Northland Connection: October 2025

Powering Our Communities with Excellence

PCEC outperforms state and national peers

Recently, your board of directors and I gathered for our triennial strategic planning session. This is always an important time for us to reflect on where we’ve been, evaluate where we stand and chart a course for the years ahead. We had the privilege of being guided in this process by representatives from our banking partner, Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC).

CFC provides this facilitation service at no cost to electric cooperatives around the country, and their expertise is invaluable. One of the most beneficial tools they bring to the table is the Key Ratio Trend Analysis report (KRTA’s). This report provides a comprehensive look at important data points for cooperatives, both across our state and nationwide.

In past years, our comparisons were made against data from more than 800 co-ops nationwide. That information was useful, but it also included systems very different from ours. For the first time this year, we were able to drill down to data from co-ops similar in size and scope to PCEC. This gives us a much clearer picture of how we are performing in the areas that matter most to our members.

One of the most telling measures is growth in kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales. Over the past decade, PCEC has seen nearly 6% growth in kWh sales, fueled by strong consumer growth in our service territory. By contrast, the median cooperative in Missouri saw sales decline by about 2.5%, while our national peer group experienced an average decline of 6%.

This trend highlights the confidence that members and businesses place in the cooperative to provide reliable, affordable energy. Growth brings challenges, but it also strengthens our cooperative by spreading costs across a larger membership base.

Reliability remains at the core of our mission. According to the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), which measures outage duration, PCEC excels among our peers. The average outage time for our members is 49 minutes per year, compared with a statewide average of 126 minutes and a national peer average of 113 minutes.

This outstanding performance is the result of continuous investment in system upgrades, preventive maintenance and the dedication of our crews, who respond quickly and effectively when issues arise. Simply put, our members experience some of the most reliable electric service available anywhere in the country.

Another measure that stood out was operational efficiency, particularly in the number of members served per employee. At PCEC, each employee serves an average of 363 members. The statewide average is 304, and the national peer average is 327.

This remarkable efficiency is not the result of cutting corners, it is a reflection of the high-quality employees who make up our team. Their commitment, skill and innovation enable us to deliver exceptional service while keeping costs as low as possible for our membership. Strategic planning is about more than numbers. It’s about ensuring that PCEC continues to meet the needs of today while preparing for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. As the energy landscape changes, with increasing emphasis on technology, sustainability and new forms of energy use, our cooperative must be prepared to adapt and lead.

The insights gained from the KRTA report and the discussions with our board help ensure that we are making thoughtful, informed decisions. We remain committed to balancing reliability, affordability and innovation while staying true to our cooperative principles.

As your general manager, I am proud of where we stand today and optimistic about where we are headed. PCEC is stronger because of the dedication of our employees, the guidance of our board, and most importantly, the trust and support of our members.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Together, we will continue building a cooperative that not only keeps the lights on, but also powers the growth and vitality of our communities for years to come.

New Online Outage Reporting Option Available

PCEC is excited to introduce a new, easier way for members to report outages online. Instead of calling in, members can now use our interactive online outage map to let us know when their power is out. Simply enter your account number or the phone number tied to your account, and your report is submitted instantly into our system. This tool can help save time and reduce the backlog of calls during large outages. It also helps members report outages faster during nights and weekends when we have less staff available to answer calls. Our goal is to make outage reporting as simple and stress-free as possible, while continuing to keep members informed. It’s one more way PCEC is working to serve you better every day.

Third Grade Safety Poster Submissions Due End of October

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is committed to helping our youngest members learn the importance of electrical safety. This October, in celebration of National Co-op Month, we’re inviting third graders from across our communities to take part in a fun and educational safety poster contest.

At PCEC, safety is always a top priority, and this contest is a great way to encourage students to think creatively about staying safe around electricity. The top three student entries will be awarded prizes, and winners will be recognized on our Facebook page as well as in a future edition of Northland Connection.

We’re also excited to celebrate the teachers who support this effort—three participating teachers will be selected to win a $100 gift card 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, 2025

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

Fish, Fellowship and the Cooperative Difference

In September, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative hosted two member appreciation fish fries. One took place at our Kearney headquarters and the other at our Platte City office. Both events were incredibly well attended, and it was wonderful to see so many of you come out to share a meal, conversation and community.

The energy in the crowd was just as uplifting as the food was delicious. These gatherings weren’t just about a plate of fried fish. They were about reconnecting with one another, catching up with neighbors we haven’t seen in a while and strengthening the bonds that make our cooperative unique.

Events like these are valuable to me as a board member because they give us the chance to listen directly to you. Our members are the pulse of this organization. If something is going well, we want to hear about it. And if there’s an issue that needs addressing, we want to know that too.

The feedback we received during these fish fries was overwhelmingly positive. Many of you thanked us for the cooperative’s reliability, and I want you to know how much that means to us. Reliable electricity is the foundation for how our homes, farms and businesses operate every day. Knowing that you recognize and appreciate that commitment reassures us that we are spending your money wisely and investing in the right priorities.

It’s often said that electric cooperatives are different from other types of utilities, but events like these really showcase it. There are no other local utilities that I’m aware of that hold gatherings where members can sit down with directors and staff, share a meal and talk about what’s on their minds.

Other utilities may talk about community, but we live it. We aren’t a company that operates from a distance. We are your neighbors. We’re on the same lines, using the same power and paying the same rates as every other member. That shared experience keeps us grounded and accountable.

Unlike the larger annual meetings we used to host, where thousands of people attended, these smaller gatherings make it easier for us to have meaningful conversations. They also give our members, the chance to visit with one another. Watching members connect, swap stories and strengthen relationships is a reminder that the cooperative model is not just about electricity, it’s about community. That’s the small town way: working with our neighbors and relying on one another to reach our goals.

It’s especially fitting that these events happened as we head into October, which is National Co-op Month. Across the country, more than 30,000 cooperatives are celebrating the values and principles that make co-ops special. For Platte-Clay, those values aren’t just words on a page — they’re lived out in moments like our fish fries, in our everyday service and in the way we invest in our communities.

One of the seven cooperative principles is “Democratic Member Control,” which means you elect the board of directors to represent you and make decisions on your behalf. Another is “Concern for Community,” which is reflected in the way we prioritize member engagement, support local programs and strengthen the areas where we live and work.

This month is a reminder that co-ops are not-for-profit, member-owned and built by the communities they serve. Our mission is reliable power, and our purpose is people. We are successful because of our neighbors, families and businesses who make up our membership.

As we move into the months ahead, I hope the spirit of those fish fries stays with us. They reminded me, once again, of the cooperative difference. Platte-Clay exists because of you. We were built by the community, for the community. As your needs continue to evolve, we will continue to adapt without ever losing sight of that mission.

On behalf of the entire board of directors, thank you for being part of Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative. Your support, your participation and your willingness to engage with us are what keep this cooperative thriving. Together, we’ll keep building connections one conversation, one handshake, and yes, sometimes even one plate of fish at a time.

As winter approaches, now is the time to inspect your home for air leaks around windows. Leaks reduce indoor comfort and lead to higher heating costs. If you can see daylight around the edges of a window frame or if a window rattles slightly when touched, air is likely leaking. Caulking and weatherstripping are simple, effective methods for sealing windows. These materials are available in a variety of compounds and forms, each designed for different types of surfaces. Choose the right product and apply it properly to reduce heat loss, improve comfort and lower energy bills.

Source: energy.gov