Rural Living
July & August 2024
Board of Trustees
TCEC Staff
Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Brewer, Vice President of Engineering
Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services
John Tuten, Vice President of Operations
Wendell Williams, Vice President of Finance
Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees. Postage is paid at Tallahassee, Fla.
Publication Team
Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer
Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services
Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director
Publisher Joanna Forrester
Printed on Responsibly Forested Paper Tri-County Electric
We are busy making plans for one of my favorite events, coming up on September 21, 2024, when Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) will host our 84th Annual Meeting for you, the members we proudly serve. I always look forward to this event because it’s a great opportunity for me and our employees to talk with our members and hear what’s on their minds.
We hope you’ll join us for the annual meeting, which will take place at Madison County High School. For those who are unable to attend in person, we also offer a virtual option, www.TCEC.com/Annual-Meeting. Whether you attend in person or online, we thank you in advance for getting involved because your participation means so much to us.
During the annual meeting, we’ll share a few brief business updates like financial reports, status of our broadband fiber project, etc. But we’re going to have a lot of fun too! We will have gift bags for the kids, information booths set up inside the high school gymnasium, and several rounds of Bingo.
Spending time with you and hearing your take on our community’s energy future is so important to us. In fact, it’s essential because everything we do is shaped by the members of our community. As I’m sure you know, the energy industry is in the midst of massive change. Consumer needs and changing technology impact nearly every aspect of how we manage and deliver energy to local homes, schools and businesses.
As we navigate major changes in the coming years, we need to hear from you and your neighbors to inform our planning as we strive to meet the long-term needs of all TCEC members.
You have a say.
You may be wondering if your opinion really makes a difference, and yes, it does! Gaining guidance and perspective from our members and board helps set priorities for the co-op and guide future decisions. Annual meeting is also a time for members to meet their co-op’s board of trustees.
Our board of trustees is comprised of nine members who live and work right here in our local service area, so they are in the best position to know where community investments are most needed. And by the way, we hope you’ll consider running for the board in the future – we’re always looking for folks who care about our community who would be willing to serve.
Your electric bill is an investment in our community.
This local input means those closest to the community know its needs and priorities and help direct where co-ops dollars are spent. Every year, we invest funds to make updates to our local system, which helps maintain reliability and grid resilience. Think of it this way: every time you pay your electric bill, you’re actually investing in your community because all the money we take in stays here in the local community. By making these investments in our local system, we can ensure you have reliable power for everyday life.
Most consumers likely don’t equate active involvement with their electric company with helping their community. But TCEC is not an ordinary utility company. We’re a co-op, and our business model is meant to serve the members and the community in which it operates.
Our core purpose and mission is to provide safe, reliable and affordable power. But as a co-op, we’re also motivated by service to our community, rather than profits. We hope you’ll exercise the benefits of your co-op membership and join us for the annual meeting in September. We look forward to seeing you!
Board Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison.
Julius Hackett, CEO
Bobby Dodd President Donnie Waldrep
George Webb Secretary/Treasurer
Junior Smith
Catherine Bethea
Johnny Edwards
John Cruce
Ann Herring District
Benjamin White
ELECTRIC CO-OP TRUSTEE ACHIEVES
IN TODAY’S ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPETENCIES
TCEC Trustee, Ann Herring, who represents cooperative members of District 6 recently received the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) from her National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
An ever-changing business environment has imposed new demands on electric cooperative trustees and directors, requiring increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills, and a solid understanding of the cooperative principles and business model. The Board of Trustees of TCEC commits to work through NRECA to sharpen this knowledge to benefit our electric cooperative consumer-owners.
In 2020 Ms. Herring earned her NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificate after attending and demonstrating basic competencies in core courses that include a basic understanding of the electric business, board operations and process, strategic planning, financial decision-making, and director/trustee duties and liabilities.
In April 2024, she reached another milestone and was recognized by NRECA for her continued professional development and attaining ten (10) additional credits in advanced, issues-oriented courses for trustees.
During the June board meeting, Ms. Herring was congratulated by her fellow trustees on achieving Board Leadership Certification and her continued aspiration to learn throughout her service on the board.
Welcome Clayton!
Clayton Skiver joined the co-op in May as an Apprentice 1st Class Lineman. With three and a half years of line work experience with Pike Electric, Clayton was able to get right to work with a TCEC line crew. He is eager to learn the co-op way of serving our members and excited to be able to work for his community and neighbors in Jefferson County. Clayton, his wife Jo, and their 7-month old daughter Alice Jo are proud residents of Monticello. He enjoys spending time with his family, cooking for friends, playing golf, hunting, and fishing. Clayton is looking forward to a lifelong career with TCEC and learning everything he can to grow in his field.
Clayton is also a skilled ice skater, better than most professionals he claims.
Upcoming District Meetings
Democratic Member Control is one of the seven cooperative principles we follow at TCEC, and part of our members role in preparing the cooperative for the future. By electing TCEC Board representatives for each district, members are ensuring a voice in the decisions of the cooperative.
