Empowered Newsletter January 2021

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

UPGRADE UNDERWAY Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s electrical distribution system is at the beginning of a major system remodel as crews work to prepare it for fiber installation.

A full fiber network will not only assist with reliability and safety, but also it will allow Central to prepare for the future by building the foundation needed to establish data-driven rate designs. It will allow Central to better serve you, our members.

Construction has begun in the Stroud, Perkins and Stillwater areas. Crews are surveying existing overhead infrastructure and making the needed improvements to support new fiber lines.

We have also installed the first of 18 fiber huts. Fiber huts are equivalent to substations on an electrical grid, and are the main switchboards for a fiber network. Equipment inside the huts transmit and receive signals from the electrical distribution equipment or home devices to the Central headquarters or internet.

Learn more about the project at mycentral.coop/fiber.

Above, a crane lifts a fiber hut into place at the Ramsey substation near Perkins. Below, a timeline shows the steps during the construction process. The entire fiber project is expected to take 5-7 years to complete.

FIBER CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES

MILESTONE 2

WHO’S THERE?

HUT HUT

MILESTONE 6

DROP TIME

CONSTRUCTION

 �

Â

TEST 1, 2

MILESTONE 5

MILESTONE 3

POLE TO POLE

MILESTONE 3

MILESTONE 1

HANG IN THERE

MILESTONE 1

MILESTONE 4

FIBER IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONES

IN THE ZONE

SURF’S UP

Â? Â Â

Â

Â?

Â? Â?

MILESTONE 2

UPDATE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

CONTINUE MAKING AN IMPACT IN 2021 JANUARY 2021 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) Stu Preston, Vice President (District 2) Bill Davis, Secretary/Treasurer (District 7) Gary McCune (District 1) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) James Wells (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Frazier - Marketing and Communications Specialist

www.MyCentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.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

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

22

Not only does the new year bring a sense of hope and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead, but also it provides a time to reflect on the past.

I think we can all agree that 2020 was a year for the books. It was like no other, and as I look back on the year, it’s the positive things I remember most fondly. I remember so many instances where our members have pulled together to make our communities stronger.

sees volunteerism as an investment in our communities and encourages our employees to serve.

Dedicated to Serve is one of Central’s core values. It is a recognition that Central is only as strong as our members and the communities in which they live. When our communities thrive, so does the cooperative and the membership. How something will affect our membership and communities guide each decision Carol Dvorak, we make.

District 3 Trustee

Last year, when we saw many of our neighbors out of work or having their hours cut due to the pandemic, we also saw an overwhelming pouring of support. Through your generosity by participating in Operation Round Up, the Central Community Foundation was able to provide more than $37,000 in assistance to food banks and other organizations helping provide food across our service area. This is one example of the member-helping-member impact the Foundation has been making during the last 15 years.

Making an impact often goes beyond making a monetary donation. Central employees are often seen in our communities donating their time and expertise to help groups that are doing so much to make where we live better. You will see a number of our employees coaching youth sports, assisting in school activities and serving on local boards. Central

As we begin 2021, I would like to ask for your help as Central continues making a positive impact. I hope you will consider volunteering, or giving to an organization or cause you care about. Gifts of your compassion, time and talent are just as valuable as monetary donations.

Many organizations depend on volunteers to fulfill their mission. Even assisting with the smallest tasks can make a big impact in the lives of people, animals or organizations in need.

Often a big commitment or special skills are not needed, just a little bit of time from someone who cares.

In 2021, I hope you will consider adding giving the gift of your time, talent or treasure to your resolution list. It’s a gift that will continue giving all year long.

WINGS OF HOPE RECEIVES FOUNDATION GRANT

Wings of Hope Family Crisis Grants from the Central Services in Stillwater recently Community Foundation are made received a grant from the Central possible by Central members who Community Foundation round up their to help purchase three monthly electric COMMUNITY FOUNDATION new washer and dryers bills to the nearest for the domestic violence shelter. The dollar. These funds are put into the washers and dryers are used daily by foundation, which distributes them nine families and do approximately throughout Central’s seven-county 225 loads a month. service area.

MAKE SAFETY A PRIORITY THIS YEAR Protect your family this year by making updates that will help make your home a safer place and possibly save you money.

Z Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) – GFCIs provide protection against shock from an electrified appliance in contact with water.

It is important that GFCI outlets are installed in areas where water and electricity may meet.

This would include bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, outdoors, etc. If GFCIs are not in your home, consider having them added by a licensed electrician.

Pictured above are Martin Howard, Wings of Hope Executive Director; Mignon Bolay, Central Community Foundation director; Patti Graham, Wings of Hope Shelter Director; and Casey Nichols, Wings of Hope Operations Manager.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS:

WIN A WEEK-LONG TRIP to WASHINGTON, D.C.

YOUTH TOUR JUNE 2021 *

learn more

TRIP SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR CANCELLATION

Z Appliances - Older home appliances like a home furnace, HVAC, water heater, refrigerator, or oven, don’t have the safety features or energy efficiency of modern appliances. If your home appliances are on their last leg, consider replacing them with new, more-efficient ones.

Z Light bulbs - Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs put off a lot of heat and use a lot of energy. Their LED counterparts are more energy efficient and cool to the touch. Don’t get burned by an incandescent bulb, switch to LED this year.

Z Detectors – Check to make sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

If they take batteries, now is a great time for a fresh set.

VIEW CONTEST DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE

MYCENTRAL.COOP/YOUTH-PROGRAMS 3

KEEP YOUR INFORMATION CURRENT It is important to keep your contact information up to date so you can receive important updates from Central about your service. These updates may include information about crews working in your area, planned outages or capital credit checks.

2021 ENERGY EFFICIENCY CALENDAR There are so many ways you can save energy!

Saving energy helps reduce your family’s monthly bills, and it helps our environment. Change your energy use habits by following the monthly tips below. Keep this calendar on your refrigerator to remind family members to be energy efficient throughout the year.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room.

Instead of turning up the heat, put on an extra layer of clothing or stay cozy under a blanket.

MAY

JUNE

Do us a favor and check to make sure your contact information is correct by logging into SmartHub on your computer or mobile app.

From the SmartHub website: § Select My Profile and My Information from the top menu. § Review the email address, mailing address and phone numbers listed on your account. § Update any information and click Save.

From the SmartHub app: § Tap the More icon, then the Settings menu. § Review the contact information. § Update any information and tap Save.

Decorate your backyard or porch with solar-powered lights.

SEPTEMBER Turn off running water while brushing your teeth.

Take short showers instead of baths.

OCTOBER Unplug energy vampires, like chargers, gaming consoles and cable/ satellite boxes.

You can also call our office at 1-800-375-2884 during regular business hours to check your information.

Thank you for helping keep your information current!

ICE STORM DEBRIS REMOVAL Central has hired contract crews to remove debris left from the October/November ice storm.

You may see contractors in your area removing broken poles, equipment and other debris.

MARCH Turn off lights when you leave a room.

JULY Dry heavy linens outside on a clothesline instead of using the dryer.

APRIL Ask an adult to help you plant a tree to help shade your home in the summer.

AUGUST Ask an adult to help you schedule a reminder to change the A/C filter every 60-90 days.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Remind family members to use cold water when washing clothes.

Decorate your home with energy-saving LED holiday lights.