This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
A SUPPLEMENT TO OKLAHOMA LIVING


®


LIVEWIRE FEBRUA RY 2012 | VOLUME 63 ISSUE 2 | PUBLI SH ED FOR MEMBE RS OF TRI-COUNTY E L E CTR IC COOPE R AT IVE Power Lines: Innovation reigns the day By Zac Perkins, Vice President-Corporate Services


necessarily true though. Sure, new technology has initial setup and implementation costs but it often pays for itself and even reduces costs over time. And innovation is more than new technology, it’s also new ways of doing business. For example, members can now set up text and email alerts for their


M


account. They can go online, check a couple boxes and start receiving a notice when their bill is due, past due, paid and more. Because this is automated and part of the cooperative’s existing billing system, there is no additional cost associated with these options. The cooperative is eliminating paper payment reminders now that these tools are available. This approach actually reduces costs and is environmentally friendly. By April, members who manage their account online will be able to take


advantage of valuable billing insights tools. These tools will allow members to control their own costs by identifying spikes in their usage and factors that may be impacting their usage. The digital meters the cooperative installed enable these tools. Similar tools will be available to our Member Service Representatives to use when assisting members with usage inquiries. Energy analysis offerings like this help you manage your energy use.


In January, the cooperative began testing its new Pay As You Go program. This program also takes advantage of the digital meters


and an improved billing system to allow members to prepay for their electric usage. Research has shown that members who are on this type of program typically use up to 15 percent less energy. This may be because Pay As You Go allows members to closely manage their daily usage online. Pay As You Go members are often more mindful of their usage because they are paying in advance. Another way we’re looking out for our members is by supporting our wholesale power suppliers’ in their decisions to include


renewable energy in the mix of power we deliver to our members. Already, as much as 20 percent of the power you receive is generated by wind power. Our cooperative is a member of Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, which is one of our two wholesale power suppliers. Golden Spread Electric has commissioned a new wind generation facility called the Panhandle Wind Ranch, located near Wildorado, Texas. This facility is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to serve the needs of more than 30,000 homes each year. As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Tri-County Electric also adheres to the four core values that are the foundation of


every Touchstone Energy cooperative’s service to its members. The four core values are: innovation, accountability, integrity and commitment to community. When we tell members we’re looking out for you, part of what we mean is that we’re controlling costs through innovation, finding new solutions and applying state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of our members. Drop me a line if you have ideas for ways we could be more innovative in serving you. I can be reached at memberservice@tri- countyelectric.coop and or 800-522-3315 ext. 855.


embers expect their lights to stay on and their electricity to be affordable. Since our cooperative was founded more than 65 years ago, this expectation hasn’t changed much. That’s why we’re looking out for you by controlling costs through innovation. That phrase almost seems like a contradiction - new technology and techniques cost more, right? That is not


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138