In This Issue
- Solar added to renewable mix with completion of Solar Garden
- A look at OEC's 2017 strategic initiatives
- OEC sends crews to northwestern Oklahoma to help restore power
- Employees bring Christmas cheer to area children
- Free home energy efficiency program for employee members
- Activity Committee meets, plans exciting year of events
- Health & Wellness: Is walking as effective as running?
- Financial Future: NRECA implements changes to 401(k) online account management
- Upcoming holidays and events
Solar power expands renewable portfolio
You may have noticed OEC's Solar Garden in Norman, located at Interstate 35 and Highway 77. In January, its 250 kilowatt (kW) output capacity became part of Western Farmers Electric Cooperative's (WFEC, OEC’s wholesale power supplier) already impressive renewable portfolio.
“Adding solar to the generation mix was a natural next step for us and WFEC,” said OEC CEO Patrick Grace. “For over a decade, WFEC has been constructing wind farms and generating wind and hydro power. Many people may not realize how renewable its mix already is, and solar will only increase it.”
As your trusted energy advisor, OEC constantly seeks ways to improve our members’ quality of life through the safe delivery of highly reliable, reasonably priced electric service, innovative energy programs and exceptional member service. OEC’s new Solar Garden is an innovative approach to ensuring this mission is carried out.
The 250 kW Solar Garden is the first of two solar projects adding to the renewable mix. The second, Tuttle’s 4 megawatt Solar Farm, will be operational later this year.
Currently, WFEC operates 10 wind farms, mostly in southwestern Oklahoma and New Mexico. In 2015, 30 percent of the power generated by WFEC came from those wind farms and hydropower facilities. That number will only increase as more solar facilities go online in 2017.
Just like wind was a fraction of the generation mix when it first came online 10 years ago, solar will be the same for a while. Solar has the potential to become very economically competitive over the next few years, and we will learn more the longer it is in production.
“By the end of year one, year three, year five, etc., we will be very knowledgeable of not only the true cost and benefit, but also the maintenance, the performance over time and its ability to handle Oklahoma’s ever-changing weather patterns,” said Grace. [7850]
While other co-ops and utilities across the state have elected to offer the output of their solar facilities to consumers on a subscription basis, OEC, after careful consideration, found it to be more cost-effective and more beneficial in the long run to make it available to everyone. Members are not required to take any action and are already receiving the benefits of solar power — albeit somewhat minimal at the moment, until more solar facilities are constructed and more solar power is added to the renewable mix.
“Our members can still be proud knowing the electricity powering their homes and businesses is more clean and environmentally-friendly than ever before,” said Grace.
OEC has already begun hosting tours — for schools and community members — at the Solar Garden. Tours showcase the technology of solar panels and emphasize safety when working with them. The close proximity to an OEC substation directly demonstrates how the solar power generated from the Solar Garden makes its way to the electric grid.
Contact Daniel Lofland, 217-6631 or daniel.lofland@okcoop.org, to schedule a tour or for more information on OEC’s renewable energy portfolio or visit www.okcoop.org.
Strategic initiatives, action items underway for 2017
In 2017, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative celebrates 80 years of service to our members. It’s a feat not accomplished by many businesses, and it’s a testament to the co-op business model. What better time to learn from the past and dream big for the future?
Strategic planning is vital to the success of a business. If you don’t have a plan, how do you know where you’re going? OEC’s board and leadership recognizes the benefits of defining measurable goals and, with the help of all employees, have done just that.
So, why undergo strategic planning? Not only does strategic planning help provide a sense of direction, it encourages teamwork and an all-hands-on-deck approach toward one mission. The mission of OEC — to improve our members’ quality of life through the safe delivery of highly reliable, reasonably priced electric service, innovative energy programs, and exceptional member service — guides every decision made.
“It took time, work and dedication to strategically plan for our future,” said CEO Patrick Grace. “We wholeheartedly believe it is a plan that will ensure our members are confident in and proud of the service they receive and that will lead to another successful 80 years in business.”
Under Grace’s leadership, OEC’s board, senior staff and leadership team have carefully identified new strategic initiatives to best serve our membership.
It’s important to remember the role we each play in ensuring exceptional member service. Each initiative to be carried out by the specified department has been put in place to increase service to our members in some way. At the end of the day, the members are why the co-op has thrived for 80 years, and they will be why it experiences another 80 successful years.
Do you live in an older home? Is your house drafty? Do you have rooms that are uncomfortable in the winter and summer months? OEC can help with the new — and FREE — Co-op Home Energy Efficiency Program.
WHAT DOES THE HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM OFFER?
A home energy efficiency expert from Precise Building Performance conducts a whole-home energy audit. The audit tests your home's ability to seal in heat and air, checks for potential duct leakage and ensures an adequate amount of attic insulation. Members will receive a detailed report on site along with projected retrofit costs and return-on-investment of the project if the member decides to move forward. The audit and detailed report are provided free of charge.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
The Home Energy Efficiency Program is available only to residential members living in single-family houses and larger. However, members residing in mobile homes are welcome to enroll and will receive helpful resources including specific ways they can cut energy costs. This information can also be viewed at www.okcoop.org.
I MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS. WHEN AND HOW DO I ENROLL?
Members may visit www.OKNM.coop, fill out some basic information, including their account number, and select "OEC" from the list of co-ops. A member of Precise Building Performance will contact you to schedule your audit — which will take place in March or April. Audits will continue throughout the year, as members enroll.
Members may also find do-it-yourself efficiency projects at www.OKNM.coop, as well as a link to Precise Building Performance's list of resources.
OEC dodges Winter Storm Jupiter, sends crews to assist sister co-op
Local weathermen predicted a destructive, tumultuous ice storm would hit Oklahoma — potentially OEC’s service area — and leave thousands of electric consumers statewide without power. On Jan. 13, that’s exactly what happened. While our members dodged this ice storm, named Winter Storm Jupiter, our friends to the north and west did not.
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) began receiving mutual aid requests Jan. 14 from the hardest hit co-ops. OEC responded immediately by sending a six-man crew to Northwestern Electric Co-op. Casey Cochnauer, Travis Barton, Brent Glover, Zaine LaFerney, Mike Lee and Cole Hoffman assisted the most heavily impacted co-op, located in Woodward, with its restoration efforts. Tri-County Electric Cooperative in the panhandle and Cimarron Electric Cooperative also experienced widespread damage, along with several other co-ops. Collectively, nine co-ops sent mutual aid crews to assist the northwestern part of the state.
As of Jan. 15, OAEC reported 16,530 electric co-op consumers across Oklahoma without power due to the storm.
Knowing OEC’s service area had a potential chance of being impacted, necessary precautions were taken. Operations personnel ensured 50 contractors were on standby, and food and lodging arrangements were prepared. Logistics stocked inventory, and the Emergency Response Plan was reviewed.
Had OEC been impacted, we were prepared.
At press time, restoration efforts continued in northwest Oklahoma. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families affected and, of course, the utility workers working long hours to get the lights back on for their members.
Photo courtesy of Northfork Electric Cooperative, located in Sayre, OK
OEC employees bring Christmas cheer to area children
Thirty-eight children in OEC’s seven-county service area experienced bright Christmases thanks to the generosity of OEC’s employees.
The Engineering department continued its tradition of partnering with Citizens Advisory Board for the Secret Santa program. The addition of contributions outside of Engineering helped fulfill 17 children’s Christmas wish lists.
“This is always one of our favorite parts of the year,” said Stephanie Canida, work order coordinator. “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed this year. Because of them, we were able to extend our impact to include more children than we ever have.”
Lori Hulse and the Control Room department also organized a Secret Santa fundraiser. Their efforts fulfilled 11 kids’ Christmas wish lists.
Amanda Dierking, accounting specialist, spearheaded the Adopt-A-Student campaign, which reached out to the rural schools in OEC’s service area. Funds collected helped bring Christmas to nine students in Amber-Pocasset, Dibble and Little Axe.
“I always like to remember the smaller, more rural communities in our service area, where most charities don’t reach,” Amanda said. “Thank you to everyone who made donations and helped bring some joy to the kids and teens who might not have received Christmas gifts otherwise.”
In addition to bringing Christmas cheer this holiday season, employees also helped raise over $300 for United Way of Norman by purchasing raffle tickets at the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.
These are just a few examples of employees’ generosity throughout the season of giving and year-round. Thank you to everyone who made — and continue to make — a difference in someone else’s lives.
Activity Committee meets, plans exciting year of events
The 2017 Activity Committee met Jan. 12 to review recent survey results and plan events for the upcoming year.
The committee looked at data from 2016 events, such as attendance and continued interest, and took into consideration results and comments from the recent Employee Events Survey. The most attended event of 2016 (and mostly requested event for 2017) was the movie at the Warren Theatre. The Committee suggested continuing this event with its current family-friendly theme.
The committee also collaborated with Education and Outreach Coordinator Tory Tedder-Loffland on ways to incorporate fundraising into an upcoming chili cook-off. Scheduled for Valentine’s Day — Tuesday, Feb. 14— the chili cook-off will feature a dessert contest. Judging for each contest will take place by all employees, who will be asked to vote with their dollars. The maker of the chili and desserts that garner the most votes (dollar bills) will have the opportunity to choose which charitable organization the funds from the respective contests will be donated. OEC will match the donation to each agency, which must be a 501(c)3 located in OEC’s service area.
Visit www.OECchili-dessert17.eventbrite.com to register now for the Chili Cook-Off & Dessert Contest. Registration closes Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.
Other events to look forward to in 2017 include the annual bowling tournament, Corporate Challenge, an OKC Dodgers game, a painting event featuring a Wine & Palette artist, Frontier City and the traditional holiday luncheons and activities. A few other events are likely and will depend on budgetary restrictions.
