My Co-op Is...
Youth Tour Application Deadline
Tater Tot Casserole
“My co-op is East Central Electric based out of Okmulgee Oklahoma, and they are the friendliest and most helpful of any utility I’ve ever dealt with.”
- KEVIN PARKS, MEMBER OF 13 YEARS
In 2026, we are asking co-op members to finish the sentence, “My co-op is...” So far we have collected responses from a handful of members, but we want to hear what you think as well. Cut out the indicated space below and mail it into the co-op at P.O. Box 1178, Okmulgee, OK 74447.
My Co-op Is...
“My co-op is the greatest because they provide small businesses such as my own with high-speed internet at affordable cost.”
- PENNY FRAIR, MEMBER OF 40+ YEARS
“My co-op is, with Operation Round Up, a hand extended to those that are in need. It’s an amazing co-op.”
- FAYE ALEXANDER, MEMBER OF 40+ YEARS
Name and Years of Membership:
Please checkmark if the co-op has permission to share your statement as part of our 2026 Annual Meeting marketing.
notes from the chair
Stay With Us
By Lowell Hobbs, President, East Central Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees
I am writing this during Thanksgiving weekend, so by the time you read it, not only will Thanksgiving be history but so will Christmas and Near Year’s. I hope you remembered to be thankful for what you have. In America we waste more than some countries have.
A dear friend of mine has revealed to me several times how his Mother fed him and his siblings by harvesting food from the store’s throwaway items. You can tell she did a good job by knowing his family as a God fearing Christian man and his children are successful and prosperous good people. I am thankful to get to know him.
I trust you remember that Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. My sincere hope is that you get to know Jesus. In times of stress, knowing Jesus as your Savior makes your life easier and happier. Also, 2025 has been a good year for those of us raising grass to feed our cattle. Hopefully the winter won’t be too severe.
I never have liked the cold weather. As a young boy I had a lot of responsibility feeding the cows, chickens, and pigs. I would wear 2 pairs of britches, 2-3 shirts, cap with fold down flaps, and a sock cap over that toped off with earmuffs, 2 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of socks, and a big heavy coat and still froze. Winter is not my favorite season!
The mild weather during 2025 certainly reduced our kilowatt hour sale of electricity. Weather remains the largest factor in electric usage and, in turn, the co-op’s monthly revenue.
The PCA (power cost adjustment) is a pass-through cost set monthly by our power suppliers. This expense is paid directly to our power suppliers for the cost of fuel in power generation. This is our largest expense and continues to increase. In addition, we have seen a large increase in the cost of our supplies like wire, vehicles, and transformers. Over 75% of the coop’s expenses are fixed or otherwise out of our control. During the last few years, we have used our credits and cash to make up the difference and to keep from raising our rates.
“In times of stress, knowing Jesus as your Savior makes your life easier and happier.”
- LOWELL HOBBS
When sales remain low, like last year, we are forced to increase the CCA (Consumer Cost Adjustment) to keep revenue and expenses aligned. The CCA is a long-standing billing tool that helps cover costs when sales fall short. This should be a short duration. Our controllable expenses remain under budget. The only thing lacking in our budget predictions was the sale of electricity. Stay with us, things will improve.
This is not one of mine but too good not to pass on (copied from
Lowell Hobbs, District 2 President
Larry Harvey, District 1 Vice President
Dwight Luther, District 7 Secretary / Treasurer
Jim Hall, District 6 Assistant Sec. / Treasurer
Max Shoemake, District 3
Michael Vernnon, District 4
Jay Emerson, District 5
someone else): A man and his wife are awakened at 3:00 in the morning by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
“Not a chance,” says the husband. “It is 3 o’clock in the morning!” He slams the door and returns to bed.
“Who was that?” asked his wife.
“Just some drunken dude asking for a push,” he answers.
“Did you help him?” she asks.
“No, I did not! It’s 3 o’clock in the morning and it’s pouring out there.”
“Well, you have a short memory. Can’t you remember about 3 months ago when we broke down and those two boys helped us? I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!”
The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark. “Hello, are you still there?”
“Yes” comes back the answer.
“Do you still need a push?” calls out the husband.
“Yes, please.” comes the reply from the dark. “
Where are you?” asks the husband.
“Over here on the swing!” replies the drunk.
Lowell Hobbs represents ECE District 2. To reach him, please call his cellphone at 918-695-5289.
Don’t miss your chance to see D.C.
The Oklahoma Rural Electric Youth Tour is an annual, week-long, all-expense-paid leadership experience in Washington, D.C., that is open to high school juniors who attend schools located in the co-op service area.
The 2026 trip will take place June 13-19.
The application deadline has been moved to January 26, 2026. Learn more and apply at ecoec.com/youth-tour.
Important Dates( )2026
for the first half of
January 1 - Office Closed New Year’s Day
January 8 - Office Closed Employee Meeting
January 26 - Youth Tour Application Deadline
February 1 - Operation Round Up Application Deadline
February 12 - Office Closed Employee Meeting
March 1 - Scholarship Application Deadline Energy Camp Application Deadline
March 12 - Office Closed Employee Meeting
April 9 - Office Closed Employee Meeting
May 1 - Operation Round Up Application Deadline
May 14 - Office Closed Employee Meeting
District Meetings for Board Districts 1, 3 & 6
May 25 - Office Closed Memorial Day
June 11 - Office Closed Employee Meeting
June 24 - Annual Meeting of Members
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, INC. is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, and disability.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust. html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1)mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(2)fax: (202) 690-7442
(3)email: program.intake@usda.gov
If you see galloping power lines, stay clear. The combination of high winds and ice accumulation can cause power lines to gallop forcefully, which could result in the ice or the lines breaking loose. Excessive ice accumulation can cause short circuits and outages.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
TIP OF THE MONTH
If you are in an auto accident involving a downed power line, your vehicle is usually the safest place to be (unless it is on fire). Stay in your car, call 9-1-1, and wait for electric utility personnel to arrive to deenergize the power. If your car is on fire, make a clean jump and bunny hop to safety.
SOURCE: SAFEELECTRICITY.ORG
Tater Tot Casserole
INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 C. chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of celery
DIRECTIONS
1/2 lb. Velveeta
2 C. shredded cheddar
2 C. shredded mozzarella
1 (2lb.) bag frozen tater tots
Brown ground beef with onion. Drain. Mix meat with soups and melted Velveeta. Put mixture in casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheeses and top with tater tots. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.
SOURCE: ECE 85TH ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOK
