A SUPPLEMENT TO OKLAHOMA LIVING

LIVEWIREA P R I L 2 0 1 9 | V O L U M E 7 0 I S S U E 4 | P U B L I S H E D F O R M E M B E R S O F T R I - C O U N T Y E L E C T R I C C O O P E R A T I V E

When you pay your electric bill every month, not every dollar stays at your local electric cooperative. TCEC pays Golden Spread Electric Cooperative of Texas, its wholesale power supplier, for generated power. Golden Spread Electric Cooperative in turn pays transmission costs to a regional transmission organization called the Southwest Power Pool (SPP).

Members CommitteeTCEC has been an active member of the SPP since 2010. SPP is responsible for scheduling and transmitting power across the networked transmission system. It is governed by a board and a members committee, along with many other subcommittees.

TCEC CEO Zac Perkins was nominated and elected to represent TCEC and other transmission-dependent utilities’ interests on the SPP’s Members Committee. The Members Committee works with the SPP Board to approve policies,

strategies and operational decisions.

A voice in transmission prices“Since 2009, I’ve seen the transmission portion of our power bills go up 300 percent,” Perkins said. “Being part of this committee means TCEC and other transmission-dependent utilities will have a voice in issues affecting the continually rising price of receiving the power we deliver to our members.”

Local representationPerkins lives and works in your community at your local electric cooperative. He represents the cooperative at the state level with the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, at the Generation and Transmission level with Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, and now at the regional level with the Southwest Power Pool.

At TCEC, we are looking out for you, the member.

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Southwest Power Pool footprint. Image Credit: SPP

TCEC CEO Zac Perkins

Local CEO elected to regional committeeTCEC’s Zac Perkins to serve on Southwest Power Pool’s Members Committee

Energy E� ciency Tip of the Month Clearing trees and overgrown

vegetation is vital to provide safe, reliable power to our members. We clear rights-of-way to keep power lines clear of tree limbs, keep crews and members safe, restore power more quickly and to reduce unexpected costs for repairs.

Electrical Safety Tip of the MonthStreaming content with electronic equipment that has earned the

ENERGY STAR® rating will use 25 to 30 percent less energy than standard equipment.

Source: Energy.govSource: America’s Electric

Cooperatives (NRECA)

PAGE 2 | LIVEWIRE | APRIL 2019

Member Matters: Meet

Do you want to drive an electric car?

Don’t be surprised if you come by the offi ce and I ask if you’d like to drive an electric car.

EVolet was purchased to help our members learn more about electric vehicles and their potential.

All-Electric Vehicles

All-electric vehicles (EVs) run only on electricity. Electric motors powered by rechargeable battery packs propel them.

According to fueleconomy.gov, EVs have several advantages when compared to conventional vehicles:

Energy e� cient. EVs convert about 59%–62% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert about 17%–21% of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels. That’s a big difference.

Environmentally friendly. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants. However, the power plant producing the electricity may emit them depending on the source of power.

Performance benefi ts. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger acceleration and require less maintenance than internal combustion engines (ICEs).

EVs have some drawbacks compared to gasoline vehicles:

Driving range. EVs have a shorter driving range than most conventional vehicles—although EV driving ranges are improving. Most EVs can travel more than 100 miles on a charge, and some can travel in excess of 200 or 300 miles depending on the model.

Recharge time. Fully recharging the battery pack on EVs can take 3 to 12 hours. Even a “fast charge” to 80% capacity can take 30 min. For EVolet, according to the user’s manual, it will take approximately 9.5 hours to charge the vehicle using a 240-volt charging

station. If using a standard 120-volt AC electricial outlet, it will take about 50 hours, which is four miles per hour of charging. Battery condition, charge level and outside temperature will make the charge time vary.

Batteries for EVs are designed for extended life. According to the Department of Energy, they may last 12 to 15 years in moderate climates and 8 to 12 years in severe climates. However, these batteries are expensive, and replacing them may be costly if they fail.

Trusted Energy Advisor TCEC strives to stay on the leading edge of technology and energy innovation. We are here to help you make the right decision on your energy needs. EVolet will help us learn more so we can better help you decide if an electric vehicle is right for you.

By Chris PurdyVice President, Member Solutions

We have a new addition to the TCEC team. She’s an all-electric Chevrolet Bolt named EVolet.

PAGE 3 | LIVEWIRE | APRIL 2019

Seven area student delegates representing TCEC share a common goal: to experience through opportunities.

Washington D.C. Youth Tour TCEC’s delegates will join 1,500 students from across the United States to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour June 14-20. During this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the students will meet their elected U.S. representatives, visit national monuments and forge new friendships. The delegates TCEC will send to Youth Tour are:

• Alondra Moreno, Yarbrough High School

• Emily Nevarez, Yarbrough High School

• John Robert Harris, Turpin High School

Steamboat Springs Youth Leadership Two delegates will join 100 other students on a trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to attend Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp July 12-18. The leadership camp is fi lled with activities such as whitewater rafting, fi shing and sessions in developing leadership skills.

