Improving Quality of Life Since 1937 First Electric Cooperative has provided affordable, reliable and safe power to its members in portions of 17 counties in Arkansas, powering homes, businesses and farms. Many things have changed over the years, but one thing has remained the same – our commitment to the members we serve. With employees who live and work in the communities, the cooperative cares about Arkansans.
Progress
During the past 74 years, First Electric has grown from three employees and 150 members to more than 225 employees and 88,000 active accounts. During that period of time, the cooperative has built 43 substations and constructed more than 9,600 miles of lines. First Electric will continue to grow and make improvements with the purpose of better serving our members. In 2011 First Electric completed its 43rd substation, Avilla. The substation, which is located in the Avilla community in the Benton district, was built to decrease the load on the Congo and Collegeville substations. Constructing the new substation shifted the load of 1,992 member-accounts to a single substation; therefore, reducing the load on the existing systems and allowing First Electric to provide more reliable power. The task of designing and building a system to remotely monitor and control the growing number of substations began in 2009. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, referred to as SCADA, improves load management and reduces outage lengths and system losses. Currently, SCADA is in the final stages of operational and software testing.
Energy Efficiency
First Electric is committed to promoting the efficient use of electricity to meet the growing energy requirements of its members. First Electric marketing representatives are trained and certified to conduct either a free walk-through energy audit or a fee-based diagnostic energy audit on members’ homes. The free walk-through energy audit involves inspecting a home and evaluating the energy efficiency of the building, household appliances, heating and cooling system and lighting. The diagnostic energy audit uses a blower door test, infrared camera and duct blaster. These tools allow an energy auditor to identify thermal deficiencies that cause high energy consumption and an uncomfortable home. A detailed report is provided and includes the measured air tightness of the home, infrared camera results, duct leakage and specific recommendations for improvements that will reduce energy usage. First Electric members William and Nancy Ferrell of Hopewell won the 2011 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas $50,000 Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest. The Ferrells’ 31-yearold home received a comprehensive pre- and post-diagnostic energy audit, blower door test, duct blaster test and infrared thermography. The home received numerous energy-saving applications, including a tighter building envelope, Retrofoam insu-
lation in the sidewalls, a foam-encapsulated attic, an energy-efficient Marathon water heater, an ultra-efficient geothermal heating and cooling system and high-efficiency windows and doors. First Electric members who submit their application to the $50,000 Energy Efficient Makeover Contest are eligible for the $5,000 Mini Makeover Contest offered through the cooperative. One member from each district is selected annually to receive the mini makeover.
Safety
Safety is THE top priority at First Electric. Employees working in the field must follow safety procedures, and First Electric provides constant training to keep that at the forefront of their minds. First Electric also focuses on the safety of our members as they interact with electricity in their daily lives. We educate elementaryage children on how to stay safe when near electricity with a magic show. For older children and adults, personnel use a high-voltage safety trailer to demonstrate firsthand the danger of coming into contact with energized lines.
Service-Driven, Not Profit-Driven
In 2011, with historically low interest rates, First Electric took advantage of an opportunity to refinance $53 million dollars. The transaction allowed First Electric and its members to save $1.8 million in interest cost. First Electric’s philosophy of operating on sound, conservative business principles makes it possible to provide the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost. In 2011, First Electric retired $3.8 million dollars to its members in the form of capital credits. This brings the total returned to members to more than $53.2 million dollars. Another service First Electric provides is the Co-op Connections Card, which allows members to save money on products and services at participating local and national businesses. In October 2010, the pharmacy discount was added to allow members to save money on acute care medications. First Electric members saved more than $147,000 on prescriptions filled with the Co-op Connections Card in 2011. Due to the generosity of First Electric members, Operation Round-Up donated more than $56,000 to local nonprofit organizations in 2011. Since its inception in 1998, more than $500,000 has been donated on behalf of Operation Round-Up participants. As we move into 2012, First Electric will continue to provide affordable, reliable and safe power to our members. Improving quality of life, that’s our commitment to you.
