About 10 percent of the power WFEC delivers to its members comes from hydro (water) projects. But does anyone know where they are located?

They are delivered through a long-term contract with the Southwestern Power Administration (SPA), one of the four Federal Power Marketing Agencies. SPA markets power from Corps of Engineer operated dams as an agency of the Federal Government. Cooperatives and municipals have a preference in purchasing this energy.

Primarily, the projects are on the Arkansas and Canadian Rivers in eastern and northeastern Oklahoma, and on several rivers in northwestern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri. Bull Shoals, Table Rock and Eufaula are some of the larger projects. The SPA owns a transmission system connecting most of the lakes’

generation and ultimately interconnecting with WFEC for delivery of the power.

The SPA markets about 2,400 MW of hydro generation, and WFEC purchases a little over 10 percent of that total. These projects do not continuously generate as some projects do in Washington and Oregon. These SPA projects generate about 25 percent of the time and primarily supply energy during high usage times. The in-flow is not great enough to allow full time generation.

Water is a valuable renewable, green resource, and even though it is only a small portion of WFEC’s overall generation mix, it helps diversify the fuels used in the energy we produce.

Roulet Report

September 14, 2012

Unplugged

Gary Krellenstein was one of the featured speakers at the re-cent WFEC Board of Trustees’ Strategic Planning Retreat. In his presentation to the Board, Krellenstein noted that “WFEC’s posi-tive attributes far outweigh its potential problems- making it a top tier G&T.” The two-day business meeting was held in Norman, Oklahoma.

Board Retreat Held in Norman

Gary Krellenstein is Managing Direc-tor of Kroll Bond Rating Agency Inc.

WFEC Manager of Marketing & Commu-nications Mark Faulkenberry provides an update on load management.

(L to R) Keith Bonham, Southwest Rural Electric As-sociation; Jennifer Meason, Cotton Electric Coopera-tive; and Boyd Lee, Caddo Electric Cooperative, lead a panel discussion on distribution members’ effort to manage electric load.

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It’s Off to School We Go

Teaching kids good financial habits, like saving, gives them the best opportunity for a financially stable future. To help kick off the school year, we held a live Q&A with National CPA Financial Literacy Commission members Kelley Long, CPA, and Clare Levison, CPA. Here are a few of the top questions and answers.

What are some tried and true methods to help kids take pride in earning and saving for “big stuff,” whatever that may be?

If your child is younger, have him or her create a decorative chart to help track the progress toward their goal. Post it on their wall so they can update it each day or week.

My son will start his first after school job next week. I’m unsure whether to continue to give him a weekly allowance. What do other parents do? What is your recommendation?

I would end the weekly allowance 03261 unless he is truly doing things at home that you feel warrant payment (such as baby sitting younger siblings, mowing the lawn, etc.). Although the average child with an allowance gets $65 per month, according to a recent AICPA survey, what you decide to do should depend on your family’s personal financial circumstances.

Should the money my child receives for babysitting and other after school jobs go toward a college savings account? How can I explain to her the importance of saving for college even though it’s several years away?

It’s important for kids to have some “skin in the game” when they head off to college, so having her earn some of the money that will go to pay for it will definitely increase her chances of a successful college experience. Rather than having her put away ALL of the money she earns, consider letting her keep part of it to spend as a reward for the work. That way she’ll stay motivated to keep accepting those baby sitting jobs but will also be helping to defray the cost of her future education. Source: feedthepig.org

Hunter Aiden Pulis has arrived!

He was born on August 27 at

5:39 p.m. and weighed 8 pounds,

and was 20 inches long.

Proud parents are Amanda and Matt Pulis. Proud

grandparents are Gary and Mechele Perry and Wayne

and Sonja Pulis. Mechele Perry is a compensation

specialist, and grandpa Wayne, recently retired, held the

position of chief transmission operator.

Welcome New Baby

Fireplace Efficiency: Don’t Let Energy Savings Go Up in

SmokeBy Kelly Trapnell

Your fireplace creates a warm, cozy atmosphere during wintry weather, but don’t let it add unnecessary dollars to your electric bill.

Fireplaces heat the room they’re in but at the expense of the rest of the house. Most of the heat in traditional fireplaces goes up the chimney instead of warming living space, and the draft pulls heat from other rooms. So if your thermostat is located away from the fireplace, it will work harder to maintain room temperatures for the rest of the house.

Fireplace “inserts” help boost energy efficiency. However, emissions from old inserts and fireplaces without inserts are up to 20 times worse than using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified wood stoves, pellet stoves, or gas/oil furnaces. So look for an EPA-certified insert if you want to supplement your home’s heating.

If you don’t have an efficient insert but love a crackling fire, follow these safety measures and to improve efficiency.

Seal those cracks - While sealing drafts around your home, don’t forget to check the chimney. Smoke and heat that escape through cracks can pose a fire hazard. It’s best to hire a professional to fix cracks in high-heat areas.

Fight the draft - If you plan on a long-lasting fire, lower the thermostat to save energy—just be prepared to wear a sweater in other rooms—and resist the temptation to crank the temperature back up after the fire goes out.