The delegates TCEC will send to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp are:

• Carson Buller, Turpin High School• Manuel Medina, Guymon High School

Oklahoma 8th Grade Energy CampDelegates will spend May 28-31 participating in youth leadership activities, learning what it’s like to be a lineman, learning the co-op way and making friends through small group interactions and competitions. Campers will also get the opportunity to participate in volleyball tournaments, swimming, hiking and a ropes course.

They will experience the exciting world of electricity, climb poles and watch a co-op crew at work. Plus, they will have the opportunity build their own cooperative by working with new friends and honing their leadership skills. The delegates TCEC will send to the 8th Grade Energy Camp are:

• Yanely Pena, Guymon Junior High • Taylor McFarlen, Yarbrough Junior High

Oklahoma Leadership SummitTCEC added a new trip and scholarship in 2019 through its membership in the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. Delegates will attend the Youth Leadership Summit held in conjunction with the Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City.

The summit will convene Monday, March 18, at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, featuring “Your Next Speaker, by Rhett Laubach and Kelly Barnes.” Both speakers have changed the way thousands of people across the nation think about leadership with a one of a kind message that audiences will remember long past the event.

Delegates will be treated to a catered lunch before they are presented with $500 scholarships. The delegates TCEC will send to Leadership Summit are:

• Bradley Miller, Texhoma High School• Luis Gutierrez, Yarbrough High School

Cooperation Among CooperativesExemplifying the Sixth Cooperative Principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives,” TCEC invited two employees from North Plains Electric Cooperative to independently judge the competition. The judges were Bill Carson, manager of member service, and Bianca Peregrino, member service specialist.

Anyone interested in learning more about TCEC youth trips can visit www.tcec.coop under the Community tab.

Summer travel for co-op delegates Area students win co-op national, regional, and state trips

PAGE 4 | LIVEWIRE | APRIL 2019

CONTACT USTri-County Electric Cooperative 995 Mile 46 RoadP.O. Box 880 Hooker, Oklahoma 73945

O� ce Hours:8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - FridayPhone: 580-652-2418Toll Free: 800-522-3315E-mail: info@tcec.coopwww.tcec.coop

BOARD OF TRUSTEESDistrict 1 Randy SchreinerDistrict 2 Gayla JamesDistrict 3 Ronny WhiteDistrict 4 Beau RappDistrict 5 Kyle HawkinsDistrict 6 Larry DunnDistrict 7 Shawn MartinezDistrict 8 VacantDistrict 9 Richard Radcli�

TCEC board meetings are typically the fourth Friday of every month.

PAYMENT OPTIONSAutoPay (Bank or credit card draft)

Pay As You Go (Prepay)

Online Bill Pay (www.tcec.coop)

Pay by Phone IVR (844-203-6547)

Payment drop o� (O� ce in Hooker)

Payment CentersTown Name and AddressBeaver Downing’s Market

216 Douglas St.

Boise City Moore’s Food201 East Main Street

Elkhart EPICTOUCH451 Morton St.

Goodwell 54 GAS-N-GO108 West Highway 54

Guymon Mitchell TheatersNorthridge Shopping Center, 1928 N. Hwy 64

Guymon Mora’s Market702 N. Main Street

Hooker TCEC O� ce995 Mile 46 Road

Texhoma Slats Food Market105 East Highway 54

DIGITAL EDITIONwww.ok-living.coop

Jeff and Linda Graue have been in the auto parts business more than 50 years, owning their own business in Guymon for more than 30 of them.Located off U.S. Highway 54 at 505 SW 5th Street in Guymon, L & J Auto Parts is an independent, locally owned supplier of quality CARQUEST auto parts.“We offer our customers superior service,” Jeff Graue said. “We offer a broad range of special order services and if something isn’t in stock, we can usually get it in overnight.”He added their friendly, trained staff is available to answer questions and help customers fi nd the part needed to get the job done. They sell replacement parts, accessories, supplies and equipment for cars, pick ups, heavy duty trucks, ag equipment and off-road vehicles. They have a wide variety of products, including these parts:

• Batteries• Brakes• Drivetrain• Engine• Engine Performance & Emission

Controls• Electrical & Vision• Steering & Suspension

• Temperature Control & Cooling• Fleet & Heavy-Duty• Auto AccessoriesTCEC members who show their Co-op Connections membership card before purchase will receive fi ve percent off most in-stock items. Some exclusions do apply.For more information:

L&J Auto Parts505 SW 5th StreetGuymon, Oklahoma 73942580.338.8525

To get your free card, download the Co-op Connections app on your phone and register as a member. For questions, contact TCEC at 580.652.2418 or info@tcec.coop. Co-op Connections is a member benefi t brought to you by TCEC as part of our commitment to community.

Co-op ConnectionsSpotlight: L&J Auto Parts

TCEC members who show their card will receive 5% o� most in-stock items. Exclusions apply. Inquire for details.

Enter to win a $100 gift card to L&J Auto Parts

when you stop by the shop from Noonto 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 11.