Board of Directors Robert Hill Chairman Perryville
Jimmie Crockett Rose Bud
Larry Wood Vice-Chairman Lonoke
Peggy Cusick Benton Tom Hasty Almyra
Robert Maertens Secretary-Treasurer Benton
Rick Love Jacksonville
David Luebke Scott
Cooperative Principles The cooperative business model centers around seven principles, which guide First Electric Cooperative. Voluntary and Open Membership Democratic Member Control Members’ Economic Participation Autonomy and Independence Education, Training and Information Cooperation Among Cooperatives Concern for Community
First Electric Cooperative Improving quality of life
Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative Robert M. Hill Chairman
Don Crabbe President/CEO
2011 Annual Report
800-489-7405
www.firstelectric.coop
First Electric Cooperative Improving quality of life
Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
Condensed Balance Sheet Assets Electric Plant Less Accumulated Depreciation Net Utility Plant Other Assets Current Assets Total Assets Liabilities and Members’ Equity Members’ Equity Long-term Debt Current Liabilities Other Liabilities Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
2011 $ 421,893,987 $ 123,259,791 $ 298,634,196 $ 86,634,584 $ 32,377,817 $ 417,646,597
2010 $ 407,218,883 $ 116,956,483 $ 290,262,400 $ 80,093,590 $ 36,808,584 $ 407,164,574
$ 193,070,865 $ 187,118,623 $ 19,186,484 $ 18,270,625 $ 417,646,597
$ 182,514,917 $ 191,446,736 $ 18,156,232 $ 15,046,689 $ 407,164,574
Condensed Operating Statement Operating Revenues Power Cost Operations and Maintenance Depreciation Taxes Interest Total Operating Expenses Margins from Operations Non-Operating Margins Net Margins
2011 $ 165,768,065 $ 101,278,973 $ 35,204,171 $ 13,035,236 $ 7,095 $ 10,219,658 $ 159,745,133 $ 6,022,932 $ 10,154,938 $ 16,177,870
2010 $ 168,115,194 $ 92,622,416 $ 36,907,645 $ 12,692,113 $ 13,263 $ 12,169,108 $ 154,404,545 $ 13,710,649 $ 7,859,048 $ 21,569,697
Where the Dollar Comes From Commercial and Industrial 21%
Public Authorities 1%
System Statistics Number of member accounts served Miles of power line in operation Number of accounts per mile of line
Other 2%
Irrigation 5%
Total kWh purchased by cooperative 2,003,311,464 1,981,389,118 Total cost of power purchased by co-op $ 101,278,973 $ 92,622,416 Number of employees Number of distribution substations
Where the Dollar Goes Operating Margins Interest 4% Depreciation 6% 8% General Administration 3%
Member Accounting 4%
2010 87,271 9,597 9.09
Total kWh bought by co-op members 1,868,272,111 1,898,306,212 Average monthly residential kWh usage 1,273 1,331 Average monthly residential bill 125.20 $ 129.14 $ Average residential revenue per kWh $ 0.0984 $ 0.0970 Residential 71%
Operations 14%
2011 88,389 9,662 9.15
Wholesale Power 61%
224 43
223 42
Counties served, property taxes paid Arkansas County 218,027 $ 326,280 Cleburne County $ Conway County 52,269 $ Faulkner County 11,900 $ 1,755 Garland County $ Grant County 5,820 $ Independence County 2,009 $ Jefferson County 67,352 $ Lonoke County 502,746 $ 6,398 Monroe County $ Perry County 198,522 $ Prairie County 51,464 $ 398,172 Pulaski County $ Saline County 421,129 $ Stone County 7,197 $ White County 254,720 $ Yell County 1,025 $ Total property taxes paid $ 2,526,784
218,680 $ 330,118 $ 52,535 $ 12,325 $ 1,752 $ 5,679 $ 1,842 $ 67,063 $ 509,081 $ 5,627 $ 200,817 $ 52,031 $ 407,838 $ 421,891 $ 7,281 $ 248,442 $ 1,114 $ $ 2,544,116