of generation and transmission cooperatives, led by Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Springfield, MO), and is not under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). This independence means top-notch service and reliability for PCEC consumer-members, even during harsh conditions.
A diverse and resilient mix of power generation sources controlled by Associated Electric has ensured sufficient energy supply to the grid throughout this extreme weather event.
Extreme Weather Proves Strength of Cooperative System
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
February was a challenging month for the energy industry as power grids across the entire midwest were strained to maximum capacity during a polar vortex that shattered records for sustained and extreme low temperatures.
I’m proud to say during the extreme weather event, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative never had to resort to temporary forced outages. The strength of our generation and transmission partners was on full display in their efforts to maintain power to the grid.
A big factor in the amount of demand on the grid is energy consumed by HVAC systems. With the unprecedented cold snap, those systems were working harder than ever before – and using more energy than ever before.
A diverse and resilient mix of power generation sources ensured enough power was continually supplied to the grid to meet demand even as the cold persisted. Every generation source was running at full availability and faced its own unique challenges, but all were required.
Your efforts to conserve energy also made a big difference. We heard countless stories of members holding off loads of laundry, bumping down their thermostat by a few degrees and unplugging devices to reduce their demand. Those small actions helped the entire Northland community and we can’t thank our members enough for the steps they took to help their cooperative family.
Platte-Clay is part of an independent system of cooperatives that doesn’t depend on regional transmission organizations. This gives Missouri’s cooperative system the flexibility it needs to meet members’ needs, however the financial impact of the immense accommodations made during this crisis are not yet fully known.
The challenges posed by this weather event will come at a significant cost for our partner cooperatives, and we anticipate some of the costs being passed on to Platte-Clay. This may require PCEC to possibly adjust its rates down the road in order to maintain the financial stability of the co-op.
With record-breaking cold temperatures, we also anticipate our members will see higher usage than average for the month of February. Lower temperatures outside mean your home uses more energy to maintain indoor temperatures. Our Member Services team is standing by to help connect members who need assistance with their bills to community organizations and state resources that may be able to provide relief.
We appreciate your assistance in helping us weather the polar vortex with minimal interruption to our membership. We’re proud to provide reliable service to our members through every unexpected challenge, including this most recent one.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns you can reach me via email at GeneralManager@pcec.coop.
Q&A: How Did The February Cold Snap Impact My Electric Bill?
Why is my bill higher for February?
Bills typically increase during cold snaps because heating systems are running for prolonged periods of time. HVAC systems and space heaters often use more energy than any other appliances or equipment in the home. The mid-February cold snap set a new record for most single digit highs in February with at least six days, breaking the previous record of five days set in 1899.
Did rates increase for PCEC members?
PCEC has not had a rate change since 2016 and did not implement a rate increase during the February cold snap. However, members’ households and businesses using more energy during colder temperatures will likely contribute to higher bills. Platte-Clay is currently examining the long-term financial impact of this extreme weather event.
What can I do to lower my bill in the winter?
You can save a significant amount of energy by keeping your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Keep plenty of blankets around the house and dress for the weather so you can set your thermostat lower. You can also save energy by unplugging devices when not in use and avoiding the use of space heaters.
Are there resources available if I need assistance with my bill?
There are a number of resources that may help PCEC members with paying their bills. A list of community resource organizations providing utility assistance is available on www.PCEC.coop. Additionally, the State of Missouri has several programs available to members. Information about those programs is also available on the website.
By-Law Amendments Proposed to Make Voting Easier For Cooperative Members
A package of by-law amendments has been proposed by the Board of Directors to eliminate traditional barriers to participating in Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative’s democratic process. As a cooperative, PCEC is led by its consumer-members who vote annually to elect fellow members to the Board.
The amendments would give more flexibility as to how and when PCEC members can vote in the co-op’s elections in an effort to make the democratic process more accessible. The individual changes include:
- Voting can be conducted via electronic and mail-in methods
- Members voting by alternative voting methods can be counted in the annual meeting quorum
- Candidates must give advanced notice of their interest and cannot be nominated through last-second procedures in order to ensure consistency between advanced voting and day-of ballots
These changes were put in place under emergency circumstances last year due to COVID-19 and resulted in record-breaking participation. The amendments will appear on the ballot for this year’s co-op election. To learn more, visit pcec.coop/vote.
Platte-Clay Moments
PCEC crews worked through tough, subzero temperature weather conditions in February to keep power flowing to consumer-members across the Northland.
Left: Security Technician Steve Herndon celebrates his retirement after 24 years of service to the cooperative. Right: The sun emerges over icy trees as a week-long polar vortex which impacted the Northland begins the fade.
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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.