Keep an eye on the weekly In the Loop emails, as well as promotional mailers, the Intranet and future Watts Watts for more information regarding employee events.
Is walking as effective as running?
When it comes to heart health, the answer is 'Yes!'
Are you not much into running? Or maybe you’ve had an injury and can’t run. Then just walk — every step you take is part of your journey to good heart health.
In fact, walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes as much as running, according to a new study conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Science Division in Berkley, Calif. All three conditions are risk factors for heart disease and stroke — and you can do something about them.
Researchers analyzed 33,060 runners in the National Runners’ Health Study and 15,045 walkers in the National Walkers’ Health Study. They found that the same energy used for moderate- intensity walking and vigorous-intensity running resulted in similar reductions in risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and possibly coronary heart disease over the study’s six years. Read more about the study highlights.
The more people walked or ran each week, the more their health benefits increased.
“The findings don’t surprise me at all,” said Russell Pate, Ph.D., a professor of exercise science in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. “The findings are consistent with the American Heart Association’s recommendations for physical activity in adults that we need 30 minutes of physical activity per day, at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week to derive benefits.”
On Your Mark, Get Set … Walk!
Maybe you’ve been sedentary for a while. No problem.
“Just get started,” Pate said, “even if it’s a few additional minutes per day.”
It’s not all or nothing; it’s step by step.
So set a reachable goal just for today. Then you can work toward your overall goal of 30 minutes a day by increasing your time as you get in better shape.
“Just find an approach that you find enjoyable,” said Pate, who is also a volunteer for the American Heart Association. “It may be the setting, doing it with someone or walking alone because you appreciate the solitude.”
And if you’re busy — like most of us — you can split up your walks into 10-15 minutes each.
You can also work in walking when you:
- Take the dog out for a stroll through the neighborhood.
- Spend quality time with the family at the park.
- Must visit another building within OEC’s campus.
- Window shop at the mall.
There’s lots of ways to engage in it,” Pate said.
It’s So Easy — and It Works
All you have to do is lace up with a good pair of sneakers — and walk. It’s that easy. It’s also safe, the least expensive and has the lowest dropout rate of any type of exercise.
“It’s not a skill-dependent form of activity,” Pate said. “It’s the most accessible form of physical activity. You can do it almost anywhere. And it doesn’t require a lot of equipment.”
Before you know it, brisk walking can become a part of your daily routine. And you’ll reap plenty of benefits.
“Clearly, walking is an important form of physical activity,” Pate said.
Take Advantage of OEC’s Wellness Incentives
OEC’s wellness program provides assistance for employees, trustees and their families, and retireees who utilize a local fitness center or gym, or who take group exercise classes. [4420]
OEC offers a paid single membership to the YMCA or reimburses for other fitness and exercise efforts. Group exercise classes, such as aerobics, kickboxing, circuit training, martial arts, pilates, spinning, step, strength training, water aerobics and yoga, qualify for reimbursement. OEC also reimburses for gym memberships at the rate of a single membership to the YMCA, currently $40 per month.
To receive reimbursement, complete the form(s) located on the Intranet under HR Forms. Contact Janet Maginnis at 217-6753 for more information.
Managing your 401(k) account online has never been easier
Put NRECA's employee benefits website to work for you
Did you know you have online access to your 401(k) Pension Plan account? Whether you’re checking your account balance, making investment changes, viewing a video or determining how to invest your contributions, the NRECA Employee Benefits website is your one-stop resource.
Over the past year, NRECA has rolled out enhancements, making it easier to find what you need with fewer clicks, while improving the overall design to quickly guide you through completing account transactions.
ANSWERING YOUR INVESTMENT QUESTIONS
A recent set of enhancements can help you better manage your 401(k) account online by helping you answer one of the most common questions asked by retirement plan participants: “How should I invest my money?”
It’s an important question, with research indicating that asset allocation (how you divide your money between different investment types) can account for more than 90 percent of investment results.
The website can help you create your own portfolio based on the answers to a few questions on your risk tolerance. Your answers will match you to a model portfolio that gives you suggested investment options available within the 401(k) Plan as well as allocation percentages. In the “My Retirement” menu, click “Your Investment Risk Tolerance” to take the quiz.
PIRC IS HERE FOR YOU
If you would like additional assistance in developing or modifying your retirement strategy, you have access to the Personal Investment & Retirement Consulting (PIRC) team.
The ability to tap into the expertise of these planners is part of your benefits, and they can offer help on a variety of financial and retirement topics. Planners are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, or via email at pirc@nreca.coop.
Between the PIRC team and the Employee Benefits website, managing your 401(k) Plan account is now much easier! Go online and try out the enhancements for yourself — your future will thank you.
Contact HR Administrator Janet Maginnis (217-6753) or HR Specialist Heather Herren (217-6751) for more information regarding OEC’s benefits.
