Empowered
BRINGING LIGHT TO NEW HORIZONS
It’s not unusual to find Central Rural Electric Cooperative lineman, Clint Robinson, setting poles or pulling electrical wire on a dirt road in Oklahoma to power rural members. In October, he found himself doing that exact task. The only difference? He was in a jungle rather than the Plains.
The Oklahoma Energy Trails Foundation sponsored 15 linemen from electric cooperatives across the state to bring electricity to the remote village of Barejones in Guatemala.
The crews set 51 poles and approximately five miles of electrical line during their 18day trip in the department of Jalapa, about three hours from Guatemala City.
The locals live in extreme poverty conditions without running water, plumbing and food refrigeration. The villagers depend on farming operations for economic sustainment. They produce corn, pepper, tomatoes and green beans among other agricultural products such as livestock.
“I sent photos to Jennifer so she could show her students the condition of a classroom here,” Robinson said. “The interpreter told us that most students in the village won’t complete school past sixth grade unless they have the means to go to a larger village to finish their education.”
“Energy Trails gives you a whole new perspective on life back at home,” Robinson said. “From the equipment I use at work to the schools my kids get to go to, we don’t realize how much we have to be thankful for.”
The team visited a school that did not have electricity before their trip, something that resonated with Robinson whose wife teaches sixth grade.
Nineteen homes and two elementary schools received electricity for the first time during the Energy Trails trip. A second phase of the village will be completed in January 2025 by lineworkers from Ohio’s electric cooperatives. Homes were equipped with four lightbulbs, two switches and two outlets.
“It makes it worth being here,” Robinson said. “Just knowing that what we’re doing will have an impact for generations.”
Photos provided by Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives
Clint R o b i nosn
DECEMBER 2024
Central Board of Trustees:
James Wells, President (District 6)
Sid Sperry, Vice President (District 4)
Greg Tytenicz, Secretary/Treasurer (District 2)
Randy Wedel (District 1)
Melanie McGuire (District 3)
Ken Starks (District 5)
Randy Ethridge (District 7)
Sondra White - Interim Chief Executive Officer
Empowered Editors:
Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Larry Mattox - Director of Communications
Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
www.mycentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop
Contact Us: editor@mycentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884
3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076
Notice: Central’s office will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
YOUTH TOUR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
High School Juniors, get ready for a trip of a lifetime!
If you’re a high school junior who attends school in Central’s service area, has big dreams of seeing our nation’s capital and are ready to make friendships that last a lifetime, Youth Tour is calling your name!
Youth Tour isn’t just any trip, it’s an all-expenses-paid journey to Washington, D.C., where you’ll join other students from around the state for a week of unforgettable experiences, all sponsored by your electric cooperative!
To win a spot, you’ll need to write an essay, develop a résumé and submit an application. The top five contestants will be invited to an interview with a panel of judges.
The top two winners will win a $1,000 scholarship and the trip where they’ll meet members of Congress, and visit monuments, historical sights and Smithsonian museums.
The three runner-up applicants will not leave empty-handed, they will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.
This year’s essay topic is “In what ways can young people contribute to the future of rural communities, and how can electric cooperatives support these efforts?”
Tips for writing a winning essay!
• Be yourself!
Don’t be afraid to show your personality.
• Get creative! Make your essay memorable and find a way to make your entry stand out.
• Connect with your audience! Think about how your experiences align with the mission of Central and why youth engagement matters.
The deadline for entry is 5 p.m. on February 14, 2025. Submissions, rules and guidelines are available at mycentral. coop/youthtour or scan the QR code.
What are Capital Credits?
Capital credits are the retained margins left over at the end of the year at a not-for-profit electric cooperative.
$431,130.50
When do I get capital credits?
In December, capital credit checks will be mailed to those who were active members in 1996 and 2022.
UNDERSTAND YOUR CENTRAL BILL
Understand exactly what you’re paying for and why.
Understanding your electric bill can feel overwhelming, but knowing what each line item means can empower you to make smarter energy choices and help manage costs. As a member of an electric cooperative, your monthly bill reflects not only the energy you consume but also your cooperative’s commitment to fair pricing and transparency.
1 Your Central account number and map location.
2 Your bill at a glance.
3 Delinquent notification if you have past due balance.
4 Detailed monthly usage.
5 Usage comparison graph.
6 Per day usage comparison.
7 Messages from Central.
8 Itemized charges for current billing period.
The Service Charge (also called Service Availability Fee) pays for some of Central’s fixed costs, including distribution and generation capacity, line maintenance and system improvements, and costs for billing, member services and administration. In order for Central members to be charged an equitable rate no matter what rate class they belong to, such as residential, commercial or industrial, the cooperative must recover a portion of its fixed costs through the service availability fee. The fee is designed to ensure that one rate class does not subsidize another class and that all members pay their fair share of the cooperative’s costs.
The kWh Charge is calculated using how much power (measured in kilowatt hours) your home or business uses. The per kWh charge is defined on your rate.
The Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) is evaluated monthly and only increases due to power cost increases and not to distribution costs which are associated with the controllable expenses of your cooperative.
9 Payment stub – total charges at a glance, Operation Round-
up®, provide updates for contact information.
Have questions or want to know more? Call 405-372-2884 or scan the QR code!
YOUR LOCAL GIFT GIVING GUIDE
As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift can be a challenge, but shopping locally not only supports your community but also offers unique and meaningful options. Here’s a guide to some wonderful gift ideas with items made inside Central’s service area!
Local Artisans and Craftsmen
5 Acre Candle Co., Chandler
Give the gift of a beautiful-smelling home with wonderful candles.
Purchase inside the Arcadia Farmer’s Market General Store.
Montgomery Acres, Luther
Find your favorite handcrafted candles, bath bombs and more!
Shop items inside the Arcadia Farmer’s Market General Store.
Mossy’s Milk Soapery, Wellston Milkin’ goats and makin’ soaps is this veteran-owned business’ specialty, producing handcrafted goat soaps and bath products.
Salt Soothers, Guthrie
Enjoy high-quality bath products from salts, scrubs and oils.
Unique Shops and Boutiques
Jones’s Garden Center, Crescent
Pick out the perfect plant or a fun holiday nick-nack.
Route 66 Baits, Arcadia
This store specializes in custom, hand-poured soft plastic baits. Perfect for your favorite fisherman!
The Honey Pot Garden & Gifts, Chandler
Find the perfect plant or item for your home at this adorable shop on Manvel Avenue.
Dalia Home & Boutique, Guthrie
Filled with children’s and women’s clothing, accessories and home decor perfect for Christmas!
Food and Drink Gifts
Cedarwood Market, Perkins
Enjoy amazing baked goods or take home meals that will be perfect for the holiday season.
Manvel Avenue Coffee, Chandler
Purchase Manvel’s personal roasts and grab a mug, shirt or cup of coffee while you’re there.
Payne County Rust Seasoning, Stillwater
Find the perfect seasoning and sauce for your favorite grill master.
Route 66 Bake Shop, Wellston
Cakes, pies, pastries and sourdough baked goods! Perfect for the food lover on your Christmas list.
Experiences
Creative Girl Designs, Agra
Not sure what to get? Grab your custom hat, shirt, banner or personalized gift!
Red Earth D’Signs, Perry
Perfect for the picky person on your Christmas list. Grab a custom shirt, wrap, sign and just about anything you can think of.
Sorrell Custom Boots, Guthrie
Gift a custom pair of boots from this bespoke boot maker in Guthrie.
The Blue Sage, Guthrie
Find a one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass piece, or schedule time to come into the studio and make your own piece with this glass experience!
