COM M E NTARY
Carrying our message to Washington A
Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
group of Oklaho- ma cooperative advocates recent- ly returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., to talk with our congres- sion al delegation about issues important to Okla homa’s electric co- operatives. The congres- sional visit took place in conjunction with the an nu al National Rural
Elec tric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Legisla- tive Rally. It is the one time each year that electric co op erative leaders gather from across the country united in voice. Every state’s congressional delega- tion hears from their cooperative constituents face- to-face over a period of a couple days. It is a show of force that impacts decisions on Capitol Hill. The current political environment in Washington is a diffi cult one for all members of Congress. Our federal leaders are struggling with important and diffi cult choices with regard to our national debt, the defi cit, and the debt ceiling. While the debt situ- ation gets top billing, there are still important ener- gy-related issues that need attention. In this unique and diffi cult time it is important for members of Congress not to forget the other business at hand—
maintaining affordable and reliable energy. One-size-fi ts-all utility legislation doesn’t always
fi t electric cooperatives. While electric cooperatives are part of the electric utility industry, we are unique in several ways. The biggest difference in the cooper- ative business model is of member ownership while being not-for-profi t. If we don’t continually educate our elected offi cials about these differences and how energy policy impacts our member-owners, then our concerns most certainly will not be addressed. Ab- sent this education, legislation could be passed that is detrimental to electric cooperatives. It is often said in Washington, “If you are not at the table you are on the table.” Its important that we participate fully in the political process. Our visits help the Oklahoma delegation and their staffs respond to, or propose, legislative solutions that recognize the unique characteristics of electric cooperatives. Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives have long en- joyed a trusting relationship with our congressional delegation. We maintain that positive relationship by staying focused on our issues and approaching them from a consumer’s perspective. As members of electric cooperatives, we speak to our congressional delegation as consumer, owner, and constituent—all wrapped up in one. I believe this unique combina- tion keeps us balanced in our approach. Your elec- tric cooperative leaders are on top of the issues and actively engaged on your behalf. OL
It’s the “ little things” in life that add up
J. Chris Cariker President,
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
ly high. It is for that rea- son that electric cooper- atives all across the country, including here in Oklahoma, are seek- ing new and better ways to help reduce energy usage and at the same time help home and business owners become more energy effi cient.
T
In most cases, it’s the little things that can be done around the home or offi ce that can lead to signifi cant
energy savings. Here are some examples: ✓ Seal air-duct gaps, window and door cracks, and vent spaces: Seal any and all air ducts so that air does not escape into attic spaces; use proper caulking and weather-stripping products to seal air leaks around windows, doors and vents. You could save up to $175
per year. ✓ Adjust your water heater: Turn down the water temperature and start adding up your savings. By re- ducing your water-heater setting from 150 degrees to
120 degrees, you could save as much as $73 per year. ✓ Change your air fi lter(s): It only takes a couple of minutes to change the air fi lters on most heating and air-conditioning systems. Changing these fi lters on an every-other-month basis could add up to energy
4 OKLAHOMA LIVING
he cost of build- ing a new pow er plant is extreme-
savings of up to $82 per year. ✓ Adjust your thermostat: By raising your thermo-
stat from 75 degrees to 78 degrees in the summer, your savings could be as much as $87 per year. If you raise your thermostat from 75 degrees to 79 degrees,
your savings could be more than $113 per year. ✓ Use window blinds to your advantage: By simply opening your window blinds in the winter to let in heat and closing them in the summer to keep out
heat, you could save over $35 per year. ✓ Use Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs): CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than conventional incandescent lights, and they last longer! By replac- ing 20 incandescent lights with similarly output-
rated CFLs, you could save as much as $115 per year. ✓ Add insulation: After sealing cracks around
duct work, doors, vents and windows, try adding additional attic insulation. By adding just three inch- es of insulation to a typical six-inch base, a savings of more than $143 per year is possible. By adding six inches of insulation to a six-inch base, your savings could grow to more than $190 per year. These are just a few quick and simple ways that you can make improvements to your home or business that will generate savings on your electric bill, plus help you use energy more effi ciently.
For more energy-saving tips, visit our “Together We Save” website at
www.TogetherWeSave.com. Remember: it’s the little things that can add up to energy savings in your home or business. Why not start today? OL
Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
Chris Meyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .General Manager J. Chris Cariker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Glenn Propps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vice-President Joe Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Secretary-Treasurer
Staff
Sid Sperry . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of PR & Communications
sksperry@oaec.coop Anna Politano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Managing Editor
editor@ok-living.coop Larry Skoch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertising Manager
lskoch@ok-living.coop Christy Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Offi ce Manager
cjohnson@oaec.coop Emilia Buchanan . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications Assistant
ebuchanan@oaec.coop
Editorial, Advertising and General Offi ces
P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309 Phone (405) 478-1455 Oklahoma Living online:
www.ok-living.coop
Subscriptions
$3.12 per year for rural electric cooperative members. $6.00 per year for non-members.
Cooperative Members: Report change of address to your local rural electric cooperative. Non-Cooperative Members: Send address changes to Oklahoma Living, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309.
Oklahoma Living (ISSN 1064-8968), USPS 407-040, is published monthly for consumer-members of Oklahoma’s rural electric cooperatives by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, 2325 E. I-44 Service Road, P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154-1309. Circulation this issue: 316,771.
Periodical postage paid at Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives is a statewide service organization for the following electric cooperatives: Alfalfa, Arkansas Valley, Caddo, Canadian Valley, Central Rural, Choctaw, Cimarron, Cookson Hills, Cotton, East Central Oklahoma, Harmon, Indian, KAMO Power, Kay, Kiamichi, Kiwash, Lake Region, Northeast Oklahoma, Northfork, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ozarks, People’s, Red River Valley, Rural, Southeastern, Southwest Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.
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