Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR SINCE 1986 What started as an idea to unite resources became a comprehensive plan incorporated into the seven cooperative principles Central Rural Electric Cooperative continues to follow. The first of it’s kind, the Good Neighbor program started in 1986 and quickly gained national popularity. The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives worked with the 26 Oklahoma rural electric cooperatives to combine efforts to enhance the quality of life and productivity in rural areas. “The program showed that even though we were individual co-ops we were stronger together,” said Don Crabbe, current CEO of First Electric in Arkansas and previously with OAEC and Central. The goal of the Good Neighbor project was to provide services, rates and programs to assist the roughly 300,000 rural electric cooperative members across the state. It was intended so that each co-op could offer programs that would best fit their membership’s
needs while pooling resources to make a greater impact. The bonds created through this program helped to ensure rural electric cooperatives would remain successful and beneficial to members for many years to come.
MR. GOOD NEIGHBOR
“It was more economically efficient to work together in a statewide support than individually, which was how it was done before the Good Neighbor program,” Crabbe said. Programs such as the Good Neighbor Watch, free home energy audits and other economic development programs were created from the Good Neighbor initiative. Some of the programs created during the project are still in effect today. “I’m very proud of the program,” Crabbe said. “ It was very successful for its time and was the precursor of Touchstone Energy, which now does the same thing but on a national level.” The program had a featured song, logo and a promotional video that featured former Central employee, Jon Joyce and his family.
Stan Tunnell next to the Good Neighbor Statue at the time of its unveiling in 2016.
Central’s own stepped up to become the face of the Good Neighbor program and logo in 1986. Stan Tunnell, at the time 36 years-old and a Central construction foreman, was selected as the model for the statewide logo. Born in Stillwater, Tunnell started his career at Central as a part-time draftsman at the age of 16. He attended Oklahoma State University, served in the Navy and retired as Central’s vice president of engineering and operations. A statue of Tunnell’s likeness now stands in front of Central’s office to honor the Good Neighbor program.
THE SHINE ON SOLAR Can I save money by installing a solar energy system? This question is being asked more and more as members look for ways to reduce energy costs. The answer is maybe, depending on many factors, and how fast you want to see a return on your investment. MARCH 2022 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) James Wells, Vice President (District 6) Gary McCune, Secretary/Treasurer (District 1) Greg Tytenicz (District 2) Sid Sperry (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Bill Davis (District 7)
Central can walk you through the process and give an estimate on savings you may receive at your residence. Before you make a commitment, contact Central to ensure solar is the right fit for you and your household.
Before you decide to install a solar power system, consider these: •
Before you sign a contract, contact Central to ensure you are eligible for interconnection and to fill out the application.
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Do your homework. Research various solar power systems and installation options before investing. Contact Central for a list of local vendors.
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Assess whether your property is a good site for solar. In general, you will need an open rooftop space or land that is free of shade for at least five hours per day.
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 Ivy Hill - Marketing and Communications Specialist
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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.
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Investigate local building codes, zoning ordinances, covenants, and special regulations pertaining to solar power systems.
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Check with Central to determine the requirements and costs for connecting your system to the grid. Most likely you will still have a Central bill each month.
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Before adding an active solar system to your home, have your home’s electrical system evaluated by a licensed professional to ensure it can support this new technology.
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Always hire a professional to install solar panels at your home.
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Central’s interconnection process and approval can take up to 30 days and must be done before a build. Be sure and include this pending time in your timeline when installing solar.
Interested in installing solar panels? Contact central first! Scan the QR code to learn more or call central at 405-533-4218.
YOUR SOLAR OPTIONS Community Solar Making an addition of solar panels on your home can be an expensive cost that may not be right for everyone. Central offers a Community Solar program to residential members. Members can purchase electricity from the 500-kW solar array on Central’s campus in blocks of 100 kilowatt hours for $2.63 per block. This cost is in addition to current rates. Solar blocks are limited.
HIGH WATERS HIGH STAKES
Want to learn more? Visit mycentral.coop/communitysolar.
Flooding can occur anywhere, but electrical hazards may linger after flood waters recede. Learn how to take precautions before, during and after flooding takes place with these tips from esfi.org.
other Solar options
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An easy way to incorporate solar into your life without purchasing panels for your home is to purchase solar-charged devices.
DO NOT go near any downed power lines, especially if there is standing water nearby.
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Solar water heaters or small solar panels for your outdoor cameras and water pump fountains are easy ways to intergrate solar into your daily life. Devices such as solar watches and portable panels to charge your electric devices are energy-saving options as well.
If your home experienced flooding, keep the power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
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Have an electrician inspect electrical appliances that have been wet, and do not turn on or plug in appliances unless an electrician tells you it is safe.
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A trained professional may be able to recondition some devices while others will require replacement.
How Central can be involved: • Identify and walk you through what size of system would suit your home and lifestyle, and other required processes.
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Do not touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
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Assist in the completion of Central’s interconnection application and approval process. This can take up to 30 days for approval and needs to be completed before a system’s build.
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Provide contacts for reputable providers that Central has worked with.
Knowing the danger of flooding outside of your home is just as important. Nearly half of all flood fatalities occur in vehicles and a vehicle can easily be carried away by two feet of water reports esfi.org. In the past five years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.
Ready for solar, what next? The first thing you should do when considering or planning for solar is to contact Central! Central can help you identify what best suits your needs and walk you through the process.
If you are ready to talk to a Central employee about solar, contact David Freeman at 405-533-4218 or email him at dfreeman@mycentral.coop.
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youth power Energy visit Central at the 2022 Home and Garden Show Deadline April 15
April 2-3 • $5 Admission Payne County Expo Center
Eighth-graders in Central’s territory can write an essay for a chance to attend Energy Camp for free! Learn more at mycentral.coop/youthprograms.
Save the date April 30th • 10 a.m.-Noon
Day 2022
Become a co-op kid and join the fun! Scan the qr code
r u r a l e l e c t r ic co o pe r a t ive
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