Upcoming district meetings to be held in Districts 1, 2, and 4 provide a great opportunity to meet with fellow members in your neighborhood. By attending your district meeting, and electing a member as your district trustee, you have an opportunity to be involved in your co-op and meet current TCEC trustees and staff to discuss the things that are important to you.
Any member who intends to be nominated and elected at a district meeting for the position of Trustee, may download a Notice of Intent form at www.tcec.com/notice-of-intent, or pick up a form at any TCEC district office. Return completed form to Eileen Herndon, Vice President of Corporate Services (850.973.8024) at the headquarters office in Madison, Florida at least 21 days before the District Meeting at which Trustees are to be elected.
District Meetings will be held in July for TCEC members living in Districts 1, 2, & 4. In accordance with Article III, Section 7 (a) of the Bylaws of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. district meetings will be held for the purpose of selecting person(s) as candidates for trustee. This year, District Meetings are scheduled as follows:
Sweet Summer Safety
One of the best parts of summer at the co-op is that we get to go to Summer Camp too!
TCEC gives a fun and interactive safety demonstration that drives home the message of electrical safety. We use an interactive display called Power Town to show how to “Play it Safe Around Electricity.”
We also get to show off the tools that our linemen use, how high a bucket reaches, and test their work skills in heavy rubber gloves.
It is our goal to inspire these campers, and children across our service territory, to pursue a career in the electric industry, have a better understanding of how power gets to their home, and most importantly how to stay safe around power lines, transformers, and in an emergency involving electricity.
This traveling Power Town kit allows TCEC to discuss substations, electric lines, the effects of trees near power lines, the dangers of vehicles around power lines and more. The display even shows electricity arcing throughout parts of the live demonstration.
Power Town is free and can be scheduled to come to your location. If your school, civic organization, or public service group is interested in this safety demonstration, schedule online at www.tcec.com/live-safety-demonstration or give us a call today!
Thank you Madison FL Police Department , Madison FL 4-H and Taylor County 4-H, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and many others for inviting us to share all about safety around electricity with your campers every summer.
TCEC INVESTS $43,000 IN EDUCATION
This past spring Tri-County Electric Cooperative awarded local students with scholarships to support their next chapter of education. Through the TCEC Energizing Education program, 23 students from across the counties TCEC serves were awarded scholarships for the fall 2024 term.
TCEC’s Energizing Education Scholarship, established by the Board of Trustees, was created in an effort to provide education support for qualified members and their families in Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor Counties. High school seniors and nontraditional undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Scholarships, up to $2,000, are awarded to students planning to continue their education at various accredited Universities, Community Colleges, or Technical Colleges.
Scholarship applicants are evaluated not just on GPA or class rank, but on community service and extracurricular activities as well. An essay, letter of intent, and official transcript are among the required documents for the application. These scholarships are made possible through our Energizing Education program where TCEC Members round up their electric statement to the next dollar and give those cents to the TCEC Energizing Education Scholarship fund.
To enroll your TCEC account, visit www.tcec.com/energizing-education. For more information about the Energizing Education Scholarship, visit www.tcec.com/scholarship.
Two local students, Aiden Burnett and Katelyn Webber, were awarded scholarships to North Florida College on behalf of TCEC. Annually TCEC donates to the NFC Foundation as a part of our investment in education and in the communities we serve. The purpose of the NFC Foundation is to provide direct financial support for the students and programs of NFC.
MADISON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
TAYLOR COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
“This scholarship will help towards being able to continue and complete the Electrical and Instrumentation program at Big Bend Technical College. Your generosity and support of myself and others is truly a blessing.”
– Jaret Fuller, Big Bend Technical College
AUCILLA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Laney Cruce Gannett Fulford Adam Day
Hope Home
Varian Terry
Aiden Burnett – MCHS Not Pictured – Katelyn Webber Taylor County High School
Briana Amman
Jaret Fuller
“Your belief in my potential has motivated me even more to never stop striving for excellence and reinforced my determination to succeed while attending FSU to pursue my dreams in music. I am not only humbled but blessed through your investment in not only mine, but the future and education of so many of my peers. I genuinely hope to make the best of this opportunity, and to give back to my community when possible.”
– Abigail Saltares, Florida State University
“Thank you all so much for this wonderful opportunity! With the help of this scholarship, I am achieving my Dreams! I am forever grateful!
– Anna Meyer, North Florida College
POINT OF GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Landen Douglas
Abigail Saltares
Anna Meyer
Jailyn Cooks Lillian Washington
Roxanne Gosseck
Josie Driggers
Gracie Jenkins
Kayla Edwards Hannah Harvey Victoria Davis
Addison Jacobs Blake Grass Calli Knight
A BALANCED TEAM FOR RELIABILITY
Just like a team needs different players for different situations, our power grid requires multiple sources to keep the grid running. Relying solely on one player to win every game is not an effective strategy—if they get injured, you’ll likely lose. Similarly, using a single fuel source for electricity generation poses a significant risk to energy reliability. Natural disasters, geopolitical tensions or unforeseen disruptions can severely impact the supply chain of a particular fuel. A diverse mix of energy sources acts as a safeguard, ensuring that the grid remains operational even in the face of unexpected challenges.