Clean sweep - A National Fire Protection Association standard suggests having your chimney and fireplace inspected once a year, and cleaned or repaired when necessary. Even if you don’t use your fireplace often, an annual inspection will find any blockage from animal nests or other deterioration.Batten down the hatch. Keep the chimney flue closed when not using your fireplace to prevent conditioned or heated air from escaping.

Choose your wood wisely - Wood that’s dried at least six months provides the best heat, so avoid any that’s wet or newly chopped. And the 05753 harder the tree species, the longer your fire will burn. This makes ironwood, rock elm, hickory, oak, sugar maple, and beech good choices. Store wood off the ground and away from your house to remove the threat of termite infestation, and cover the top to lessen moisture but leave the sides open for circulation.

Online Banking

www.cecuok.virtualcu.net

Convenience on the go

New&

Improved

Cooperative Employees Credit Union

The Anadarko Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Culpepper & Merriweather

Circus at the Anadarko Fairgrounds on Wednesday, September 26 at 5:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Adults: $9.00, Children: $6.00

The Circus is Coming to Anadarko

TRUCKLOADNow That’s A

of Savings

New - 3.00%* Used - 3.50%*

AUTO LOANS

* With approved credit * Terms and conditions vary

Rates as low as ---

LOWR8T$. .

Cooperative Employees Credit Union

Enter WFEC’s new Co-op Connections Card Contest – Save Big to Win Big. How much have you saved using your Co-op Connections Card? We want to know. Send

in a list of all the savings you have received on all local, regional, prescription, Healthy Savings Discounts and the VIP Savings program and you could win CASH.

We have heard of several WFEC employees saving hundreds of dollars on prescriptions, Healthy Savings discounts and various other discounts in the Co-op Connections program. Now you can not only save on purchases and services through these programs, but you could win CASH. You might even be featured in upcoming Connections Card articles.

This new contest will run quarterly, with the first one ending on Dec.31, 2012. Entries can be sent in anytime after Sept. 1. The first drawing will be held on Jan. 4, 2013. Fill out the attached form each time you save money using your Co-op Connection Card and send to Maria Crowder before Jan. 4, 2013. Anyone sending in 1 to 4 entries will have their name entered in the drawing once. Five or more entries will earn two submissions for the prize drawing. One lucky winner will be drawn from all eligible submissions. This quarter’s prize will be $100. The contest will run through August 31, 2013. We are always looking for more businesses to join the Co-op Connections Card program. If you have any suggestions for local, regional and national businesses that you would like to see enrolled in the Connections Card program, please fill out the bottom of the the attached form and we will follow up.

For more information on the connection card program, visit: http://www.connections.coop/index.php?coopID=40

For more information on the new healthy savings discounts visit: http://www.connections.coop/healthysavings.php?tag=nav

For more information, or to sign up for the new VIP savings: https://www.myvipsavings.com/splash.aspx

If you would like a new card, or additional cards for family and/or friends, please contact Maria Crowder at Ext. 4371 or Brittany Hicks at Ext. 4335.

SAVE BIG TO WIN BIG... IN THE CO-OP CONNECTIONS

CARD CONTEST

Co-op Connections Card Savings Contest EntryName: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________ Savings Amount: ______________

Business Name: ______________ Date: ______________

Description of Discount: ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Suggestion for future Connections Card deals: ___________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Did you know... In the month of August Western Farmers Employees saved $305.00 on

prescriptions using their Connections Card? By using your Co-op Connections Card, you will be able to receive a 10 to 85 % discount on prescription drugs at

over 60,000 national and regional pharmacy chain stores—including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target and many more.

To view a full list of local providers, visit the following link: http://www.connections.coop/healthysavings.php

Did you know… You can get 10% off any purchase at any Eskimo Joes store location? You can also receive 10% off the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages at Eskimo Joes

in Stillwater just by showing your Connection Card! Visit the Eskimo Joes store while you are cheering for your favorite football team this season!

Did you know… Connections Card holders get a free shoe rental or 10% off of their total bill at

Indian City Lanes here in Anadarko. Whether you have a family night out, or head over to eat lunch, you can “rack” up the savings!

To view a full list of Connection Card Discounts, visit the following link:

http://www.connections.coop/

Happy Birthday wishes go out to all WFEC employees enjoying a birthday.

Have a wonderful day!

Dusty Menefee 9/15 Kevan Riley 9/16 Larry Holmes 9/16 Alan Derichsweiler 9/19 Lyndell White 9/19 Heath McKee 9/19 Jared Talbert 9/19 Terry Lisenbery 9/20 Kent Fletcher 9/21 Glen Howell 9/23 Richard Butler 9/24 Pam Cato 9/25 Tom Christensen 9/26 Janell Gilleland 9/26 Jane Lafferty 9/26 Michael Meason 9/26 Wes Brogan 9/27

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.

~Edwin Way Teale

erson

Hidden Employee Numbers

CongratulationstoRobert ElrodforfindinghisemployeenumberinthelastissueoftheUnplugged.

Sorry, Doug Zergerdidnotfindhisnumber.

Youcouldbethenextwinnerofa$10LogoRoomcredit.

Ifyoufindyouremployeenumberinthisedition,callBrittany HicksatExt.4335.Pleaseuseyourcredit

beforethenextpaydayifpossible.