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Commentary OAEC Launches Statewide Outage Map O


Chris Meyers General Manager, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


utages are an unwanted dis- ruption to the power flow we


benefit from every day. When they take place, we want answers. Effective outage communications between a utility and its consumers is crucial. Co-


op member-owners should contact their local electric cooperative as soon as an outage occurs. Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives are diligent in restoring power to every consumer at the end of the line as quickly and as safely as possible. Recently, the Oklahoma Association of Electric


Cooperatives (OAEC) launched a tool to foster enhanced outage communications at the state- wide level. OAEC is proud to announce the de- velopment of an interactive statewide outage map. The map features real-time outage updates from most electric cooperatives in the state. Refreshed every 15 minutes with new data, the map provides a breakdown of outages per county as well as per co-op service territory. The map is powered by Google Maps and includes an active weather radar layer that can be turned on or off at the user’s choice.


When severe weather strikes several regions in our state, it is helpful to have an overview of how that weather event has impacted electric cooper- atives at the statewide level. This technology enables OAEC to effi ciently communicate outage information and restoration efforts to entities such as the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Emergency Management and emergency-response organiza- tions as well as to Oklahoma legislators, media professionals and the general public. As an added advantage, the map will assist


OAEC Safety & Loss Control personnel to facil- itate mutual aid efforts between electric coopera- tives. The Mutual Aid program allows electric cooperatives the opportunity to send line crews and equipment to sister cooperatives that have incurred signifi cant damage due to a natural di- saster event. Currently, 17 electric cooperatives are feeding


outage information automatically to the state- wide map while 13 cooperatives are reporting outages manually. Out of the 13 reporting man- ually, several will move to full integration in the near future.


In time, we hope to reach full outage reporting automation for all of Oklahoma’s distribution electric cooperatives.


Visit the statewide outage map at: https://outages.oaec.coop/ Practicing Energy Effi ciency is a Win-Win A


Gary McCune President, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives


4


s with all di- rectors and trustees of Oklahoma’s


electric cooperatives, I have another ‘life’ outside of my cooperative duties. I have spent my pro-


fessional career in the con- struction business.


Whether it be building new homes for people or improving ones they already have, this business has accounted for 45 years of my life. I have always promoted energy effi ciency with my customers. It has been my goal to sell them energy effi cient windows, doors, siding or insu- lation to help them save on their utility bills, and to make their homes more comfortable. Granted, as a home-builder, I had other mo- tives; I wanted to sell these products to make a reasonable profi t for my company, and to sup- port my family. The ‘for profi t’ business model was one that I knew and was comfortable with.


But then there is the cooperative business model. The cooperative model is one that is quite dif- ferent. I know of no other business that promotes and invests considerable money in encouraging their member-owners to use less of a commodity they sell. Promotions of programs that: 1) give away


CFL light bulbs; 2) have rebates for geo-thermal heating and cooling systems; 3) utilize home weatherization kits; and, 4) encourage distribut- ed generation pilot projects—all help reduce kilo- watt-hour usage and ultimately lower the cooperative’s income. While the installation of more energy effi cient products is certainly good for my business, the reduction of kilowatt usage actually works against the cooperative’s bottom line.


But that’s what the cooperative difference is about. As members of a cooperative, we are all owners, thus we share the savings and the ex- pense. We all benefi t when each of us benefi ts.


Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Chris Meyers, General Manager Gary McCune, President


Scott Copeland, Vice-President Larry Hicks, Secretary Tim Smith, Treasurer


Staff


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


Anna Politano, Editor editor@ok-living.coop


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


Shannen McCroskey, Marketing Specialist smccroskey@ok-living.coop


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


Hillary Barrow, Admin. Services Assistant hbarrow@oaec.coop


Amanda Lester, 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: 322,903


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


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


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