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Electric timeline How Choctaw Electric Cooperative Energized Southeast Oklahoma 1940s


May 11, 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) by executive order. The REA made loans available to existing utilities, municipalities and organized farm groups to extend electric service to rural areas. At the time less than 2 percent of rural Oklahomans enjoyed electric service.


1950s


After the war, CEC membership grows steadily. By 1950, CEC counts 3,838 members along 1,232 miles of line.


1955: CEC employs 33 people with an annual payroll of $102,000.


1960s 1990s


June, 1991 CEC celebrates 50 years in business. It serves 12,280 members.


1991


CEC upgrades and replaces outdated equipment to prepare for future growth.


October 1996 Co-op members vote to remove CEC from the regulatory control of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.


1999


Hochatown substation comes online to provide improved reliability


1963


Choctaw Electric Cooperative sponsors teens on the first Rural Electric Youth Tour in


Washington, DC. 1970s


CEC employees rely on mule teams to string line through rough terrain.


June 8, 1940 Choctaw Electric Cooperative is incorporated. The first meeting is held June 10, 1940 at 203 E. Jackson Street in Hugo. Seven men attend— Ray Grant, Enoch Needham, S.M. Dancer, B.E. Nobles, Jon A. Bryan, Jim Miller and Paul E. Mollenkopf. After paying the $5 membership fee, they become CEC’s first members and trustees.


January 1941 The REA approves a $145,000 loan to Choctaw Electric to build 150 miles of electric line. 250 people sign up to receive electric service.


The first substation is built north of Hugo. CEC’s first electric line runs through Nelson, Antlers and Rattan. The cost to build one mile of electric line: $750.


December 7, 1941


US enters WWII. War rationing slows the growth of CEC. Some members express their fear that electric lines will never reach their home.


November 10, 1941


The first home on CEC lines is energized. The home , owned by Ray Grant, was located north of Hugo.


March 1941 The Choctaw Electric Cooperative office officially opens for business at 116 N. Second Street in Hugo.


1973


A nationwide energy crisis prompts CEC to devote more resources to helping members save energy.


1974


CEC begins purchasing 100% of its power from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC).


1979


CEC breaks ground on its new offfice building.


1979


WFEC’s 400 megawatt coal fired plant in Fort Towson under construction.


May 1, 1987


CEC issues its first computer-generated billing statement.


1986


Members vote to remove the board of trustees at the CEC Annual Meeting.


1983


In-house meter reading kicks off to ensure billing accuracy.


CEC begins issuing peak alerts urging members to use less electricity from 4 pm until 8 pm, June - Sept.


2000s


September, 2006 CEC receives $1.4 million grant to establish broadband Internet in under-served areas.


December, 2000 Major ice storms damage 1,821 miles of line. Damages total $5.6 million.


1980s 2015


Member petition drive results in the removal of CEC’s CEO and trustees.


July, 2008 CEC introduces Co-op Connections. The card has saved members over $637,189 in prescription costs.


2015


CEC serves 18,309 members over 3,350 miles of line.


CEC ANNUAL REPORT • 3 Progress. Action.


years 75 19 40 -2 0 1 5


CEC


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