Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
GRID MODERNIZATION: INVESTING IN RELIABILITY
Increasing energy demands have made access to reliable electricity more critical than ever. Rising to that demand, Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s team continues to seek innovative solutions to improve service reliability for members, and Centranet has played a big part. The fiber network has provided a robust foundation for modernizing the cooperative’s electrical grid.
Leveraging Centranet’s high-speed fiber connection has allowed Central to connect downline Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) to monitor the electrical grid in real time.
“Connecting our downline reclosers (IEDs) has helped us identify outages more efficiently,” said Yuvaraj Kondaswamy, Central’s system planning engineer. “They help minimize outages, isolate faults and reduce restoration times.”
Before utilizing IEDs, linemen would identify outages by patrolling the electrical lines to identify faults.
These devices have unlocked a new level of real-time monitoring by
pinpointing the origin of the outage in addition to preparing Central for a smart grid.
The fiber connection provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity that supports these devices and allows access to automated outage detection, remote monitoring and control, and enhanced load management.
Centranet’s fiber connection has also allowed Central to connect with capacitor banks that are essential for voltage regulation and power factor correction, which ensures a more efficient and stable electrical system. It enables Central to detect potential failures before they result in costly outages and minimizes downtime for members.
“Utilizing these devices has saved downtime for our members,” Kondaswamy said. “With this information, there are times when we can preemptively focus on potential faults and can fix issues without members ever experiencing downtime or an outage.”
During the last 10 years, the average outage duration per member has dropped from 2.53 hours in 2014 to 1.37 hours in 2024. The number of average outages per member has dropped from 1.16 in 2014 to .77 in 2024.
Utilizing Centranet’s high-speed fiber represents a transformative step for Central members. This integration enhances reliability, improves operational efficiency and provides a strong foundation for future grid innovations.
More than 90% of the downline reclosers (IEDs) and 10% of capacitor banks have been connected to Central’s SCADA system through our fiber system.
While the demand for energy continues to rise, and Centranet continues to expand its fiber network, the relationship between broadband and electric infrastructure will play a crucial role in delivering safe, reliable and affordable electricity to Central’s members.
MARCH 2025
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
Central Rural Electric Cooperative
CENTRALLY-LOCATED GARDENING STORES
Support your community and brighten your home by shopping at local garden centers and stores in Central’s service area!
Whether you’re planting a backyard vegetable garden, adding vibrant flowers to your landscape or finding the perfect gift for a fellow gardener, these locally-owned businesses offer quality plants and a personal touch! By shopping locally, you’re not only growing something beautiful, you’re also helping strengthen our communities and support neighbors who keep our hometowns thriving.
CHANDLER
Lincoln County Farm Center 308 W. 15th St.
The Honey Pot Garden & Gift 1103 Manvel Ave.
Chandler Hardware 822 Manvel Ave.
Atwoods 1700 E. 1st St.
CRESCENT
Jones Garden Center 423 N. Grand
CUSHING
Hilltop Greenhouse 1520 W. Main Pl.
GreenLife Planet 215 N. Cleveland Ave.
Atwoods 2004 E. Main St.
GUTHRIE
Guthrie Greenhouse 1228 N. Wentz St.
TaraCotta Garden Outlet 115 E. Grant Ave.
PERKINS
Woodlands & Cloth 322 N. Main St.
PERRY
Perry Agri-Center & Fert Plant 205 Gene Taylor St.
Tractor Supply 1506 Fir St.
STILLWATER
Big Creek Nursery 3307 E. 6th Ave.
Plants & Co. Collective 728 Western Rd.
Bustani Plant Farm 1313 East 44th Ave.
Stillwater Succulents 3023 N. Jardot Rd.
Stillwater Milling Company 502 E. 6th Ave.
STROUD
Patton’s Produce 612 E. Main St.
COMMON GARDEN PROBLEMS
Gardening can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. From yellowing leaves to persistent pests, every gardener encounters obstacles that can hinder plant growth. The good news is that most garden problems have simple solutions. Here’s a guide to fixing common garden issues so your plants can thrive.
YELLOWING LEAVES
Leaves turning yellow are often a sign of overwatering, nutrient deficiencies or poor drainage.
Solution: Check soil moisture before watering. If it feels wet, let it dry before the next watering. Add compost or a fertilizer to provide essential nutrients. Improve drainage by aerating compacted soil or adding organic matter like peat moss.
WILTING PLANTS
Wilting can be caused by underwatering, overwatering or root diseases.
Solution: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong root growth. Ensure your soil drains well to prevent root rot. If a plant is affected by disease, remove infected areas and apply a natural fungicide.
PEST INFESTATIONS
Aphids, caterpillars and other pests can damage leaves and stunt growth. Solution: Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs that eat harmful pests. Use organic solutions like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Handpick larger pests like caterpillars and drop them into soapy water.
STUNTED GROWTH
Slow-growing plants may be lacking nutrients, sunlight or proper soil conditions.
Solution: Ensure plants are getting at least six hours of sunlight daily. Test your soil and add amendments like compost, manure or fertilizer
as needed. Space plants properly to avoid overcrowding and competition for nutrients.
WEEDS TAKING OVER
Weeds steal nutrients and water from your plants.
Solution: Mulch a two to three-inch layer to prevent weeds from sprouting. Remove weeds from the roots when the soil is moist. Landscape fabric or cardboard can help keep weeds out of garden beds.
BLOSSOM END ROT ON VEGETABLES
This condition, often seen in tomatoes and peppers, causes dark, sunken spots on fruit. Solution: Keep soil consistently moist to prevent calcium uptake issues. Add crushed eggshells or calcium-rich amendments to the soil. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizers, which can disrupt absorption.
FUNGAL DISEASES
(Powdery Mildew, Rust, etc.)
Fungal infections can spread quickly and weaken plants.
Solution: Water at the base of plants to avoid wetting leaves. Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Apply a homemade fungicide (mix baking soda, water, and a drop of dish soap) to the affected leaves.
Find Oklahoma State University extension’s office garden guide at extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets
DON’T MAKE A SHOCKING MISTAKE
Planning spring projects?
Whether you’re planting a tree, installing a fence or digging for any reason, safety comes first! Follow these safe digging tips to protect yourself from an unexpected shock!
1. Call 811 before you dig! Always contact OKIE811 at least 48 hours before digging. They’ll mark underground utilities for free to help prevent accidents.
2. Use hand tools when digging near marked areas. Hitting underground utility lines can cause injuries, service outages and even hefty fines.
3. Report damage! If you hit a utility line, stop immediately and call the utility provider. Even minor damage can lead to a serious hazard.
4. Know the Colors! Red - Electric Yellow - Gas/Oil Blue - Water Green - Sewer Orange - Communications White - Proposed Digging Stay safe and dig smart!
KILOWATTS & BRATS
JUNE 3 -STILLWATER
JUNE 5 - CHANDLER
Join us for Kilowatts & Brats, where cooperative members can enjoy a meal, connect with employees and the board, and get the latest updates on Central. Co-op Kids event will be combined with this event.
DISTRICT FILING PERIODS OPEN
JUNE 16-20 - DISTRICTS 5 & 6
Members in good standing with the cooperative can submit their candidacy to run for a seat on Central’s board in districts 5 & 6.
ANNUAL MEETING
OCT. 7 - CHANDLER, GUTHRIE, PERRY AND STILLWATER
Mark your calendar for Central’s Annual Meeting, where members engage with cooperative employees and board members, vote on proposed bylaw amendments and receive their Annual Meeting gift!
Follow Central on Facebook @MyCentralCoop for the latest!
pot of gold before St. Patrick’s Day!