Commentary


Legislators return with empty pockets For a large number of legislators, this session


T


Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


he first Mon- day in February marks


the first day of the second


session for Oklahoma’s 55th Legislature. Legis- lators start day one with more than a billion dollar revenue shortfall. The de- crease is primarily a result


of very low oil and gas prices, lower than expect- ed sales tax revenues, and a slowing local econ- omy. While Oklahoma’s economy has become more diversifi ed over time, we haven’t escaped the signifi cant impact the energy industry has on state revenues.


Every session has its challenges, but with a budget shortfall like this one it becomes especial- ly diffi cult. Emotions run high when budgets are cut. Any way you spread the pain, it’s never per- ceived as fair—it’s a no-win situation.


will be their last. Most of those leaving are forced out by term limits—19 house members and 11 senators. In addition, four in the House and one in the Senate have announced that they will not seek re-election. They are either running for oth- er offi ces or giving it up. In total, as of today, 35 of 149 legislators are in their fi nal session. This is the largest single year turnover in state history. While the budget, earthquakes and tax exemp- tions will grab headlines, there will be a number of energy-related bills that won’t. As with every legislative year, your statewide association will be tracking and working those bills that are likely to impact electric co-ops. We “stay in our lane” and avoid getting drawn into issues that don’t impact our mission of delivering safe, reliable and af- fordable electric power to our members. We will do our best to ensure that only fair and balanced energy-related bills are passed.


The power of cooperation T


Kendall Beck President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


E X P L O R E YOUR MAGAZINE


4


here’s an old adage about the weather here that goes: “if


you don’t like Oklaho- ma’s weather, stick around five minutes and it will change.” Such was the case in November and Decem- ber of 2015 when parts of


our state were hit with back-to-back devastating ice storms, each within 30 days of the other. As has been mentioned in Oklahoma Living


magazine many times, ice storms are a utility’s worst nightmare. When extreme amounts of ice and wind combine to impact exposed overhead lines, the results can be catastrophic. Fortunately, electric cooperatives in Oklahoma have a Mutual Aid Program in place that can bring help to an affected co-op in a short period of time. During the two most recent ice storms,


not only were scores of linemen from sister co- operatives across the state involved in helping systems that were most impacted, but mutual aid crews from other states came to our rescue as well. Crews from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas came to provide assistance with restoration efforts. Additionally, contractor crews from surround- ing states also assisted. Their help during the res- toration and recovery effort was greatly appreciated. All of these crews spent time away from their families over two holiday periods. Extended power outages are never convenient


for our members. We understand. You should know, however, that your cooperative does ev- erything it can to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible to all who are affected during extreme storms. We are grateful for your patience and under- standing during our most diffi cult times.


Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Chris Meyers, General Manager Kendall Beck, President


Gary McCune, Vice-President Scott Copeland, Secretary Larry Hicks, Treasurer


Staff


Sid Sperry, Director of PR & Communications sksperry@oaec.coop


Anna Politano, Editor editor@ok-living.coop


Daniel Yates, Advertising Manager dyates@ok-living.coop


Kirbi Mills, Director of Admin. Services kmills@oaec.coop


Hillary Barrow, Accountant/Offi ce Manager Asst. hbarrow@oaec.coop


Hayley Leatherwood, Multimedia Specialist hleatherwood@ok-living.coop


Taryn Sanderson, Editorial Intern intern@oaec.coop


Editorial, Advertising and General Offi ces P.O. Box 54309, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 Phone (405) 478-1455


Oklahoma Living online: www.ok-living.coop Subscriptions


$3.48 per year for rural electric cooperative members.


$7 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: 321,575


Periodical postage paid at Oklahoma City, 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


EXPERIENCE ON YOUR TABLET! LEARN MORE > WWW.OK-LIVING.COOP


Rural, Tri-County, Verdigris Valley, and Western Farmers Electric Cooperative.


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