A diverse energy mix also enhances grid flexibility by accommodating the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Think of solar power like a team’s inconsistent three-point shooter. It’s awesome when the sun is shining bright, but what if it’s nighttime or a cloudy day? That’s where the other players, like wind, hydro, nuclear, natural gas and coal can step up and keep the team scoring.
Board Members and Representatives from TCEC recently toured the Seminole Electric Cooperative Generating Station in Palatka Florida to see firsthand the upgrade and changes to the Seminole Combined Cycle Facility.
Diverse fuel sources contribute to the stability and reliability of the electric grid. The different sources have varying characteristics, including generation patterns, responsiveness and storage capabilities. This diversity allows for a more balanced and resilient energy system that can adapt to fluctuating demand and unforeseen circumstances. Having a mix of these energy sources is like having a team with different skills to handle various situations and scenarios.
A diverse set of energy sources is essential, but that’s not the only thing we need to have reliable electricity. Electric cooperatives are constantly innovating to maintain reliability for tomorrow. But creating new ways to make our power sources more efficient and reliable takes time, money and advances in technology that aren’t necessarily ready yet.
As we continue to work on the innovations of tomorrow, the key to keeping our electricity reliable right now is ensuring a diverse “team” of fuels. Each one brings something special to the table, and together, they make sure we have the power we need, whenever we need it.
The TCEC team would not be what it is without Seminole Electric Cooperative. One of the country’s largest generation and transmission cooperatives, its purpose is to provide essential wholesale services to its members through a balanced, diversified portfolio of safe, affordable, responsible, and reliable energy resources. Seminole and its nine distribution cooperative members, including TCEC, collectively serve 1.9 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties. Seminole’s primary resources include the Seminole Generating Station (SGS) in northeast Florida, the Richard J. Midulla Generating Station (MGS) in south central Florida, and the Cooperative Solar facility adjacent to MGS.
Seminole completed construction on a new natural gas-fired facility adjacent to SGS in northeast Florida, which will reduce Seminole’s reliance on coal as a fuel resource. Currently named the Seminole Combined Cycle Facility, the new plant has a generating capacity of 1,050 megawatts.
Seminole has also entered into four agreements for the purchase of 298 megawatts of additional solar. The four new photovoltaic (PV) solar sites are expected to generate 74.5 megawatts per facility, enough to power approximately 60,000 homes.
SMART HOME TECH
With almost 5,000 TCEC members taking advantage of our fiber to the home internet service through Conexon Connect, the use of smart home technologies is more accessible than ever before.
Smart home technologies are devices that communicate with each other to automate everyday tasks and functions around the home, like heating and cooling, lighting and security. In addition to convenience, smart technologies enable consumers to manage and monitor their energy consumption through device scheduling and control.
With just a tap on your phone or a voice command to your virtual assistant (like Alexa or Siri), you can conveniently control many aspects of your home environment. If you’re new to the smart tech world, there are several cost-effective devices you can try as you explore ways to make your home smarter.
One of the best and most inexpensive places to start is with a smart bulb or plug. Smart LED bulbs allow you to control home lighting remotely through a smartphone app or voice commands. You can set schedules to automatically turn lights off or on, which can help you save energy and boost home security.
Smart plugs are another inexpensive way to give electronics and small appliances the smart home treatment. Smart plugs allow you to set schedules and remotely control power to lamps, small appliances and electronics, minimizing standby energy consumption and maximizing convenience. For example, you can sync the timing of your bedside lamp, alarm, speakers and coffee maker to turn on at the same time each morning.
Home heating and cooling account for a significant portion of energy use, so one of the best investments you can make in smart tech is a smart thermostat. While traditional programmable thermostats can be set to your schedule and preferences, a smart thermostat takes this one step further by learning and adjusting to your routine and building a schedule around it. TCEC also offers a smart thermostat program called Cooperative Rewards. A voluntary program that rewards members for reducing their electricity use during period of high demand, while helping the reliability of the electric grid. Members may earn up to $30 for their participation. Visit https://tcec.com/smart-thermostat-program for more information.
If you’re considering smart tech for your home, start by defining your goals. Is saving energy your top priority, or are you aiming to improve home security?
Whether you’re looking to automate every aspect of your home or simply want to try a device or two, smart technologies have the power to transform your living space into a home where comfort and convenience reign supreme.
Fudge Sundae Pie
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + Freezing MAKES: 8 servings
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons light corn syrup, divided
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2-1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup fat-free hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
• 1/4 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
• 4 cups fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, softened
Directions
1. In a large saucepan, combine 1/4 cup corn syrup, butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute.
2. Remove from the heat; stir in cereal until blended. Press into a greased 9-in. pie plate.
3. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, hot fudge topping and remaining corn syrup. Set aside 1/3 cup for topping. Spread remaining mixture over crust; sprinkle with half the peanuts. Top with frozen yogurt. Freeze, covered, for 6 hours or until firm.
4. Warm reserved peanut butter mixture; drizzle over pie. Sprinkle with remaining peanuts. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before cutting.
Holiday Schedule Reminder
All Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day. Crews will be standing by if needed. Please see “Report & Track Outages”.
